Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 16-1-2017

Well, that was the early night had … 

I have to admit, there’s days — like yesterday — when I really feel a night in — or lie in, in the morning — is just the thing.

Which I’ve — effectively — managed to do, today.

After getting to bed, last night?   At about eleven.

Frankly?   Well, I don’t know about you, but I had the finale of Sherlock on, whilst I was writing.

And … ?

Hmmm … 

Interesting little episode, that: dead supervillains, live supervillains, half a ton of violin playing, explosions, video recordings of Moriarty … 

And the unveiling of a third Holmes sibling, Eurus Holmes.

Talk about an interesting twist.

Eurus is the missing Holmes family psychotic.

Like I say … interesting … 

Now … 

Does anyone else think Andrew Scott’s take on Moriarty comes over like Graham Norton’s evil twin … ?

~≈Á≈~

Sherlock: The New Year’s Day Special — The Abominable Bride

You know, I have to admit to feeling vaguely grateful.

Vaguely.

I’m grateful to have some time off at the moment.

I’m grateful to have a fourth generation Apple TV: complete with an onboard version of the BBC’s iPlayer catch-up app.

I’m bloody annoyed at Amazon: managing to lose an internal hard drive I’d ordered from them.

That latter … ?   Is something for another post, maybe.   Quite probably in the morning!

At any rate, gratitude?

Yes, I’m grateful to have much I otherwise wouldn’t have.

You see, working on New Year’s Day … ?

Meant I missed the seasonal special of Sherlock.

Called The Abominable Bride.

And frankly?

I’m glad — and grateful — that I caught it.

~≈Â≈~

Sherlock — Series 3 Episode 1: The Empty Hearse

Right … !

Right now, I’ve got my eyes partly on the post I’m writing, partly on Twitter … 

And partly on my TV screen, where, as part of the newly returned Sherlock, writer, Mark Gatiss has just blown up the Palace of Westminster!

Although I’m ASSUMING it’s a brief scene, where Sherlock’s surmising what could happen, should he and John H Watson not find the bomb on the underground train carriage.

Which they just have, by the way: turn’s out it’s the whole carriage!

~≈†≈~

AHEM … !

I’m in excited burble mode, aren’t I … ?   Yes, I am!

With justifiable reason, I think.

You seen I’ve just been watching the opening episode of Season 3 of Sherlock: called The Empty Hearse.   And I don’t know about you, but I’m definitely excited to see the series on air.

It’s … 

Hmmm … 

Can I be honest … ?

I’m actually going to encourage you to go and see The Empty Hearse.

I don’t know that I can summarize it, right now!

See you in the morning!

Sherlock Series 2 Episode 3: The Reichenbach Fall

You know, I’ve GOT to admit, I’m breathing a touch easily …

Whilst also feeling a touch smug …

You see, I’ve JUST seen the last episode of series two of Sherlock, and, yes, I’m impressed.

Out and out blown away, I think.

And also wanting to see series 3, as and when it appears.

And, yes, I know there’s a series three, due.

I follow Stephen Moffat on Twitter, you know.

Comes in handy, when he kills off Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s best known creation … !

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Well …

He’s only doing what Sir Arthur himself did, all those years ago …

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Episode 3, Series 2 — The Reichenbach Fall —is loosely based on Cona Doyle’s The Final Problem and sees Sherlock testifying against a freshly caught James Moriarty, after the criminal mastermind is caught: simultaneously breaking into The Tower of London, HMP Pentonville and the Bank of England.

The only problem, there, of course … ?

Is that Moriarty manages to indulge in some discrete jury nobbling, to have himself declared innocent.

And let loose on London … ?

Let loose on London, manages to arrange a kidnapping and a couple of shootings: in order to work towards Holmes eventual death.

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I’m going to laugh, there, actually, in a gently knowing sort of way …

Because, of course, I — as both the producers of this series and anyone who’s Sir Arthur’s work — know that this isn’t quite the whole story, of course.

At any rate, I do know this.

This reworking of the Sherlock Holmes has been SUPERB: I’m not the only one to think so, going by the activity on Twitter!

Can I be frank … ?

I can’t WAIT for series three.

Despite having read the books …

I want to see what happens … !

Sherlock Series 2 Episode 2: The Hounds of Baskerville

Now …

You can tell, can’t you … ?

That, with a title like that, the team behind series 2 of the rebooted Sherlock — writer, Mark Gatiss, in tonight’s episode’s case — that the team’s had to point some work in … !

