The new Sherlock Holmes series

Just wondering what people here think about the new Sherlock Holmes series...

It is now being aired in the US on PBS currently, but I believe it's been out in the UK for a while?

Concept and back-story: very clever. Casting: excellent. Dialogue: good in parts. Plotting: terrible.

It really looked as though someone in management had had a brilliant idea during a brainstorming meeting, but had then given it to writers and a director who hadn't a clue about how to do a detective show, but did know how to make something that looks nearly as slick as Spooks (an equally logic-free BBC show). Of course, it doesn't help that the plots are cobbled together out of the original Conan Doyle stories, so you always have a pretty good idea of the solution to the mystery from the beginning.

I've only seen the first two as I was out of the country for the third, but I really liked the first episode, particularly the quick dialog and the humor in it. The humor seemed to be missing in the 2nd. We wondered whether the series would be able to keep coming up with villains equal to Holmes's abilities without getting kind of formulaic-ally boring. We shall see.

I hear the guy who plays Watson has been cast Bilbo Baggins in the The Hobbit.

Two words. Benedict Cumberbatch. It's a little bit wonderful just because I'd secretly love to have a name that peculiar!

I watched the whole series when it was on the BBC earlier this year and quite enjoyed it. I think the casting was done very well.

I enjoyed the series although we thought the second one was weaker than the other two. I don't know whether further episodes are planned, but I'd be surprised if they could keep up the frenetic pace. And it seems like that could get old after a while -- I'm talking about the way Sherlock talks through his amazingly brilliant deductions.

I have really come to like Benedict Cumberbatch, I've seen him in several different programs now. And you're right Lois, Martin Freeman has been cast as Bilbo Baggins. I first saw him on the British version of The Office, playing Tim, a sort of everyman character. (In the American version the character is named Jim, who has developed in a very different way over 6 seasons ... but then there were only about 12 episodes made in the UK). But I digress.

It was recomissioned almost as soon as it had aired. I don't think that they have decided how many episodes but Sue Vertue said that they will continue to be 90 mins long.

So far they've only shown 2 episodes here, but I'v enjoyed them both. Definitely a bit quirky, but I like the modern day setting.

I asked about this in another thread, but has anyone here watched Luther on BBC America? I think it was just brilliant and I am so disappointed that tomorrow is the last episode:( Off now to see if there was a soundtrack released for it.

>5 lauralkeet: you are right, I forgot about him on "The Office", perhaps because we only watched about 3 episodes before we couldn't stomach more (didn't catch on to the US version either, but for different reasons).

Love it; some inconsistency though, the Hounds of Baskerville episode was a bit weak. Looking forward to next season.

I love the new series. I first saw Cumberbatch in a TV production of Agatha Christie's Murder is Easy (he plays Luke Fitzwilliam) and I've liked him ever since. I think he and Freeman have great chemistry. The plots are a little disjointed, but on the whole it's incredibly entertaining, and not a little addictive.

Love it! I actually missed the show on PBS so I've been getting it through Netflix. For me, the weak spot is Moriarty. He sounds just like Emo Phillips, if anybody remembers that weird, wavering voice.

I found Moriarty a little annoying at first, but I think he grew on me as the series continued. By the final episode, I thought he was the perfect psycho.

Glad he gets "better". I sure hope he grows on me if he's going to stick around. Otherwise, I really like the series.

Any updates (no spoilers, please) on what's happening on Sherlock in the UK... are you into season 3 yet? Feeling Sherlock withdrawal, although Downton Abbey is keeping us company over here right now.

#14

Filming starting in March for autumn broadcast in the UK. Three stories again. "The Empty House / Rat", "Wedding" and "His Last Bow?"

I haven't seen this series but saw Game of Shadows with Robert Downey Junior a couple nights ago and it was excellent.

Dwelling on Cumberbatch for just a moment or two more..... :)

Those who like his work will also enjoy the following two:

1) To the Ends of the Earth by William Golding and made into a BBC Miniseries. On Netflix Streaming.

2) Singing in the radio production of Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman here: http://io9.com/listen-to-benedict-cumberbatch-sing-in-neil-gaimans-e-453688526

Lovely.

Love his Angel Islington voice. This man could read the phone book and I'd be mesmerized.
I haven't seen To the Ends of the Earth, but fans may want to check out The Last Enemy, a 5-part BBC drama and Stuart, A Life Backward (which also stars Tom Hardy).

>18 donnao:, donnao, thanks. I found The Last Enemy on Netflix and have saved to watch later. Will have to look for the other one.

I found Stuart, A life backwards online. I can't find the link now , but I'll keep digging.

Meanwhile, enjoy this interview with Tom Hardy and Benedict Cumberbatch:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6Sa5yY0edw

And Hardt talking about Benedict as an actor: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ek3sf9ZWeak

I have also really enjoyed the American production of "Elementary" with Johnny Lee Miller and Lucy Liu. I think the adaptation is a clever and thoughtful interpretation of Holmes and Watson, which Miller and Liu perform beautifully. Oh, it's not all long coats, curly hair and UK settings, but it's entertaining and modernly urbane (the weak area is the police, I think).

I enjoy the Robert Downey, Jr adaptations just for fun. Holmes as action hero is hardly the cerebral Holmes, is it? (it's more akin to the superhero trend, in this case his "power" is his smarts)

And from what I have seen of "House" that also takes its inspiration from Sherlock Holmes, yes?