Sherlock Season 2: Hounds of Baskerville reaction
Hello, dear friends!
I meant to do a reaction post after the first BBC Sherlock episode, but the cats interfered. We are now at the Squirt Bottle of Doom phase, and it's working pretty well! It's got Tilney paying attention when I warn him now. So peace is gradually being restored to my home, thank goodness! Many thanks to the many friends who eased me through this trying 6-week period. *hugs*
On to Sherlock!
Season 2 episode 1 reaction in a nutshell: FABULOUS!!! Twists and turns, clever dialog, suspense and surprises -- please, sir, can I have some more?
Season 2 episode 2 reaction in a nutshell: Not as good as the first, but highly enjoyable.
Things I liked:
- John pulling rank
- Sherlock getting a kick out of John pulling rank
- The advancement of their relationship in general-- although it felt a little quick for me. Ideally, season 2 would have 6 episodes so they can advance the boys' relationship over time. (sends all scripts back for a 6-season rewrite)
- The way all the Baskerville characters were named for characters in the story, but filled new roles. Particularly enjoyed Barrymore as the major-- really fit the book profile in terms of looks, I thought! And loved Stapleton and her glowing rabbit, reminiscent of the naturalist Stapleton's fascination with nature.
- The fake-out scene with John going solo across the moor-- just like when he and book!Baskerville go to investigate the candle for the convict-- only the "signal" turns out to be a parking zone! :D
- Sherlock apologizing to John and making a hash of it-- then apologizing again the next morning by making him coffee-- which he drugs as part of a scientific experiment!
- John getting freaked out by the Hound in the lab
- Sherlock master-minding John getting freaked out by the Hound in the lab-- both his initial appearance and the flashback explaining it
- Stapleton being an obsessed researcher who kills her own child's rabbit! (without being the final villain; that was nice)
- Dr. Mortimer being updated to a competent (for a change) therapist, although I did wish she had owned a curly haired Spaniel
- Frankland being on everyone's side (or no one's side), as the mood takes him. He bad-mouths Stapleton, rescues Sherlock as "Mycroft" and later drugs and attacks him, is Henry's dad's best mate and also kills him...
- Lestrade's first name, and being a BAMF with the restaurant people
- We got a real hound, eventually-- and her name was Sylvia.
Things I liked not so much:
- the pacing was way slower in this one. When I started seeing scenic shots of the moor, I knew we were in trouble.
- the lack of subplots. Seriously, we could have used a few-- either Selden the criminal (perhaps an agent Barrymore is dealing with), a Laura Lyons intrigue-- something.
- the vast deviation from the original plot. In addition to wandering away to non-relevant characters, such as the moor tour guide, I just didn't feel this modern update was as successful. Apart from the character names and a scene here and there, we really didn't get a retelling of the Baskerville family ghost story.
- Henry Baskerville. I understand why he was as he was, but it's such a deviation from the hardy adventurer of the novel, he really couldn't hold up his end of the scenery (basically, he played scared and scared... a loss)
- Lestrade being underused. I was really looking forward to Holmes and he setting a trap for the villain, but nothing of the sort emerged. Basically, he was reduced to an extra gun (boring!)
Well, I don't want to analyze too much. The show was great good fun. While I thought episode 1 was the best film I saw all year, this show would be in the top dozen. Please share your thoughts below. Either episode, if you wish!
Cheers.
I meant to do a reaction post after the first BBC Sherlock episode, but the cats interfered. We are now at the Squirt Bottle of Doom phase, and it's working pretty well! It's got Tilney paying attention when I warn him now. So peace is gradually being restored to my home, thank goodness! Many thanks to the many friends who eased me through this trying 6-week period. *hugs*
On to Sherlock!
Season 2 episode 1 reaction in a nutshell: FABULOUS!!! Twists and turns, clever dialog, suspense and surprises -- please, sir, can I have some more?
Season 2 episode 2 reaction in a nutshell: Not as good as the first, but highly enjoyable.
Things I liked:
- John pulling rank
- Sherlock getting a kick out of John pulling rank
- The advancement of their relationship in general-- although it felt a little quick for me. Ideally, season 2 would have 6 episodes so they can advance the boys' relationship over time. (sends all scripts back for a 6-season rewrite)
- The way all the Baskerville characters were named for characters in the story, but filled new roles. Particularly enjoyed Barrymore as the major-- really fit the book profile in terms of looks, I thought! And loved Stapleton and her glowing rabbit, reminiscent of the naturalist Stapleton's fascination with nature.
- The fake-out scene with John going solo across the moor-- just like when he and book!Baskerville go to investigate the candle for the convict-- only the "signal" turns out to be a parking zone! :D
- Sherlock apologizing to John and making a hash of it-- then apologizing again the next morning by making him coffee-- which he drugs as part of a scientific experiment!
- John getting freaked out by the Hound in the lab
- Sherlock master-minding John getting freaked out by the Hound in the lab-- both his initial appearance and the flashback explaining it
- Stapleton being an obsessed researcher who kills her own child's rabbit! (without being the final villain; that was nice)
- Dr. Mortimer being updated to a competent (for a change) therapist, although I did wish she had owned a curly haired Spaniel
- Frankland being on everyone's side (or no one's side), as the mood takes him. He bad-mouths Stapleton, rescues Sherlock as "Mycroft" and later drugs and attacks him, is Henry's dad's best mate and also kills him...
- Lestrade's first name, and being a BAMF with the restaurant people
- We got a real hound, eventually-- and her name was Sylvia.
Things I liked not so much:
- the pacing was way slower in this one. When I started seeing scenic shots of the moor, I knew we were in trouble.
- the lack of subplots. Seriously, we could have used a few-- either Selden the criminal (perhaps an agent Barrymore is dealing with), a Laura Lyons intrigue-- something.
- the vast deviation from the original plot. In addition to wandering away to non-relevant characters, such as the moor tour guide, I just didn't feel this modern update was as successful. Apart from the character names and a scene here and there, we really didn't get a retelling of the Baskerville family ghost story.
- Henry Baskerville. I understand why he was as he was, but it's such a deviation from the hardy adventurer of the novel, he really couldn't hold up his end of the scenery (basically, he played scared and scared... a loss)
- Lestrade being underused. I was really looking forward to Holmes and he setting a trap for the villain, but nothing of the sort emerged. Basically, he was reduced to an extra gun (boring!)
Well, I don't want to analyze too much. The show was great good fun. While I thought episode 1 was the best film I saw all year, this show would be in the top dozen. Please share your thoughts below. Either episode, if you wish!
Cheers.