Sherlock: The Hounds of Baskerville

BBC One’s hit series Sherlock tread old ground yesterday as it aired a remake of Doyle’s most famous Holmes adventure, The Hound of the Baskervilles. A lot of expectation (and, in some cases, dread) preceded the episode, which  has been re-dubbed The Hounds of Baskerville by its writer Mark Gatiss. The apprehension is understandable, since this particular story has been rehashed on the screen over twenty times to varying degrees of success (not to mention its print adaptions–like this comic with Mickey Mouse). But luckily for us Holmesians the worry was misplaced. Sherlock delivered an excellent rendition, which I will delve into shortly; but first…

Synopsis!

Something terrible has happened to Henry Knight; Sherlock and John investigate the truth about the monstrous creature which apparently killed their client’s father. A hound from hell? What seems like fantasy in Baker Street is a very different prospect in the ultra-secret army base that looms over Dartmoor. (courtesy of BBC)

I would first like to point out that this episode has a much different feel to it than the previous one, A Scandal in Belgravia. Perhaps it is the difference in writers or the change from a London setting, but watching this episode I did not feel the same frenetic energy that the other possesses in such quantity. The pacing was slower, letting the mystery of the spectral hound build around conversations (of which the best parts were lifted straight from the Doyle canon) rather than copious amounts of action involving American gun-slinging CIA agents. Russell Tovey (of Being Human and Doctor Who fame) contributes a lot to the tone with his portrayal of the haunted Henry Knight; his rendition of the Baskerville tale sends shivers up the spine even with it being truncated and frequently interrupted. Even the originally uninterested Holmes is held in thrall as he utters some of the canon’s most iconic words: “Mr Holmes, they were the footsteps of a gigantic hound!”

The transformation of the Baskerville curse to a government conspiracy theory was also excellently done. A ghost story would have been much harder to accept as a plausible explanation than a genetically enhanced dog. I’ll admit I felt the littlest inkling of doubt about the same time as Mr Holmes, wondering if what Henry Knight’s claims were indeed a reality. I’ll also admit that I had not begun to guess at the real explanation behind Knight’s apparent hallucinations (except in vague, ill-defined ways), despite the fact that the culprit was pretty obvious, even with a cleverly done red-herring.

Once again I applaud Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman for their dynamic performances as Holmes and Watson. I was especially intrigued with Cumberbatch’s interpretation of what a mental breakdown would look like for the brilliant detective, which was both humorous, frightening, and pitiable. I can only imagine what he will come up with as he faces off against his nemesis Moriarty for (presumably) the last time in next week’s episode, The Reichenbach Fall.

Other things I enjoyed: what little I saw of DI Lestrade, Watson’s botched attempts at picking up women, and breaking into a top-secret government base with only a key card and a poker face.

For other opinions on the show, I highly recommend checking out the Baker Street Babes Podcast. You can also find out when Sherlock series 2 is airing in your country by consulting Sherlockology on tumblr.

Mysterious Book Art Left at Library

This was a news item a couple of months ago, but I find the photos (taken by Chris Scott–see his flikr page) so terrifically beautiful that I needed to re-post them. These art pieces, carved out of books, began mysteriously appearing in the Scottish Poetry Library in Edinburgh last spring, accompanied only by a note that read: “This is for you in support of libraries, books, words, ideas…” Pieces also began cropping up at the National Library of Scotland, Scottish Storytelling Center, Central Lending Library, National Museum of Scotland, a local theater, and a bookstore.

Nobody knows who the artist is. And nobody wants to know! Through a poll conducted through the Evening News, the people of Edinburgh voted against uncovering who the anonymous donor was. And I think they were right. Some things are meant to be left as magical mysteries.

Below are just a few of the pieces.

Read the full NPR news story. Part Two.
See all the artwork on Chris Scott’s flikr page.

 

Sherlock: A Scandal in Belgravia

What a fantastic way to kick off the New Year! The second series of BBC1′s Sherlock hit the airwaves yesterday, starting with a re-imagining of one of Doyle’s most popular Holmes short stories, “A Scandal in Bohemia.” Titled A Scandal in Belgravia, this episode saw the return of Benedict Cumberbatch as the ace consulting detective and Martin Freeman as his ever suffering army doctor sidekick, John Watson. It also saw the premier of Laura Pulver in her role as The Woman, Irene Adler, a dominatrix with a secret and the only one who ever beat Sherlock Holmes.

