Sherlock Holmes: The Abominable Bride (2016)

Plot:Imagining himself back in the 1890s Sherlock is visited by Inspector Lestrade, after newly-wed Emelia Ricoletti, having apparently killed herself in public, murdered her husband Thomas in front of witnesses before vanishing. Some months later Holmes is approached by Lady Carmichael, who tells him that her husband Sir Eustace has been threatened by Emelia, who then, seemingly does away with him. With an intrusive Moriarty crossing him Holmes attempts to solve the enigma, with unexpected help from Watson’s wife Mary and evidence of a conspiracy involving half the population of the country

Rating: 7/10

I’m typing this out without knowing if I will even rate it. I know, I’m a wild woman today. The Abominable Bride was passed to Sherlockians as something to chew on, because the waiting for season four has become slightly ridiculous. It seems silly to wait so long between seasons. Aren’t they running a risk that the crowds will become disinterested?

The AB is the length of a normal Sherlock episode, about one hour and thirty minutes (i.e. a short movie). Sufficient amount of time to tell a story without making an entire movie out of it if you ask me.

The Abominable Bride, once understood what is going on, makes so much sense. Season three ended wildly, and it is obvious that Sherlock has more problems than we’ve always known and accepted, and this slightly deranged and wildly fanciful episode is proof of that. What is real and what is not real becomes the big question. Initially everything simply looks by a design of the creators to bring a special episode set in another world. But could it be? Come one, the writers of Sherlock is way too crafty to let an opportunity go amiss like this.

The AB manages to be spooky and freaky, intelligent and well written. The hooded scene was amazing, the culmination of who and what the Bride was and how she pulled off her stunts are essential to what might happen to season four, in my humble little opinion.

But has this classic episode of Sherlock become too Sherlocky? I don’t know. I thoroughly enjoy Benedict Cumberbatch – he’s just so perfect as Sherlock. However, are they making him be too quirky? I don’t know, I don’t know. There were some scenes where I felt that his character is being exploited too much and losing the essence of the true character of Sherlock Holmes.

Have you seen this episode? What did you think?

March 17, 2016March 17, 2016 by Natasha Categories: 2016, Review, Series, UncategorizedTags: Benedict Cumberbatch, British, detective, Emilia Ricoletti, Martin Freeman, Review, Series, Sherlock, Sherlock Holmes, The Abominable Bride 1 Comment

Top Ten Television Crushes

Have I done one of these already? If so, I don’t care because I am doing another one! My list has certainly evolved the past few months with some pretty awesome and fine gentlemen working their way in! As I’m writing this the post is threatening to turn into a novel, so sorry for the long one!!

Special mentions:

Luke Danes – Scott Patterson, Gilmore Girls

Jon Snow – Kit Harrington, Game of Thrones

Jax Teller – Charlie Hunnam, Sons of Anarchy

Chuck Bass – Gossip Girl

10. 

Jess Mariano – Milo Ventimiglia, Gilmore Girls

Character rating: 8/10

Smoky factor: 8/10

Final Score: 16/20

Jess comes in at number 10 because he is the perfect bad boy that every girl should have once in her life. He is not always good to Rory and his problems in life keeps him back, but later on in the story his character becomes extremely satisfying to see succeed.

9. 

Seely Booth – David Boreanz, Bones

Character rating: 8/10

Smoky factor: 8/10

Final Score: 16/20

I LOVVEEE Bones. The show is good and takes place in a lab which, as it is part of my career world, I enjoy immensely (although the drinking and eating around human remains… nope).

Booth is so damn fine. The height, the size, the character, just take me now. I have a big thing for the whole injured soldier story so that factors in really well too.

8.

Damon Salvatore – Ian Somerhalder, Vampire Diaries

Character rating:  7.5/10

Smoky factor: 9/10

Final Score: 16.5/20

I’ve only seen the first three seasons and I’m not that interested in seeing the rest because season three is already rather boring, but the main attraction of that show is Damon Salvatore. He is comfortable with his nature and doesn’t whine as much as his brother. Also, the eyes of Ian Somerhalder, paired with the black hair and that fuck-it-all attitude. Win.

7.

