The Empty Hearse

Episode aired Jan 19, 2014
TV-PG
1h 28m

IMDb RATING

8.8/10

33K

YOUR RATING

Martin Freeman and Benedict Cumberbatch in Sherlock (2010)

Crime Drama Mystery Thriller

Mycroft calls Sherlock back to London to investigate an underground terrorist organization.Mycroft calls Sherlock back to London to investigate an underground terrorist organization.Mycroft calls Sherlock back to London to investigate an underground terrorist organization.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

8.8/10

33K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Awards
- 1 nomination total

Trivia
Sherlock and Mycroft's parents are played by Benedict Cumberbatch's real-life parents, Wanda Ventham and Timothy Carlton.

Goofs
Sherlock goes to great lengths to examine the skeleton, supposedly of Jack the Ripper in the hidden room. However, Sherlock should have spotted it was a fake immediately as the skeleton was in a sitting position, fully articulated. Without any ligature tissue to support the bones, the skeleton would be a pile of bones on the chair and floor. Molly, as a doctor, should also have known this.

Quotes
Dr. John Watson: Well, I've got some news.
Mrs. Hudson: Oh, God, is it serious?
Dr. John Watson: What? No, no I'm not ill. I've, uh, well I'm... moving on.
Mrs. Hudson: You're emigrating?
Dr. John Watson: Nope. Uh, no, I've, uh... I have met someone.
Mrs. Hudson: Oh! Ah, lovely.
Dr. John Watson: Yeah. We're getting married. Well, I'm going to ask, anyway.
Mrs. Hudson: So soon after Sherlock?
Dr. John Watson: Hmm, well, yes.
Mrs. Hudson: What's his name?
Dr. John Watson: [sighs] It's a woman.
Mrs. Hudson: A woman?
Dr. John Watson: Yes, of course it's a woman.
Mrs. Hudson: [laughs quietly] You really have moved on, haven't you?
Dr. John Watson: Mrs. Hudson, how many times?... Sherlock was not my boyfriend.
Mrs. Hudson: Live and let live, that's my motto.
Dr. John Watson: Listen to me. *I am not gay*!

Crazy credits
During the credits, individual letters are coloured red. Together they spell Weng Chiang.

Connections
Featured in The Big Fat Quiz of the Year (2014)

Soundtracks
¿Dónde Estás, Yolanda?
(uncredited)
Written by Pink Martini
Performed by Pink Martini
[Played when John and Mary dine together]

User reviews49

Featured review

10/10

"The Empty Hearse" is indeed the best Sherlock episode till date.

DISCLAIMER- Yes, you are reading this article as a movie review. It is so because I believe these episodes are more like a series of TV films; 90 minutes long TV films, and not a TV-Series! That being said, now you continue with the review. So it has been a little under two years since we last saw Sherlock Holmes fake his death. But the painful 717 days wait finally came to an end with the splendid "The Empty Hearse". Both Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman have found fame in Hollywood with movies like Star Trek Into Darkness and The Hobbit. But it is indeed a huge relief that the series has returned; even though if it's only for another three episodes. With no more Moriarty in the picture, the opening instalment of Sherlock teased a new foe for the Baker Street detective and explained just how and why the lead character vanished from London for two years well almost! "The Empty Hearse" then tells us the reason of detective's return which involves an underground terrorist cell planning an attack on London. It also shows the two year old John Watson preparing for his marital life whilst trying to move on with the grief of his best friend's death.

Like the rest of the Sherlock episodes, this Season 3 opener is brilliantly shot, astoundingly edited and stunningly directed by Jeremy Lovering and team. Though "The Empty Hearse" is a little more about the Watson-Holmes reunion; throughout the episode, there are plenty of intriguing moments that we've come to love about this series, both with certain visual and stylistic cues. Although it still feels surprisingly new and viewer friendly.

PS: There are some interesting new wrinkles added to the Sherlock Holmes myths – his parents – as well as some genuinely very funny moments for fans (Molly's fiancée). But to conclude it all, "The Empty Hearse" is indeed the best Sherlock episode till date. I would undoubtedly rate the entire series a flawless 10, but for once I just wish if there was something beyond 10 reserved for this masterpiece.

"The holiday is over Back to Baker Street, Sherlock Holmes"