The Hounds of Baskerville

[rusty_armour]

OH! OH! OH! So many wonderful things about this episode that I barely know where to start! As usual, I got a big kick out of the canon references. Other than the multitude of references around The Hound of the Baskervilles, there was a delicious one for "The Adventure of Black Peter". Love the fact that Sherlock not only entered their flat with the harpoon, but was covered in blood as well! That was a thing of beauty! Of course, most of the obvious references were to The Hound of the Baskervilles. I have huge admiration for the clever way in which Mark Gatiss was able to modernize this novel and, yet, keep in many of the elements that made it so thrilling and memorable. While Henry may have lost his surname, I thought "Knight" was a clever substitute considering the title a Baskerville male gains on his inheritance. And if we couldn't have a Baskerville Hall then a military base called "Baskerville" was a great alternative. Even better (and my personal favourite) was the Grimpen Minefield in place of the Grimpen Mire.

I had a lot of fun trying to figure out where Gatiss might work in the original characters from the novel. As Dr. Mortimer consults Holmes in the novel because he's concerned about Sir Henry's welfare, it makes sense that Dr. Mortimer would be Henry's therapist in Sherlock. Having Barrymore as the head military figure at Baskerville is also a logical choice as he's the butler of Baskerville Hall in the novel and, so, is in charge of the household in a sense. Gatiss gave his version of Stapleton a modern role that works perfectly. Canon Stapleton had a keen interest in science and loved collecting specimens (especially butterflies), so the modern Stapleton conducts experiments on animals in a lab. Of course, when the question of the "hound" comes up, Dr. Stapleton makes a convenient red herring as everyone assumes that the creature Henry sees is some kind of experiment gone wrong. Then there's Dr. Franklin. It seems ironic that the character who filed suits against everyone in the original novel turns out to be the villain in this modern adaptation. Of course, as a Robin of Sherwood fan, I was thrilled to see Clive Mantle play such a juicy part. He even had an awesome exit (that echoed the possible fate of Stapleton in The Hound of the Baskervilles) when he entered the Grimpen Minefield and blew up! :-)

By Herne, I can't believe I've gone this long without mentioning Lestrade! I'm not usually big on tans, but Lestrade's "holiday" look worked for me! And I loved his bitchy exchange with Sherlock more than I can say! It's absolutely hilarious (though not totally surprising) that Sherlock had never learned Lestrade's first name and thought "Greg" was Lestrade's lame attempt to travel incognito. Then there was the wonderful confirmation that Lestrade does know Mycroft, which, no doubt, made all the Mystrade fans squeal in absolute joy. It also explains why it took 23 minutes for Mycroft to text Sherlock. The poor man was still trying to catch up on everything after returning from the holiday he took with Lestrade to celebrate the divorce. Naturally, Mycroft couldn't possibly tan with his fair complexion and would have been using at least a 50 SPF sunscreen.

What was this post about again? Oh, right! Yes, that Sherlock episode with H.O.U.N.D. rather than a hound. I think it's brilliant that Sherlock noticed the distinction as most people would say "dog" rather than "hound". The hallucinogenic fog was also a nice touch as it explained why Henry and Sherlock both saw a hound. It was quite fascinating to see Sherlock actually freaking out in the pub, experiencing both fear and doubt. Then, there was even more enjoyment to be had as we witnessed Sherlock trying to make amends to John, though it didn't stop him from locking John in that room and conducting an experiment of his own. So, while it's wonderful that we're seeing Sherlock explore more of his emotions in this series, I'm happy that we haven't lost those moments of coldness and social obliviousness. I mean, it was priceless to watch Sherlock "edit" Henry's story and shamelessly inhale the smoke from his cigarette because he's going through nicotine withdrawal.

Last point. I think this episode may have contained two of the best lines ever: "Get out. I need to go to my mind palace." I must now use that quote whenever possible or, better still, get it printed on a t-shirt and mug.

Comments

[theteej2.livejournal.com]

This episode was just so full of epicness I can't even breathe right, pretty much like the last episode, only this one had MORE LESTRADE!

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

Oh, sister. Believe me, I know. I keep thinking I should go back and add more material to this paltry post, but there just doesn't seem to be enough words for this episode's epicness. Hell, enough words for Lestrade - tanned sunglass-wearing Mycroft sent Lestrade, no less! :-D

[theteej2.livejournal.com]

Okay this is my third attempt at trying to post about this episode and its freaking out awesomeness. I can't even breathe right! Oh my soul, GREG Lestrade, why are you so BAMF!?

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

You can be forgiven for struggling to find words in the face of this episode's freaking out awesomeness -- not to mention your breathing problems. Actually, I've been a bit breathless myself. I thought maybe it was due to all the typing, but that usually leads to other symptoms, such as aching wrists or a headache. Oh my soul, you must be right! BAMF Greg Lestrade is to blame!

[puckrobin.livejournal.com]

Can you send some YouTube links my way?
\

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

For what? This episode? I got it somewhere else. I'll send you the link in an LJ PM this instant.

[2ndskin.livejournal.com]

Great Post! You summed it up beautifully--I do really love Gatiss's style--his way with transforming the canon into modern day. I'm going to wait 'til I've calmed down sufficiently to discuss you know who.
I think we're in total agreement on the magic. I found the John and Sherlock relationship a real joy--and thought John got a lot more interesting stuff to do in this ep than last week. He was fantastic.
As were the guest stars! Must look into watching Being Human now! So much tv, so little time!!!!!

