DS Forums

 
 

Sherlock - New BBC Drama (Part 2)


Closed Thread
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old 06-01-2014, 01:04
Amyy.
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: the TARDIS
Posts: 258
Reviews

Telegraph http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/t...-2-review.html
The second episode of Sherlock (BBC One) saw Benedict Cumberbatch’s otter-faced detective tackle his toughest challenge yet: delivering the Best Man’s speech on Dr Watson’s wedding day. No easy task for a high-functioning sociopath who’s somewhere on the autistic spectrum and simply does not understand trifling matters like love.

Metro http://metro.co.uk/2014/01/05/sherlo...f-one-4248141/
Sherlock’s best man speech is initially awkward but ultimately poignant – from his own self-description (‘the most unpleasant, rude, ignorant and all-round obnoxious arsehole that anyone could possibly have the misfortune to meet’) to his heartfelt praise for John (‘the bravest and kindest and wisest human being I have ever had the good fortune of knowing’)

Independent http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-en...r-9038017.html
Unlike the usual open and shut case, this week was made up of a compelling series of vignettes told via Sherlock’s unorthodox best man speech. All the strands were delicately woven together by writer Stephen Thompson to create a strong story.
From that Metro review:

Like cooking a Christmas roast, this episode requires patience. The central mystery takes a long time to cook and, for its opening hour, has more than a whiff of turkey about it. However, the end result is a pleasant enough filler episode – diverting, but run-of-the-mill by Sherlock’s standards - more stuffing than turkey.

But the story is unlikely to top many fans’ favourite episode lists. For me, it took too long to pull the threads together, rendering the narrative shapeless until the closing 20 minutes. Fans upset by a perceived increase in ‘soapy’ and humorous elements at the expense of plot in the opener will have more ammunition here.


This is the problem I had with it. Parts of the episode I loved but it really felt like a filler episode, and when you only get 3 episodes every 2 bloody years or whatever, you don't have time for filler episodes! Whereas we're normally shown Sherlock's strengths, this episode seemed very much about his weaknesses. I don't know, it was an odd one for me...

That's the first time I've felt disappointed after watching Sherlock. The trailer for next week looks interesting so fingers crossed for that.
Amyy. is offline  
Please sign in or register to remove this advertisement.
Old 06-01-2014, 01:06
Joe_Zel
Inactive Member
 
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 17,128
"Pleasant enough filler episode".

Says it all really. We only have 3 films, is there room for filler?
Joe_Zel is offline  
Old 06-01-2014, 01:06
The Gatherer
Inactive Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,610
The comment you quote is more than a fair point though…..

As I've said, I didn't care much for this episode (too sentimental, not enough detecting), but at least I watched the bloody thing in the first place.
No it really wasn't a fair point. Maybe if you paid more attention to the posts.....
The Gatherer is offline  
Old 06-01-2014, 01:07
Night Owl
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 175
Disappointed. Was looking forward to the episode but got rather bored. Hope the next one is back on track.
Night Owl is offline  
Old 06-01-2014, 01:08
The Gatherer
Inactive Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,610
Its a puzzle isn't it?

And for the record I'm no Moffat fan boy. He has made some awful decisions on DW or at least hasn't done what I would have liked. And yes these two episodes of Sherlock have in my opinion bordered on self indulgence and at times have seemed to have played to the gallery in placing the double act of Cumberbatch and Freeman front and centre at the expense of some pure detective action. I'm not deluded about the flaws.

