The Disappearance of Lady Frances Carfax

When it comes to The Casebook of Sherlock Holmes, the best adaptation and episode of this series is still for me The Master Black Mailer. The Disappearance of Lady Frances Carfax though is still very good and solid with only one or two scenes being a little stodgily paced being its only flaw. The ending is different, but also quite refreshing I feel. The deviations didn't bother me, the storytelling was solid and compelling enough on its own terms. As always, the production values are as wonderfully meticulous as always with lovely location shooting in the Lake District, the music is still hauntingly beautiful, the script is thoughtful and John Madden's direction is skillful. Jeremy Brett and Edward Hardwicke are superb, while Cheryl Campbell and Julian Curry also impress. In conclusion, a solid adaptation and very good episode. 9/10 Bethany Cox

Because Brett's health was so visibly in decline. Despite that, I think he fully inhabits the role of Sherlock Holmes in the later seasons even more than at the superb beginning. Cumberbatch is not 1/10 the Sherlock Holmes that Brett was-- and that even accounts for the wretched writing in Sherlock.

This is another episode featuring the "new" woman in England. Sadly for Lady Carfax, there are those who would do her harm. Rather than seek out help, she decides she can go it alone. Fortunately, Watson has become an observer, fascinated with this strong woman, and he lets Holmes know that something is amiss. This sets the wheels in motion since a mysterious character and much talk of money has entered the mix. Ultimately, the men end up at a hotel where Lady Carfax supposedly is hidden. This is where it gets really dicey but it has a really satisfying conclusion. I really liked the episodes where Watson, a very complex character, though he lacks Holmes' acumen, is the one who recognizes when a lady is in danger. Edward Hardwicke is front and center here and does a really fine job. After you have seen the conclusion, try to remember if you have run across it in the past in other mystery settings. Also, do a little history of the mortuary business, particularly when it came to poorer clients.

The story is rather weak, but the original was actually one of the weakest stories. As far as a mystery, it's not much of one. More of a drama than anything. The adaptation done here is pretty well rewritten to at least make it more interesting, but it's still not very good from a mystery standpoint. If you skip this one, you aren't missing much.

John Madden again brings a cinematic quality to The Disappearance of Lady Frances Carfax.

Dr Watson is in the Lake District and recounts the tales of the eccentric Lady Carfax to Holmes in London. She had a near miss when she fell of a boat that she used to attend church. A disabled war veteran swam out to rescue her.

However Holmes then joins Dr Watson as he senses this independent minded lady might be in danger from a missionary who is in Britain to raise funds.

By the time Holmes arrives, Lady Carfax has gone missing after she encountered a face from her past.

A solid story with a hint of a dark ending with Holmes finding himself temporarily flummoxed with his analytical skills. However you cannot keep a lid on a good detective.

The way the story is presented, it could initially go several ways, the villain here is devious and quick to improvise.