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

[2ndskin.livejournal.com]

Hi r_a!
Wanted to thank you so much for sending links to online episode-THANK YOU--I was looking too, and had managed to find one a few minutes before you sent. I have to say that I agree that the Sherlock and Mycroft moments were wonderful--that for me was maybe the best thing about the episode--Gatiss was sort of the heart of this one, I thought. But I'm showing my bias for Mycroft. I liked the humor a lot--and I liked the twistyness of the plot--found the plane thing very "wow." But there was a lot in the show I didn't like --I need to sit on it a day or so, but my immediate reaction was that this didn't quite live up to Study in Pink because John's role was weaker--as was the core friendship--of S and J. I may be reading too much fanfic, but I really missed the warmth of that and the strength of John. But--here are the two big things that hit me right away as "a bit not good." First, I found both Mrs Hudson and Molly a bit cartoonish. Molly in her ridiculous party garb and the whole little exchange with Sherlock there seemed waaay out of character--as did Sherlock's kiss and contrition. And Mrs H --although at first you think she's going to be this lovely motherly presence--didn't have enough strength either--not like she did in ASiP, I felt. Would love to know what you thought--tell me if you think I'm on the wrong track here.

I appreciated the twist at the end--the "gotcha" was great--but HONESTLY--the black garb and the Moorish sword--really? That seemed cartoony and Muslim-bashing to me. Although, perhaps it was really supposed to be read as a throwback to 1930s movies or something? I did really like much of the same stuff you mention. I need to think more about how to describe my reaction to Lara Pulver--there were some parts of her story that I appreciated--and her screen presence matches BC's really well, as you say--they DO have chemistry, but . . . there was something about the way Moffat weakened her towards the end that bothered me, and something not right about a lesbian character falling in love (was that what we were supposed to think?) with Sherlock. I"d believe that in fanfic, because it's fanon that basically everyone is in love with Sherlock deep down (well, in most of the fic I read anyway!) but doesn't seem right in BBCSherlockworld. Would love to talk details with you tomorrow or later this week. Do still need to maybe see it again to analyze it better. I'm hugely looking forward to seeing how people play with all the mad new details in fic and HUGELY looking forward to Hound because it's Gatiss as writer and it looks scary! <3

[avictoriangirl]

I could not agree more! :D

[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

[anitamaid.livejournal.com]

I just hope we get to see it here too.. We did get s1 though, and I could prob cheat as well...

[puckrobin.livejournal.com]

It occurred to me that Watson's blog counter was stuck at 1895, and I remembered the phrase I often hear in Sherlockian circles (most often the "I hear of Sherlock everywhere" podcast intro) "where it is always 1895".

Here's the source of that sly reference.

http://www.astudyinsherlock.net/2006/03/16/starrett-221b/

[funkyinfishnet.livejournal.com]

Agreed! Wasn't it a dark delicious wonder? Those Mycroft and Sherlock scenes made me laugh so hard. They become such children when they argue. It really made me LOL. And I love how John and Sherlock are much more equal now, they feel like a real partnership. Lara Pulver was so glamourous and fantastic. I've loved her work in other shows and here she really nailed the character brilliantly. She and Sherlock need each other, they each need another brilliant mind in the world for them each to push against :)

[karen9.livejournal.com]

I got around to watching this episode today. I thoroughly enjoyed it even though I'm not a particular Sherlock fan. The series is so well done all round: production, sets, actors, plots, dialogue.

I like Mycroft now. I was also disappointed that Lestrade didn't have much of a role this time.

P.S. I've mentioned this site a few times for live streaming and downloading of a great variety of TV series and movies: www.tv-links.eu. The best hosts for me are videozer and putlocker.