The Resident Patient

Sherlock Holmes is contacted by Dr Percy Trevelyan. Dr Trevelyan's medical practice was set up and paid for by Mr Blessington, who lives on the premises. Of late Mr Blessington has had spells of intense anxiety and fear. The doctor also had two Russian guests who disappeared mid-consultation but appeared to enter Mr Blessington's bedroom. Dr Trevelyan is worried for his benefactor's health and life.

Another enthralling and intriguing Sherlock Holmes mystery. The setup is quite eerie and gives an indication as to the state of Mr Blessington's mind. Once Holmes gets involved the investigating and deductions begin and here Holmes is in fine form.

Once again Jeremy Brett gives a fantastic performance as Holmes with David Burke solid as the dependable Dr Watson.

Holmes is called in to investigate what seems like a strange case of paranoia, however that paranoia pushes the Resident patient over the edge.

It's a classic story, I love the idea, the casting, direction and of course the production. The start is gloriously surreal, but creepy. That is one of the best scenes, but there are many, the funniest being where Mrs Hudson discovers the mess left by her enigmatic employer.

Nicholas Clay is excellent as the young Doctor, the casting in general is very good, some wonderful faces, the Russian duo in particular.

A fantastic episode.

I've always loved the Granada Sherlock Holmes adaptations, finding them so well made and acted as well as largely compelling. And The Resident Patient is no exception to that. It is not one of my favourites of the series with some(not all) of the mystery taking some time to get going, but it has everything that I love so much about the series. The story, while not the most grippingly-paced, is a clever one, with a suspenseful enough atmosphere, a very entertaining opening scene and one of my favourite Holmes-Watson moments involving Holmes playing the violin badly while Watson is trying to work. The script is as thoughtfully written as ever, the music is still of the hauntingly beautiful quality that adds so much to the atmosphere of the series and it is a splendidly made episode with everything down from the sets, the carriages to the costumes evocatively done. The acting is great, Nicholas Clay and Patrick Newell give strong supporting performances, but every Sherlock Holmes story and episode focuses on its two leads and both are superb, David Burke is suitably quietly intelligent while Jeremy Brett becomes the iconic character of Holmes. Overall, a solid episode and adaptation. 9/10 Bethany Cox

In this offering, a man who is incapacitated needs to see Holmes because he has become paranoid about some burglaries in the neighborhood. There are a series of complicated encounters, including the arrival of some men who need expert advice on the problem of catalepsy. They seem intent on invading the privacy of the patient, going into rooms that are off limits, coming and going mysteriously. The key thing is that there is something hidden here. The old man is so combative and rude that it is hard for Holmes to respect his wishes and to continue to investigate; however, when he found hanged, things become more interesting. The conclusion is based on factors from a previous time. The story of these men's pasts are what drives the conclusion. There is considerable interaction between Holmes and Watson that provides humor to this story. Very nice entry into the series.

I admired NICHOLAS CLAY in the film version of EVIL UNDER THE SUN, a good adaptation of the Agatha Christie novel and always wondered why his career on the big screen never really took off.

Here he is Dr. Trevelyan who seeks the advice of Sherlock Holmes (JEREMY BRETT) and Dr. Watson (DAVID BURKE). Seems he has acquired a benefactor who sets him up for practice when he's down and out, and helps him set up his business in fancy surroundings. But his benefactor is a man of quirky behavior and fears and phobias and is hiding a terrible secret--which is eventually revealed by Holmes, of course.

PATRICK NEWELL is the odd benefactor whose eccentric behavior becomes the centerpiece of the mystery.

Well done episode has a compelling story to tell and does it well.