Favorite BBC Series: Robin Hood

As much as I like to find new movies and TV series to enjoy, I love revisiting favorite series and movies. I have been rewatching the BBC series, Robin Hood, that ran for three seasons. If you like TV series that have action, adventure, romance, a touch of legend, and a little bit of history (a very little bit), then I would highly recommend Robin Hood. I have to admit that I was originally drawn to the series because Richard Armitage plays Sir Guy of Gisborne. Those of you who have seen the BBC miniseries, North and South, are familiar with Richard Armitage, who plays John Thornton in the excellent miniseries (that's another post for another day). Although I bought the first season of Robin Hood because of Richard Armitage, I bought the second and third seasons because I loved the show.

The first two seasons are wonderful. The third season wasn't as strong as the first two. Three main characters from seasons 1 and 2 left the series, and they were sorely missed in season 3. Out of the new cast members added in season 3, I only really cared for two: David Harewood as Tuck, and Toby Stephens as Prince John. Season 3 had a few good episodes; however, I didn't like the direction the last season went, and the writing didn't seem as good. However, in spite of the series going a bit downhill, I still enjoy watching the characters I had grown to love.

The entire cast is excellent. Most BBC series have at least a few actors I'm familiar with from other BBC shows, but other than Richard, I was not familiar with any of the actors. However, I have grown very found of Robin and his merrie band. Since then, I have seen many of the actors in other TV series.

The series starts when Robin (the Earl of Locksley) returns to Nottingham from the Holy Land, where he fought with King Richard. He returns to find that Sir Guy of Gisborne has taken over his lands of Locksley and is over-taxing and terrorizing the people of Locksley in the name of the Sheriff of Nottingham. While fighting to get his land back from Guy, he goes against the Sheriff, and is branded an outlaw.

Jonas Armstrong is a great Robin. He brings a youthfulness, and an energy that is so fun to watch. He is very believable as an action hero, and you can feel his passion to do what is right and fight for the people of Locksley, Nottingham, and in effect, all of England.

After growing to love Richard Armitage as John Thornton in North and South, it was a little difficult to see him as a villain - a murderous villain. However, he is such a great actor that at times he still brings a vulnerability and unexpected likability to Sir Guy. Lucy Griffiths is a very spunky Marian. She was perfectly cast, and I love watching her character evolve through the series. Her character is very complicated, and even though there are times when she is the damsel in distress (Robin needs to be able to save the woman he loves every once in a while), she usually holds her own, fighting for justice and freedom in her own way.

Sam Troughton plays Robin's faithful servant, Much. I loved seeing their relationship. Much had gone to the Holy Land with Robin to fight with King Richard, and he remains a support and loyal friend to Robin through the good and bad times (there are mostly bad times, thanks to the Sheriff and Gisborne). Keith Allen is over-the-top as Vaisey, the Sheriff of Nottingham. His acting sometimes feels like "schmacting" (in live theatre, we also refer to that as "chewing the scenery"), but in this version of Robin Hood, it works.

Gordon Kennedy, is the epitome of Little John. Joe Armstrong plays Allan A Dale, whose journey takes a different direction than his comrades in season 2. This change in direction was great in the story arc of the second season. Harry Lloyd plays Will Scarlet. I'm most familiar with Harry from his great performance as Baines in the two part episodes, "Human Nature" and "Family of Blood" in Doctor Who. The characters of Will and Baines couldn't be more different, and it's great to see Lloyd's range as an actor.  Anjali Jay plays Djaq (pronounced Jack), the Saracen who joins Robin's gang. It's great to have a female in the band who can hold her own. Jay is wonderful in the role.

Joanna Froggat (Anna in Downton Abbey) and Lara Pulver (Irene Adler in the BBC's Sherlock) are two characters added in the third season, and I don't care for their characters or their plot lines very much. The actors are still good, but it's hard to watch characters that you don't particularly like.

When you start watching this series, you have to remember that this isn't the Disney version, the Kevin Costner version (thankfully), or the classic Errol Flynn version. This is a Robin Hood for a new generation, and though it isn't completely faithful to the legend you're familiar with (but then, are any of them?), it is a series that has the heart of the legend. And isn't that what you want anyway when you watch the journey of Robin Hood?

