Sherlock – Series 2

Posted on December 23, 2013 by Scenome Staff in Archives // 0 Comments

Reviewed by: Scenome Staff

Rating:: 5

On December 23, 2013

Last modified:January 2, 2016

Summary:

"Series 2 shines because it continues the high calibre of storytelling for the more popular Sherlock Holmes stories and adds a little more of those pesky emotions for the characters and the audience to feel."

More Details

Written by: Michelle Gajewski

Before Bilbo Baggins ventured to the Lonely Mountain and confronted the dragon Smaug, Bilbo and Smaug were two consulting detectives and roommates in London, England, known as Dr. John Watson and Sherlock Holmes. Now after two years of waiting, Sherlock returns this New Years for what looks to be a very promising third season. No longer will the show be the butt of jokes on Tumblr about X happening before Sherlock Series 3. I’m actually really surprised I got around to writing this review before the Series 3 premier. Two Hobbit films have been released! Heck, even Harry Potter made a comeback (through the in-universe Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them movie announcement) before Series 3! … I’ll just stop myself there.

For those of you unfamiliar with the show’s concept, Sherlock is a modern adaptation of the classicSherlock Holmes stories by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle that aims to keep the original premise and characters, but in today’s setting. Each season comprises of three 90 minute episodes, which may seem daunting to some casual tv viewers, but works incredibly well for this genre. The 90 minute block allows for proper pacing and plot development that is action-packed yet not rushed.

Series 2 begins exactly where the Series 1 cliff-hanger left us, Sherlock and his arch-nemesis Moriarty in a standoff while Watson sits aside helplessly with bombs strapped to him. With some perfect comedic timing of a Bee Gees track, Moriarty runs off, leaving Sherlock and John to live another day. The rest of the episode is primarily an adaptation of the short story A Scandal in Bohemia. This of course means that the character Irene Adler plays a critical role in the episode. In a male-dominant cast, it was great seeing Adler in all her womanliness (literally) be just as clever, if not more, than Sherlock; although, I’ll admit I was slightly disappointed by how her storyline concluded. Regardless, the episode was enjoyable enough to warrant a rewatch.

This is also the episode where Benedict Cumber-bum wears a bed sheet in Buckingham Palace.

You’re welcome.

The other two episodes are also based on the more well-known Sherlock classics: The Hound of the Baskervilles and The Final Problem, renamed as “The Hounds of Baskerville“ and “The Reichenbach Fall,” respectively. The former was pretty terrifying. Watching it in broad daylight and still getting the heebie-jeebies reminded me of being creeped out by the Wishbone version as a child. The Hound not only haunts the characters, but also manages to haunt the audience through uniquely filmed scenes. It is a solid episode that delivers on all fronts. The later, however, is perhaps my favourite episode in the entire series thus far. The emotion, the drama, the major cliff-hanger – all were perfect and really hit me in all my feels. This episode turns into a mind game when Moriarty attempts to discredit Sherlock, which has led to a real-world “I believe in Sherlock Holmes” movement.

There isn’t much to criticise about the show. Series 2 continues with the quick and clever conversations with a lot of comedic qualities interwoven; similar to Gilmore Girls, but more British and topical. The mysteries are enticing, the characters are quirky, and the actors do an outstanding job. On occasion, a character’s actions might seem out-of-place, but the overall viewing experience is impeccable.

Although Series 1 was excellent, Series 2 is the one that shines because it continues the high calibre of storytelling for the more popular Sherlock Holmes stories and adds a little more of those pesky emotions for the characters and the audience to feel. I cannot recommend this show enough.