Synopsis!

A case of blackmail threatens to topple the monarchy itself, but soon Sherlock and John discover there is even more to it than that. They find themselves battling international terrorism, rogue CIA agents, and a secret conspiracy involving the British government. But this case will cast a longer shadow on their lives than they could ever imagine, as the great detective begins a long duel of wits with an antagonist as cold and ruthless and brilliant as himself: Irene Adler. (courtesy of the BBC)

So, how did this episode stack up with those of the previous series? Pretty well, I think. The acting was topnotch, yet again, and there were plenty of twists and turns to keep me at the edge of my seat for the full hour and a half. I was a bit concerned when I realized the entire plot of the original story had been stuffed into the first hour (we have a half hour left and nowhere to go!), but the additions Moffat introduced were well thought out and raised the level of the episode as a whole.

The only complaints I have are also those I also have with the Doyle original: not enough deduction! The focus is centered more on the relationship between Holmes and Adler (and Watson) than on tracking down the criminal (since, of course, we know who the criminal is from the get-go). It makes for a much different adventure than that of A Study in Scarlet/Pink or, looking toward the future, The Hound(s) of the Baskerville(s). Viewers curious to see the evolution of Holmes and Watson’s friendship, however, will get a treat, since it is probed in depth–as is the question of Holmes’ romantic interest in Adler. Much is said. Much is implied. Much is still left to the imagination.

Other things I loved: exasperated elder brother Mycroft, Una Stubbs’ kick-butt Mrs Hudson, and Holmes gracing the royal palace in only a towel .

For more info and opinions, check out this podcast by The Baker Street Babes. You can also find out when Sherlock series 2 is airing in your country by consulting Sherlockology on tumblr.

BBC Sherlock: 2 new clips

Two new clips of Sherlock, which is returning to BBC1 this January! This is my favorite adaption of the Sherlock Holmes canon (my apologies my Mr Rathbone), so I am super excited.

Both clips appear to be from episode 1 of the new series, A Scandal in Belgravia, which is based off the Conan Doyle story “A Scandal in Bohemia.” I can’t wait to see Lara Pulver as The Woman, Irene Adler.

Some lucky dogs got to see an early screening. And if this review by On the Box is anything to go by, the second series is promising to be just as wonderful as the first. Blurb!

The writers, directors and producers of Sherlock have not only waved their magic wands for a second time – they’ve attached the show to a rocket and raised the bar for television drama to the very upper limits….It’s delightfully hard to predict too, with a story full of twists, turns and dead-ends that will entertain both young and old alike.

What a ringing endorsement. Now, on to the clips.

Mini Movie Review! Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows

I cannot begin to express how excited I was to go see Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows in the theater this weekend. My not-so-subtle obsession with this great literary character has driven my roommate nuts in recent months, so it was a relief to both her and me to at last sit down and watch the Consulting Detective’s next big screen adventure.

Overall impression. Love it! The plot wasn’t nearly as complex as the first one; but then, the movie-makers were channelling Doyle’s story “The Final Problem,” which did not star Holmes’ deductive powers either. The action was just as fun as the first movie, as was the hilariously adorable interactions of Holmes and Watson (yes, adorable!).

The big standout for me, however, was Sebastian Moran, played by Paul Anderson. Not a character we hear much about in the Holmes’ screen adaptions, he is Moriarty’s righthand man and a wonderful foil to Watson. Anderson’s portrayal is incredibly subtle, leaving hints here and there of a connection to Moriarty that is just as deep and devoted as Watson’s is to Holmes. Throw in a bit of humor and a truly frightening ability with a gun, and you’ve got a deliciously scary villain who will no doubt be reappearing in the next installment of Guy Ritchie’s Sherlock Holmes.

Now I just have to wait for the reappearance of the Holmes on the small screen in the second season of the BBC’s Sherlock this January. Heavens, it’s so hard to concentrate with so much Holmes fever going around!