The Empty House

I am a huge fan of the Granada Sherlock Holmes, and The Empty House is a strong return for a series that started with such promise and generally apart from a couple of disappointments later on was of consistent high quality. The Empty House follows on from one of the best and most special episodes of the entire series The Final Problem, the ending of which did leave room for a follow-up. While not quite as good, it is just as excellent an episode. There may be parts in the middle that feel as though the story is a little stretched, however the story overall is exciting and very clever. Three scenes stood out, the scene where Watson sees Holmes for the very first time since he was assumed dead, one of the most reflective and most moving beginnings of any of the adaptations of the series and especially the capture of the murderer, tense to start with and then a faithful and brilliantly delivered speech from Holmes(love the snarl). The production values are truly splendid, as is the typically hauntingly beautiful music, and the screenplay is of the usual thoughtful standard. Jeremy Brett is superb as always, and I do slightly prefer Edward Hardwicke's somewhat wiser and understated Watson to David Burke's. Patrick Allen is good as Moran, but Rosalie Williams and Colin Jeavons' supporting turns as Mrs Hudson and Lestrade fare best. All in all, a fine return for one of the most iconic detectives in fiction. 9/10 Bethany Cox

Sebastian Moran. Holmes returns in this episode. Arthur Conan Doyle, tired of the anger and threatening nature of his fans, decided to bring the deerstalker clad detective back for an encore. The best scene, for me, is when Holmes removes his disguise and faces Watson for the first time since his "death." Poor Watson (now played by Edward Hardwicke) is aghast. He thinks he has seen a ghost. The issue now is how the loyal biographer and companion is going to join his friend when he has, to some degree, been betrayed by him. There is not time for much discussion because now they have a serious task. His name is Sebastian Moran, who was second only to Moriarity in evil. With Moriarity dead, this man has set a hit on Holmes. While the methods become a bit far- fetched for the boys, imagine the joy of the late nineteenth century reader when their friendship is rekindled. The plotting is neat and the conclusion satisfying. Another nice debut episode to the next series.

Dr Watson might have surmised that both Professor Moriarty and Sherlock Holmes met their deaths in Reichenbach Falls.

Three years later Holmes returns from the dead, Watson faints at the shock of seeing him. Holmes recounts the encounter he had with Moriarty, why he had to still lie low and the reason for his return.

Moriarty's men are still keeping watch in case Holmes does return. The death of The Honourable Ronald Adair is the reason he has come back.

Holmes believes the old shikaari, Colonel Sebastian Moran one of Moriarty's important associates is responsible for Adair's death and also aims to kill Holmes if he is out in the open.

Adair believed the Moran cheated in a game of cards. Holmes sets up a trap for the old shikaari, just like the ones Moran set up in India when he shot his tigers.

It is great to see the return of Holmes and the flashback to the previous episode. The central mystery is unfortunately thin. Brett gets to be in disguise which fools Watson.

The Return of Sherlock Holmes would see the characters of Holmes and Watson as older. Edward Hardwicke took over from David Burke who left the role to concentrate on theatre and spend more time with his young son.

Personally I preferred Burke's take on the role, he had a bit of swagger and some mischief.

Interestingly I found out from an interview by the producer June Wyndham-Davies that Edward Hardwicke spent time as a young man in Hollywood where his father Sir Cedrick Hardwicke was based. Edward met Nigel Bruce who would often pop round to their house. As a tribute Edward was determined to have a bit of Nigel Bruce in his performance as Dr Watson.

When the Adventures of Sherlock Holmes finished because Sherlock had come to his demise at the hands of the infamous Moriarty a massive gap was left! How good was it to see Sherlock alive and returning in this series with the first episode 'Empty House' in which he has to beat Moriarty's right hand man who has a mission to finish off Holmes for good this time! Thankfully, for all of us who enjoy Jeremy Brett's portrayal, Holmes uses all his skill (with Watson's aid of course) to beat this henchman.

Sherlock Holmes will live forever in all of us that will never let him die!

This solid, powerful episode explains how Holmes survived his deadly encounter with Professor Moriarty at Reichenbach Falls while tying it in with a murder case. This was Conan Doyle's way of bringing back Holmes after popular demand. It is very slickly done and exciting with good directing, photography, and production values. Jeremy Brett returns in fine style as Holmes, and Edward Hardwicke makes his debut as Dr. Watson; that of an older, more thoughtful Watson in contrast to the younger, more playful David Burke. Particularly enjoyable was scene where Holmes' "ghost" appears to the startled Dr. Watson. In this scene, the immediate chemistry of Brett and Hardwicke in portraying the strong friendship of Holmes and Watson - is a delight for all Holmes fans to behold. The Return of Sherlock Holmes was a series that really succeeded in capturing shinning portrayals of Holmes and Watson that fans have come to appreciate and enjoy - right up to the present day. This is an important one in the canon not to be missed, and one that can be enjoyed again and again.