TV: BBC’s Sherlock – A Study in Pink

[narcasse]

To date there’s only been one modern Sherlock Holmes derivative that’s been done the way it ought to and that was Zero Effect but this series proves that when it comes to a specific treatment of a great British detective only the British broadcasting companies know how to do them justice.

Generally speaking:

I wasn’t at all prepared for such a pretty Holmes. I expect Holmes to be good looking e.g. played by actors like Jeremy Brett or Vasily Livanov, but his being pretty has never quite been on the cards.

Sadly, I did yell “That’s not Baker Street” at the street scene because as someone who use to make regular trips to the RAM, unless there’s been some ghastly new build in the area, those reflective corporate offices don’t belong.

While I can understand Watson needing a taxi the implication is that Holmes usually takes taxis anyway to which my exclamation was “Get the tube, you lazy shit” because both Baker Street and Regent’s Park are within easy walking distance and they set off during daylight so there was no chance that they were close to the early hours when taxis become the viable option.

I’m a little worried about how the one POC in the main cast is being handled since in a sea of white faces she’s the only one who is being set up as a character who’s permanently wrong about everything, though I’ll have to see how that develops.

Almost as if to weigh out against the above, modern day Mycroft is absolutely wonderful. I completely and utterly adore his characterisation.

Out of sheer smoker’s pedantry: while the smoking ban is certainly in force you are by law perfectly safe to smoke on your own premises. Renting agreements to the contrary aside, if Mrs Hudson permits smoking on her premises that’s her own damn business.

This may actually be the one version of Sherlock Holmes other than the original stories where I could conceivably ship Watson/Holmes.

Since it occurred to me to check whether or not the episodes air after the 9 o’clock watershed due to the sheer tonne of overt Holmes/Watson statements it’s also occurred to me that by being based on the work of Arthur Conan Doyle, if the series does want to go down that route they can without the Conan Doyle estate, in particular one woman I recall complaining about the jokes in the recent film, being able to do much about it since this isn’t meant to be an adaptation of the original source material at all.

This being the first time that I’ve actually used the BBC iPlayer I’m thoroughly impressed with its functionality and the fact that the episode was available to view shortly after it had finished airing on TV, since I’d only managed to catch the last half hour.

And now, considering all the scenarios and explicit lines, I’ve just realised what an awful pun the title of the first episode is.

Comments

[7veilsphaedra.livejournal.com]

I'm pleased to hear you liked it, and look forward to when it expands outside the British broadcasting circle.

[reichsfreiherr.livejournal.com]

You could try watching it on BBC iPlayer but I’ve no idea if they’d restrict it to the UK only or if there might be some leeway for the Commonwealth.