And I’ll be blunt … ?

I’m thinking it’s paid off, beautifully … !

»»·««

Episode 2 — The Hounds of Baskerville — is based loosely on the Conan-Doyle original novella, The Hound of the Baskervilles, and sees Holmes and Watson heading to Dartmoor, in Devon, to help Henry Knight — the modern update’s take on Sir Henry Baskerville, and played by Russell Tovey — to try and aid him after Henry begin’s being plagued by memories of the supernatural hound that killed his father.

The problem, there … ?

The problem, there, of course being the fact that both Sherlock and John seriously feel that there’s no such creature — despite possibly having seen it — and that the Baskerville army base may — may — be doing research that accounts for it.

»»·««

Now, I was saying about paid off … ?

LORDY, yes … !

I’m thinking, here that the team has — frankly — done something of an extremely good job with it’s source material: something that’s even got me thinking I should really dig up the original Conan-Doyle*, just to refresh my memory of it.

There’s something else, as well: I’m ALSO thinking that both lead characters — Freeman and Cumberbatch — getting very comfy in their roles.

Making watching the series … ?

Even more of a pleasure … !

* Once I’ve finished Walter Isaacson’s biography of Steve Jobs, and Terry Pratchett’s Snuff, of course …

The Hounds … The HOUNDS … !

Oooh …

You know, I’m thinking, here, you’ve worked out I like Dr Who.

And I’m ALSO taken with the Moffat/Gatiss/Vertue take on the Sherlock Holmes stories, simply called Sherlock.

I’l happily admit that tonight’s episode … ?

Looks rather good.

Just so you know … ? Episode 2 is on BBC 1, tonight, at 8•30, and called The Hounds Of Baskerville.

Gosh.

I wonder which Holmes story this one’s based on … ?

Sherlock Series 2: A Scandal in Belgravia

Oh, now hang on … !

That …

Is definitely it … !

Now you’re possibly thinking, “Slow down, Paul, what’s got you … ?”

I’ll be frank … ?

It’s tonight’s first episode of the second season of Sherlock, the Steven Moffat/Mark Gatiss/Beryl Vertue update of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s best loved character, Sherlock Holmes.

Tonight’s episode … ?

Tonight’s episode, if you haven’t guessed from the title, is updated series take on A Scandal in Bohemia, called A Scandal in Belgravia.

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2/1/2012

Sorry, sorry, I know, I’ve left it a little long … !

But I’ve been having all sorts of fun with vlc, HandBrake and MPEG Streamclip: I might just fill you in later, if I get the chance.

At any rate, let’s carry on from where I left you, shall I … ?

Yes …

I’ll happily admit to have watched the first series of the Steven Moffat/Mark Gatiss/Beryl Vertue update of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes stories, called simply Sherlock.

Last night’s episode, A Scandal in Belgravia, was both the opening episode for the second of the updated series, and that updates take on A Scandal in Bohemia.

A Scandal in Belgravia sees Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman reprising their roles as Holmes and Watson*, and follows on —almost directly — from the closing episode of series 1.

After showing us how Holmes and Watson manage to get clear of Moriartyº, events move to both London and the Lake District: where, as Holmes is helping clear up the mysterious death of a hiker, he’s summoned to Buckingham Palace by his brother, Mycroft.

Where he and Dr Watson are asked to retrieve a set of photos from a high class dominatrix called Irene Adler.

A case that goes rapidly astray, as Ms Adler proves more of a match than out heroes expect.

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Now …

Am I impressed … ?

Yes, I surely am … !

The Moffat/Gatis/Vertue writing crew have shown themselves to to be an eminently capable batch of writers, and with this particular episode … ?

I’m thinking Moffat’s done rather well.

Can I make a suggestion, here … ?

If you can get hold of A Scandal in Belgravia … ?

I’m going to suggest you watch it.

I think you’re going to find yourself watching a very good piece of drama.

* In a throwaway line in last nights episode, Watson reveals that his middle name is Hamish. I know they probably made that up: or read their Sayers. But I have to admit, I’ve been wondering for years …

º That was possibly the most impressive use of the awkwardly timed phone call I’ve ever seen!

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 …

Sherlock: Blind Bankers, Dancing Men and Chinese Gangsters

You know, I’ve got to confess, I’m thinking, here, that I could use getting the idea of pub’s out of my head.

I really do … !

Because I couldn’t help but think the name of tonight’s episode ofSherlock— The Blind Banker — sounded vaguely like the name of one

Not that The Blind Banker actually had anything to do with a pub.

