This incarnation of Sherlock is set in the 21st century, where Watson (played with delicate brilliance by Martin Freeman) is still an army doctor, but his war was Afghanistan, and Sherlock (played deftly by Benedict Cumberbatch, whose name has Americans all in a titter over its mind-blowing Britishness) is a self-described "high-functioning sociopath". Their mutual love of danger, excitement, and puzzles draw them together after a chance encounter leads Watson to share the flat at 221B Baker Street.
And that's really all the background you need to get sucked in to this rollicking romp. Watson, who has been in therapy with a psychosomatic limp after returning from the war, was encouraged by his therapist to write a blog detailing his life. That expository scene ends with Watson saying, "But nothing ever happens to me." Enter: Holmes! Later we discover that Watson has been writing in his blog...all about his escapades with Sherlock. The artful way that the writers make Watson a modern-day narrator through his blog feels like an unforced and satisfyingly natural development, and leads to some comedy when characters like DI Lestrat begin reading it - "Did you really not know the earth goes around the sun?".
Since Sherlock is a mystery show (it's worth checking out PBS' Masterpiece Mystery if only for the fabulous Edward Gorey-animated intro), I don't want to give too much away about the plots. So let's talk a little about the characters.
Cumberbatch's Sherlock is a bit of an enigma; he's "devoted to [his] work" and has none of the womanizing charm that, say, Robert Downey, Jr's Sherlock exudes. He is indeed rather sociopathic, turning a serial killing spree into a nice little treat for him. However, by the end of the series it's clear that he's not a complete sociopath; he is able to feel some empathy, however little, and clearly is able to develop some attachments to a few people in his life. I'm not entirely unconvinced that he didn't sleep with that bitchy policewomen, either. His relationship with the poor morgue lady is at once hilarious and sad - how frustrating would it be to have every attempt to get a man to notice you pointed out in a horribly blunt and clinical way by that same man? We also discover that Sherlock is a recovering addict - if this were America, I'd say it was cocaine or meth, but it's England, so I'm gonna guess cocaine or heroin. Although it's only briefly alluded to, I'm guessing it's an issue that will arise in the future, but it's another great example of how well the writers have translated the original Sherlock Holmes to modern times. And I loved his excuse for wearing three nicotine patches at once: "It's impossible to sustain a smoking habit in London these days." Anyway, in three episodes Cumberbatch has established Sherlock as a character with an incredible amount of depth whose surface we have only begun to scratch.
Martin Freeman's John Watson is one of my new favorite TV characters of all time. Although the show is called Sherlock, Watson is actually the main character, supporting both his own story and also being the voice of the audience asking questions and trying to keep up with Holmes. He clearly feels conflicted about his attraction to danger, but not so conflicted to keep him from galavanting about with Sherlock. It seems that, after the war, dangerous behavior has become necessary to keep him sane. Of course, Martin Freeman is a gifted comic actor as well, and so his scenes are often imbued with quirky downtrodden British humor. He is able to explore romance much more easily than the socially stunted Sherlock, and so we get humor in that arena as well. It is also marvelous to see Watson's gradual improvement as he works with Sherlock on the cases, finding an outlet for his anxiety and a niche for his expertise. And when he does something bad-ass (which is more often than you might expect), it's impossible not to cheer him on.
The inevitable homoerotic issue is addressed head-on, and gives a good sense of how accepting people in London, at least, have become. When the owner of the restaurant brings them a candle to make it "more romantic", the awkward humor comes not from "oh, he thinks they're gay, how funny", but from the fact that they haven't defined their relationship and both want to make it clear that they're not romantically interested without offending each other or the gay community in general. And then it's done and settled, without any homophobia or negative connotations. Well done, sirs. It still isn't entirely explicit that Sherlock isn't gay, but what is obvious is that romantic entanglements interest him not in the slightest. His relationship is with his work.
As I was watching Sherlock, what surprised me most was what other show it reminded me of: Psych. The extreme observational skills; the close relationship that often causes hardship for Watson/Gus; the humor and excitement that can be found in dark and/or dangerous situations. It's a good parallel, and makes me want to watch more of both Psych and Sherlock!
Fortunately, Psych is back on for a little while, but UNfortunately, Sherlock is over for who knows how long. For the next few weeks you can watch it online at PBS.com (with cute little intros from Alan Cumming!), but after that you might have to buy the DVD. I would highly recommend checking it out; maybe go watch it with your parents when you're home for Thanksgiving. Anyway, with all the critical attention Sherlock has received, the good news is I'm sure Messrs Cumberbatch and Freeman will be back with another round of mysteries at some time in the future. I just hope the wait isn't too long...
Since it isn't immediately clear on the website, the episodes, in order, are:
1. A Study In Pink
2. The Blind Banker
3. The Great Game
Happy solving!
Image via hecklerspray.com
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