Sherlock goes up against the powerful and seemingly unassailable Culverton Smith - a man with a very dark secret indeed.Sherlock goes up against the powerful and seemingly unassailable Culverton Smith - a man with a very dark secret indeed.Sherlock goes up against the powerful and seemingly unassailable Culverton Smith - a man with a very dark secret indeed.
Sian Brooke
- Elizabeth
- (as Siân Brooke)
Featured reviews
10geob_007
Weren't for the first episode of the 2nd season, I would suggest this for the best one of the series. It's a tie. This is an amazing episode, definitely a lot better than the previous one. Moffat portrays both Sherlock's and John's demons and inner wars in a brilliant way. This is what I expect from Sherlock. To be astonished and surprised at the last moment, when you think that everything is over and suddenly everything is explained in such a magnificent way that you can only ask for more, while you clear your mind from every other thought and simply focus on the screen to enjoy those specific mind- blowing scenes. Toby Jones's performance was also extraordinary, he was the perfect villain for this episode. The tension in his scenes with Sherlock was huge and Jones's expressions were perfectly portraying Smith's lunacy. This episode even managed to fully counter my disappointment of the series not being the detective-focused series that it once was. It was a brilliant add to Sherlock's myth and I can only hope for the final one to even surpass it!! 10/10
I'm thinking of going back to the very first episodes of this show to look at it again. I mean, it can't always have been the way it has become, can it? My memory tells me that the first episodes were sharper, more interesting in the construction, and more satisfying in the delivery; but maybe I am being nostalgic. As it is, the last few episodes of Sherlock are hit and miss; sometimes infuriatingly superficial, and other times entertaining in its flamboyant and quite fun. More and more though it is doing it all at the same time, constantly.
The Lying Detective was a great example as it offered so much that is interesting, or 'event' television, or just fun (and it is fun to watch actors chew the scenery), but at the same time it is hard to shake off the constant feeling that it is all just busy nonsense of no consequence. I found this one quite tiresome. The mystery had an interesting construction, however it was built off so much convenience that it really cut its own legs off – and the '3 weeks ago' thing only covered it the first few times they relied on that joke. The sheer energy and professionalism of the production helps it a great deal – indeed it is so well put together in the technique, the performances, and the technical, that one assumes it must be good, because it certainly looks and sounds like it should be good.
I found myself thinking that even as I sat there left detached from the whole thing. The humor is overly smug; frequent moments of excess (in all forms) are overpowering and lose impact – making the whole thing seem silly more than clever or fun. The mystery holds no intrigue because everything is just explained away as Sherlock being miles ahead of everyone, and the very high quality cast (including Jones) is generally wasted in the middle of it all – they enjoy the energy, but there is little of substance to get into for long.
The Lying Detective was a great example as it offered so much that is interesting, or 'event' television, or just fun (and it is fun to watch actors chew the scenery), but at the same time it is hard to shake off the constant feeling that it is all just busy nonsense of no consequence. I found this one quite tiresome. The mystery had an interesting construction, however it was built off so much convenience that it really cut its own legs off – and the '3 weeks ago' thing only covered it the first few times they relied on that joke. The sheer energy and professionalism of the production helps it a great deal – indeed it is so well put together in the technique, the performances, and the technical, that one assumes it must be good, because it certainly looks and sounds like it should be good.
I found myself thinking that even as I sat there left detached from the whole thing. The humor is overly smug; frequent moments of excess (in all forms) are overpowering and lose impact – making the whole thing seem silly more than clever or fun. The mystery holds no intrigue because everything is just explained away as Sherlock being miles ahead of everyone, and the very high quality cast (including Jones) is generally wasted in the middle of it all – they enjoy the energy, but there is little of substance to get into for long.
Most of the people were pretty much disappointed by last week's episode and were convinced that 2nd season was the last good season of the show. No promise of goodness was shown in the last episode and it presented itself as wastage of time as they only have 3 episodes per season. But after this episode, it seems that the previous episode was just a clever move to tease the audience as the writers knew that they'd be able to more than make up for it. This epitomizes the Sherlock we all love and wait for. CGI was incredible: the slow motion shots were well placed to represent the scenario appropriately. It was fun to see Sherlock as Quicksilver(I have a feeling that John Smith was somewhere involved in all this). Really, a fabulous use of technology. The acting also was unparalleled. Everybody expects a few deductions here and there, but this episode showed the emotional connect between John and Sherlock. Toby Jones did a good job being despicable. Desperately waiting for the last episode, more because of its name.
10thebigyc
This is probably my favorite Sherlock episode, it had a Hannibal Season 2 feel with all the visuals and "what is going on" vibe, we can't really fully understand what is happening but guess until the show reveals it and is amazing.
I have to admit I'm not a Sherlock fan, I love the show productions and the actor are great but the story/writing most of the time felt weird and force, this time might not be that different but definitely took the show to a new place.
I found the previous episode kind of regular but now I realize it was necessary to set everything on the table and this one take full exploits of those elements.
I have to admit I'm not a Sherlock fan, I love the show productions and the actor are great but the story/writing most of the time felt weird and force, this time might not be that different but definitely took the show to a new place.
I found the previous episode kind of regular but now I realize it was necessary to set everything on the table and this one take full exploits of those elements.
After a disappointing episode they just nailed it in every possible way, directing, acting, writing, and gave us one of the best episodes in the show.
If you were frustrated like me by the first episode in this season, believe me this episode will make it up to you. you will enjoy every single second, the show makers just gave this episode every thing, you will wish it hadn't ended.
starting from Sherlock who was tremendous and Dr. Watson who was incredible to Mrs. Hudson who did her best episode so far. I can't even remember a single scene that I didn't like in this episode.
It's difficult for me to know that there is only one episode left in one of my best shows ever but let's say that they have honored every single episode.
If you were frustrated like me by the first episode in this season, believe me this episode will make it up to you. you will enjoy every single second, the show makers just gave this episode every thing, you will wish it hadn't ended.
starting from Sherlock who was tremendous and Dr. Watson who was incredible to Mrs. Hudson who did her best episode so far. I can't even remember a single scene that I didn't like in this episode.
It's difficult for me to know that there is only one episode left in one of my best shows ever but let's say that they have honored every single episode.
Did you know
- TriviaThe title, The Lying Detective (2017), is based on the name of a Sherlock Holmes short story titled "The Adventure of the Dying Detective"; and, as in this episode, the antagonist is Culverton Smith (Toby Jones).
- GoofsWhen Sherlock examines the mysterious note, he notes that it is creased from being folded tightly and faded from being pinned to the wall, but the spot of dried blood is still red. Blood is only red when oxygenated, and a spot on a piece of paper would not stay red for very long. When blood is completely dry, it appears brown like rust.
- Quotes
Sherlock Holmes: Taking your own life. Interesting expression. Taking it from who? Once it's over, it's not you who'll miss it. Your own death is something that happens to everybody else. Your life is not your own. Keep your hands off it.
- ConnectionsFeatured in The 69th Primetime Emmy Awards (2017)
- SoundtracksHymn to Joy
Written by Ludwig van Beethoven
Details
- Runtime
- 1h 29m(89 min)
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 16:9 HD
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