Quite possibly the most popular story about a detective to have hit bookshelves, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s “Sherlock Holmes” turned into an instant murder-mystery solving classic in the late 19th/early 20th century. Though Doyle’s works stand well enough on their own, many adaptations have managed to turn these stories into visual reality. One show, modernizing the characters and setting of Doyle’s story, has done that and more in its now three series run.
Written by Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss, “Sherlock” is a modern-day tale of a consulting detective befriending a doctor, with both men setting out to solve mysteries from the everyday to the complex.
In the conclusion of series 2, the titular character, played by Benedict Cumberbatch, says goodbye to his friend, Dr. John Watson, played by Martin Freeman, as the former stands on the ledge of St. Bart’s, eventually leading to his apparent suicide after the ruin of his reputation by Jim Moriarty. Airing all the way back in Jan. 2012, fans have eagerly awaited the newest series.
Only the audience at home…and Mycroft…and Molly…and countless numbers of Sherlock’s homeless network were left with the truth of the popular detective’s “death.” Of course he faked it. He’s Sherlock Holmes. While John asks Sherlock the important question of WHY he did it, fans of the series were left asking HOW.
Benedict Cumberbatch’s Sherlock gives us a perfectly detailed account of himself dropping from the roof, using Molly to ensure a dead body is seen by John in the distance and his homeless network to distract his friend while he lands on an inflatable mattress. But what about John not feeling his pulse? As many fans had gathered, Sherlock took the squash ball seen in the last episode of series 2, placing it under his armpit to cut off the circulation to his arm. Sharing this tale with Anderson, who feels guilty for his own role in ruining Sherlock’s reputation and contemplating his own theories about his supposed death (all shot down by Greg Lestrade, who is convinced that Sherlock is dead), the consulting detective’s tale seems quite plausible. Though it seems so, it did leave fans wondering if this was, in fact, the truth and leads Anderson to slight insanity, ripping down his wall of theories. Now the question is, how could Sherlock know that John would stand exactly where he needed him to stand for this plan to work? Hmm…
Though the mystery surrounding Sherlock’s fake death was the reasoning for many viewers to watch the first episode, there was still plenty for fans to look forward to in the third run of the series.
Though the return of Sherlock to London garnered some great moments throughout the episode, the introduction of Mary Morstan, John’s girlfriend (soon-to-be fiancée), was a highlight throughout the tumultuous reunion of Sherlock and John. Though John’s proposal is cut short by Sherlock’s surprise, Mary takes to the detective right away while he seemingly does the same.
Other moments in the series included:
1. Sherlock’s bantering and deductions – obvious for anyone watching
2. Sherlock and Mary’s motorbike ride to save John – John’s closest people “borrow” a motorbike to save their friend from burning to death on Guy Fawkes Day
3. Sherlock tricking John into feelings – moments before a deadly bomb will kill them as well as numerous members of Parliament, Sherlock tricks John into saying how he really feels, which in turn mends their rocky relationship
4. Sherlock’s Best Man’s Speech – possibly the greatest and longest speech a best man has ever given, which of course ends in the solving of attempted murder on one of John’s war friends
5. The Drunken Duo – Sherlock and John solving more mysteries while inebriated…enough said.
6. The realization of what the “Power of Three” means – Sherlock accidentally giving away Mary’s condition to the newlyweds at the end of the reception
7. Mary’s Own Mysterious Past – Sherlock discovering Mary as a spy as she prepares to kill Charles Augustus Magnussen, though instead shoots Sherlock (yet again, he doesn’t die)
8. Sherlock Homicidal – In the conclusion of the third episode, Sherlock seemingly kills Magnussen as he realizes he can’t save John and Mary otherwise.
9. The Turnaround Flight & Moriarty’s Face – Sherlock is set to be shipped off to who knows where, saying his goodbyes once again to Mary and John, though only mere minutes has his flight turning around when the image of Moriarty’s face floods London’s t.v.’s
