My Review of BBC's Sherlock: The Show of the Century

On May 25th at 11:30 pm I embarked on a four day, 8 hours and 40 minute long journey into the world of Sherlock Holmes, consulting detective extraordinaire. I had heard about the show from various people, some of whom happened to be obsessed with the very show, and had decided that I wanted to see what all the fuss was about. Only a few seconds into it, and I was completely drawn in. Only a few seconds into the show, and I had become “sherlocked.”

He only wears this twice for a few seconds.

Everything about this show (or series of films as the producers prefer to think of them) is stunning, from the famed series that started it to the costuming like the famed cap Sherlock is often caught wearing. This show, in only those first few seconds, became my favorite show ever. 
The first season of Sherlock aired on British television in July and August of 2010. It comprised of three magnificent 88-minute episodes, each playing out an intricate mystery that Sherlock had to solve. 
The season ended in a cliffhanger with Sherlock’s life in danger. Fortunately, the next season was already out when I began to watch, so I could bypass the wait and see what happened to this ever in-trouble protagonist. The second series broadcasted in Britain in January 2012. This was also only three episodes long and also ended in a nail-biting cliffhanger. Unfortunately for me, I need to wait until 2013 to find out WHAT HAPPENS NEXT. An almost impossible task. Without Sherlock life is… boring. 
So, as I noted before  the series Sherlock is quite accurately based off of the book series, Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The interesting thing about it is that it is a modernized version of the series. Aka Sherlock and his friends companions use cellphones, cameras, advanced microscopes, etc. Every “ancient” thing in the book is modernized. For example, nicotine patches instead of a pipe and a blog instead of a journal. “The whole soul of it is the same and true to the original Sherlock stories. It just has this modern twist with taxis and London busses and this huge expense. The more modern things around the more it works, really,” stated Sue Vertue, the producer.

Doesn't it just look magical?

Sherlock lives in modern day London, England, at 221B Baker Street (to be exact). And if you haven’t been to England this show gives you a taste of what it’s like to be there. Apparently, they wanted to “fetishize” modern London. You get to look at the Crowned Jewels and China Town and the underground. All the while investigating murders with Mr. Holmes and his faithful companion John Watson.
Sherlock Holmes is played by Benedict Timothy Carlton Cumbertach. Now that name’s a mouthful. Benedict(for short) brings character to the cold Sherlock Holmes. He gives a cold, lifeless man emotions. His acting is fluid. Now, Holmes is famous for his ability to solve mysteries using logical deduction, forensic science, and disguise. He is also partly famous for making enemies because he generally lacks feelings for others. He doesn’t really understand empathy and isn’t very good at getting along well with people because of his general disregard for their feelings and because of his egotistical views of them. 
“It’s a wonderful combination of playing a hero who is a faulted being. There’s an awful lot of him that’s dangerous and perverse and interesting and just great stuff to get your teeth into as an actor. But he’s also an A-class hero.”-Benedict Cumbertach, Sherlock's actor.

Sherlock in the Palace dressed only in a sheet because he didn't feel like changing.

But Sherlock is still human, and Benedict brings the human-like qualities out of him. He brings out both the chilling detective and the human in a very complex character. He also happens to make Sherlock very adorable and lovable despite his cold demeanor. His use of gestures, movement, and facial expressions brings out what really goes on behind the cold façade Sherlock wears. Also, Benedict creates the character through the use of his voice. Sherlock has much to say on everything, and it would be boring if it came off as a lecture, *yawn*, or as a wondering squabble of words. Benedict’s voice adds an intimidating urgency to everything Sherlock says, captivating the audience with every word, and fascinating the listener every time he speaks. He creates the excitement of Sherlock like many other great actors couldn’t.

Sherlock’s sidekick and London’s confirmed bachelor is none other than Dr. John Watson. John Watson, through a series of events ends up sharing a “flat” or apartment with Sherlock and ends up becoming Sherlock’s investigative partner and best friend. Sherlock and Watson’s relationship is often mistaken as romantic. And is often shipped by the many fan girls of the show, myself included, as a romance. In the end Watson gives up trying to explain they aren’t “together together” because he gets tired of it. Watson loves Holmes, sadly unromantically, and looks out for him whenever he gets into trouble. 
“They are a perfect foil for each other. In a way John is like Sherlock’s moral compass. Because Sherlock’s mind is so genuinely brilliant he doesn’t stop to consider the whys and wherefores or the rights and wrongs of what is. John is kind of like his moral barometer, and he’s a more decent person than Sherlock because he’s more normal. You know, Sherlock is generally extraordinary.”-Martin Freeman, the actor who plays John Watson.

