The Six Thatchers

It seemed like centuries since I had popped down on the couch for the newest episode of Sherlock. Dare I say I ever doubted the arrival of the new season, as I spent my days checking the Twitter account that counted down the days until the new episode. Without a doubt, the first episode of season 4 has been one of the more lacking entries in the series' history. For the first hour or so, Sherlock and co. investigate a newer case that Lestrade has handed them, along with the expository re-introduction of the cast. Even early in the episode you can see how the writers intended for there to be a focus on the matrimony of John and Mary. As the episode dwindles on, Sherlock solves the first case easily and the plot deepens. Unfortunately, going deeper is not what the episode needed. We find out about the huge spy-associated history of Mary, and the mysterious flash drives and their connections to her team. This entire story is built in one episode, and it is the centerpiece of it as well. This decision by the writers backfires, because the actual flesh of the story is not only unnecessary but at times boring. As viewers have come to see a show about Sherlock, they are immersed into the Watson world of Mary and John's boring adventures. From an irrelevant 'love' side plot of John and a random bus passenger, to Mary's affairs in the spy world, the episode lacks any real entertaining substance. Mary is followed by Sherlock to the destinations she wishes to hide herself, thus making the whole idea of her hiding herself unnatural and unneeded. Another issue is some plotshielding throughout, which allows the characters to go about things altogether unrealistic. Although the episode uses the concurrent themes and music from the past seasons, its main focus is astray from the brilliance of the Sherlock series- and that is Sherlock himself. The great thing that lifts this episode above a terrible rating is the acting. Even though the writing and plot bores me, Cumberbatch and Freeman once again deliver exciting portrayals of their characters. By the end of the episode, there is a deep gash in the cast, with Sherlock and John divided for 'classified reasons' (I wish not to spoil). Hopefully this gash will be the interest of a new story arc to power the next two episodes in season 4. The first episode just lacked interesting detail and function for the latter half. Please, Moffat, don't disappoint me like you did with Doctor Who, and bring season 4 home with some exciting content.

6/10

Finally - the fourth all-too-short season of "Sherlock" begins. And it's a fitting opening.

As Sherlock waits for Moriarity to strike, even after death, he sits at home following case after case and texting the solutions, even though no one asked him.

Lestrade (Rupert Graves), however, brings him one case and begs him to solve it. For Sherlock, it's an easy solve - the death of a Cabinet Minister's son - but it leads to a more perplexing case. Someone is going around breaking busts of Margaret Thatcher. Sherlock is ready to swear that it has to be Moriarity up to something. But it actually has to do with someone much closer to home - new mother Mary Watson.

This is a great episode, filled with humor, excitement, suspense, and raw emotion. Beautifully crafted and well acted by all involved.

As for Benedict Cumberbatch playing Sherlock, what a perfect mating of actor and role. After ten years of small parts in movies, and leads in TV miniseries - playing Van Gogh, Stephen Hawking, and fictional characters - he hit it big with Sherlock. It was as if lightning had struck. It's made him a huge star. Hopefully not too big so we can get another season out of him.

Well that was a long hour and a half. This episode started off interesting but tried to intertwine too many twists- yes it is possible to have too many twists- making the entire episode feel very clinched. The plot was made too complicated but with too simple of conclusions.

Since season three, Sherlock has turned into a mix of unnecessary special effects weaved with too many artistic cinematography and empty plot points. What happened to the original Sherlock from season 1 & 2? What happened to the well wrote stories?

I may not be able to finish this season. It is too great of a disappointment from where it started from.

The episode still has great witty dialogue and humorous. It is a little bit of a mess but still awesome as always. I think a lot of people miss the point of watching this show the acting is outstanding every time and it's far better than most shows out there.

I like these characters so much that my prejudices will show through. I thoroughly enjoy watching Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman in any setting, particularly when Sherlock is explaining something how he solved a case. With that in mind, I have to say that this particular episode was so full of twists and turns and the editing so convoluted, I had all I could do to keep up. Mary Marston (Mrs. Watson) found herself trying to cover up her making a pact with three others as a spy. She's in with dangerous company when one of them shows up. Sherlock gets into the act and the consequences are deadly. This sets up a real change in personality and direction for Sherlock. The next two episodes will hopefully validate this one.