What Makes "Sherlock" So Good?

[skatesindreams]

REHAB??? Joan Watson (sober companion)? Conan Doyle must be turning in his grave. Why do we (Americans) always do this? Why not stick with the original? I know there are times Americanizing something works but so much of the time it stinks. I say this as a fan of Laurie King's take on Sherlock in books. But when it comes to tv we I imagine we could do a thread on series we have copied unsuccessfully. Betcha this one will be the latest example.

I won't be watching.

[wickedwitch]

In addition to what everyone else has said, I like how they balance the modern setting with the original stories. They aren't just showing the original stories, just set a century later, which is good, because many wouldn't make sense now. For example, people rarely call each other by their last names any more, and pocket watches are replaced with smart phones. Coincidentally, there is again a war in Afghanistan. But it's not so loosely based making it easy to tell that the plots were derived from the original stories.

So, have you heard the latest on the CBS series Elementary? They've done a gender switch on Watson, and cast Lucy Lui in the part. And that's not the bad part.

Read it and weep...

http://www.deadline.com/2012/02/lucy...ot-elementary/

This is going to be beyond awful.

If the characters were nameless, I would have said this was inspired by the X-Files (another show that this won't be nearly as good as) before I thought of Sherlock.

[Asli]

I don't care what CBS does with its othis de series, as long as this development doesn't push the BBC to dumb down the new series of Sherlock or rush it or make it more PC or modify it in any way. Apparently Sherlock has been sold to 180 territories worldwide. In the big picture, increasing the US audience by a couple of million should not be a defining target.

[LilJen]

Well, at least Jonny Lee Miller is pretty. . .

[znachki]

Well, at least Jonny Lee Miller is pretty. . .

There is that...

[genegri]

PBS will be running it as part of the Masterpiece Mystery series May 6th-20th.

Thanks! May 6th sounds so far away!

Hard to imagine the second season can be better than the first, which was simply brilliant.

Now I am totally excited and can't wait.

[DAngel]

In addition to what everyone else has said, I like how they balance the modern setting with the original stories.

Yes, very well done

Coincidentally, there is again a war in Afghanistan.

They say some things never change...

I love it when Sherlock glance at someone and all his observations just popped up all over the place in white text
And when he looked at Adler it's all just

Spoiler

?????

[Asli]

Another great thing about Sherlock is Andrew Scott as Moriarty. He is so terrifying in his calm and twisted manner. One can understand why Sherlock is terrified by him. "The Final Problem" was so unnerving right from the beginning, because you cannot imagine what Moriarty could do just because he's bored. He is one of the greatest villains I've seen on screen.

Edited to remove a spoiler. Sorry! How can you wait though? The DVD is available.

[znachki]

Another great thing about Sherlock is Andrew Scott as Moriarty. He is so terrifying in his calm and twisted manner. One can understand why Sherlock is terrified by him.

Spoiler

"The Final Problem"

was so unnerving right from the beginning, because you cannot imagine what Moriarty could do just because he's bored. He is one of the greatest villains I've seen on screen.

It must be difficult to

Spoiler

find such another villain to replace him in the next series.

Asli - spoilers!!! This hasn't been seen in the US - or Canada (I think.)

[Ajax]

Oh, excited to see this thread. I love Sherlock. What makes it for me is the acting and the chemistry between the leads. Freeman in particular is amazing. I love the characterization of Watson as quietly confident and competent. You can tell that he is amazed by Sherlock's intellect but he has enough self-confidence to not be threatened by it at all. The writing is top-notch, great modernization and tons of smart tricks like the text messages appearing on the screen instead of having to show the cell phone.

Spoiler

I had big problems with the depiction of Irene Adler in the second series. The first part of the episode with her was great, and I liked the twist of her being a dominatrix. But why make her work for Moriarty? That just ruined her character I think. And don't even get me started on how she develops a crush on Sherlock even though she is gay (gay people do not just become straight when they encounter "the right person"!), ends up nearly beheaded by terrorists and has to have big strong Sherlock rescue her. (How the hell does blue-eyed Sherlock sneak into a Pakistani terrorist cell anyway??) It just doesn't sit well with me because as written, Irene Adler beats Sherlock, soundly and without question. She is one of the only people to ever do so. In the show, however, she is beaten so far down. I hate it both from a feminist point of view and a canon fan point of view. It's too bad because the actress who plays her does a fantastic job with what she's given.

[Vagabond]

Otters Who Look Like Benedict Cumberbatch, and other trends on Twitter

The Photos

[Cachoo]

OMG that is hilarious. In my wildest dreams I would not put these two together.

[TygerLily]

Okay, that's priceless.

I'm allowed to laugh, right?

ETA: Plus I'm a dolt and read "Others who look like Benedict Cumberbatch" so the otters were extra surprising!

[znachki]

That is hi-larious I think I like the surprised one the best.

btw - in other "Elementary" news, Aidan Quinn has been cast as Captain Gregson of the NYPD, who worked with Holmes in the UK. Gregosn was actually the name of one of the Scotland Yard Inspectors in the Canon, so that's a nice tip of the hat.
http://www.deadline.com/2012/03/aida...-in-1600-penn/

[Vagabond]

Hedgehogs Who Look Like Martin Freeman.

[Artemis@BC]

Otters Who Look Like Benedict Cumberbatch, and other trends on Twitter

OMG, that's priceless!

Fave bit (other than the photos, obviously): "Quite clearly then, the philosophical question has been finally put to bed: this is in fact why the internet was first created. It is indeed almost as important now as life itself, and so deliberations into its reasoning play an integral role in society today. Now, we know. This is it. This is why."

[Cachoo]

T minus 10, 9, 8, 7................Finally on Masterpiece/Mystery on Sunday.......

[skatesindreams]

How I'm looking forward to it.
A (slightly belated) birthday present!

[sk8sue]

PBS is live-streaming a Q & A with Benedict Cumberbatch, Steven Moffat, Sue Vertue and Rebecca Eaton right now on their facebook page. live stream available worldwide

They say it will be available to watch again later.

[cygnus]

A reminder for US/Canadian fans. Sherlock ll begins tonight on Masterpiece Mystery.