Sherlock: Studiously Pink and Contemporary

You know, usually, whenever I’m impressed by something, and want to tell people about it, I’ll usually start off the relevant post with something along the lines of “I think I’m impressed with …” whatever the post’s about.

But why be so wishy-washy … ?

Every once in a while, it’s nice to able to say, outright, “I’m impressed”.

And usually I’m writing about a film, TV show, book, product, Mac, what-have-you.

Actually, that’s not far off what I’m planning to rave about, tonight, actually.

Because I’ve actually spent an hour and a half of my time, watching the Stephen Moffat/Mark Gatiss penned, contemporary re-working of the adventures of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s iconic detective, Sherlock Holmes.

Only now … ?

In the (very early) 21st Century … ?

Moffat and Gatiss have gone with calling him just plain old Sherlock.

And, whereas I’m usually a bit vague, on these things … ?

I’m going to be a bit definite.

I’m impressed!

No, seriously, I’m impressed … !

Boy, am I impressed … !

I’m in dribble territory, here, aren’t I’m … ?

Lets get a move on, shall we … ?

Yes, lets.

Now, I’ve got to admit, I started hearing rumours of this, about a week or two, ago, when Dr Kevin told me someone had put together a TV version.

I’ve got to admit, I only had half an ear on what he was saying.

Bless him, he WAS having one of his more talkative days: the acupuncture he’s having for his bad back is definitely helping, and he was both pleased and excited to be getting out and about, again.

And decidedly chatty, bless him!

It wasn’t until later that day that i found out that Steven Moffat — the currant lead writer on Dr Who — was both on Twitter, AND had co-produced a reworking.

“Interesting,” I thought, “I’ll have to keep an eye out for that …”

I’m glad I did …

Now, I’ve got to admit, I’ve been catching the trailer, on and off, for the past week or so.

Including at last night’s Movie night.

Now, I’ll admit, Kevin D and Movie Night Adrian weren’t stunned by what they saw.

I’m thinking they may have missed something …

I do know neither were impressed by idea of the modern reworking idea.

Which is where I think we may all differ …

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Tonight’s episode … ?

Was called A Study In Pink, and is a modern re-telling of the first Holmes novel, A Study In Scarlet.

Which is actually a good place to start.

It sees four apparent suicides, spread across London: and our all new Sherlock — played by Benedict Cumberbatch — called in to help by a baffled Inspector Lestrade.

And, while all this is going on, it sees a baffled, war-weary but still action hungry and bored Dr Watson — nicely done by Martin Freeman at his most sympathetic — moving in with Holmes. And having, as a humorous side-issue, having to squash a few misconceptions.

And learning how — if not completely why — Holmes does what he does.

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Now, if you’ve read the original A Study In Scarlet, you’ll probably notice both the differences.

And where Moffat, Gatiss and company have worked hard to put the essentials into their version, A Study In Pink.

But, while I’m not a fan of the original novels and shorts stories, I have enjoyed them, in my time: them, and the classic Jeremy Brett incarnation of the 1980’s, as well as the more recent Robert Downey Jnr/Jude Law pairing.

In point of fact, I’m one of those who think that Brett set the standard as Holmes, which was nicely matched, in it’s way, by that recent film.

I can’t help but think that Sherlock — going on this one episode — is both a fair treatment of Sir Arthur’s original stories, and a good retelling of the tales.

And a very good match of the standard that Brett, Downey — and Sir Arthur — set.

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