Classic British Comedies: The Good Life (a.k.a. Good Neighbors)

Britain is well known for its great television. It has produced wonderful period dramas; Downton Abbey and the 1995 version of Pride and Prejudice are probably the most successful. There have been many other popular period dramas, such as North and South, Bleak House, Little Dorrit, Lark Rise to Candleford, Crandford, and many versions of Jane Eyre. (Someday soon I plan on writing up a post of all of the period dramas I would recommend.) British television has also given us many of the great comedy series. Fawlty Towers, Black Adder, Keeping Up Appearance, Are You Being Served?, To the Manor Born, and Red Dwarf, just to name a small number. British comedy is very different from American comedy. Some Americans love it, and some Americans just don't get the humor.

I would have to say that my favorite of all of the British comedies is The Good Life (known in the U.S. as Good Neighbors.) Richard Briers and Felicity Kendal play Tom and Barbara Good who live in Surbiton, a suburb of London. Paul Eddington and Penelope Keith play their neighbors, Jerry and Margo Ledbetter. On his 40th birthday, Tom leaves his job as a draftsman making plastic toys for breakfast cereal, because he doesn't feel fulfilled, and he's no longer able to take his job seriously. He convinces Barbara to try to adopt a self-sufficient lifestyle, and they turn their yard (front and back) into gardens to grow their own fruits and vegetables, and they buy chickens, pigs and a goat. The generate their own electricity, and they also try to make their own clothes. Jerry is confused as to why Tom would leave a perfectly good job to try self-sufficiency, and Margo simply horrified by the fact that she is now living next door to a couple who grow their own food, have chickens, pigs and a goat in the backyard, and create electricity using methane (i.e.,manure). Not to mention how it reflects poorly on her that they are her friends.

All of the characters in the series are excellent. The situation itself is ripe for comedic scenes, and the actors are perfect in their portrayals and have great comic timing. All of the actors are great, but I have to mention Penelope Keith's Margo specifically. Margo Ledbetter is one of the greatest characters ever to be seen in television. The character is well written, but it is Keith's portrayal of the Margo that makes it so wonderful. Someone just has to say to me, "Thank you very much, Jerry," imitating Margo's haughty manner, and I bust up laughing. I love this show!



Episode 1: Plough Your Own Furrow

Quotes:

Tom (reading a birthday card): "Mendelssohn and Mozart were dead by 40. Why aren't you?" How thoughtful.

Tom: When I get a birthday card from my wife, I expect a sentimental, loving, sickly verse. Not, "Another nail in your coffin, you wreck."
Barbara: Blow your candle out and eat your cake.

Barbara: Life begins at forty.
Tom: That's a fallacy for a start.

Tom: It's quality of life. That's what I'm after. If I could just get it right.
Barbara: What's "it"?
Tom: It? Well, "it" is... it.
Barbara: Well, if I see it lying about, I'll say, "Look here 'it,' my husband's had enough of you."
Tom: Not being very specific, am I?
Barbara: Borderline.

Tom: You look like an advert for gracious living.
Jerry: I am.

Commissionaire: Good morning, Mr. Ledbetter. Good morning, Mr. uh...
Tom: I've really made an impact with you over the years, haven't I?
Commissionaire: No. I've got sciatica.
Tom: Good.
Commissionaire: Charming.
Tom: No, no, no, that's my name. I've only been here eight years.

Brian: It really is something, isn't it?
Tom: Yes, it is. It's a mold for a plastic hippopotamus that's going to end up in a package of breakfast cereal.
Brian: You've gotta hand it to the ideas men on the fifth floor, haven't you?
Tom: Electric shock treatment probably. Ideas men? They sit up there like the gargoyles on top of Notre Dame.  Every now and again, one of them jumps up, puts on his jester's cap and says, "Eureka! Hippopotamus, oh!"

Brian: Oh, come. You wouldn't want us to go back to the dark ages, breakfast cereal without little plastic gifts?
Tom: It still tastes the same.

Tom: Listen you lot! I am a run machine! A run machine! And I bowl!

Tom: Will you mind explaining to those children in my office that I play cricket?
Jerry: Do you?
Tom: Well, no. But I could if I were asked!
Jerry: Still got the middle-age blues, have you?

Jerry: You use about 1/10 of your ability. I have to use all mine, and what I lack, I make up for with sheer, bloody crawling.

Tom: I can't see the world as a giant plastic toy. How can you make it your life's work.
Jerry: I don't. It just brings in the goodies.

Jerry: You're not going to walk into another job at your age, are you?
Tom: I'll hit you with my crutch in a minute.

Tom (on intercom): Miss Martin, it is funny, but not out loud.

Jerry: Don't go, Tom. (to Sir) I think that Tom ought to sit in on this one, Sir.
Sir: Why? Where's he from?
Tom: Fourth floor.
Sir: Oh, yes, yes. I'm afraid I don't get down to the fourth floor as often as I'd like.