But I'm sick of these anti Moffat obsessives who seem convinced he's destroying TV. At least watch the bloody program you're critiquing. Or even better watch something you like and stop with the bizarre personal vendettas against a man who just writes some very successful TV programs.
And I'm equally sick of those who defend Moffat despite all the evidence that he is a very poor showrunner and writer (talking about quality of scripts not ratings).
The Gatherer is offline  
Old 06-01-2014, 01:09
Digital Sid
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 37,497
It's like they wrote 3 x 90 minute in-jokes then realised they forgot any actual crime deduction and thew some in in the final draft.
Digital Sid is offline  
Old 06-01-2014, 01:12
Eater Sundae
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 8,674
It's like they wrote 3 x 90 minute in-jokes then realised they forgot any actual crime deduction and thew some in in the final draft.
What happens in episode 3?
Eater Sundae is offline  
Old 06-01-2014, 01:15
Sad_BB_Addict
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Essex
Posts: 86,769
Next Sunday
Sherlock Holmes encounters Charles Augustus Magnussen, the one man he truly hates, through a case of stolen letters. How will he tackle an enemy who specialises in blackmail and knows the personal weakness of every eminent person in the Western world?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b03pzpgy
Radio Times http://www.radiotimes.com/episode/cr...3-his-last-vow
Sad_BB_Addict is offline  
Old 06-01-2014, 01:17
Sad_BB_Addict
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Essex
Posts: 86,769
I thought the main idea of telling a story in flash-backs during a Best Man's speech was really clever, but agree with those who say it was style over substance again, like last week.
Sad_BB_Addict is offline  
Old 06-01-2014, 01:17
Kapellmeister
Inactive Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Taedet animam meam vitae
Posts: 40,368
Next Sunday
Sherlock Holmes encounters Charles Augustus Magnussen, the one man he truly hates, through a case of stolen letters. How will he tackle an enemy who specialises in blackmail and knows the personal weakness of every eminent person in the Western world?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b03pzpgy
Radio Times http://www.radiotimes.com/episode/cr...3-his-last-vow
It looks and sounds very promising. Like the 'Sherlock' of old. Maybe we can salvage one good episode from the series!
Kapellmeister is offline  
Old 06-01-2014, 01:18
Alrightmate
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Posts: 65,752
Johns got his wife and baby on the way, no doubt they will start featuring more heavily. I don't like it.
Or end up dead in the next episode.
Alrightmate is offline  
Old 06-01-2014, 01:20
Alrightmate
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Posts: 65,752
To me it seemed that he left because he was troubled by something, maybe something he saw in Mary's reaction?
I don't know how alone I am in thinking this, but Mary seems to occasionally throw amorous glances to Sherlock when John isn't looking.
Alrightmate is offline  
Old 06-01-2014, 01:21
Belligerence
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Ghosts Forge
Posts: 38,995
Hi guys. I haven't read through the thread yet, I'll have a scout when I'm on my laptop.
I wasn't happy. Basically I think this was written for all the fans - it reeked of fanfiction (although in fairness I suppose Gatiss and Moffat are Conan Doyle's biggest fans).
It was too cliche. Watson's wedding didn't need an entire episode, Mary didn't need to be pregnant (just too sugary sweet).
Overly done sweetness, if I were writing the fanfic it's exactly how I'd have done it... But I'm not Moffat, and I wouldn't be wasting 90 minutes. From the emotional perspective it was great, but we only get 3 episodes every two years and plot wise this has been the poorest of them all.
Yes we had a little plot but... Meh. A character I didn't care about.

However, it was lovely to see Irene "not now I'm busy" Adler. And drunk Sherlock may perhaps be my favourite thing ever, there was just too much of him.
Intrigued about next week's episode, perhaps no Watson, given the end of the episode?

Final edit: I think my dad put it best: "It was very good, but it wasn't Sherlock."
Hmmm, would be something sombre if Mary dies as a result of childbirth. I'm certain she passes away in the books, but not sure if it's specified.
Belligerence is offline  
Old 06-01-2014, 01:23
AlexiR
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 12,683
So I'll wade into this then.

I greatly enjoyed episode two and think its one of the most brilliantly constructed bits of television I've seen for a while. It was also filled to the brim with the visual style and pacing that has marked Sherlock out since day one and I've really enjoyed the greater focus on the characters and their interactions with this series. However, I can fully understand why not everyone has enjoyed that shift in focus and the changes its brought to the series and as a result the series has become somewhat more polarising than it was. Not everyone will enjoy that shift. Some people want those slick 90 minute mysteries and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that.

It might also be worth mentioning that episode two of Sherlock has a bit of a history of being the weakest of the bunch.
AlexiR is offline  
Old 06-01-2014, 01:34
abercrombie
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 891
So I'll wade into this then.

I greatly enjoyed episode two and think its one of the most brilliantly constructed bits of television I've seen for a while. It was also filled to the brim with the visual style and pacing that has marked Sherlock out since day one and I've really enjoyed the greater focus on the characters and their interactions with this series. However, I can fully understand why not everyone has enjoyed that shift in focus and the changes its brought to the series and as a result the series has become somewhat more polarising than it was. Not everyone will enjoy that shift. Some people want those slick 90 minute mysteries and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that.

It might also be worth mentioning that episode two of Sherlock has a bit of a history of being the weakest of the bunch.
Can I just ask you whether you have read any of the books or had any interaction with other incarnations of Sherlock Holmes?
abercrombie is offline  
Old 06-01-2014, 01:36
16caerhos
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 2,392
Is it me or did Molly seem different? She was more confident and not as awkward around Sherlock, well, I say not as - she wasn't really awkward around him at all. Telling him that she and Tom are having "lots of sex" especially surprised me.

Am I missing something here? Is she just using this new boyfriend of hers and telling Sherlock about the sex to try and make him jealous?
16caerhos is offline  
Old 06-01-2014, 01:36
Alrightmate
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Posts: 65,752
I agree.

Quite liked this episode, but agree with the comments about Mary getting in the way. Maybe she'll be gone in the last episode
I'm wondering if it's possible that this is the last ever series, and they're preparing a happy send-off for Watson?

