The British Fantasy Society Forum

[allybird]

...on the television last night. I really enjoyed the the whole thing. The relationship between Holmes and Watson very well portrayed. Some good lines too....'high-functioning sociopath' comes to mind. 

[David A. Riley]

...on the television last night. I really enjoyed the the whole thing. The relationship between Holmes and Watson very well portrayed. Some good lines too....'high-functioning sociopath' comes to mind. 

Got back home too late last night to watch it but am looking forward to picking it up on catch-up. I've only seen positive remarks about it so far, which is encouraging.

David

[Peter Coleborn]

It was very entertaining -- once the few opening shots were over. I thought Holmes was portrayed just right; Watson was a little too passive but slowly overcame that. Let's hope episode 2 is equally good.

[allybird]

Is it in two parts or three?

[Peter Coleborn]

Three, I think Ally, but don't sue me if I'm wrong 

[John Forth]

I think you're right, Peter. It's three parts.

I went into this last night prepared to hate it, but by the end it had won me over. Good, snappy dialogue; very nicely cast. I liked the portrayal of Sherlock as a borderline autistic; neat solution to the issue of having mobile phones/texting displayed without having to cut to a close-up of the phone every time too.

If I had a criticism, it's that the plot itself was a bit weak. But in terms of introducting the characters and the world, it did a pretty good job.

[allybird]

'I liked the portrayal of Sherlock as a borderline autistic' spot on, John!

And I like this too... 'neat solution to the issue of having mobile phones/texting displayed without having to cut to a close-up of the phone every time too.' worked very well and felt up to date.

The humour was wonderful.

Peter...I really wish it could be 6   

[David A. Riley]

It was a relief to see something done well at last after so many disappointing films recently, like the abysmal Solomon Kane, The Wolfman and Clash of Titans.

Trust the BBC to be able to do an updated, modernised Sherlock Holmes well. Excellent cast, good script, with some clever but appropriate innovations,like the onscreen text messages. Yes, the plot of this opening episode was a little weak, but it effectively introduced all the characters to us - and well drawn characters they were too.

I'm looking forward to the next two (though, like Ally, I wish there were more!)

David

[Peter Coleborn]

Yup, Jan's already suggested that Holmes acted like an Aspergers -- a crime-fighting savant (I think I quote her correctly -- it's all on FaceBook)

[allybird]

'I'm looking forward to the next two (though, like Ally, I wish there were more!)'

Same here, David. I doubt if they will just leave it at three. Well. I hope not. 

[John Forth]

Given the response it's had so far I'd be very surprised if it they don't make more after this series is done. This is good news! 

[Cate Gardner]

I'm not normally a Sherlock Holmes fan but I loved this. Thought the end scene played on a little too long but otherwise, cool.

[Mike Chinn]

Speaking as a Holmes fan, I approached this series with some trepidation - but I have to admit it's fun. Obvious, fun perhaps - with the surprises anything but (surprise: Mark Gattiss is Mycroft; surprise: Moriarty's behind everything). But I'm a little annoyed at Gattiss and Moffat (and the media in general) trying to make out that the re-imagining of Holmes in a modern setting is original. With two exceptions, all of the Basil Rathbone Holmes movies were contemporaneous (need a lie down after that word); whilst TV programs such as Johnathan Creek, Lie to Me, The Mentalist and - most obviously - House*, are all modern re-interpretations of the Holmes concept.

That said, I think 90 minutes is far too long, with both episodes showing obvious padding (the interminable confrontation with the psychopathic cabbie in episode one being a glaring example). And it's obviously a Holmes for the Doctor Who generation - Benedict Cumberbatch externalising his inner voice at breakneck speed in best David Tennant/Matt Smith fashion.

As for the so-called modernising: evil Chinese tongs, murderous devices that give the heroes just enough time to escape...? Are you sure the author of episode two isn't getting confused with Fu Manchu and Nayland Smith? 

And once again, Mark Gattiss writes himself into the series... 

* Come on! House instead of Holmes (geddit? geddit?); James Wilson instead of John Watson; drug habit; curmugeonly intolerence of anyone not considered bright enough...?

[Stu]

While I'm enjoying Sherlock (with reservations) I'd rather watch House.

[Peter Coleborn]

Didn't much like last night's Sherlock. Mike is correct -- too long, too much padding. Too frenetic. And I thought Fu Manchu was going to make a guest appearance. Most of all, I thought that Watson's character had taken a sideways leap into Mr Bean territory -- he became a bumbling buffoon. If it had been the initial episode I wouldn't have watched number two.