Sherlock!

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So I just discovered the new BBC series about Sherlock Holmes, but in modern times. Being a huge Sherlock Holmes fan, from the books and the 40's radio broadcasts, I was upset to hear it was Sherlock Holmes set in modern time.

Yeah, modern time made Sherlock Holmes no less appealing, it's a wonderful show, but they've only made 3 episodes and the 2nd season is also going to be 3 episodes.

Also, Benedict Cumberbatch, despite having a funny name, is a fantastic Sherlock, not necessarily on the same level as Basil Rathbone, but pretty dang good. <3

Anyway: Altogether worth a watch, especially since Sherlock is probably an aspie.

Holmes is one of my obsessions. I'm a big enough fan to have bought the three-volume New Annotated Sherlock Holmes hardcover book set, which retails for over $100. (Highly recommended, by the way.) And I just bought two Holmes books on eBay today. (The Final Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Peter Haining and Moriarty by John Gardner, in case anyone is wondering.) I'm not a purist, though, so updating the stories to the modern day doesn't bother me, as long as it's done well.

And yeah, it's a pretty terrific show. Mostly, anyway. The second episode ("The Blind Banker") isn't bad but it seems mediocre compared to the first ("A Study in Pink") and the third ("The Great Game"), both of which are excellent. For me, Benedict Cumberbatch has already earned a place alongside Basil Rathbone, Peter Cushing, and Jeremy Brett in the Holmes hall of fame, and Martin Freeman is tied with Ian Hart and Jude Law for the title of the best Watson. I've heard a lot of people complaining about the updating of Moriarty in "The Great Game," but I thought it was brilliant.

My complaints are minor. Sherlock comes off as too much of a prick for my tastes. Holmes has always been somewhat stuck up and condescending, but he's rarely been as rude as Cumberbatch plays him. This goes beyond Aspie traits. He's a dick and he knows it. And like I said, the second episode, while not exactly bad, seems disappointing compared to the first and third. But this is nitpicking. Just about everything is great. The show is great at reworking old plots to make them seem 90% new, and the dialogue is terrific.

The format is a little strange. Three 90-minute episodes, like a miniseries, but it'll apparently be an ongoing series. It sucks that Season 2 was delayed until 2012, but I'd rather they get it right than rush it. It'll be interesting to see how they re-invent The Hound of the Baskervilles, A Scandal in Bohemia, and especially The Final Problem.

"I'm not a psychopath, I'm a highly-functioning sociopath." Sherlock is one of the most quotable shows ever.

I adore it. (mostly because of Martin Freeman & Benedict Cumberbatch )

Jory: I love you for being a Holmes buff, and I will check out those books, they sound excellent. I agree wholeheartedly about The Blind Banker. A Study in Pink was superb, and then by comparison Blind Banker was just not as good. Hound Of The Baskervilles should be interesting, and a Scandal in Bohemia is one of my absolute favorites, I'm very glad they're doing those.

Seriously, what's up with the 3 episodes a season nonsense? I hope it doesn't end up like Fawlty Towers, with 12 episodes and so much potential.

Holmes is admittedly pretty darn arrogant, but to be fair, he is a genius, he is probably an aspie, or as Safffron quoted, a highly-functioning sociopath. However, he does show emotional attachment to Watson, one would even say in the Blind Banker he's almost jealous that Watson is spending time with his new girl, and that to me does not denote a sociopath. I would bet on him being an Aspie, just look at his powers of observation, his knowledge of obscure things, the astounding visual recall of memories, etc.

Emlion: That's one of my reasons for loving it too, they are just SOOOOOO good in their roles, it's amazing.

I reallllly want another season of that show. Mr. Moffat is a mad man. I recently rewatched Fortysomething because Benedict Cumberpatch is so prettiful... Oh and Hugh Laurie is prettiful as well.

There is explicit reference to Sherlock having Asperger in the the episode "Hound of the Baskerville".

I thought it was made clear that he wasn't a sociopath by episode 3.