Or was set in a pub.

Or even went past a pub, in a hanson.

Or mentioned — in a bizarre and convoluted bit of scripting — a pub called The Blind Banker.

I’m gabbling, aren’t I … ?

.

And quietly thanking Apple for including a thesaurus, actually … !

And thinking I should get decaffeinated teabags …

‹‹‹~›››

At any rate, you’d’ve probably gathered — by now — that I’ve just spent another quiet Sunday night in, in the company of Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman, in the Steven Moffat/Mark Gatiss updated take on Sir Arthur Conan-Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes.

And you’ve probably also worked out that tonight’s episode was called The Blind Banker; if you hadn’t you possibly need those decaffeinated teabags a lot more than I do!!

At any rate, The Blind Banker — an updated version of The Adventure Of The Dancing Men — sees Holmes and Watson called in, by an old college friend of Holmes, to investigate the apparent vandalism of the chairman’s office of a city bank.

However, Holmes quickly works out that the graffiti — a rendering of the Suzhou numerals for 1-15 — is a warning.

And a warning aimed at a specific member of the bank’s trading staff.

Which Holmes and Watson soon link to an identically warned — and otherwise both seemingly innocent and extremely dead — travel writer, and a still living, Anglo-Chinese museum curator.

Who, during a rough childhood in Hong Kong, had been coerced, along with her brother, into joining a tong* that was heavily involved in smuggling antiquities out of the country.

‹‹‹~›››

Now, I’ve got to admit, The Blind Banker is another blinder from the Team headed by Steven Moffat, Mark Gatiss and company.

Ok, granted, I’m watching because of their connections with Doctor Who. Which is pretty much why I tuned in to Torchwood.

But Sherlock and Doctor Who are two very different shows.

In fact, much as I’ve enjoyed the Matt Smith/Karen Gillan fifth season, I’m — so far — enjoyingSherlock a touch more.

I’m thinking that that’s possibly because Doctor Who is aimed at more of a family audience — friends with kids have told me as much!! — with Sherlock filling the hole in the Moffat gap left by Russell T. Davies Torchwood.

Actually, I’m also thinking that the Matt Smith era Dr Who could benefit from a touch of tonal bleed-over from Sherlock.

If that makes sense … ?

I hope so … !

But tonight’s episode … ?

Phew … !!

Tonight’s episode was another blinder in a three-part series that’s not let me down.

And possibly not disappointed anyone else, either: from what I’ve picked up, last week’s opening episode picked up something like 7•2 million viewers.

Hopefully, that’s been kept up with The Blind Banker.

If for no other reason than the escapology routine … !!

* This one was called the Tong of The Black Lotus, and — in the episode — leaves a token origami lotus flower made of black paper, with those it has killed. I’ve got to admit, I got thinking of the Tong of The Black Scorpion …

Something I’ve Noticed …

You know, I’ve got to admit, I couldn’t help notice something, when I was happily writing up a post about Sherlock, on Sunday.

No, seriously …

And I can’t help but wonder if anyone else has, to be frank …

Actually, I’m convinced people have, but that’s the way it goes …

I do know that the ever-keen ComBom managed to catch a something he wanted to flag for our attention.

Which, after Sunday, I definitely rummaged through, I know that …

At ANY rate, I’m burbling, aren’t I … ?

Let me get to the point, shall I … ?

Yes, lets …

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Right, now, where was I … … ?

Oh, yeah …

I was telling you I’d noticed something.

Well …

Noticed a similar scene.

Let me clarify, shall I … ?

One of the earlier scenes I noticed in the first episode of Sherlock — A Study In Pink — was one where Holmes and Watson are called into a crime scene, by Inspector Lestrade, to give their views on a an apparent suicide: the most recent in a series of four.

And it struck me that it reminded me of something else I’d seen: something ALSO penned by Steven Moffat …

Now, I know those two scenes are from very different shows.

But … !

But I’m thinking that the fact Steven Moffat is heavily involved with both gives a certain spin.

I mean, beyond the fact that we’re looking at two central characters who’ve developed their mental and perceptive powers to an acute level, or or have innate ones that quite advanced.

Now, did that sound incredibly snotty … ?

Possibly … !

But either way, I think you get my point, I hope … ?

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At any rate, I’ve one last video to post up, courtesy of Grub, over at 100 Albums You Must Have.

Enjoy … !!

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.

‹‹‹~›››