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Sherlock
S1.E1
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IMDbPro

A Study in Pink

  • Episode aired Oct 24, 2010
  • TV-14
  • 1h 28m
IMDb RATING
8.9/10
35K
YOUR RATING
Rupert Graves in Sherlock (2010)
CrimeDramaMysteryThriller

War vet Dr. John Watson returns to London in need of a place to stay. He meets Sherlock Holmes, a consulting detective, and the two soon find themselves digging into a string of serial "suic... Read allWar vet Dr. John Watson returns to London in need of a place to stay. He meets Sherlock Holmes, a consulting detective, and the two soon find themselves digging into a string of serial "suicides."War vet Dr. John Watson returns to London in need of a place to stay. He meets Sherlock Holmes, a consulting detective, and the two soon find themselves digging into a string of serial "suicides."

  • Director
    • Paul McGuigan
  • Writers
    • Steven Moffat
    • Mark Gatiss
    • Arthur Conan Doyle
  • Stars
    • Benedict Cumberbatch
    • Martin Freeman
    • Rupert Graves
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    8.9/10
    35K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Paul McGuigan
    • Writers
      • Steven Moffat
      • Mark Gatiss
      • Arthur Conan Doyle
    • Stars
      • Benedict Cumberbatch
      • Martin Freeman
      • Rupert Graves
    • 55User reviews
    • 39Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Photos48

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    Top cast28

    Edit
    Benedict Cumberbatch
    Benedict Cumberbatch
    • Sherlock Holmes
    Martin Freeman
    Martin Freeman
    • Dr. John Watson
    Rupert Graves
    Rupert Graves
    • DI Lestrade
    Una Stubbs
    Una Stubbs
    • Mrs. Hudson
    Louise Brealey
    Louise Brealey
    • Molly Hooper
    Vinette Robinson
    Vinette Robinson
    • Sgt Sally Donovan
    Tanya Moodie
    Tanya Moodie
    • Ella
    Siobhan Hewlett
    Siobhan Hewlett
    • Helen
    • (as Siobhán Hewlett)
    William Scott-Masson
    • Sir Jeffrey Patterson
    Victoria Wicks
    Victoria Wicks
    • Margaret Patterson
    Sean Joseph Young
    • Gary
    • (as Sean Young)
    James Duncan
    • Jimmy
    Ruth Everett
    • Political Aide
    Syrus Lowe
    • Political Aide
    Katy Maw
    • Beth Davenport
    Ben Rufus Green
    Ben Rufus Green
    • Reporter
    • (as Ben Green)
    Pradeep Jey
    • Reporter
    Imogen Slaughter
    • Reporter
    • Director
      • Paul McGuigan
    • Writers
      • Steven Moffat
      • Mark Gatiss
      • Arthur Conan Doyle
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews55

    8.935.3K
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    Featured reviews

    10margheritaaroli

    Excellent episode that leaves you wanting more!

    Absolutely fantastic episode in the series of Sherlock Holmes!

    This series is a great remake of the original Holmes series and novels. The character Holmes is a complex, borderline insane man who loves solving crimes. With his new partner Dr. Watson, they participate in solving the murders happening around town in Central London. This leads to a lot of evidence, weird coincidences, and dangerous situations for both of the men.

    I was rather skeptical before watching the episode but was left speechless in the end. The film was funny, exciting, and kept you on the edge of your chair at some points.

    Benedict Cumberbatch, playing Sherlock Holmes, is a fantastic actor for this series and handles the character perfectly. His facial expressions are on point and his rude remarks concerning the CSI Anderson and Sergeant Donovan make the room fill with laughter. Holmes' mind is intriguing and his explanations of his discoveries leave you wanting more insight of his overactive mind.

    I would definitely recommend this series to anyone who gets a kick out of crimes and solving them. It is a very enjoyable episode that makes you want to watch more. Suddenly, all your spare time will be spent on watching the nine episodes in the three seasons that right now have been aired.

