[TV Series revisited] BBC’s Sherlock

cast: Benedict Cumberbatch, Martin Freeman, Rupert Graves, Mark Gatiss, Una Stubbs, Andrew Scott, Amanda Abbington, Lara Pulver.

There’s something about Christmas; probably the fact that I had more free time than in the past weeks and I could indulge into a full marathon of BBC’s Sherlock. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s character has been the subject of countless movies, series and interpretation. Lately we saw a Guy Ritchie approach, an US version and BBC decided to spin the old tale into a new groove. Cumberbatch is Sherlock Holmes, a consulting detective solving mysteries in London assisted by his sidekick and friend, Dr John Watson (Martin Freeman) recently returned from Afghanistan. The good doctor keeps a blog and Sherlock is somewhat a ”star” in the city with a fan-base and daily presence in the tabloids and regular news.

The charm of this particular series comes from the mix and match of the old writing and modern times. Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss are to be blamed for taking the reins and putting on screen a Sherlock fit for our decade. He texts, he trusts his iPhone, he solves crimes, he’s in tune with every gadget and his sharp mind and quick tongue made a new generations kids discover Doyle’s works and embrace the fact that ”brainy is the new sexy”.

You don’t believe me? Do me a little favor. When in London take a walk down Baker Street. I tell you the fans pour in my hundreds – if not thousands – to check the site. The good blend of old and new. You get the purist and the good old fashioned affecionados and the new gang. The re-imagined detective fit for our days and his adventures took the world by storm. The question that hit me at first was: is this series worth the hype?

Sure. I can indulge the good acting and some clever lines but I have to confess ”Elementary” hasn’t struck me although it tries the same thing as ”Sherlock” – a modern retale of the old story. What made me like BBC’s take more?

The choice and fit of actors for the characters. At this point I hope Marvel will put Cumberbatch and Downey Jr and let them have a kick at snapping some witty lines. Benedict’s Sherlock is a good mix of arrogance and vulnerability. And not necessary the type girls would swoon. His Sherlock basically can call you a dumb twit and demonstrate it in three sentences and yet the character remains charming because Sherlock, although he is smart, lacks a certain diplomatic chord present chez Watson. Again, putting an old tale into a current context had to be done wisely – like in the case of Iron Man’s ”upgrade” from Cold War to modern warfare. The witty bantering between Sherlock and Watson is fun and shows great chemistry between Cumberbatch and Freeman but there’s also the friendship, a big part of this series appeal.

One can’t deny the fact that ”Sherlock” worked wonders in the retelling department and re-imagining the characters. Gatiss’ Mycroft has more of a MI-6 charm and a larger presence than in Ritchie’s franchise for example, Pulver’s Irene is a perfect mix of sensual power and perfect foil for Sherlock, Scott’s Moriarty does justice to the modern antagonist with a sharp mind, a perfect dose of insanity and pleasure in being the thorn in our hero/not so much of a hero yet a hero. A personal favorite remains Abbington’s Mary, bringing the dynamic duo chemistry of Watson and Sherlock to a trio.

Yet what I enjoyed as much as the witty banter and clever retelling were the ”it” moments – a perfect choice in a series of revelations, speeches and vows. The third series had them in abundance and I confess, again, that I liked them a lot. Perhaps I would have wanted more of Charles Augustus Magnussen (Lars Mikkelsen) in the series but less is more and the lurking in shadows and providing the powerful villain capable of shacking to the core the ”little dysfunctional family” did its job. I’m a snarky fan-girl at heart. Give me a good tearjerker moment and if I like it, I stick around for more. Then came after ”The Reichenbach Fall”, ”Sing of Three” and ”His Last Vow”. Trust me, it’s a combinations of big moments and small touches that are the winning combo and ”Sherlock” has them.

Is this series worth your time? Seriously, you think I’d wasted a good half an hour of my time to give you this rant after Christmas? Yes. Even if you fall in the category of those not so keen on modern retelling. It works even for you, those picky and always finding that ”something” to bitch about – you know I love you. ”Sherlock” is smart, funny, endearing and provides a good hour and a half of clever TV presence. Thank God for BBC and our eternal respect for Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.