Martin Freeman as Bilbo. :)

Martin Freeman will also be playing Bilbo Baggins in The Hobbit later on this year. He actually was nominated for a BAFTA(British Academy of Film and Television Arts) Award for his role as Watson on the show. He takes the ordinary man and makes him extraordinary. He plays the man alongside Holmes who is supposedly “normal” and uses this to convey just how special a normal man is and just what a normal man has the capacity to do. To that I say, “Well done, Freeman, well done.”
“I think there’s a friendship instantly between Martin and Benedict, and they’re not at all like the characters the play at all really but the relationship between them really informs a much pricklier on screen relationship, because obviously Sherlock’s a quite cruel man at time, and John’s got to put up upon that at times. You won’t buy that and enjoy that unless you feel it in every scene and every heartbeat, that there is that proper underlying warmth, that real proper solid friendship, and that friendship really has happened between Benedict and Martin, and the value of that you get on screen.” – Steven Moffat, executive producer.

Moriarty is the most boss villain ever.

Now in every series there must be a villain. And the main villain in this show is played by the one and only Andrew Scott. Jim Moriarty is an insane genius. He is the same as Holmes in most every way except for the fact that Holmes “plays on the side of the angels” while Moriarty gets to enjoy hanging out with the devil. Andrew Scott captures the whole psychopath feel and look. Everything from the way he speaks (definitely the super weird way he talks) to the look in his eyes echoes the crazy that must be going on inside of Moriarty’s head. He gives the insane man a frightening brilliance. I would be scared to meet him in real life even knowing that he was only acting. He actually won a BAFTA beating out his friend Martin Freeman.
“Moriarty in a way is what comes to define Sherlock as a hero.” –Steven Moffat, executive producer.

Ms. Adler

Also, I’d like to make note of Sherlock’s only possible love interest, Irene Adler. She plays a villain as well. Although not a raging psychopath like Moriarty. She is played by Lara Pulver. I’d like to share one of my favorite quotes by her. “I would have you right here on this desk until you begged for mercy twice,” Irene told Sherlock. xD
“They’re clearly made for each other, and that’s an interesting thing to play with.”- Mark Gatiss, actor and writer, referring to the relationship between Irene and Sherlock.
And those are really all of the characters that I wanted to talk about. Una Stubbs adds much of the comedy relief to the show through her portrayal of the feisty, old Mrs. Hudson. And did you know that the co-writers Mark Gatiss and Lisa McAllister play Mycroft Holmes and Mycroft’s assistant Anthea, respectively? Interesting fun fact.

From left to right: Watson, Sherlock, and Mycroft.

FrAside from their stellar acting, Gatiss and McAllister did amazing jobs at screen writing the show. They made it funny, serious, sad, frightening, and bold. Never have I watched a detective show that so related to the viewer and tugged on all of their emotions. I even cried at one point because this show really lets you get attached to the characters, like no other detective show really does. It’s a show about a person, about his life. This is all about Sherlock. Which is why it had such a fitting name. It’s a show that investigates facts in cases, but it also builds up a story line revolving around one man’s life and his struggles within. It’s captivating because of the man the story centers around. Never will there be another man like Sherlock Holmes. Everything from the way he thinks to the way he acts has never been seen before.

And that’s what makes this show so interesting. It creates characters that have never been seen before. These characters are realistic and believable. Sherlock, for all we know could have existed in the world. But there would never be anyone else like him. He is a captivating man, and the writers make sure that there is this connection between him and the audience. He is able to draw everyone in. And the casting, the writing, and even the music and film score created by David Arnold and Michael Price  create a depth to all of the characters that us viewers can immediately latch onto and relate to.

Sherlock going to his "mind palace."

The camera work helps in this too. Switching form third person to first person, and taking us inside of Sherlock’s fast paced mind.
“You show the scene at the dead’s body line and then you can do it form another point of view, from several points of view, and you can dissect that. You dissect that visually and you let the audience see how Sherlock thinks. And then we can look at how Sherlock sees things. So we use the 5D with the stills images to go closer to things. Then we shoot the same seen from a different point of view for Sherlock, so if he walks into the room we shoot it from his point of view. So that, the first time you see the scene you don’t notice Sherlock’s actually scanning the whole place or looking… We just wanted it to feel very natural and explain a little bit about how he does it.”- Paul McGuigan, the director.

Sherlock's Deductions.

So, if you haven’t seen this show yet, I suggest you put it on your bucket list. It will be one of the best shows you have ever seen and well worth your time. Because when you watch this show, you are leaping into the world of the most interesting man alive (even though he most often claims that his life is boring, like right after he harpooned a pig). 
With just the right amount of comedy, character, and drama, everything about this show puts it on the top of my list. It’s a unique new take on an old favorite. And gives us all the reasons to celebrate in our “normal” lives.
Here you can watch the episodes of the show online for free: Sherlock Episodes
Here you can buy the DVDs with the episodes on them: Season One and Season Two
If you are interested in buying the soundtrack, here it is: Sherlock Soundtrack

Here you can look at information about the show: http://www.sherlockology.com/

And a special thanks to Rachel  for the edit.