Robb Stark – Richard Madden, Game of Thrones

Character rating: 8/10

Smoky factor: 8.5/10

Rating: 16.5/20

SOB. He was everything until George Martin was George Martin and killed him off. I’ve noticed that GoT has the same route – endear a character to the watcher/reader, and then pop him. Rob, with his curly hair, his kingly nature and his impulsive streak (that lead to said popping) made such a good character. Richard Madden was a great attribute to the show – looky wise, acting wise and execution of the storyline. He is sorely missed.

6.

Tom Branson – Allen Leech, Downton Abbey

Character rating: 8.5/10

Smoky factor: 8.5/10

Final Score: 17/20

Tom Branson is initially introduced into Downton as a depiction of the unrest that was very much real in the middle and lower classes in Britain in the 1920s. Tom is adorable in his outspokenness and opinions and his fearless determination to give his opinion. His love story with Sybil is so romantic and fun because it is seen as inappropriate.

I love Tom. He is a good man and can see how the upper class isn’t all that bad although he disagrees with the class system. His grief at Sybil’s death had me so upset because it was done so well. His love for his young daughter and his determination to make life good for her.Just YES.

5.

Khal Drogo – Jason Momoa, Game of Thrones

Character rating: 7.5/10

Smoky factor: 10/10

Final Score: 17.5/20

If this post was based solely on characters Khal Drogo would probably have been lower on the list. His character is cool but let’s face it – even though the love story between him and Khaleesi eventually becomes so beautiful it causes physical pain, the start of their sexual relationship is not at all consensual (at least in the series)

So it is thus the looks department that brings Khal Drogo in at number five on this list. He is so hot. All that muscle and manliness and the little scar above the eye and his looks and everything

4.

Dean Winchester – Jensen Ackles, Supernatural

Character rating: 8.5/10

Smoky factor: 9/10

Final Score: 17.5/20

Ah Dean. Supernatural is such a great show (until season 5) and I’ve been scared plenty of times watching it. We all know who the better Winchester brother is. Sam Winchester is the most annoying crying baby that any show has had (apart from Carrie Matheson in Homeland). Dean however, is everything. HE is strong and resilient and such a good brother and smoking hot. His taste in music, his taste in cars, clothing and food. Everything just wins where Dean is concerned!

3.

Peter Quinn – Rupert Friend, Homeland

Character rating:9/10

Smoky factor: 8.5/10

Final Score: 17.5/20

This could really be a list of my favorite shows too, as far as the numbering is currently going! I really enjoy Homeland and even though I find the drama, especially in Season 4, very much like a war propaganda from the US, I think the show is really well produced and the characters extremely well written. Carrie Matheson is the bane of everyone’s existence, not just mine, so the show’s quality relies on the supporting cast and the story.

Peter Quinn came to Homeland in Season 2 but never really received the proper character development he deserved. Every season would start off with some introduction on his life and extraordinary work skills and then just fade as Carrie’s crying face got all the attention.

Season 4 finally really starts to focus on Quinn, and although I retched when his feelings for Carrie came out into the open, I really enjoyed that he got more screen time.

Quinn is efficient and loyal and dedicated to his team, all of the things which Carrie is not. When he goes into avenging mode, it is damn hot and I just want to jump through the screen. I enjoy the many layers the character has and how he struggles with many of the decisions his superiors make.

2. 

Sherlock Holmes – Benedict Cumberbatch, Sherlock

Character rating: 9/10

Smoky factor: 9.5/10

Final Score: 18.5/20

Sherlock comes in a close second on the favorite characters list. He is so intelligent and quirky and Benedict Cumberbatch brings the legendary sleuth to the screen in the way that no person could have thought possible. The three seasons are all highly entertaining, the banter between Sherlock and Watson is sharp and acerbic and the chemistry onscreen between Cumberbatch and Freeman contributes to the enormous success of the show. The story is sharp and layered and excellently written and produced. However, without Cumberbatch this show would have been really good, but I don’t think that it would have been as excellent. His unique features and nature brings the character to life – no one will ever be Sherlock as well again as he. Then there are Cumberbatch’s eyes and that voice that just kills me. (The hair and his height and his trench coats too)

1.

