TV Review: Sherlock - The Sign Of Three [Series 3, Episode 2]

'Sherlock' Series Three, Episode One: 'The Sign Of Three' (UK Airdate: 5 Jan '14) // Words: Saam Das

Having waited almost two years for the return of 'Sherlock', we had the great pleasure of having two episodes within mere days of one another. Following 'The Empty Hearse' came 'The Sign Of Three', and a somewhat unexpected style and tone. The recap/review below is full of SPOILERS so tread lightly if you are yet to watch the episode.

TV Review: Sherlock - The Empty Hearse [Series 3, Episode 1]

'Sherlock' Series 3, Episode 1: 'The Empty Hearse' (UK Airdate: 1 Jan '13) // Words: Saam Das

15 January 2012 - the final appearance of Sherlock Holmes as he plummeted to his supposed death in the series two finale, 'The Reichenbach Fall'. Of course, by the end of that episode, it transpired that Sherlock had not actually died at all, and we were left on tenterhooks for the best part of two years to find out how he'd cheated death. For me, at least, 'The Empty Hearse' did not disappoint. SPOILERS from here on.

TV Review: Sherlock - The Reichenbach Fall [BBC iPlayer]

'Sherlock' Series Two, Episode Three: 'The Reichenbach Fall' // Words: Saam Das

SYNOPSIS: "Contemporary crime drama. Moriarty is back, with the most audacious crime of the century. But is Sherlock Holmes all he claims to be?" (bbc.co.uk)

It is perhaps unfortunate that the recent film sequel 'Sherlock Holmes: A Game Of Shadows' and the finale to the second series of this fantastic television show both opted for the same source material - 'The Final Problem'. Yet both the film and this episode have turned out rather well. For more on the latter, read below - there will be spoilers on the series as a whole but these will be heavily marked.

BBC iPlayer: Sherlock - The Hounds Of Baskerville [TV Review]

'Sherlock' Series Two, Episode Two: 'The Hounds Of Baskerville' // Words: Saam Das

SYNOPSIS: "Contemporary crime drama. Sherlock and John investigate the truth about the monstrous creature which apparently killed their client's father." (bbc.co.uk)

The first series of 'Sherlock' saw an extremely bright opening episode followed by a middling offering. Unfortunately, two years later(s), it's more of the same - last week's excellent return, 'A Scandal In Belgravia' followed in disappointing fashion by an effort that fails to live upto its original story ('The Hound Of The Baskervilles') basis. Spoiler-free thoughts below....

TV Review: Sherlock - A Scandal In Belgravia [BBC iPlayer]

'Sherlock' Series 2, Episode 1: 'A Scandal In Belgravia' (UK Airdate: 1 Jan '12) // Words: Saam Das

SYNOPSIS: "Contemporary crime drama. Compromising photographs threaten the monarchy, but for Sherlock and John the game is on in more ways than one." (bbc.co.uk)

The three episode first series run of the BBC's modern day take on Sherlock Holmes proved wildly popular - indeed our review of the series finale, 'The Great Game' has had over 35,000 pageviews. Which is a bit ridiculous really. But I've been as excited as anyone about the series return. 'A Scandal In Belgravia' has been a long time coming, and it kicked 2012 off in a suitably brilliant fashion.

BBC iPlayer: Sherlock Episode 3 - 'The Great Game'

'Sherlock' Episode 3: 'The Great Game' // Words: Saam Das

SYNOPSIS: "A strange clue in an empty room, a blood-soaked car, a priceless Old Master, a deranged bomber. With the clock ticking, the curtain rises on a battle of wits between Sherlock, John and the shadowy stranger who seems to know all the answers..." (bbc.co.uk)

At the end of my middling review of 'The Blind Banker' (the second of this three part mini-series), I stated my cautious optimism that 'The Great Game' would be a return to form. And so it was, although perhaps not quite as brilliant as the opening episode.

BBC iPlayer: Sherlock Episode 2 - 'The Blind Banker'

Words: Saam Das

'Sherlock' Episode 2: 'The Blind Banker'

SYNOPSIS: "A mysterious cipher is being scrawled on the walls around London. The first person to see the cipher is dead within hours of reading it. Sherlock plunges into a world of codes and symbols, consulting with London's best graffiti artists. He soon learns that the city is in the grip a gang of international smugglers, a secret society called the Black Lotus." (bbc.co.uk)

Episode two of the BBC's new contemporary take on 'Sherlock' could have and perhaps should have built upon the impressive foundations of the opening episode, 'A Study In Pink'. Unfortunately, despite a solid premise (wherein two men are killed by someone who can walk through walls, with a mysterious code/cipher connecting the killings), 'The Blind Banker' was somewhat of a lukewarm offering.

BBC iPlayer: Sherlock Episode 1 - 'A Study In Pink'

Words: Alicia McBride

'Sherlock' Episode 1: A Study In Pink' (2010)

SYNOPSIS: "A war hero, invalided home from Afghanistan, meets a strange but charismatic genius who is looking for a flatmate; it is London, 2010, and Dr Watson and Sherlock Holmes are meeting for the first time. A string of impossible suicides has Scotland Yard baffled - and only one man can help."

Let me start by saying that I do not welcome the comparisons between Sherlock (Holmes) and Doctor Who. Admittedly, I was excited to be getting a replacement (albeit for a brief three weeks) to fill the hole that Doctor Who and that hulking great TARDIS left, but that's as far as it goes. You really think the two figures are comparable? Apparently they are both brilliant and maddening. No no, you're wrong. You see, what has made the Doctor so popular is that he's charming, funny, likeable, kind, pretty and has even pulled off wearing a fez....I’d say the only thing that’s maddening about him is that he is unavailable for dates and marriage and stuff. As for this contemporary re-imagining of Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes? Primarily, he is BLOODY SCARY.