TV Series > Sherlock - Season: 2 > Episode: 1

TV Episode Details:

Due to the writers being busy working on Doctor Who and The Hobbit, it was almost a year and a half wait for this second season, but it was so worth it. Unfortunately, I failed to watch the previous season immediately before this episode, so like many other viewers, I was a bit confused at the beginning. Thankfully, when it got going, it pulled us along on at an incredible rate. If you haven't seen the first season, stop reading now and watch it first.

I like the way they bled each case they handled after the incident with Moriarty, with Watson posting them on his blog. It really made these characters feel real and natural. There almost seemed to be more content during that short time than most shows have during an entire season. The mentions to some of the original tales including 'The Geek Interpreter', 'The Speckled Blonde', and 'The Naval Treatment' were just the icing on cake. Even though I do agree how and why they did it this way, part of me still wishes that I could have pulled out a few of those cases to see how they unfolded with this modern twist.

The main case started when they both got whisked away to Buckingham Palace, while on another investigation. Since it was only Watson actually at the scene, Holmes ended up getting picked up from his home, and arrived at the Palace wearing only a sheet. Seeing him sitting there, with nothing on, refusing to get dresses was hilarious, especially when his brother, Mycroft, almost pulled the sheet off of him in frustration.

After finally getting Sherlock dressed, we were finally introduced to the main case for this episode. This case was obviously based off of 'A Scandal in Bohemia', with the idea of a dominatrix holding scandalous photographs hostage. At the beginning, it didn't seem like a major case, but how it unfolded really made the entire investigation the best so far. Since they made us aware that she knew and planned everything, some of the following scenes were much more enjoyable than they would have been without that knowledge.

The dominatrix, Irene Adler, walking in completely nude really was a surprise, and Sherlock's face said it all. I'm not sure what was more impressive, the acting or the camera work to ensure that we could tell she was nude, but not exposing anything that wouldn't have been safe for TV.

Irene seemed to have really done her homework on Holmes since it was like she knew that he wouldn't be able to read her if she wasn't wearing anything, or she just wanted to make sure he knew her measurements. This was also a very nice way to break the idea of a romantic involvement with Sherlock, while still not breaking his character.

Once the Americans showed up to get their hands on the camera, I knew there was a lot more than just pictures on it. Why didn't they just explain why they were there? They obviously knew who Sherlock was and why he was there. This entire episode would have been over much sooner if they didn't shoot first and ask questions later. Oh, wait! That wouldn't have been very American of them.

I still have mixed feelings over the fighting scene that happened afterwards. The trick he used to take them by surprise was very much his style, but the slow motion seemed to be dragged on far too much. I do understand it was done this way to show that he is still working everything through as he was fighting, but it seemed to remove any excitement from the scene.

The fake death part was really well done. The way everything was played out, I was sure she was gone for good, so it was a really huge surprise when she showed up again later. I don't think they will be able to successfully use that trick again though, especially since they tried again later on in the episode.

Just when I though that this episode couldn't throw any more curve balls, those stupid American's took Mrs. Hudson hostage. This entire scene really built Mrs Hudson in ways that were never touched on before. Having the phone on her the entire time, but never giving it up during the violent interrogation, really says a lot about how strong her character is. It also showed how much Sherlock actually cares for her. Far too often he seems to act like she is just in the way, but when she was in trouble, he seemed personally hurt. I love the way he pinpointed all of the vital weaknesses in the hostage-taker after finding that they hit her, using the cleaning spray as a weapon, then going through the damage he is about to inflict on him when calling it in to the police.

I am a bit disappointed with the real reason behind the phone. What is it with everything going back to terrorists? If this was last decade, I would have let it slide, but it has been the main story for so many movies, series and episodes now, that it has lost all of it's interest. It is like hearing a great new song for the first time on the radio, but after it is played twenty times every day for a month, I never want to hear that song again.

Thankfully, the whole interrogation scene at the end was really well done. Not only did it show how much alike Irene and Sherlock is (although that was evident throughout most of the episode), but also how strongly Sherlock already feels about Moriarty. Just the mention of his name suddenly gets him going and not long after, he has the entire case solved, while making his brother look like an idiot.

After all the smoke cleared, and everything was winding down, I really didn't expect the final ending. What a fantastic twist! The government thought Irene was dead, and told John told Sherlock that she was in America so that he wouldn't get all depressed again. That wasn't the great twist, it was the truth that was. I really didn't think she was dead again, as they already fooled me once, but it was that Sherlock was there and saved her really completed the episode. With everything that happened, I had no idea that he still had feelings for her. I can't tell it was just more respect for her character or the bond that was formed, but it really made this conclusion different than the rest. I really hope that she shows up again, especially with her ties to Moriarty.

Many of the little things, like the sound his phone made when she sent him a text, the blending of the scenes, and the attention to detail during the main storyline really made this episode. Sure there were a few questionable parts in the episode, but mainly it was an amazing show. Unlike the movies that have been out lately, this series really does a good job at creating a Sherlock Holmes as if he was around in modern times. Hopefully they can keep up the great stories, and that we don't have such a massive break between seasons again.