Matthew Crawley – Dan Stevens, Downton Abbey

Character rating: 10/10

Smoky factor: 9/10

Final Score: 19/20

Matthew Crawley has forever ruined television crushes for me, because no one will ever be able to compete against him and walk away the victor. I don’t always go for blonde haired guys, so when I do, you must KNOW that it is for character reasons as well as looks. Matthew really perfected my standards here. His character is amazing. He is kind and compassionate in situations where it wouldn’t be unfair of him to lose his temper. He goes through so much in the show and he remains this gentle soul. I love everything about him and I can’t see myself ever giving this spot away to anyone else.

June 26, 2015June 24, 2015 by Natasha Categories: Friday, Fun, Top Ten CrushesTags: Allen Leech, Benedict Cumberbatch, Bones, Damon Salvatore, Dan Stevens, David Boreanz, Dean Winchester, Downton Abbey, Game of Thrones, Gilmore girls, Homeland, Ian Somerhalder, Jason Momoa, Jensen Ackles, Jess Mariano, Khal Drogo, Matthew Crawley, Milo Ventimiglia, Peter Quinn, Richard Madden, Robb Stark, Rupert Friend, Seely Booth, Sherlock, Sherlock Holmes, Supernatural, Tom Branson, Vampire Diaries 20 Comments

Five things Friday: Beautiful speeches on screen

Happy Friday! I was watching Gilmore Girls this week where Rory gives her graduation speech, and that, and a conversation with Zoe, prompted me to compile this list today.

I’ve always read that people give speeches that move other people into action, or make them teary eyed and super emotional, but there aren’t many movies or shows that have actors/actresses strong enough to properly convey the emotion in a way that the speech becomes a powerful entity.

However, I’ve managed to come up with five speeches where the words, combined with excellent acting and setting, impressed me beyond belief and nearly made me cry.

Sherlock Holmes’ best man speech at Watson’s wedding

Benedict Cumberbatch is without a doubt the most perfect person to ever play Sherlock Holmes, a high honor since Robert Downey Jnr did a very decent job in the 2009 and 2011 Sherlock Holmes movies.

Sherlock’s Best Man speech starts off delightfully awkward, just like Sherlock himself. As the scene progresses, you start feeling vaguely uncomfortable and pity the bride, groom and guests alike. Then Sherlock stuns the crowd with a moving tribute to Watson’s character, words kinder than anything Sherlock has ever uttered in his life.

It is beyond a doubt one of the best scenes I’ve ever seen in a show. It’s so unexpected and emotional, beautifully spoken in Cumberbatch’s amazing voice, and so appropriate for someone who has gone through and seen what Watson has seen.

Theoden’s speech at the Ride of the Rohirrim

I’ve referenced this scene many, many times as one the greatest scenes of all times. I can’t watch it without having goosebumps or wanting to jump on my own horse(I don’t have a horse) and go fight some Orcs. Bernard Hill did a phenomenal job in his portrayal of Theoden. Theoden has a sad and moving story: he has always felt that he is not worthy to be amongst his great forefathers; he has spent too much time listening to Wormtail’s lies and lost his son on the battlefield. When Gandalf arrives in Rohan, Theoden is a ghost of a man he once was. With Gandalf’s force help, he manages to shake Saruman’s hold on him, acknowledges his power and the loyalty he owes Gondor, and becomes the King he has always been destined to be.

Theodentakes his men through numerous battles and finally rides to the aid of Minas Tirith, under attack from Sauron’s fleet. As his party arrives grossly outnumbered to the orcs, Theoden gives the speech he has been born to give: giving his men courage brutality and death to help their friends.

Aragorn’s speech at the Black Gates

Lord of the Rings is obviously a trilogy with great speeches and epic moments, and this scene also stood out for me: Aragorn taking his small party to the Black Gates to lure Sauron’s eyes away from Mordor, where Sam and Frodo are desperately trying to fulfil their quest.

Rory Gilmore’s graduation speech

Yes, this one might be vastly inferior to those previously mentioned, but I loved the speech Rory gave at her farewell. The entire episode has Rory stressed out and overworked, she is snappy with absolutely everyone, she has just heard that Dean is getting married and that Jesse left Stars Hollow without even saying goodbye or giving an explanation. She’s valedictorian but she’s not even feeling the pride that should accompany it because she has so much on her plate. Lorelai makes her realise what an achievement it is and when it is time for the speech, Rory thanks her grandparents and mother in such a way you can’t help but tear up. I thought it was unbearably sweet and with Luke and Jackson doing the ugly cry gave me a good chuckle. I think I particularly liked this scene because the only problem I’ve ever had with both Lauren Graham and Alexis Bledel was that they didn’t really dotears very well.

