Wisteria Lodge

What is the mystery of Wisteria Lodge that has so frightened John Scott Eccles? And who murdered the map expert he went there to meet?

This is not one of my favorite Sherlock Holmes stories.

But it is one of my favorite dramatizations because of the performance of Freddie Jones as the local copper in charge of the case.

If the wonderful Jeremy Brett givesaus a complex, mannered Holmes, Jones, always one of my favorite actors, matches him note for note.

The case is a complex one and might prove confusing to the casual viewer. But Jones is always worth watching and his battle of wits with Brett's Holmes is one of the highlights of "The Return."

BTW, Jones was the Player in a radio version of "Rosencrantz and Gildenstern are Dead" with a Edward Hardwicke, who plays Watson here.

An episode that is divided into two parts in the literary form. It starts with a Mr. Eccles who has been invited to the signature lodge. He spends an evening with a group of nervous people who get even more nervous when they receive a message. When Eccles awakens, everyone has disappeared. The house is empty. Now a series of events ensues, involving a vicious murderer and his henchmen. In the mix, however, is revenge for the death of a loved one and a plot to exact that revenge. It leads to a daring effort to infiltrate the evil man's domain and Holmes and Watson getting in a bit deep. I like this episode because of the complexity of the network that develops from the actions of the villain. It is much more intense than many of the stories and moves us along with great pacing.

I'm quite a fan of Wysteria Lodge, it's one of the darkest, most grim, certainly most violent episodes, it has a harsh brutality, and an oddness that no other episode (perhaps The Mazarin Stone) can match.

Highlight of the episode for me has to be Freddie Jones, a fabulous actor, who's character is very much a match for Holmes, condescending, smug, but focused and intelligent, I really liked the character of Baynes. The opening is great, the business surrounding poor Mr Scott Eccles is full of intrigue. The murder that follows is quite brutal and explicit, particularly for the time. Strangest scene must be Watson's capture by the two little girls, very surreal.

Beautifully shot, great production values, and incredibly well acted, there is very little not to like about Wysteria Lodge. So much more going on then Silver Blaze, but not as good as the liked of Devil's Foot. Once again I'd say it benefits from being made during a purple patch for the series.

8/10

This is in my mind this is one of my least favorite of Granada's adaptations of the Sherlock Holmes stories featuring Jeremy Brett. It starts out as a murder case but delves deep into Latin American politics. It's story is unremarkable with no special twists or turns. Even the atmosphere is murky with irritating direction and poorly lit photography. Not to mention that the pacing is slow. Only redeeming qualities include Jeremy Brett and Edward Hardwicke as the duo of Holmes and Watson (even though this is a given), Freddy Jones performance as the quirky Inspector Baynes, and the evocative music by Patrick Gowers. A poor entry in an otherwise excellent series.

For me, watching "The Adventures", now "The Return" series I'm so glad I chose the Jeremy Brett Sherlock Holmes collection to view. There isn't an episode so far I didn't fully enjoy. Even with changing Watsons and Brett's declining health semi shocks. I jumped ship on Endeavour after maybe 5 episodes or so. These stories are crisp, no filler, great acting. Endeavour stories are good, but silly complex, and ultra dry up to the ending. Hopefully these are strong to the last one.