Sherlock

After returning from London I decided to watch the new BBC Sherlock.  It had been suggested to me by a couple of friends and I decided to check it out.  It is fantastic.  It has had one season so far of three 90 minute episodes.  The second season of three episodes is in the works now, hopefully to air early in 2012. 

Everything is modern day, and the actors are amazing.  Benedict Cumberbatch is Sherlock Holmes (he’s going to be the voice of Smaug in the Hobbit) and Martin Freeman is John Watson (he’s going to be Bilbo in The Hobbit).  You don’t have to be a Sherlock expert to enjoy the show; I’ve not read many of the cases myself.  I think having just returned from London helps make it more enjoyable, but it’s certainly accessible to folks who’ve not been to London.  I have fun picking out all the landmarks and locations which I’ve visited.  221b Baker Street is not actually shot at Baker Street because there’s too much visible Sherlock paraphernalia, like the museum and gift shop.  I mean the museum of the house for the imaginary person is down the street from where 221b would logically be located, since it's not real, so what does it matter that the show films elsewhere?  I don't think Sir Arthur Conan Doyle minds.  I have been to Baker Street, and yes I paid to go to the museum.  It’s actually filmed at 187 North Gower Street, London NW1.

Sherlock and John run around in taxis, call and text with mobiles, Watson has a blog and Sherlock has a website, and Sherlock uses nicotine patches instead of smoking a pipe.  Sherlock is as odd as ever, playing violin, shooting the wall when he’s bored, conducting experiments around the flat, and he’s only really happy when there’s an unexplained case to solve.  I’ve watched season one twice in the last week, that’s how good it is. 

Here’s a few of my favourite quotes from season one:

Sherlock: Brilliant!  Yes!  Four serial suicides and now a note.  It’s like Christmas.

Sherlock: Shut up.

Lestrade: I didn’t say anything.

Sherlock: You were thinking.  It’s annoying.

Sherlock: We’ve got ourselves a serial killer.  I love them, there’s always something to look forward to.

Sherlock: I’m not a psychopath.  I’m a high functioning sociopath, Anderson.  Do your research.

Lestrade: Any ideas?

Sherlock: Seven so far.

Sherlock: Things would move a little quicker if you took my words for gospel.

John: Where did you get this?  Detective Inspector Lestrade?

Sherlock: I pickpocket him when he’s annoying.

Sherlock: Come on, we’ve got a bit of burglary to do.

Sherlock: Anderson don’t talk out loud.  You lower the IQ of the entire street.

Watson: Did I just text the murderer?

Sherlock: Mrs. Hudson took my skull.