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Community => General Discussion => Topic started by: Atelier on Mon 26/07/2010 21:19:16

Title: A Spontaneous TV Digest
Post by: Atelier on Mon 26/07/2010 21:19:16
Did anybody see the modernisation of Sherlock Holmes last night, on BBC? It was so excellent it warrants its own thread; tension, action, outstanding adaptation, and brilliant actors. I hope it gets good reviews.

Holmes himself was well portrayed. Although a modernisation, the scriptwriters managed to keep his character zany and unusual, making for a nice clash of old and new. It wasn't without its jokes either. (For example, Holmes taking nicotine patches instead of smoking opium: "It's so hard to sustain an addiction in cities these days.")

If you missed it, or are overseas, I implore you to find some free time and watch it here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00t8wp0/Sherlock_A_Study_in_Pink/
(Just to warn, might take a while to load, it's an hour and a half).

What's best about it, there are two more on their way!

Edit: Watch the second episode here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00tc6t2/Sherlock_The_Blind_Banker/

Or the third:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00tffft/Sherlock_The_Great_Game/
Title: Re: A Spontaneous TV Digest
Post by: GarageGothic on Mon 26/07/2010 21:35:41
Watched it and thought it was excellent. I loved the actor playing Holmes in particular. In the beginning I had the small problem that House has already done the modern-day Holmes and Watson pairing in a very similar way, but overall it works and I thought they'd updated the Study in Scarlet plotline pretty well. Looking forward to the next couple of episodes.

BTW, he didn't take nicotine patches instead of smoking opium (which Holmes never did, he was a cocaine addict), but instead of smoking tobacco - her refers to the case as a "three patch problem", whereas in one of stories it was a "three pipe problem". It is suggested during one scene that this Holmes also keeps illegal drugs in the house, though we've yet to find out which.
Title: Re: A Spontaneous TV Digest
Post by: Calin Leafshade on Tue 27/07/2010 00:07:37
I've just finished watching it and I also think it was excellent.. I love BBC miniseries.

Bring on episodes 2 and 3
Title: Re: A Spontaneous TV Digest
Post by: Anian on Tue 27/07/2010 16:02:18
Quote from: AtelierGames on Mon 26/07/2010 21:19:16
If you missed it, or are overseas, I implore you to find some free time and watch it here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00t8wp0/Sherlock_A_Study_in_Pink/
(Just to warn, might take a while to load, it's an hour and a half).
The BBC does not agree with your "overseas" audience should watch this policy...stupid country checkers.  >:(

Will try to get it some other way and since I actually have one BBC channel on my cable tv at home, this won't even be illegal.  :P
Title: Re: A Spontaneous TV Digest
Post by: Chicky on Tue 27/07/2010 16:39:52
Screw Sherlock and Watson, watch Moss and Roy in the new series of The IT Crowd, hilarity guaranteed!

Err, sorry. I missed the modernisation, i will check it out.  :)
Title: Re: A Spontaneous TV Digest
Post by: Stupot on Sat 31/07/2010 23:03:52
I just watched it.  And I'm bloody glad I did.  Great piece of TV.
Title: Re: A Spontaneous TV Digest
Post by: Ali on Sun 01/08/2010 00:30:17
Yes, it was really rather good wasn't it? I didn't even mind the flashy-texty-mobile-phone-hipness. If do enjoy the stuff Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss are up to at the moment. Their Dr Who episodes are consistently the darkest and funniest.
Title: Re: A Spontaneous TV Digest
Post by: Kweepa on Sun 01/08/2010 04:13:45
Thanks for the recommendation.
Very good!
Title: Re: A Spontaneous TV Digest
Post by: Atelier on Mon 02/08/2010 09:26:00
If anybody's interested, you can catch the new episode here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00tc6t2/Sherlock_The_Blind_Banker/

In my opinion both so far have been excellent, but the second installment definitely has a much more developed plot line (and more mystery to boot). Personally I can't wait for the third, for being the last one, you don't know whether he'll meet a sticky end :).

Spoiler

The part when he's being garroted in the apartment really made it clear Sherlock is, after all, only mortal. In the previous episode he manages to dodge death numerous times.

I got a little frustrated at the scene in the sewer, when Holmes turns up heroically, and fumbles about trying to untie Watson's date. Sure it was only a drama... but in real life you'd just kick over the goddamn chair!
[close]
Title: Re: A Spontaneous TV Digest
Post by: Atelier on Mon 09/08/2010 11:05:54
Sorry for the double post.

