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

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.

After the monumentally classic "The Final Problem", "The Empty Room" wasn't a letdown. A fine story. A bit sluggish early. Then it kicks into high gear. I think David Burke is sorely missed. Edward Hardwicke is only ok. No real chemistry with he and Brett. David Burke was the perfect Watson. Hopefully Hardwicke's adaptation gets better. Watson is becoming a tad wiser in his sleuthing. Mrs. Hudson is marvelous in this episode.

The return of Sherlock Holmes was a long-awaited literary phenomenon in its day, and the TV adaptation doesn't disappoint.

Three years after the deadly confrontation with Professor Moriarty which took both their lives, Holmes is now living in his dear friend's memories only, who still reminisces of their days together. Watson is now a police consultant, having moved from Apartment 221B. When a curious case leads him and Inspector Lestrade to a dead end, suddenly a long-lost name from the past appears to give a helping hand.

A noteworthy episode simply for having two Watsons (David Burke appears shortly in the flashback scenes) but there's a lot more to it. Burke and Hardwicke were quite different in their interpretations of Dr. Watson, but they were equally wonderful. They each had their superior points, and I really can't choose one over the other. Burke's Watson was more of a man of action, quicker in his ways, you could still see the former soldier in him. Hardwicke's Watson is older, more experienced in Holmes' methods and has a melancholy about him, he acts more like a lifelong friend than a business partner. His affection for Holmes is felt strongly.

The episode has a warm air of reminiscence and nostalgia, with the usual Holmes mannerisms and deductions. Also must be noted an appearance by Patrick Allen as Colonel Sebastian Moran. With that face and presence, it's beyond me how he didn't become a household name. According to the imdb he has 158 acting roles under his belt, but I still feel he should have been more famous.

Mrs. Hudson's final toast to Holmes is a great ending to a great episode.

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!