Kat’s speech/poem in Ten Things I Hate About You

This last spot was a killer to fill. I had some ideas, but wanted the last one, even though it’s fifth on the list, to be worthy to stand with those that came before it. Kat’s interpretation of the poem they’ve been assigned is done so beautifully – she’s hurt because she’s found out Patrick was paid to take her out on dates just so that Bianca could date sleezeball Joey.

What are your favorite speeches? I’m sure I missed/forgot plenty of good ones, so let me know!

March 20, 2015March 14, 2015 by Natasha Categories: Five Things Friday, Movies, SeriesTags: Alexis Bledel, Aragorn, Benedict Cumberbatch, Gilmore girls, Kat Strafford, Lauren Graham, Lord of the Rings, Patrick Verona, Rory Gilmore, Sherlock Holmes, Ten Things I hate about you, Theoden, Watson 11 Comments

Quote for the Week: #Sherlocked

(source)

A quote, by my favorite detective #Sherlocked

October 9, 2014October 5, 2014 by Natasha Categories: Quotes, SeriesTags: Benedict Cumberbatch, Jim Moriarti, John Watson, Martin Freeman, Sherlock, Sherlock Holmes 2 Comments

Sherlock Season 3

*********** contains spoilers **********

What happens (In a nutshell)

After faking his own death to prevent the murder of his friends, Sherlock returns to London after two years. He has successfully broken Moriarti’s crime ring, and can rest assured that no one will be harmed. His greatest challenge is calming down Watson, who is understandably upset, and even more when he learns that some people knew Sherlock was alive. Watson has moved on, he is on the verge of proposing to Mary. After getting over some of his anger, Sherlock and Watson set out to save London from a terrorist attack.

Mary is a lovely girl, she understands that Sherlock has insecurities and is very kind to him. As their wedding approaches, Sherlock is faced with the daunting task of giving the best man speech. His speech solves some mysteries that has been stuck in his head, and Sherlock realises that one of the guests are in danger, and he, Mary and Watson set out to save Watson’s old friend, and they receive help from Inspector Lestrade as well.

As Mary and Watson settle into their new life, Sherlock seems to be settling into the life of a drug addict. His friends are worried, but as usual Sherlock has an agenda – he is trying to catch media mogul and blackmailer Magnussen, who has a shocking secret over one of Sherlock’s friends. Sherlock is critically injured, but he devises a plan that will end Magnussen. Can he stop the creepy and dangerous media mastermind? To what lengths will the detective go to save his friends?

Rating: 9/10

Continuing from Season two and Sherlock’s “death”, I really had high hopes for season three. I wasn’t even disappointed! It is as incredibly good as Season 2 and I never wanted it to end. Benedict Cumberbatch stole the show, nothing new there, and Martin Freeman was brilliant, again. I still adore Mark Gatiss endlessly as he is to my mind a great example of the upper British culture. The show developed its characters – Sherlock got involved with someone, Watson got married, and they both had moments where the flaws in their personalities became obvious. Watson has a mean temper, but it only reveals itself when it is truly justified. I think Sherlock is obviously the more flawed of the two, but I’ve always thought brilliant people are always going to be socially awkward and flawed.

About the only thing I didn’t like about the season is the true lack of a super villain. Magnussen just isn’t Moriarti. He was evil, scary, creepy and disgusting and yet he never reached that level where his madness completely consumed and captivated me. The final scenes with him were successful because Benedict Cumberbatch was there, not because of the brilliance of the villain.

I got used to the length and made the revolutionary discovery that you could turn the show off and return later if you needed to (brilliant, I know). I actually did this (quite freakishly) at the correct moment in episode three. Had I continued watching a few seconds later, I would have seen something that would have kept me up LATE.

My favourite episode by far is The Sign of Three, because it has Sherlock’s speech in, but episode one and three is also exceptionally good.

Highlights:

Sherlock is ALIVE!

