The Great Game: Spies, snipers and Psychotics.

You know, I’ve got to admit, I am impressed.

Decidedly impressed.

Definitely … !

You know, I’m very tempted to throw in a “It IS Sunday?” type question.

Except I know for a fact that it’s Sunday.

And that the Apple Dictionary — the one that comes pre-packed with OS X — doesn’t have enough alternatives for the word ‘impressed’.

THAT’S for certain …

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Yes, it’s definitely Sunday.

And as you can imagine, I’ve been watching The Great Game, the third and final part of Sherlock: the Steven Moffat/Mark Gatiss/Sue Vertue 21st century take on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes.

And I’ve got to admit that, while I’m impressed with this episode — a mix of The Bruce Partington Plans and The Final Problem, with references to The Five Orange Pips and A Scandal in Bohemia — isn’t the strongest of the three episodes, so far.

But is doing a lot.

The Great Game sees Holmes given — and rejecting — an offer of a case, by his elder brother Mycroft.

In this case … ?

The apparent murder of a MI6 clerk who seems to have mislaid some very important plans …

This against the background of an unknown bomber challenging our heroes to solve seemingly unimportant cases.

Or see the hostages our unnamed* — ’til the end of the episode — bomber and his hired sniper have taken blown to bits.

Or shot, of course …

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Now, where things get frustrating in The Great Game — frustrating and rivetingly watchable — is the climax to all of this.

Remember I mentioned The Final Problem … ?

The short story that Sir Arthur tries to finally kill off his creation, so he could move on to other things … ?

That sees Holmes — apparently — killed in a final confrontation with arch-rival, Professor Moriarty, in a fight to the death at the Reichenbach Falls … ?

Yeah, that Final Problem … !

I think — think — that’s what Moffat and co have re-created here.

Or tried to, at any rate.

Not to kill off Holmes, not by a long shot!

No, I’m thinking from all I’ve seen, that this initial series of Sherlock is something of a pilot series, if you see what I mean … ?

And that the big cliffhanger of a finish … ?

Is definitely a way of keeping people interested … !

* As you’ve probably guessed, the arch-villain behind all of this … ? Is the updated Professor Moriarty: or Jim Moriarty as he calls himself. And — while I don’t know the name of the actor playing him — the spin he gives to the part — of the psychotic brother of Graeme Norton — is FANTASTIC!! and if that sniper doesn’t end up being a re-worked version of Colonel Sebastian Moran … ? Well …