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

[puckrobin.livejournal.com]

I actually wondered if the final scene was just Sherlock fantasizing that he saved her. It seemed too absurd, too cartoony (the black garb and scimitar) for me to take as literal.

I liked a lot of the episode, but I have to admit there are a few elements that bothered me, as summed up on this blog:

http://www.dispositio.net/archives/810

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

I actually wondered if the final scene was just Sherlock fantasizing that he saved her. It seemed too absurd, too cartoony (the black garb and scimitar) for me to take as literal.

To be honest, I'm not sure what to think of that final scene. Sherlock doesn't strike me as the type to concoct fantasy scenarios. If he did have such a moment, I think he would immediately be disgusted with himself. He likes facts and has little patience for dreams. And while that rescue was pretty absurd and cartoony, there is something a tiny bit Sherlockian about it because of the disguise and the dramatic flair. Actually, it reminds me of the kind of thing that might have happened in a Basil Rathbone film, so maybe Moffat was indulging his inner fanboy.

I liked a lot of the episode, but I have to admit there are a few elements that bothered me, as summed up on this blog:

http://www.dispositio.net/archives/810

I know I raved about the episode, but I certainly have some issues with how Molly and, to some extent, Mrs. Hudson were portrayed. I'm still trying to wrap my head around Irene Adler because I'm not sure how much some of her "weaknesses" were weaknesses. This is a woman who is incredibly calculating and manipulative. She reads a man's expectations and then tries to fashion herself in that image. It's classic femme fatale. Of course, maybe that's a whole other level of female degradation, but I would argue that it can also be a form of power. However, saying all that, I think there are definitely some valid points made in that blog - and the blog it cited. I don't feel as if I know Steven Moffat well enough to determine whether he's sexist. I will say that I don't think he understands the show's demographic. In the commentary for "A Study in Pink," he constantly talks about how they threw in certain Sherlockian references for the "fanboys," which not only makes me grit my teeth but tells me that he doesn't believe a woman can be a serious Sherlock Holmes fan.

[radiogaga80.livejournal.com]

After my second viewing, I figured that the only weakness Irene had, was that she thought she finally met her match. What she did not consider was that Sherlock is able to switch his heart completely off. That's how I saw it anyway. On the plane, from the moment he realizes Irene betrayed him, Sherlock doesn't yell, he doesn't accuse her, he doesn't plead with her. Instead, he begins to think, trying to connect lines, analyzing everything Irene did so that he can beat her at her own game. It reminded me of the scene in The Great Game where Sherlock tries to figure out what is wrong with the painting. Everyone around him freaks out at the thought a child might get killed - he blocks that all out and tries to solve the puzzle.

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure if it's her only weakness (as I'm still trying to figure her out), but the way she underestimates Sherlock definitely is a weakness. And I think you're completely right about the way Sherlock blocks out everything around him (as he did in that one scene of "The Great Game") to work out the problem and beat Irene at her own game.