Although we knew that Sherlock was alive, Watson didn’t, and England didn’t. I really, really friggin loved Watson’s reaction when he realised that Sherlock was alive, that other people knew and that no one bothered to tell him. The first few minutes of the first episode is probably the hottest damn thing I have ever seen (not telling – go watch it)

Watson marrying Mary and Sherlock’s speech

It is so sweet to see Watson being happy and married. I watched Sherlock’s speech about three times because it was so beautiful and completely unexpected.

Mary’s secret

This lady surprised the hell out of me. I went from loving her, to loathing her, to not understanding her and then to pitying her. It was unfair that she had to reveal what she had kept hidden, because at the end of the day she was a pawn in a major game that didn’t really involve her, but as she was the necessary link, she suffered.

Mycroft’s surprising amount of love for his brother

I love Mycroft Holmes way too much. He is so snooty and funny and his facial expressions make me giggle every time. He doesn’t look like a person capable of intense emotions but you can just see how much he cares about his younger brother, especially in the last episode.

Sherlock showing exactly what he is capable of

Hmmm, this guy. He is insanely smart and sarcastic and I adore him. He has been saying since season one that he is a highly functioning sociopath, and man, did he prove it well. The scene where he finally stops Magnussen was so sudden and shocking I was like what the hell just happened?!

Recommendation: Only sad souls will not like this. It is beautiful!

September 3, 2014September 1, 2014 by Natasha Categories: Reviews, Series, UncategorizedTags: Amanda Abbington, Andrew Scott, Benedict Cumberbatch, Doctor John Watson, Inspector Lestrade, Jim Moriarti, Mark Gatiss, Martin Freeman, Mary, Mary Morstan, Mrs Hudson, Mycroft Holmes, Rupert Graves, Sherlock Holmes, Una Stubbs 7 Comments

Sherlock (Season 2)

Sherlock and Watson barely make it out alive after their first meeting with the criminal mastermind Jim Moriarti, who receives a phone call and leaves before having them executed by his snipers.

Mycroft Holmes, Sherlock’s older, disapproving and very powerful brother calls on Sherlock and Watson to help retrieve photos from the infamous dominatrix Irene Adler (Lara Pulver). Sherlock and Irene clash from the start and their chemistry is obvious, but they clash heads because Irene is not willing to give away the information she claims keeps her alive and safe from vengeful rich and powerful clients. Sherlock acquires the phone, but another obstacle waits: unlocking the booby-trapped phone without accidentally destroying the memory card in it. Irene betrays Sherlock in a terrible way, and it foils a counter-terrorism operation the British Government has been planning for ages. Mycroft is furious and is now being blackmailed by Irene, but Sherlock manages to decipher her very surprising password. Irene flees and is later presumed dead, and Watson and Mycroft are worried to tell Sherlock what happened to her, although they do not know that Sherlock knows exactly what happened to Irene.

Henry Knight (Russell Tovey) contacts Sherlock for help in his father’s death. Henry saw his father die as a child and is sure that the man was murdered by an escaped genetically modified hound that was “grown” at a Ministry of Defence testing site in Baskerville. Sherlock and Watson agree to investigate and find themselves in Dartmoor, a town which is flourishing under the tourist trade the “hound” created. As time progress, both Sherlock and Watson start to believe the rumours of the Hound, and Sherlock is particularly upset that he can’t explain this away with his logic. Detective Lestrade also shows up and together the three gentlemen start investigating if what they are seeing is in actual fact, true.

Moriarti is finally back after disappearing for a while, and he enters the public eye in a most fascinating way. Immediately arrested, he begins taunting Sherlock once more and soon Sherlock must not only work to offset the chaos Moriarti creates and protect the people he loves, he must also work to save his name, because Moriarti is the only man as sharp as Sherlock and therefore one of the only possible people to ever outsmart him, and Moriarti is using every case Sherlock did to turn Sherlock to shame. Will Sherlock be able to finally outsmart his most dangerous enemy?

Rating: 8.5/10

I have to admit that while I enjoyed season one, I really did not really understand why everyone was raging about the series. I had some form of emotional detachment (or maybe it was just sheer exhaustion) going on, and didn’t really connect, especially with the first episode.