But the third and final episode of Sherlock was shown on BBC last night. Catch it here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00tffft/Sherlock_The_Great_Game/

Spoiler

How can they be so brutal to us? That ending was cruel!
[close]
One of BBCs best series this year. Perhaps it will be rewarded with a BAFTA?
Title: Re: A Spontaneous TV Digest
Post by: Stupot on Mon 09/08/2010 13:22:44
Agreed.  I'm not exactly what you might call a proponent of BBC television series... they're usually cheap and tacky compared to my Americanised expectation... but recently they've pulled tehir fingers out.. With 'Being Human' last year, and now Sherlock, which is just good solid television, I think Auntie has my respect again.
Title: Re: A Spontaneous TV Digest
Post by: InCreator on Mon 09/08/2010 13:46:54
UK only

why!
Title: Re: A Spontaneous TV Digest
Post by: straydogstrut on Mon 09/08/2010 17:43:55
Glad to see i'm not the only one who thought it was fantastic=)

Haven't had decent writing like that in ages and, for me, the lead actors played it brilliantly. I was completely shocked to find out it was only a three part thing when I sat down to watch it last night: I was expecting a whole series.

Surely they're just testing the reception to a modernisation? I mean, they have to continue after an ending like that!
Title: Re: A Spontaneous TV Digest
Post by: Buckethead on Mon 09/08/2010 17:47:41
Quote from: InCreator on Mon 09/08/2010 13:46:54
UK only

why!

Because it's the freakin BBC they always anoy you with stuff like this  >:(
Title: Re: A Spontaneous TV Digest
Post by: Khris on Mon 09/08/2010 18:23:40
Just go to eztv.it and search for "Sherlock". They have torrents of all three episodes in good quality or even 720p.
Will watch the first one later tonight.
Title: Re: A Spontaneous TV Digest
Post by: Anian on Mon 09/08/2010 20:45:39
Quote from: Khris on Mon 09/08/2010 18:23:40
Just go to eztv.it and search for "Sherlock". They have torrents of all three episodes in good quality or even 720p.
Will watch the first one later tonight.
That is true...lack of seeds is another matter though.
Title: Re: A Spontaneous TV Digest
Post by: Vince Twelve on Mon 09/08/2010 20:59:01
I have only had a problem with lack of seeds from eztv when trying to download a show from more than six months ago.  And even then, I've still managed to dl most shows I've wanted to watch.  Sherlock will be fine. 

On a note completely unrelated to "downloading television from the internet in regions where you're not supposed to": The first two episodes of Sherlock were great.  Haven't watched the third one yet, but will do so soon.  I had no idea that this was only going to be a three episode gig!  Are they hoping to be popular enough to get an order for more?  I thought I had just found a new addition to my regular watching schedule!  :'(
Title: Re: A Spontaneous TV Digest
Post by: Atelier on Mon 09/08/2010 21:17:40
There definitely won't be any more for this year Vince :-\ But given the reception from critics, it's highly likely there'll be a second series come Summer 2011!

Spoiler

Although, that all depends on how explosive that explosive ending really was =3.
[close]
Title: Re: A Spontaneous TV Digest
Post by: Calin Leafshade on Mon 09/08/2010 21:57:37
I demand you all assist we honest license payers financially!

demand i tells ya!
Title: Re: A Spontaneous TV Digest
Post by: Ali on Mon 09/08/2010 23:19:00
Quote from: Vince Twelve on Mon 09/08/2010 20:59:01
I had no idea that this was only going to be a three episode gig!  Are they hoping to be popular enough to get an order for more?  I thought I had just found a new addition to my regular watching schedule!  :'(

Three is pretty short, but recent financial catastrophes have meant drama budgets have been slashed, and they were already low in the UK relative to the US.

Also remember that UK seasons (or series-es-es-es as we call them) are a lot shorter than US ones, usually 6, 8 or I think sometimes 12 episodes.

But we make up for this in repression and the understanding of irony.
Title: Re: A Spontaneous TV Digest
Post by: Calin Leafshade on Mon 09/08/2010 23:22:52
Yea our version of the office was only 2 serieseses.

Most of our stuff is written by very small teams compared to the US too.. Only Fools And Horses is the most successful sit-com in britain and it was written by one guy.

Same with One Foot In The Grace and loads of other British shows.
Title: Re: A Spontaneous TV Digest
Post by: Anian on Mon 09/08/2010 23:41:00
Also Red Dwarf - visually low on budget, 4 actors 90% of the time, season half the lenght of US shows, also most of the episodes were by the 2 creators. But it's awesome and funny.
To some extent even Black Adder (i'm talking about the production, not if it's funny or not).

Thing is, the constraint on the amount of episodes is what usually stops them from developing into soaps like many US shows do. That is few first (1,2,3) seasons are good, or there's a some time before it becomes good, but then it drags out and all the charm is lost and it loses the freshness.
Title: Re: A Spontaneous TV Digest
Post by: Calin Leafshade on Tue 10/08/2010 00:05:32
Yea.. what season is CSI on now....
Title: Re: A Spontaneous TV Digest
Post by: markbilly on Tue 10/08/2010 00:34:22
UK TV series are typically 3, 6, 8 or 13 episodes.