    Enjoy your life being taken away by Sherlock!
    9drqshadow-reviews

    This Brilliant, Tantalizing First Step Leaves Both US Features in its Dust

    A sharp, witty modernization of the Holmes mythos, the first in this ongoing series of feature-length chapters almost perfectly strikes the difficult balance between respect for the source material and fresh, original elaborations. Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman are equally prickly, sardonic and brilliant as Holmes and Watson, respectively, both to the common folks they're tripping over at every turn and to each other while they hash out the boundaries of their burgeoning friendship. Smart, fresh editing techniques give the audience an abundance of visual hints to Sherlock's methods at a crime scene, and also give the transitions between each scene a sleek, artsy edge that helps to convince this is more than a made-for-TV movie. Though it does occasionally leave Holmes himself in the dark just a bit too long in hopes that viewers at home will figure things out first, that's a very minor gripe and one I'm not entirely sure is actually a negative in this era of the deus ex machina. A bold, rewarding first step that sets the ball into motion for any number of future developments.
    9grantss

    A great start to the series

    John Watson (played by Martin Freeman), an army doctor, is wounded in Afghanistan and invalided out of the Army. Back in London his search for a place to stay leads him to share a flat with Sherlock Holmes (Benedict Cumberbatch), a brilliant but eccentric private detective. He has hardly met Holmes when Holmes gets called in by Detective Inspector Lestrade to help on a case. People have been committing suicide in identical fashion - by a poisoned pill. The police are calling it "serial suicide" but it is clearly the work of a serial killer.

    A great start to the series. Intriguing, engaging and sets the tone and background for the series. We are introduced to Holmes' methods and genius, see how Watson and Holmes met and see what Watson brings to the partnership.

    Case itself is quite fascinating and a good test of Holmes' intellect.
    9snoozejonc

    Surprised by how good it is

    A contemporary adaptation of the Sherlock Holmes novel 'A Study In Scarlet'.

    This is an excellent feature length television episode with a good use of the source material, solid production values and great performances.

    The plot loosely follows the concept of the original story but provides enough original material to make it fresh and interesting. Particularly towards the end it gets very compelling, although it's not hugely suspenseful because you know Holmes' life would not really be in danger. You do, as much as Holmes, want to know how the antagonist can do what he claims to do.

    What makes it work so well is the star power and charisma of the lead characters. These are two great actors playing two great characters and they constantly entertain thanks in part to the dialogue.

    Visually it is excellent, with strong cinematography, editing and art design. I was not completely sold on the amount of title sequences used to help viewers keep up with Holmes' observations, particularly when he explains it a few minutes later, but this is a matter of taste.

    Generally, the use of modern technology in place of the traditional devices with the same principle in the books is another strength of the production.

    I have avoided this for over 10 years for being yet another Holmes adaptation, but have to admit it surpassed my expectation.
    9clarasofie

    Very good, something for everyone.

    The show is very good and well-made. Every detail is thought through, and it is very interesting to follow the mind of Sherlock through every moment of the series. Even if you don't like the plot or the acting, then the beautiful scenes of London by day, evening and night will create a atmosphere, you might never forget. In Sherlock you will find something for everyone - whether its the plot, the actors or just the classic story of a detective and his helper. Benedict Cumberbatch is a great choice of actor, and with Martin Freeman on the side they create a powerful match. The long, slim silhouette that is Sherlock next to the small and grey Dr. Watson is a vision you will always remember.

    Best Emmys Moments

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Sherlock kissing Mrs. Hudson on the cheek wasn't scripted. Benedict Cumberbatch had known Una Stubbs since he was very young, and it was his reaction on being able to work with someone who was like a mother to him.
    • Goofs
      Sherlock and Watson agree to meet at 7 p.m. to view the flat. When they get there, it's broad daylight. This is not quite possible in London unless it's summer, which, judging from the clothes they wear, is not.
    • Quotes

      Anderson: So we can read her emails, so what?

      Sherlock Holmes: Anderson, don't talk out loud. You lower the IQ of the whole street.

    • Connections
      Edited from Sherlock: Unaired Pilot (2010)
    • Soundtracks
      Opening Titles
      (uncredited)

      Written by David Arnold & Michael Price

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 24, 2010 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Language
      • English
    • Filming locations
      • 187 North Gower Street, Somers Town, London, England, UK(exterior: 221B Baker Street)
    • Production companies
      • Hartswood Films
      • BBC Wales
      • Masterpiece Theatre
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 28m(88 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 16:9 HD

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