Season 2 was amazing. Freeman and Cumberbatch once again lead the show with brilliant finesse and impeccable performances. I can’t decide who is better in here – they are both so perfect for their respective roles. The best about their relationship is that Watson is a doctor – a profession that can be argued as the most intelligent of our professions – and yet Sherlock still sees him as average minded. The funniest is that people suspect them of being “together”, and how they just learned to live with it.

Moriarti – is this perhaps the villain of the century? A villain who is cruel is repulsive; a villain who is smart is fascinating. Andrew Scott fascinated me with his performance – his facial expressions, the voice that kept changing, and the sheer madness that radiated from his entire being. The last episode was a killer! I think I may have been as stressed with the final capturing of Red John as I was with this.

Things I loved about Season 2

So, I complained about the length of the episodes of Season One in my first review, but surprisingly enough it didn’t bother me in the second season in the slightest. Each episode had an enormous amount of things going for it, the story, the characters, and the drama.

Benedict Cumberbatch is as gorgeous and talented as usual. I really wish that he never takes on a mediocre role; such talent should not be wasted on trivial matters. His portrayal as Sherlock Holmes is so perfect, he really looks like a highly functioning sociopath and I can listen to his voice until the end of time.

Mark Gatiss: Mycroft Holmes is SO British. I love his character ridiculously much, the way his face sets in lines of disapproval automatically with Sherlock is hysterical to see. Mycroft is obviously incredibly important and he certainly knows it, and yet he still has that sweet spot for his brother he allows no one to see.

Andrew Scott: aaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhh I loved Jim Moriarti so much. He is still as mad as a hatter and completely off his rocker; he is the brilliant masterminded criminal we have been waiting for on the small screen for decades.

Martin Freeman: I feel if I don’t say anything about him it would be so unfair. He is still probably my favourite character in the show. He has endless patience, but when it snaps he is epically funny. I love his military stance and his incredible heart and understanding for the things Sherlock can’t begin to comprehend, human emotions and the soul behind everything.

Episode three gave all the feels: My nails and my heart will NEVER be the same again. Without giving too much away I was incredibly worried that they would do something and make the next season about previous events and I was like HELLLLLLLLLLL no this would be the equivalent of killing Tyrion Lannister. That episode had be laughing, stressing, tearing up and gaping in horrified silence at the screen and feeling feelings for Sherlock and what he was going through.

Molly is like fungi: Yep, I compared a perfectly nice person to green goo, but hear me out: this character started out as a silly little girl with an enormous crush on a man that really wasn’t noticing her (I am sure most of us has felt like that some time or another) but she evolved and showed her true colours, which were honest and loyal.

Things I didn’t like:

Pffft, don’t even play. I loved it all and am already planning to rewatch!

August 25, 2014 by Natasha Categories: Movies, ReviewsTags: Andrew Scott, Benedict Cumberbatch, John Watson, Mark Gatiss, Martin Freeman, Moriarti, Reviews, Series, Sherlock Holmes 4 Comments

Sherlock Season 1 (2010)

Premise: Sherlock depicts London “consulting detective” Sherlock Holmes (Benedict Cumberbatch) in solving various mysteries. Holmes is assisted by his flatmate and friend, Dr John Watson (Martin Freeman), who has returned from military service in Afghanistan with the Royal Army Medical Corps. Although Metropolitan Police Service Detective Inspector Greg Lestrade (Rupert Graves) and others are at first sceptical of Holmes, over time his remarkable intellect and powers of observation persuade them of his value. In part through Watson’s blog documenting their adventures Holmes becomes a reluctant celebrity, with the press reporting on his cases and eccentric personal life, and both ordinary people and the British government ask for his help. (Via Wikipedia)

The latest adaption of the iconic novels by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is something I have thought of frequently to watch. Everybody is loving and raging about it, it has established a cult following. I thought it would be safe to start Sherlock because 1) people aren’t ALWAYS right if everyone loves it, but it is usually a good indicator, and 2) there are currently three seasons on the market and I wouldn’t feel bereft soon.

HAH. As I am watching I know I will watch the last episode of season three tonight, and I will definitely feel bereft afterwards. I know this, I am sad already.

Sherlock is addictive in every sense of the word. I have to admit that I wasn’t as taken with the first season as I had hoped to be, but I think I watched it after working 12 days straight and that the exhaustion made me more irritable than usual (which is usually a lot) and hence I wasn’t as easily pleased as normal (I’m still lying, I’m never easily pleased).

