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.

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.

Without the brilliant Jeremy Brett playing Sherlock Holmes, this episode may not have been as worthy or as interesting as on written form. But thanks to Brett playing the Holmes, with his facing tics and wonderful way of stealing a scene, this episode will be another grand adventure for all viewers.

It centers around an aging man, Blessington, that seems to be scared out of his wits concerning someone breaking into his home. Blessington, a wealthy man, keeps all his money in his house. He even tells Holmes that he does not trust banks. In order to keep someone around him all day, Blessington goes out and finds a young doctor, Trevelyan, needing an opportunity to start a practice and sets him up in his home. That way there would be someone else at the house all the time.

But it will not be long until Blessington reads the local news and becomes so agitated that he has bars placed on all the windows. He is so distraught that he asks the good doctor to call Sherlock Holmes to see if he can help in the matter. Holmes believes Blessington is hiding something and will not listen to his story. The next day Holmes is called to the house only to find that the fears of the old man were real.

This episode reverted back to having a lot of dialog that the viewers must follow to be up with the story. Taking the doctors talk at the beginning of the episode and Holmes speech in the bedroom of Blessington, it takes up more than half the program. But due to Brett's performance this episode was still an interesting watch for all viewers.

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.