As another poster said Cumberbatch is a big star now who appears in major films and this series may be the last.
Alrightmate is offline  
Old 06-01-2014, 01:38
lolly-licker
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Not Kansas anymore...
Posts: 16,930
Hmmm, would be something sombre if Mary dies as a result of childbirth. I'm certain she passes away in the books, but not sure if it's specified.
I'm guessing from the trailer for next week...
Spoiler
lolly-licker is offline  
Old 06-01-2014, 01:39
abercrombie
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 891
hello, sorry

Last edited by abercrombie : 06-01-2014 at 01:46. Reason: changed my mind, sorry
abercrombie is offline  
Old 06-01-2014, 01:42
Digital Sid
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 37,497
I thought the main idea of telling a story in flash-backs during a Best Man's speech was really clever, but agree with those who say it was style over substance again, like last week.
It was, but there was way too much of the speech and way too little of the story. It was a funny speech, I enjoyed the episode but I can't help but feel sorely cheated out another good case to add to the collection, fine occasionally if you've got 20 episodes to play with, but you've only got 3 and we've waited two years for them.
Digital Sid is offline  
Old 06-01-2014, 01:43
lolly-licker
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Not Kansas anymore...
Posts: 16,930
^^ I love Molly
lolly-licker is offline  
Old 06-01-2014, 01:43
Alrightmate
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Posts: 65,752
The key is the location of the blow. A wound to the abdomen is most likely to be fatal and is generally relatively slow (particularly if you believe the belt thing - I don't know enough about such things to dispute this), giving the killer time to slip away. A stab to the heart is faster and more effective, but instantly observable.
My only issue with this element of the story is that it would make no difference if someone took the belt off or not. If you've receieved a fatal wound the belt isn't going to somehow hold it in.

I know what they were trying to do, and it's quite a nice idea. It just doesn't quite work.
It could if it was more like a fantasy set thing, like some Wuxia film, but this is based in the real world.

The belt thing where you only die when you take your belt off reminded me very much of The Five Point Palm Exploding Heart Technique from Kill Bill where the victim only falls down dead after taking 5 steps.

I like the idea of what they were trying to do, it's just that it doesn't really work.
Alrightmate is offline  
Old 06-01-2014, 01:50
Vol
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Scotland
Posts: 2,194
In episodes past we've had stuff like Moriarty setting off a bomb and killing a blind old woman + many other innocents. Now we have 'Elephant in the room' and drunk Sherlock... the tone of the show is completely unrecognisable. I'm all for the humour, but tonight's episode was verging into a full blown sitcom at times.

The final episode will really make or break this season imo. Thankfully all the signs indicate that it will be plot driven, dramatic and possibly even tragic. I kind of hope they don't end on a cliffhanger again though, especially since the resolution of both season ending cliffhangers have been poor.
Vol is offline  
Old 06-01-2014, 01:52
Digital Sid
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 37,497
In episodes past we've had stuff like Moriarty setting off a bomb and killing a blind old woman + many other innocents. Now we have 'Elephant in the room' and drunk Sherlock... the tone of the show is completely unrecognisable. I'm all for the humour, but tonight's episode was verging into a full blown sitcom at times.

The final episode will really make or break this season imo. Thankfully all the signs indicate that it will be plot driven, dramatic and possibly even tragic. I kind of hope they don't end on a cliffhanger again though, especially since the resolution of both season ending cliffhangers have been poor.
It felt exactly like that, it was like watching a different show, I liked it for what it was, but as an episode of Sherlock I hated it. I'm fine with some humour, Sherlock's good at it, but it shouldn't take up an episode. The deduction we did see was good (though even then it was a little overly comical), there just wasn't anywhere enough of it. The crime solving shouldn't feel tagged on, the comedy should.
Digital Sid is offline  
Old 06-01-2014, 01:54
Welsh-lad
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Mid Wales / Canolbarth Cymru
Posts: 37,483
Not actually very accurate. The people who disliked the episode have provided reasons why, those who claim to have liked it have not.
Oh ok, here goes then:

I liked the programme because it teased with a lot of mysteries at the start - the bank robbery, the young soldier being spied upon and attempted murder, the major being targeted.
I really liked how Sherlock had to find a common thread connecting all the dots and finally working out how the two crimes were connected.

The sequence in the courtroom / chamber was excellent, clearly figments of his mind and showed how he works things out in an inquisitorial way.

The 'race against the clock' to discover the murderer at the wedding do was gripping and full of suspense.
It subverted last week's race against the clock story (the bomb) by revealing the attempted murder had long since been perpetrated by the photographer.

Aside from the mystery there were great forays into the characters with some classic exchanges between Sherlock and Mrs Hudson, and with Mycroft.
Sherlock's caring for his friend by interogating the ushers, exes etc was funny and endearing, as was the whole stag night scene, which again was a mixture of touching and very funny repartee.

It wasn't as good as last week's and I would liked to have seen the pace quicken at the start because we dwelt a little too long on the set-up. I'd say pacing is an area for improvement.

Happy?
Welsh-lad is offline  
 
Closed Thread




 
Forum Jump


All times are GMT. The time now is 03:52.