The first episode of season one felt very slow. It dragged a bit, and felt worse than the other two, which is also 90 minutes per episode. I still thought it was good, and progressed to the second one, to be amazed, and have the addiction take place.

What I loved

The casting. Benedict Cumberbatch as Sherlock Holmes is just everything. His face, his incredible voice, his acting, everything is superb about the man. I am gobsmacked by his ability to portray his emotions, and to bring such a complex character to life and to do it realistically must have been a draining experience.

Martin Freeman as Doctor John Watson: Bilbo Baggins is on a new adventure and it is working really well. I’ve never read the books so I wouldn’t know if Watson is an ex-army man or not, but I think that particular arc suited the series. I enjoy how he is serious minded and has issues and still manages kindness and compassion, and that he is also no-nonsense enough to deal with Sherlock’s maddening nature. Martin Freeman is such a good actor and I am really enjoying seeing him in this.

Andrew Scott as Jim Moriarti: I am going to try and keep it really simple and say that I absolutely friggin love this man as Jim Moriarti. Moriarti is mad and brilliant and the only person who is on Sherlock’s intellectual level. He is pure bad whereas Sherlock has bad pockets in him but chooses to be the good (my favourite quote ever in this series comes from Season 2, so keep an eye out for the review!). The last episode of season one was such a nail biter, and the events leading to Moriarti and Sherlock finally meeting was so intense all on its’ own. I loved the voice altering of Moriarti, his sheer madness, how he didn’t have a control button on his own emotions. He was wild and free and mad and it worked SO well.

Mark Gatiss as Mycroft Holmes: I thought for a second that Mycroft, when I just started and didn’t really know who he was, may be this massive, yet unknown villain. The whole deception that went on there was really good and I was shocked when I realised it was Sherlock’s brother. Their relationship is highly competitive, fascinating and argumentative. They obviously have beef with each other, and I think it stems from both of them having intelligence levels above average. Mark Gatiss is SO British. I find his mannerisms so hilarious and the way he speaks through his nose incredibly funny.

The bridge between the past of the books and our present time.

A modernisation of iconic literature just doesn’t seem like the world’s freshest idea or the most original. Once again, HAH, myself. The story is that much more believable when you associate everything you know and understand in there. It has Twitter, blogs (YAY), cell phones, terror attacks. These are things we deal with, and seeing the iconic sleuthster solving problems RIGHT NOW is entertaining on an unprecedented level.

The lack of lame relationships

I’m not going to lie, I love a good romance between characters. I think it makes some stories, but it can also destroy some stories. If this had been some big boy meets sexy girl adventure it would have failed miserably. Sure, the sweet Molly obviously crushes badly on Sherlock, but she has purpose and a real goal in the story and he isn’t stringing her along, he is just completely oblivious towards romance in general. Watson’s love life develops, you know he is seeing a lot of someones but once again the story is much more than who banged who.

It is so British

Sherlock is very British and it has a definite charm. The English are so much more elegant than the rest of the world and I actually just love listening to their pronunciation of everything. The show has darkness to it that works really well – these crimes are masterful and would likely have gone unnoticed had someone like Sherlock not existed. Can I go out on a limb here and say that the British should often make drama because they make it so well, and comedy not as often because that is not their strong point?

What I didn’t like

My only major dislikes are the length of the episodes and the female police officer. The female police officer is not annoying because of her performance, which is really good, but her attitude towards Sherlock. I get that there has to be someone who truly openly despises him and questions his morality, and that not everyone can be exasperated yet charmed by him. Also, realistically, if anyone working with Sherlock Holmes completely loves him I will be worried, because he can be such a little brat at the best of times!

Rating: 7.5/10

Definitely recommended, it becomes better and better! Something great to get involved in if you want entertainment but don’t want to wait centuries to reach a conclusion through too many episodes.

August 13, 2014August 12, 2014 by Natasha Categories: SeriesTags: Andrew Scott, Benedict Cumberbatch, John Watson, Mark Gatiss, Martin Freeman, Moriarti, Mycroft Holmes, mystery, Reviews, Series, Sherlock, Sherlock Holmes, sleuth, suspense 7 Comments