The Greek Interpreter

Having recently rediscovered the Holmes stories, I had forgotten how much foreign intrigue was involved in the stories. I guess colonial England had its share of spies and dissenters. There were also powers such as Germany and Russia that were always knocking on the door of the world's greatest empire. This has to do with an effort to make use of a Greek interpreter to coerce someone into signing something. The language barrier is at the center of it all. Holmes is intrigued by the fact that there is all this carting around of people to mysterious locations, threats, and violence. The joy is in the questioning and the acting on clues. This was never my favorite story but it makes for good television, and, of course, the two leads do a masterful job.

This is a rather different type episode from the usual Holmes mystery as we, the viewer, know they villains right from the beginning of the show. The part that keeps us glued to the show is the fact of why a man is being beaten and starved in order to sign some sort of paper against his will. And with that comes Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson to investigate this strange circumstance.

Holmes is visited by a man that is a interpreter of the Greek language. He tells of a strange situation where he has basically been taken to a house outside of town and forced to interpret into the Greek language to a man, Anton Alexander, that is being held hostage in the house. The bandits are wanting Anton to sign a paper that will bring to an end the torture that they are inflicting on him. Yet he refuses to sign and settles for the continuing whims of his muggers.

Holmes takes on the case and will need some help from his brother Mycroft Holmes (Charles Gray) that will lead to a train ride that will hopefully solve the entire hostage situation and bring peace to a family.

Jeremy Brett is again brilliant as the energetic detective and is joined by Charles Gray, playing his brother, that is just as intelligent yet coy about finding answers. This story is not a suspenseful as other but still makes for a nice watch.

Watson is shocked to learn Sherlock has a brother, that brother comes in handy during the case of Mr Melas, and his strange story.

A strong story and the first appearance of Mycroft make for a particularly good episode. As a story I've always found this one particularly nasty, it's one of my favourites. Particularly fine production values, it looks wonderful, the music also is excellent. The scenes on board the train in particular look excellent.

I love how evil George Costigan is as Kemp, one of the most memorable from the show, he's thoroughly evil and sinister. Charles Gray was very memorable in the part, and a terrific contrast to Brett.

Excellent. 9/10

The story while interesting and well paced and constructed is a somewhat weird one this time around. Not in the story itself but in some scenes such the interrogation scene. However, The Greek Interpreter is fascinating, and worth seeing for the introduction of Mycroft, who is a shrewd and very intelligent character and just seeing him with Holmes is what makes the episode well worth watching. The acting is very good as is expected, Jeremy Brett and David Burke are both brilliant, and Charles Gray is also excellent. There is also George Costigan and Nicholas Field, who make a sinister pair. The production values are wonderful, the music is at its most beautiful and haunting and there is some strong writing throughout. All in all, fascinating episode. 8/10 Bethany Cox

Dr Watson is surprised to discover that Sherlock has a brother, Mycroft, and gets to meet him. At this meeting Mycroft introduces a Greek interpreter, Mr Melas, who is anxious that Sherlock take on his case. He was hired to interpret for a shadowy individual who it appears to be holding a man and his sister hostage.

A reasonably interesting Sherlock Holmes case. We get to meet Mycroft Holmes for the first time and have a decent mystery on our hands.

Not entirely satisfactory though. Little is explained in the end in terms of why this kidnapping took place. Also I found it implausible that a man willing to kidnap and potentially murder two people would allow a witness, the Greek interpreter, to go free.

Still, it's interesting enough and, as always, Jeremy Brett is fantastic as Sherlock Holmes. His performances are a highlight of the series.