The Solitary Cyclist

For me this is not one of the top episodes, although I cannot put my finger on why it doesn't work as well as it should: The story is not bad (Sherlock stories never are) the acting is great as always (well, mostly) but something is missing: Although I would really hate to admit it, the fact is that a man disguised with a fake beard is hardly exciting or thrilling for the modern audience.

A very young lady contacts Holmes and asks for his advice: She's been employed as a music teacher for a widower's daughter, but she has noticed that a man has been following her on the road to her employer's home.

The episode somehow doesn't work, but the dialogue is great. Also watch out for the inn scene, where Sherlock is hit with what is probably the most awkward punch in the history of television. Nevertheless, it's not totally unworthy of the series, just not one of the best additions.

Jeremy Brett's first season as the great detective was excellent on the whole, but the standout episode from the first run has to be The Solitary Cyclist. A dark and sinister tale, full of mystery, suspense and intrigue, it has a really dark, nasty tone, some quite disturbing moments, and a genuinely good cast, Barbara Wilshere is delightful as Violet, soft and sweet, the perfect victim. Michael Siberry plays South African Woodley with true villainy, he is somehow repulsive in the role, such a contrast between the two characters. As for John Castle I have never seen him in a bad role, a truly competent and consistent actor, he is outstanding in this also.

The scenes of Violet being followed on her bicycle journey look really effective, you get a true sense of menace. Violet's meeting with Holmes and Watson is a great moment too, even the great and cool Sherlock Holmes succumbs to Violet's charms. The fight scene in the pub is really well done, you cannot help but enjoy it.

Everything you could possible want from 45 minutes of TV. 10/10

But having said that, it still keeps you baffled until Holmes clears up the whole mystery by deduction with just a little help from Watson. Jeremy Brett and David Burke are excellent as the sleuth and his doctor friend who are charmed by a young woman who tells them an intriguing story about being a solitary cyclist who is being followed by a strange man with a beard. She also tells them how she happened to meet two men, with a flashback showing how the younger man proposed marriage to her and became angry when she refused his advances.

John Castle and Michael Siberry are the gentlemen she describes as inviting her to teach Castle's daughter music lessons, but it turns out that there is an ulterior motive behind their seeking her to come and live in Castle's home. Some nice twists toward the end will keep the viewer engrossed in the story.

Nicely photographed in usual high style with lots of English countryside on display and some amusing banter between Holmes and Watson. One of the better entries in this series.

John Castle. If he had gone and based himself in the USA when he was younger, I am convinced he would had an Oscar to show for it.

Castle plays Carruthers a man who has arrived from South Africa along with the more brutish Woodley.

Carruthers has hired young Violet Smith to be the music teacher for his daughter. Carruthers knew Violet's uncle in South Africa and he makes sure that it is a well paid job.

Violet has consulted Sherlock Holmes because she thinks that she is being followed when she cycles to and from the train station when she visits her mother in London. Each time the strange looking man is there keeping a distance.

Holmes sends Dr Watson at first to keep a lookout and is most disappointed with his endeavours. Then Holmes goes to the country pub and meets Woodley where he engages in a fight with him. He also finds out about a nasty defrocked priest.

Holmes also reckons that Violet Smith is in danger and it is all to do with her uncle in South Africa.

Although this is in some ways a simple tale it is terrifically realised by Alan Plater. You have a sense of who the cyclist following the young lady might be but it takes Holmes to put it all together.

There are some lovely countryside scenes but you also get a sense that Jeremy Brett is already comfortable in the role and the way he shows his irritable side to Watson.

Sherlock Holmes is hired by Violet Smith. She is a music teacher, tutoring the daughter of a businessman, Mr Carruthers, who has just returned from South Africa. While living in Mr Carruthers' house she is propositioned by his business partner, the loathsome Mr Woodley, who turned violent when she rejected his advances. Not only does she feel threatened by Mr Woodley but a strange man has been following her on a bicycle when she goes to the station.

A good episode of Sherlock Holmes, though not one of the best. Not your usual plot in that for most of the episode no crime has been committed - Holmes is hired pre-emptively.

A bit weaker than most episodes though in that the plot feels a bit contrived and implausible. Some aspects of the mystery are quite obvious too.