The Game is On, Sherlock!

I was recently introduced to Sherlock by my Other Half and my younger sister. I obviously knew what Sherlock was and I had seen the films but I had never encountered the TV show. I know most of Tumblr and probably some readers of this Blog will be horrified by this fact but it is unfortunately the truth. I had always seen it talked about on the Interweb but I was never entirely sure if it would be something that would grip me.

Was I wrong, Bloggersphere. I started the first episode not fully paying attention as I hadn't seen any of the previous ones and I had writing work to be getting on with. Though within 5 minutes I was gripped.

I had encountered on Tumblr the series finale of Season 2 (no spoilers) and 'The Empty Hearse' began with no Sherlock and a very desolate entourage. I thought the way that Sherlock revealed himself to John Watson in the restaurant was hilarious and set up his character for me and returning viewers very well.

I also myself falling in love with the character of Watson from the very beginning, finding that he was the most relateable character and the most humorous so I have a new found actor favourite in Martin Freeman.
Benedict Cumberbatch is a peculiar man and I think that is why his portrayal of Sherlock is so perfect. Sherlock is erratic and socially inept - an unconventionally likable protagonist - and I think that Cumberbatch delivers his role with precision and realism, allowing the audience of the show to fall in love with this bizarre man.

Whilst watching the first 2 episodes of the series I found I was dragged in by the story lines without consent - and that, my Blogger friends, is excellent writing. I was speculating different theories of how exactly Sherlock pulled off what he did (no spoilers!) and who the culprit of the murders mentioned in the episodes where.

'The Empty Hearse' had me in fits, with Gatiss obviously having searched through Tumblr and picking out all the crazes that the fans reblog and debate constantly. Things such as Anderson and his Fan Club debating Sherlock's stunt - including a reference to Doctor Who (Wholock) for those who looked closely enough - and the Sherlock and Watson gay suspicion.

The second episode, 'The Sign of Three', opened Sherlock up into a new character for me. He is a man that doesn't function well in society with emotions or people, yet in this episode they made him compassionate and humble. I think it was a clever move from the writer's for all viewers. And when he left the wedding early without dancing - well, I expect most  Sherlock fans would have been a mess on the floor.

I think that the modernization of the show is fantastic. How they make Watson a war veteran of Afghanistan and set the scene in current London makes the whole of it very relateable. Sherlock is an odd but brilliant man and how they portray his 'Mind Palace' with clusters of words around an object is fantastic.

Sherlock is inventive, hilarious and intense and I will be a frequent watcher from here onwards. The game is on, as they say, to keep me on my toes.

So, basically, in this sort-of review, the only downside I can find to the show is that there are only 3 episodes per series!