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

LOL! I just commented on your LJ saying there was no rush to read this! *g* Thank you very much for your kind words. I still wonder if I should have said more, so I'm glad you approve of the way I summed up the episode. Of course, we obviously agree on a lot of things, such as the fantastic job Gatiss did with this modern transformation. Same goes for the John/Sherlock relationship and the better material Martin Freeman had to work with this week. And thanks for mentioning Russell Tovey. If I hadn't been squeeing about Clive Mantle (and, of course, Rupert Graves), I'm sure I would have thought of it. However, as the Being Human fans probably outnumber the Robin of Sherwood fans, Russell Tovey should be adequately covered. ;-)

[karen9.livejournal.com]

so the modern Stapleton conducts experiments on animals in a lab

Before I watch this episode, do we see this?

[maggie-conagher.livejournal.com]

there are animals in cages and she is holding a rabbit on a table, but any actual experiments are implied/mentioned, but off camera. And I think most of the experiments were genetic so occurred in breeding not on the animals themselves.

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

As maggie_conagher has pointed out, any actual experiments are implied/mentioned and aren't something we see on camera. And I'd say that maggie_conagher is right about the experiments being something that occurs in breeding, though we do see animals in cages (which might upset you a little), so I can't be absolutely sure about that. I didn't get the sense that the experiments were needlessly cruel, though I think anyone who is familiar with The Hound of the Baskervilles may have wondered at first if they were considering that the Stapleton character is traditionally the villain. Then, of course, there's that missing rabbit to consider... *g*

[funkyinfishnet.livejournal.com]

I love that mindpalace quote too, I think everybody does. This episode was so filled with win. I think you've summed up its brilliance perfectly. I love Sherlock realising John is his only friend and now trying to show him this....despite the experiments he conducts on John lol. It's all very them :) xoxoxo

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

I love that mindpalace quote too, I think everybody does.

I absolutely howled when I heard it, so I'm not surprised that it's a fan favourite. I bet it will start appearing on icons -- and possibly even t-shirts and mugs. *g*

This episode was so filled with win. I think you've summed up its brilliance perfectly.

Oh, thank you! I could have easily said more and have been fighting the urge to go back and add additional points. However, it really is impossible to address everything in this episode because of its total epic brilliance. :-D

I love Sherlock realising John is his only friend and now trying to show him this....despite the experiments he conducts on John lol. It's all very them :) xoxoxo

It was great to see this particular milestone in their relationship. I mean, we knew that Sherlock cared about John, but I'm pretty sure this is the first time he's actually admitted that he's his friend. Of course, Sherlock being Sherlock wouldn't have any issues with conducting experiments on his only friend. As you say, it's all very them. *g*

[alysscarlet.livejournal.com]

That mind palace sequence was wonderful. I thought it was an excellent episode although I had a feeling that Clive Mantle would be the baddie - it felt a bit scooby doo. Excellent interplay between Sherlock and Watson and I liked Gordon Kennedy (another Little John!) as the hotel owner. Russell Tovey was good too, although I was very distracted by his posh accent. :-)

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

That mind palace sequence was wonderful.

The visual effects for it were amazing! I was really impressed! :-)

I thought it was an excellent episode although I had a feeling that Clive Mantle would be the baddie - it felt a bit scooby doo.

I hadn't thought of it before you mentioned it in your comment, but the episode was very Scooby-Doo. There was the monster that wasn't really a monster, but a man wearing a mask. It was also very Scooby-Doo in terms of the dark, foggy setting. Sherlock and John even drove their own version of the Mystery Machine with that Land Rover they rented.

I also suspected that Clive Mantle might be the baddie. He was a little too friendly and helpful, resembling the murderer from a Columbo mystery. He also got more screen time than I was expecting for the Franklin character, which seemed suspicious.

Excellent interplay between Sherlock and Watson and I liked Gordon Kennedy (another Little John!) as the hotel owner.

The interplay between Sherlock and John was wonderful -- hilarious and surprisingly poignant at times. :-) I also liked the Gordon Kennedy character, though I'm ashamed to say that I didn't realize he had played Little John. I'm sure I've seen Gordon Kennedy in something before, so maybe it was that particular Robin Hood production.

Russell Tovey was good too, although I was very distracted by his posh accent. :-)

Yes, I really should have given a nod to Russell Tovey in my post because I think he played the part of Henry extremely well. As radiogaga80 said in her own review (http://radiogaga80.livejournal.com/418513.html), "Nobody does 'distraught' better than Russell Tovey."

[karen9.livejournal.com]

This was an excellent episode: clever, witty and lol funny in places.

I put my hand over my eyes for most of the lab scenes though I did get a couple of glimpses of monkeys, which were disturbing. I wish there were huge hounds who would tear subhuman scientists to pieces.

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

I'm so glad you were able to enjoy the episode, despite the lab scenes. I was tempted to tell you to fast forward through those scenes, but then I was afraid you might miss something important in terms of the plot. Well, maybe after the incident with Bluebell, Mycroft will arrange to have the lab shut down...