A Study in Pink

They say a true classic is something that, despite costumes and taking place in another time, remains timeless. And we see with Shakespeare and other great writers, their plays are often put into modern settings and still work. The same is true of classic characters.

"Sherlock" brings Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson into the 21st Century. This isn't, of course, the first time these two have worked and lived in modern times, as the Sherlock Holmes film series starring Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce was used as propaganda during World War II.

This time, though, Sherlock (Benedict Cumberbatch) is young, working in the lab where he met Watson (Martin Freeman), the army doctor. Here, Watson has just returned from Afghanistan and is trying to adapt to civilian life. In need of a roommate, but feeling that no one will want to live with him, a friend introduces him to someone else no one wants to live with - Sherlock. Sherlock's landlady, Mrs. Hudson (Uma Stubbs) has given Holmes a deal on an apartment at 221B Baker Street. Watson moves in, with some trepidation.

This first case, A Study in Pink, concerns a series of suicides from the same poison, committed by three unrelated people. Holmes thinks they were driven to it, but how? He is called in by Lestrade (Rupert Graves) when a woman is found dead and Lestrade becomes desperate. Watson goes along and soon finds himself caught up in Holmes' deduction.

Fast-moving, fascinating, and delightful, Holmes and Watson now have use of the Internet, GPS, and cell phones. Sherlock, in fact, is a great texter. He wears three nicotine patches because smoking in London has become impossible, and he meditates on a crime while wearing them. The other modern touch is that everyone thinks Holmes and Watson are gay lovers. Instead of stories, it's looking like Watson is going to be writing a blog. All of these modernisms are very effective and work well in the story.

Stage and TV actor, 34-year-old Benedict Cumberbatch is Holmes, thin, youthful, fast talking and attractive; and the slightly older Freeman is a serious and troubled Watson, not the buffoon of Nigel Bruce, but a person who perks up when he becomes involved in the excitement of Holmes' case. They make a good team.

Really can't wait for more of these - very enjoyable, suspenseful, and entertaining.

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.

Much like any 'modern' (set in present day, as opposed to a recent production set in period) remakes of Shakespeare or Sherlock Holmes, they're not quite the same. Not being and aficionado of either, I must say that after watching this on PBS last night, I found it very intriguing, well directed and acted, and a great pleasure to watch. This is a show that I would definitely add to my collection. I did enjoy it more than Guy Ritchie's Sherlock. Not knowing A.C.Doyle's version that well, I found it interesting to find out the relationship between Holmes' and the British Police/Gov't official. Also not knowing anything about Dr Watson's past, I found his character to be intriguing .

Just watched it on Swedish Television (in Norway), this genial piece of modernized, classical institutionalized British fiction. It's fun and full of suspense. Freeman is perfect as Watson with his neurotic energy. Just as he is in the Office. Cumberbatch is good as the modern Holmes, much like Suchet in the role of Hercule Poirot the last 20 years. The first episode is exciting and fast pacing; reminds of the Dark Night (Batman). Sharp analysis and blending remarks of cosmic intelligence, replacing each continuously. The humor is dry and funny. Holmes'analysis of the initial dead people are clever and modern; you hold your breath while smiling.... Great photography too, dark and earthly colors... I love this episode and series, assuming that the rest is just as good. Holmes is living well in the present moment, his superior deductions are not possible for a conventional thinker, but still possible to relate to. Besides the unnecessary snide remarks about Watsons intelligence, he is as close to Buddhism as it is possible to get, west of Bhutan.

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.