What to Watch: BBC’s ‘Sherlock’ Mini-Series
If you’re a fan of Sherlock stories, or simply a fan of the BBC you will absolutely adore this 3-part mini-series that updates Sherlock Holmes updated for the 21st Century. Co-created by Steven Moffatt and starring Benedict Cumberbatch as the young, technology savvy and socially inept Sherlock Holmes and Martin Freeman as an updated Dr. Watson, a military medic and veteran of the war in Iraq.
This Sherlock runs a website, “The Science of Deduction“, where he records his cases. Meanwhile, Watson; his new friend, colleague and roommate, has also started writing a blog documenting these adventures with a different spin. These accounts manage to causing some tension between the odd couple when Watson includes the fact that Sherlock wasn’t aware that the Earth revolves around the Sun despite knowing basically everything else, ever – including the streets and alleys of London like the back of his hand.
While 21st Century Sherlock is busy blogging, texting and consulting maps and news reports on his iphone, visually, there is something incredibly retro about the style of the thing. Beyond the general stuffy old furniture in 221B Baker St, there is an abundant use of strange wipes and split screen that catch the eye. It feels a bit retro but also gives Sherlock a very unique feel.
Cumberbatch plays the brilliant yet slightly unhinged Sherlock in a way that appears inspired by Matt Smith’s Doctor and Hugh Laurie’s House. Perhaps this has something do to with co-creator Steven Moffat’s influence, but also because the characters are so similar, especially with House being it’s own modern variation on the Sherlock story.
The series is divided up into 3 distinct stories; “A Study in Pink”, “The Blind Banker” and “The Great Game”, while the relationship between Sherlock and Watson evolves throughout. Each episode is self contained except for a daring cliffhanger that closes out the last, thank goodness Sherlock will be coming back for a second series next year!
Also included, several little bits about people believing congratulating Sherlock and Watson on their (non-existant) romantic relationship once they move in together. Updated indeed.
Each episode clocks in at around 90 minutes so pop your popcorn and be prepare to settle in for the ride.
From BBC One:
Co-created by Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss, Sherlock stars Benedict Cumberbatch as the new Sherlock Holmes and Martin Freeman as his loyal friend, Doctor John Watson. Rupert Graves plays Inspector Lestrade.
The iconic details from Conan Doyle’s original books remain – they live at the same address of 221b Baker Street, have the same names and, somewhere out there, Moriarty is waiting for them.
Steven Moffat says: “Conan Doyle’s stories were never about frock coats and gas light; they’re about brilliant detection, dreadful villains and blood-curdling crimes – and frankly, to hell with the crinoline. Other detectives have cases, Sherlock Holmes has adventures, and that’s what matters.” (from BBC One)
I am googling Cumberbatch and randomly found this article. It seems you have no idea as to the casting and filming process of BBC’s Sherlock. Cumberbatch was the only person who has received the script of Sherlock for audition; he is the only one SM and MG saw for that role. Matt Smith came in for audition as Watson after Cumberbatch was cast, and SM and MG decided that he did not fit the role, but might fit the Doctor; that where Matt got to be the 11th Doctor. Doctor Who and the first series of Sherlock were filming almost at the same time; there won’t be the possibility that Cumberbatch was copying Matt Smith. As to the HL’s reference, since both are actually playing Sherlock Holmes, isn’t it natural that some physicality would be similar?
You’re right, Doctor Who and Sherlock seem to have been filming at the same time, thanks for pointing that out. All the more interesting that their style in approaching their characters share similarities.
As for Hugh Laurie, I do point out that House is another adaptation of the Sherlock story. But every performance of Sherlock is not similar, take Robert Downey Jr. for example. His portrayal of Sherlock is very different from both Laurie and Cumberbatch.
If you ever have the chance to watch the unaired pilot of Sherlock, which is a 60-minute TV show, instead of the 90-minute film, you’ll see that BC’s interpretation of Sherlock was a little different from the final version, and actually Freeman’s interpretation of Watson was different as well. I think the change of performance had a lot to do with the change of the script and directing.
Surely everyone is entitled to his/her opinion, and with all due respect to RDJ; he’s been himself in the recent Sherlock Holmes movie, although very entertaining, I don’t think his portrayal in that movie is the Sherlock Holmes based on the original novel, and I believe a lot of people agree with me.
I am embarrassed to say that the pilot is on my “to watch” list rather than “watched”, but I have been a very busy TVG33K as of late with all the new/returning shows this month. I’ll certainly keep my eyes peeled for the differences.
I absolutely think that RDJ was himself in the latest Hollywood Sherlock film(s), and I’m okay with that. It would get old really fast if every interpretation was completely faithful to the source material.
I’m sure they knew exactly what they wanted when they cast RDJ as Holmes and he delivered his usual. It’s the same way RDJ’s personality worked so well for Tony Stark in the Iron Man series. I don’t think there is anything wrong with always playing the same character as long as it works. The downside of that sort of casting is that it can make or break a character on more divisive actors, but I’m (clearly) a Robert Downey Jr fan.