The Crooked Man

Colonel Barclay is found dead in a room locked from the inside. His wife is also found in the room, having fainted. She is the obvious suspect. Due to his military background Watson encourages Holmes to investigate the matter and Holmes reluctantly agrees.

A fairly intriguing mystery and one typical of the series and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's work. Even better is the backstory to everything, a story that comes to light once a certain person of interest is tracked down. The dramatization of this backstory is the highlight of the episode and is very interesting and engaging.

Also good to see Watson taking a more active role. As the case has a large military aspect to it he is more in his element in this episode.

Very intense mystery from beginning to end. My favorite so far in this series. Every episode Brett & Burke are so marvelous working together. Holmes mannerisms are getty quirky & twitchy, and walking like he's a lion on the prowl, when he's on the move. Pure joy to watch.

I am a huge fan of the Granada Sherlock Holmes series, and in my mind The Crooked Man is one of the best. As is the case with all of the adaptations in this fine series, The Crooked Man production-values wise is very well made. As I have said before, you can never go wrong with authentic costumes and scenery and excellent photography, and The Crooked Man succeeds brilliantly here. The music is very beautiful and haunting, the story is well paced and interesting, as well as being a contender for the most emotionally affecting of the entire series, and the writing is sophisticated and thoughtful, Holmes' line on military morality is epic. At the top of my head, there is no other adaptation in the series where you not only hate the victim from minute one but also identify and feel great sympathy for the wronged "perpetrator". I would also like to credit The Crooked Man's atmosphere, Sherlock Holmes is a vast majority of the time very good with being atmospheric and especially with the ending(one of the series' most powerful) The Crooked Man is no exception. The acting is top notch, Jeremy Brett as always is nigh-on perfect as Holmes and David Burke is a composed Watson. While the support cast are solid, the best of the lot is Norman Jones, whose haunting yet often poignant performance, bringing heart-breaking pathos to a very long monologue that could easily have rambled, gives meaning to the phrase "once seen, never forgotten". Fiona Shaw has never been more entertainingly aloof either. Overall, The Crooked Man is brilliant. 10/10 Bethany Cox

A colonel is found dead in his home under strange circumstances, and his wife is the suspect. The colonel's second-in-command is afraid of a scandal, but Holmes and Watson delve deeper into the case and find out the truth.

If you're watching the series in order, this is the best episode so far: The story is simply wonderful (and quite sad), the acting perfect, the drama top notch. This is yet another example (you'll find many such examples throughout the Granada canon) where secondary characters make the show: Norman Jones (Henry Wood) Denys Hawthorne (James Barclay) and especially Lisa Daniely (Nancy Barclay) and in her short part, Fiona Shaw (Miss Morrison) are simply perfect. Highly recommended.

This is a wonderfully clever murder mystery, multi layered and deeply intricate. Holmes and Watson are called in to a locked door mystery, the death of a respected Colonel Barclay, with his suspected wife, the delicate and lovely Nancy found unconscious next to him. Naturally there is so much more to this case then that basic premise, the case is deep and full of intrigue, Holmes needs to be at his very best to discover the truth.

Norman Jones gives one of the most memorable performances in the show's history as Henry Wood, a tormented soul, broken-hearted and full of torment, he is fantastic. I'd also give a note on the performance of Shelagh Stephenson as the maid Jane, she does a great job when her character is quizzed by Holmes. I must admit to being fond of Burke in these early episodes. Brett is wonderfully exuberant, energised and at the height of his majesty here.

Naturally it boasts impeccable production values, the sets and costumes are spot on, the whole thing looks and feels very slick, it moves at an enjoyable pace.