Sherlock, season 4-comments, questions (ALERT! Spoilers!!)

[jhansman]

This is for those who have already viewed Ep. 1 of Season 4. If you are a fan, but have not yet seen it, leave now. Thank you.

OK, I debated a good while whether to post this thread, but the first episode left such a bad taste in my mouth, I just had to spit it out. A bit of history first: I have been a rabid fan of the greatest fictional detective since I was a teen (now well into my 60s), and have read The Complete Sherlock Holmes cover to cover, and some of the novels several times. I have seen all of the depictions that have made an impact, and still find Basil Rathbone's my favorite and likely most near what Sir Arthur had in mind.

So, when the current version came out, I was a skeptic (especially after the utter garbage that Robt. Downey Jr. put out), especially since I had never even heard of Benedict Cumberbatch. With a name like that, I had to check it out. Well, like many of you I'm sure, I was blown away as how well the writers and cast adapted Conan Doyle's stories to the modern scene. Sure, they had to take liberties, but did so in a way that seem loyal to the author's intent and meaning. Season's 1-3 were a treat, and I saw "The Abominable Bride" in the theater (not an empty seat in the place), and it was then I began to get this "Hmmmm, where are they going with this?" feeling, although on the whole I enjoyed it.

To the point: I thought the first episode of Season 4 was just awful. Seriously? Mary Watson a ninja delta force killer in a previous life? And we get to watch the slow motion bullet (again?), surely bound for our hero instead take out Mrs. Watson as she (gasp!!) heroically jumps in front of Holmes to catch the lead. And to make it all worse, the DVD she leave for Holmes with her plea to "save John"? Holy shit, when did the wheels go flying off in the writer's room? Did they even do a test screening to see if perhaps just a few viewers might find that episode even half as crappy as I did?

So, there it is. I would love to hear from fans of the series, thinking perhaps I got it all wrong, and here's why. BTW, sucker that I am, I will watch the remaining episodes, praying that somehow Moriarty surfaces and brings the drama back toward the excellence the previous seasons contained. I am particularly interested in hearing from those of you who liked (or even loved?) it, and why. Thanks.

 

[Kaido]

The part where Sherlock was trying to convince Watson that he was secretly drawn to danger, which is why he hung out with Sherlock & why he was attracted to Mary, who had never shown an inkling of adventurousness, was incredibly weak. It really threw me out of the show tbh. Feels like they did a rush job to fill in the screen time.

Overall, it's a solid show. Most of the writing is excellent & the actors are a lot of fun.

 

[Imp]

If you have problems with the Mary thing, shouldn't you be talking about season 3, episode 4? That's where they introduced her as a former assassin/operator or whatever. They then tied it to at least one previous episode.

 

[jhansman]

You're right, they did delve into her past at the end of season 3. I was just surprised they used it in this episode to thicken the plot as they did. The whole thing just felt off. I'd hate to see what has, until now, been such a clever and well written drama get cartoonish with its plot devices. So now we're supposed to buy (after all they've been through) that Watson is done with Holmes, because why? Oh right, his wife took a bullet for him. Sorry, doesn't wash. I sometimes wonder if actors, when going over their script, are quietly saying to themselves "Who wrote this shit? And who signed off on it? Oh well, it all just make believe..."

 

[Imp]

Ya, I'm really not going to defend S4E1... While I didn't hate it, I didn't love it either. Really enjoyed the previous seasons and last year's Christmas special more.

 

[sdifox]

You're right, they did delve into her past at the end of season 3. I was just surprised they used it in this episode to thicken the plot as they did. The whole thing just felt off. I'd hate to see what has, until now, been such a clever and well written drama get cartoonish with its plot devices. So now we're supposed to buy (after all they've been through) that Watson is done with Holmes, because why? Oh right, his wife took a bullet for him. Sorry, doesn't wash. I sometimes wonder if actors, when going over their script, are quietly saying to themselves "Who wrote this shit? And who signed off on it? Oh well, it all just make believe..."

No Watson hates Holmes because inside he knows he was the one that put his wife in the proximity to Holmes who is drawn to danger, just like himself.