A Scandal in Bohemia

As posters have stated, Jeremy Brett is the epitome of Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes. When I was growing up it was Basil Rathbone/ Nigel Bruce series that introduced me to the characters. Then I read the books. The trouble I had after reading Conan Doyle's stories was the character of Watson. Truly Holmes never suffered fools so why was Bruce's character such a bumbling fool. David Burke and Edward Hardwicke had the best portrayals of Watson...wise and intelligent as he should be. I would say if you haven't watched these shows you are missing one of the greatest British Mystery series of all time.

I made a nice error and watched many of the later episodes before viewing this season one, episode one featuring Jeremy Brett as Sherlock Holmes. And now I am glad that I watch the later ones because this episode was the first time Holmes gave any type of credence to women as he finds an interesting woman absolutely fascinating.

Holmes is hired by the soon to be married King of Bohemia to find a woman he had an affair with some years ago. The women, an American actress named Irene Adler, has a compromising picture taken with the King that he feels could lead to a scandal in his reign. So with the help of Holmes he hopes to get the photo returned and save face with his court.

With Holmes and Dr Watson on the case and some brilliant work using facial disguises, the problem will hopefully be solved and the picture returned. But it will not be as easy as speaking a few words for the beautiful woman is not as naive as some, even Holmes, may think.

This episode is more of a laid plain than an ongoing mystery which usually tends to lessen the entertainment value. But this interesting story held up due to the strong characters which includes Gayle Hunnicutt as the enchanting Irene Adler. A woman that even Holmes must remember. Good watch.

Although it's apparently the first Sherlock Holmes story, this is nevertheless a curious choice to start off the TV series, since the story involves a king and a woman whom Sherlock admits "has a face to die for." Purely an observation on Sherlock's part, of course. But it could easily mislead the first-time viewer, as if this new series would involve the titular character in majestic cases with kings, or have love interests. Which wouldn't be too surprising, considering how far from the source material the countless other adaptations before (and since) have strayed.

Luckily, that's not the case. This is a great story, wonderfully produced and a great start. Jeremy Brett and David Burke's performances here are the key; they would either persuade you to give the rest of the series a chance, or dismiss it altogether from the start. Since they are both perfect fits for their parts, everything works.

Holmes is contacted and employed by a king, who fears that a lady from a past relation may want to ruin his upcoming wedding, which could have an impact on European history. This is no ordinary lady, she's very liberal for her time, an opera singer, and very attractive. However, as Holmes finds out soon, she wants nothing to do with the king.

Although the two title performances are always great (and I must also compliment Rosalie Williams as Mrs. Hudson, who is always a joy to see) for me, the main attraction of the Granada series has always been the production values: the sets, costumes, manners of speech and walking, faithfulness to the original material and dialogue, and the general atmosphere of the final work. This episode, like many others, delivers in all these aspects. It's far from being my favorite, but I can always enjoy it when I catch it.

I can't express the joy I felt when I heard that a series of Sherlock Holmes episodes was to appear on public television, and that they would be faithful, for the most part, to the original canon. I've seen them all a few times and decided to throw my two cent's worth into the mix. The first episode, "A Scandal in Bohemia," generally accepted as the first story published, gets things off on the right foot. We are introduced to Jeremy Brett, a quirky, self-absorbed Holmes, who puts his own stamp on the character. His Watson is portrayed, not as the bumbling incompetent, but as a worthy assistant who had the intelligence to write and publish the stories of his amazing friend (though seldom given credit for it by his mentor). This episode has several things to recommend it. He has a worthy adversary in Irene Adler. At no time is she the defenseless female of the Victorian novel. We have a masterful plot by Holmes to gain entrance into the woman's house to fetch the damning correspondence. We have Holmes at his best, disguising himself as he often did. We have a case of poetic justice. We also have Holmes dealing with a romantic fixation on the "one" woman. The performances are solid, the milieu of the period is nicely recreated, and we have interpretations of characters that are quite satisfying. It's too bad Irene never appears again, but then Conan-Doyle probably wasn't into sequels.

After Jeremy Brett, British television companies have been reluctant to make period set Sherlock Holmes stories.

The most successful reincarnation has been the modern day version of Sherlock.

Brett would add theatrical flourishes in his interpretation. The opening scenes very much sets out his Holmes. Clever, irascible and if he cannot exercise his mind then he will take the 7 per cent solution.

Watson (David Burke) is solid and reliable. He knows when it comes to intellect that he is second fiddle to Holmes.

A Scandal in Bohemia is a good introductory story with the appearance of the flamed headed Irene Adler. The King of Bohemia wants Holmes to get hold of a photograph with him and Adler.

Holmes has a cunning plan and dons various disguises. He also realises that Irene Adler is a woman of some intellect herself.

This is a wonderfully crafted story from Granada. There is just a hint here and there that the makers were stretched to bring the short story to the one hour long allotted time.