TV Tip/Review: "Sherlock" - BBC1, Sundays 9pm
When I come across the threat announcement of a "modern interpretation of a classic", I usually turn on my heels and run in the opposite direction. That's especially the case when it comes to my favourite characters. Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson are such favourites. "My" Holmes is Jeremy Brett, so you can imagine that my eyebrows wandered towards my hairline when I read that the BBC was about to produce "Sherlock", featuring Holmes and Watson in a modern setting.
But - Benedict Cumberbatch as Sherlock Holmes and Martin Freeman as Dr. Watson? And Rupert Graves as Inspector Lestrade? Written by Steven Moffat / Mark Gatiss? I just had to see that!
SHERLOCK
(You can watch the latest episode on iPlayer)
And now that I've seen it, one thing is very clear: "Sherlock" is one of those "hate it or leave it" shows.
To my great surprise, I find myself firmly in the "love it" camp, though the first case ("A Study in Pink") didn't really deliver the plot to end all plots. But oddly enough, this didn't ruin the fun, all thanks to the actors. Cumberbatch is perfect as Holmes; a modern version, yes, but the intelligence and eccentricity that made the "real" Sherlock Holmes such an iconic figure are there. And Freeman as a modern Watson, an army doctor injured in Afghanistan, is his perfect companion.
There's chemistry between the characters, which makes this "bromance" believable and great fun (I have no doubts than dozens of slashy fics are written this very moment!), and the side characters have been carefully casted. Una Stubbs is great as the landlady Mrs. Hudson (who seems to suspect more than bromance in the flat-sharing plans of Holmes and Watson!), and Rupert Graves is an interesting Lestrade, in many ways closer to the original than many "classic" interpretations. And then there's Mycroft Holmes, but I won't spoil that bit for you.
"Sherlock" is modern, fast, quirky and has a bit of an ironic "CSI" feeling about it. The classic characters are treated with respect and their essence is present in the series. This is solid entertainment, I definitely recommend it. And even if you should hate it - hey. 90 minutes of listening to Benedict Cumberbatch's voice? You could do worse.
READ DR. WATSON'S BLOG!
VISIT SHERLOCK HOLMES' WEBSITE!
DON'T MISS MOLLY HOOPER'S BLOG (it's Charlie Cat's favourite...)
But - Benedict Cumberbatch as Sherlock Holmes and Martin Freeman as Dr. Watson? And Rupert Graves as Inspector Lestrade? Written by Steven Moffat / Mark Gatiss? I just had to see that!
SHERLOCK
(You can watch the latest episode on iPlayer)
And now that I've seen it, one thing is very clear: "Sherlock" is one of those "hate it or leave it" shows.
To my great surprise, I find myself firmly in the "love it" camp, though the first case ("A Study in Pink") didn't really deliver the plot to end all plots. But oddly enough, this didn't ruin the fun, all thanks to the actors. Cumberbatch is perfect as Holmes; a modern version, yes, but the intelligence and eccentricity that made the "real" Sherlock Holmes such an iconic figure are there. And Freeman as a modern Watson, an army doctor injured in Afghanistan, is his perfect companion.
There's chemistry between the characters, which makes this "bromance" believable and great fun (I have no doubts than dozens of slashy fics are written this very moment!), and the side characters have been carefully casted. Una Stubbs is great as the landlady Mrs. Hudson (who seems to suspect more than bromance in the flat-sharing plans of Holmes and Watson!), and Rupert Graves is an interesting Lestrade, in many ways closer to the original than many "classic" interpretations. And then there's Mycroft Holmes, but I won't spoil that bit for you.
"Sherlock" is modern, fast, quirky and has a bit of an ironic "CSI" feeling about it. The classic characters are treated with respect and their essence is present in the series. This is solid entertainment, I definitely recommend it. And even if you should hate it - hey. 90 minutes of listening to Benedict Cumberbatch's voice? You could do worse.
READ DR. WATSON'S BLOG!
VISIT SHERLOCK HOLMES' WEBSITE!
DON'T MISS MOLLY HOOPER'S BLOG (it's Charlie Cat's favourite...)