Sherlock Season 2
It's been about 3 weeks since I watched all three episodes of Sherlock Season 2 so this reaction is way overdue. I have three questions:
1. Why only 3 episodes per season? Why?
2. When is Season 3 coming?
3. How are they possibly going to beat this season?
I'm serious about that third question, btw. I've read most of the Sherlock Holmes stories, and the ones post-Reichenbach aren't as great as the pre-Reichenbach ones. Don't even get me started on how much I hate "The Second Stain"! Are Moffat and Gatiss going to adapt pre-Reichenbach stories? Original storylines? Who knows ... I'm sure they'll do well whatever they choose. Anyway, without much further ado, here are my thoughts on this season's episode.
Episode 1 A Scandal in Belgravia
My personal favourite out of all three, for more reasons than just a naked Sherlock in a sheet (is it wrong to envy inanimate objects? I would kill to be that sheet!). I'm a bit a of camera nerd, and I think I'm developing a love for Paul McGuigan directed episodes. It must be the wallpaper or the focus on colour depth or the crane shots or something. Visually, they're a joy to look at. The music was also amazing in this episode, and I liked how it was more a character study than anything else.
Plotwise, it was probably the weakest of the three, as everything was rather episodic and directionless (and, dare I say, a bit boring), at least in the first half, but this was compensated by seeing the close relationship between Sherlock, John and Mrs Hudson, how Lestrade and Molly actually have a place in Sherlock's life rather than just being their for exposition/comedic-human-punch-bag purposes. How awesome is Mrs. Hudson?!? And Sherlock and John death-glaring Mycroft for being rude to her! Awwww..... It's just little moments like those that I love.
What can I say about Irene Adler? I've always had mixed feelings about her. In the books, I'm not a huge fan, plus I don't like how she's automatically shipped with Sherlock all the time. I'm happy that their relationship in this episode was a bit open-ended. As for the character herself, I think it's clever how they've adapted her to being a professional dominatrix. Love her wardrobe by the way. I'll need to watch the episode again to get a real idea of what I think of her character as at the moment, all I can thinks is "Great clothes, awesome make-up and fascinating woman". I did like the "I am SHER-locked" bit at the end though, I thought it was rather heartwarming. Maybe that's why I'm a bit funny about Irene; we don't really get any insight into her personality until the very end, when we see some vulnerability.
Episode 2 The Hounds of Baskerville
I didn't like this episode. I couldn't tell you why. I just didn't really like it. Maybe because I was half-asleep. It could be based on the fact I dislike supernatural!Holmes, which would explain why I like the second Sherlock Holmes movie more than I do the first, which had supernatural elements to it. It was good how at the end they explained how the panic was being caused by an experimental gas, but ... I don't know ... it all seemed a bit twee.
There were some parts I liked. John's stake-out of the lab and subsequent freak-out was very well done. Martin Freeman, how are you so GOOD! I can't wait to see him in The Hobbit! It's just amazing what's he's done with John, how he's created such a strong, real character that you can pick the OOC bits immediately, like when he makes that tiny squeak of panic during that scene, you know something's a bit off because John Watson is normally so steadfast.
Also, when Henry Baskerville is in his house alone and that thing is running around outside causing the sensor-lights to go off. That was really well-done as well. I was hiding behind my pillow. The tension was just amazing. Oh! and John and Lestrade hang out together outside of work/cases. That's so cute! Why else would John call Lestrade Greg?
Episode 3 The Reichenbach Fall
Wow ... just wow! Boy did Steve Thompson deliver with this ep! Bit worried when I saw Toby Haynes was directing, as he directed The Blind Banker, but boy did he knock it out of the park with this one! It was fast-paced, never boring. It played like a thriller and I had a lot of fun just sitting back and enjoying the ride. Out of the three, it was the strongest, plot wise, which is good, because this is such an important story in Holmes canon.
Because I've read "The Final Problem", I knew how this episode would end, but there were still twists in the middle which were just amazing. I can't believe I failed to clue in on the name "Richard Brook" until just before the reveal! And when Moriarty walks into the journo's house? My jaw hit the floor. Was not expecting that at all! Also, Jim Moriarty! Take a bow, you sick, magnificent bastard! That man had everything covered and his plan to ruin Sherlock was actually believable!
The ending was no surprise to me, but the fact they showed Sherlock falling and then his body (though not really his face) was a shock. Even I was thinking "There's no way they could have killed him ... did they? No, no way they can do that! Canon dictates it to be so!". I'm looking forward to how they explain the fake-death in the next series. Also, the goodbye scene between John and Sherlock, and then John at the cemetery T_T Why are you such a GOOD ACTOR, Martin Freeman?!?
And before I go I just have to mention Molly. MOLLY! Where have you been hiding? Last season, I bearly noticed you beyond feeling some pity. And now you're all grown up and wonderful and sweet and clever and ballsy! Please be in the next season!