A Scandal in Belgravia

[rusty_armour]

This was fuckin' brilliant! I absolutely LOVED it! I think it was a wonderful modern adaptation of "A Scandal in Bohemia" that managed to poke fun at some Sherlockian clichés (like the deerstalker cap) and have fun (via John's blog) with the titles of canon adventures. I would have liked to see more of Lestrade, but I enjoyed what I did see, especially his phone call to Carter. However, moments of hilarity aside, this episode was deliciously dark and contained some incredible Sherlock character moments. The chemistry between Benedict Cumberbatch and Lara Pulver was amazing. They totally sizzled together. However, I think I got even more enjoyment out of the scenes with Benedict Cumberbatch and Mark Gatiss, as it gave us another glimpse into the characters of both brothers, though I probably have more questions than ever about the dynamics of their relationship! I think I practically stopped breathing during that scene in the plane. It was fabulous to see more evidence of the deep love Moffat and Gatiss have for The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes.

This episode was so worth it, despite the struggles I had to find it online. I don't know how I'm going to make it until "The Hounds of Baskerville".

Comments

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

I've grown extremely fond of Mycroft myself, so I might also be showing a bit of bias. However, I think the episode was very much about Mycroft as well as Sherlock, especially as he plays such a huge role in the plot. I don't think it's an exaggeration to say that Gatiss was sort of the heart of the episode.

I could be wrong, but I think Sherlock spent a lot of the episode deliberately shutting John out. In fact, he literally did shut John out when he closed his bedroom door on him. *g* Seriously, though, Sherlock withheld a lot of information from John. When he thought Irene Adler was dead, he turned to Mycroft -- and I don't think it was just because it was Mycroft who drew Sherlock's attention to her in the first place. I think he closed himself off from John completely when it came to Irene Adler, which might be why the friendship seemed weaker. And with all that emphasis on the Sherlock/Irene relationship, and even Mycroft, John was basically forced to take the backseat in this episode.

I don't think you're on the wrong track about Mrs. Hudson and Molly. Unfortunately, they did seem a bit cartoonish in that Christmas party scene. And I know they were trying to emphasize Molly's awkwardness, but I would have thought that her Sherlock crush would have cooled down a bit after what happened with Jim. It would have been better if they had toned down her look (though I have to admit that I found Lestrade's reaction to her pretty funny) and just had her dressed up a little bit. Sherlock could have still delivered that cruel line about her lipstick and the present. As for Mrs. H, I would have liked to see her scold Sherlock for the mean things he was saying, unless she was supposed to be so shocked by his behaviour that she couldn't form words. I did love seeing how fiercely protective Sherlock became of Mrs. Hudson when Mycroft told her to shut up and when those men hurt her.

BTW, I have to admit that I liked Sherlock's apology to Molly, especially as John looked so surprised to see it. At the time, I couldn't figure out why it worked for me, but, just now, as I sat and thought about it, I realized why this might be. I think Sherlock could actually empathize with Molly for once. For months, he's been receiving texts from a woman who has beaten him. She also intimidates him and is actually capable of getting under his skin. Maybe Sherlock was sorry for what he said because he could finally understand how Molly feels as he feels much the same way when it comes to Irene Adler.

That "gotcha" moment was completely inspired by The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Private_Life_of_Sherlock_Holmes). There were too many parallels for it not to have been. The same goes for the execution scene, actually. At the risk of spoiling The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes (in case you haven't seen it), Gabrielle Valladon
(the woman who betrays Holmes, who has fallen in love with her) ends up being executed in Japan. I'm guessing Moffat was trying to find somewhere in the world where Irene's activities might lead to capital punishment. However, I can see why you had issues with the black garb and Moorish sword. I'm not sure what that was all about, other than to give Sherlock the opportunity to disguise himself and sneak into the execution.

I wonder if Irene was supposed to seem weaker because Sherlock ended up defeating her and her connection with him had been severed. Again, I could be reading more out of this than I should, but I think Irene drew strength and confidence from the game she was playing. She's a dominatrix after all. She likes to be in control. As for the whole love thing, I think it was pretty much cerebral rather than physical - on both sides. Well...it might have been a bit physical on Sherlock's side. However, I think Irene was really only turned on by Sherlock's mind. I think she did all that flirting to get a reaction out of him and see how he would respond. He obviously did excite her, but, once again, it was in terms of the game they were playing.

[radiogaga80.livejournal.com]

Unlike you, I haven't seen Private life of SH yet so to me, "gotcha!" took me by surprise. I mean, I know Sherlock is a scientist but for him to be *that* cold... I couldn't have been more shocked if he had actually punched Irene in the face. What I really enjoyed this episode was that the cold mask came down a bit and how he's completely in his element when solving puzzles and like a fish out of the water in normal social situations, such as the Christmas party.

However, I think Irene was really only turned on by Sherlock's mind. I think she did all that flirting to get a reaction out of him and see how he would respond. He obviously did excite her, but, once again, it was in terms of the game they were playing.
I'm with you on this - I thought that, like Sherlock, she likes a challenge. And now I have to find it somewhere, preferably with subtitles. :)

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

I actually saw The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes parallels more in terms of the way Mycroft and Irene acted (e.g. the lecture from Mycroft about how Sherlock had been duped and Irene's obvious betrayal). I'll readily admit that I'd probably have to watch that scene at least a few times to analyze it properly (or as well as someone with an unanalytical mind could analyze it), but I was more shocked by the way Irene treated Sherlock, even though we knew by that point that she'd betrayed him. Like I said, I really need to rewatch the scene, but I'm wondering if Sherlock was extra cold because he was unfortunate enough to learn what can happen when your emotions do get the better of you. He let Irene in and she betrayed him. Big time. Of course, it might have also been for show - to appease Mycroft and make it look like he was truly back in control.

However, I think Irene was really only turned on by Sherlock's mind. I think she did all that flirting to get a reaction out of him and see how he would respond. He obviously did excite her, but, once again, it was in terms of the game they were playing.

I'm with you on this - I thought that, like Sherlock, she likes a challenge.

I think that's why they're two of a kind. They love a good challenge and crave mental stimulation.

And now I have to find it somewhere, preferably with subtitles. :)

Are you referring to "A Scandal in Belgravia"? I'm not sure if there will be any versions of it with subtitles yet, but I'll let you know if I come across any.

[radiogaga80.livejournal.com]

I got the subtitles but then my BS-player crashed. :(

Just curious about 2 things:

1. What did Mycroft say for Sherlock making the childhood in a nutshell comment?
2. What did Sherlock say just before he opened Irene's safe?

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry your BS-player crashed. I'm also sorry because I don't have answers for either of your questions. I can't remember what either Sherlock or Mycroft said specifically in these instances. I managed to download the episode on my hard drive, but I don't have time to watch it. As it is, I'm skipping a trip to the movie theatre today because of all the things I have to do. However, maybe someone else will see this thread and be able to give you an answer. I'll certainly let you know if I find out anything myself. :-)

[radiogaga80.livejournal.com]

Found them! :)

1. Mycroft said, "I'll be mother."
2. Vatican cameos.

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

Oh, sorry. I should have been able to give you the first quote as I do remember Mycroft saying that. I don't think I caught "Vatican cameos," which is a Sherlockian reference. I can't remember which story they were mentioned in. I think the "Vatican cameos" were one of those cases Watson teasingly referred to but never published. *g*