The Resident Patient

Holmes is consulted by a renowned medical man. Dr Percy Trevelyan (Nicholas Clay) who with the assistance of a wealthy benefactor, Mr Blessington (Patrick Newell) has achieved a thriving practice.

Trevelyan is worried about Mr Blessington who has been behaving oddly when usually he is a man of rigid routines. Blessington ramped up security in his home which also serves as Trevelyan's practice.

When Holmes meets Blessington, he feels let down as Blessington is hiding something. The next morning, Blessington is found hanged.

This is a story that is difficult to adapt for the screen. A lot of it is flashbacks as Trevelyan recounts his story. Once Blessington is found dead, Holmes then speculates what might have happened.

The thinness of the story also meant a lot of padding was required. The opening minutes could easily had been something from Scrooge.

Director David Carson who would make Star Trek: Generations does his best to pep up the episode, he does rely more on Brett to deliver his theatrical flourishes.

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 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.

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.

A young doctor consults Holmes about a curious case: a wealthy man has approached the doctor with an unusual offer a few years ago, offering to set him up in a luxurious house for his practice, on condition that he hands over three quarters of his earnings, and treats the man as a resident patient. It's been a fine arrangement for a couple of years, until the man suddenly started to show great fear and anxiety, and finally sent the doctor to call Sherlock Holmes.

Yet another very enjoyable addition to the series with fine performances throughout, but the key element here is the great story. The nicely executed dream sequence is a treat.