As I am aware, it is because of the small teams of writers, as Calin said.
Title: Re: A Spontaneous TV Digest
Post by: Ali on Tue 10/08/2010 00:52:44
Other great comedy serieseses which only ran to 12 episodes and were written by only two people include Fawlty Towers and Spaced.

Quote from: anian on Mon 09/08/2010 23:41:00
Also Red Dwarf - visually low on budget, 4 actors 90% of the time, season half the lenght of US shows, also most of the episodes were by the 2 creators. But it's awesome and funny.
To some extent even Black Adder (i'm talking about the production, not if it's funny or not).

I hope the implication there is not that Blackadder isn't funny. It holds the rare accolade of having got better as it went along. As much as I once loved Red Dwarf the later serieseseseses were absolutely dreadful.
Title: Re: A Spontaneous TV Digest
Post by: LUniqueDan on Tue 10/08/2010 01:31:02
Thanks AG, Failed to got it with my usual ressources.  ??? I'll find a way to overturn the IP when I'll got the Net at home in the next weeks.

Good timming I'm actually reading 'The Chemical Adventures of Sherlock Holmes:' Great Stuff alil' hard to follow with my weak knowledge of chemistry.
Title: Re: A Spontaneous TV Digest
Post by: Anian on Tue 10/08/2010 01:56:39
Quote from: Ali on Tue 10/08/2010 00:52:44
I hope the implication there is not that Blackadder isn't funny.
That's what the brackets were for. I think BA is brilliant, not to mention later when Laurie and Fry join in.
Title: Re: A Spontaneous TV Digest
Post by: Stupot on Tue 10/08/2010 02:51:28
Did anyone happen to catch 'Grandma's House' on BBC2 last night?
Absolutely rubbish... quite possibly the worst sitcom I've ever sat through...
In fact, that's exactly what it is... a 'sit'... there was literally no 'com' whatsoever...

Appalling!!!
Title: Re: A Spontaneous TV Digest
Post by: straydogstrut on Tue 10/08/2010 10:45:27
Executive Producer Steven Moffat and his Producer wife Sue Vertue were on breakfast t.v. this morning saying there definitely *will* be more 'Sherlock'=)

Anyone seen they've made Sherlock's 'The Science of Deduction' website? It's all a bit silly really, what with the secret messages etc, but they've also made John Watson's blog and the comments between Holmes and Watson  (pretend, of course) are quite entertaining in themselves. What an easy job that must be for the web writer=)

I missed 'Grandma's House' myself, but I thought it was meant to be quite funny. Sounds like I didn't miss much then. On a similar note, tried watching an episode of 'Roger and Val Have Just Got In' since Dawn French usually does great stuff but it was really, really dull=(
Title: Re: A Spontaneous TV Digest
Post by: Anian on Tue 10/08/2010 13:21:25
...ok, watched the first episode. Moffat is very prolific, isn't he (Who, Coupling, Jekyll etc.)?  :) Nice modernisation, with style, instead of looking silly like most of those projects usually end up seeming like.

Didn't really like Sherlock character (and frankly the actor kind of freaks me out a bit) that much. A bit too clean cut, maybe H. Laurie did a better job with House - experimenting on people, unshaven, more serious drug addiction, looking tired etc.
Watson, while nicely done, two things bug me
Spoiler
- his leg gets better far too soon, I got the hints that it'll get better but I expected it to be shown a bit more, also a man limping for that long couldn't jump and run right after ditching the cane
- the shooting at the end looks like a in medias res event where they didn't know how to end it, Sherlock is a sociopath and doesn't care so much for people as he does for the puzzles but the reaction to killing was just strange. Although it did give Watson a strange dimension of darkness, which is interesting
[close]

Still it calls for watching the rest of the episodes.

p.s. loved that joke with Anthea at the end  :)
Title: Re: A Spontaneous TV Digest
Post by: Dualnames on Thu 12/08/2010 09:43:22
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1302133/Sherlock-second-series-BBC-confirms.html

YES BBC has confirmed it! New season coming up!
Title: Re: A Spontaneous TV Digest
Post by: Atelier on Thu 12/08/2010 10:01:08
Quote from: 'Angry Native'
Utter, pretentious, BBC-self-loving, wasteful drivel. NOT worth the licence fee in any shape or form. How about giving us a 6mth long story of a several fictitious families of different species of dinosaurs, in the vein of Walking With Dinosaurs.

Lol what an idiot. But great news Dualnames.