Sir: How is it, um, uh...
Tom: Going?
Sir: Coming.

Sir: Now, look here. A bubble has just come off the top of the think tank. And I don't mind telling you that this is an absolute blockbuster of an idea. It's going to put our wildlife preservation series in the "Van Guard" of world, and I do mean world moldings. [Tom tries to hold in his laughter] Can you guess what it is? No, you can't, can you. Our next mold is going to be... a giraffe! And Tom, I'm thinking of putting this giraffe on your plate! [Tom runs out of Jerry's office and finally laughs]

Tom (to Barbara): Honestly, you should have heard Sir. You would have thought that he discovered penicillin. I couldn't help laughing.

Tom: I'd run off with you if you weren't married. I even love your varicose vein.
Barbara: I'll grow it in the shape of your initial.

Barbara: We don't need a lot of things.
Tom: No. We're a very spiritually advanced couple, aren't we?
Barbara: Yes. Anyway, you don't make enough for a lot of things.
Tom: No.
Barbara: I'll tell you what's at the bottom of all this. All this "it" business you were on about this morning. I had a think in the garden after you left.
Tom: You know, why do you always go into the garden to think? You're not having an affair with the gnome we haven't got, are you?

Tom: Hey! I was brilliant at algebra in school, wasn't I?
Barbara: I don't know.
Tom: I was.
Barbara: Big head.
Tom: X, the unknown. "It." In order to track it down, all you have to do is what they do in algebra.
Barbara: What are they?
Tom: I can't remember.
Barbara: We're both really firing on both cylinders today, aren't we?

Tom: You've heard of the "don't knows." I've come across the "don't want to's."

Tom: New page. [rips off page and hands it to Barbara.] File that.
Barbara: All right. [wads it up and throws it in the corner.]

Tom: I want... it.
Barbara: Shall we go to bed?
Tom: Yes. No. No. I'll be up in a minute.
Barbara: All right. Happy birthday.
Tom: Big deal.

Tom: What do you think?
Barbara: I need to think.
Tom: Garden?
Barbara: Yes.
Tom: Right.

Barbara: Self-sufficiency in Surbiton?

Barbara: I couldn't kill chickens.
Tom: Right. I'll chop their heads off with my Black and Decker while you're not looking.

Barbara: What happens when we need new clothes.
Tom: I'll have made the loom by then.

[Barbara comes in from thinking in the garden]
Tom: Well? Well? Well?
Barbara: You're on. We'll do it.
Tom: Now look, have you thought about this?
Barbara: What do you think I've been doing? Taking my wellies for a walk?

Jerry: Sir sacked you for laughing?
Tom: Other way around. I sacked Sir.

Jerry: You're mad, you realize that, don't you? You're... you're... I'm looking for a superlative.
Tom: Totally insane.
Jerry: Yes.
Tom: Rubbish.
Barbara: (calling to Tom from the window): Tom! The man said the goat will be here by noon.
Tom: Lovely.
Jerry: A goat? This is sheer folly. It just won't work. You're... you're... totally insane.
Tom: Jerry, we've never been saner in all our lives. Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got 300 weight of spuds to put in.

Sherlock Season 3 Begins Filming

The cast of the BBC's Sherlock had their first read-through for season 3 yesterday. Filming begins March 18th. You know what that means, right? More great Sherlock episodes to look forward to. I am so excited about it! What isn't so exciting is that we don't know when the episodes will air, and again, there are only three episodes. Well, all I can say is I look forward to three episodes of Sherlock in the future more than to the next episode of Elementary on Thursday. In fact, I've stopped watching Elementary. It's not that it's bad. It just hasn't been compelling enough to keep my interest.

Doctor Who: Origins Movie

William Hartnell, the First Doctor

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Doctor Who, BBC has commissioned a film to explore the origins of the series. Mark Gatiss, whose Doctor Who scripts include: "The Unquiet Dead," The Idiot's Lantern," and "Night Terrors," will write the script.

"An Adventure in Space and Time" will "tell the story of the genesis of Doctor Who," the BBC said. "Exploring all aspects of the longest-running science fiction series to date, the special one-off 90-minute drama will also look at the many personalities involved in bringing the series to life."

"This is the story of how an unlikely set of brilliant people created a true television original," Gatiss said. "And how an actor -- [original Doctor] William Hartnell -- stereotyped in hard-man roles became a hero to millions of children. I've wanted to tell this story for more years than I can remember! To make it happen for Doctor Who's 50th birthday is quite simply a dream come true."

No actors have been cast yet for the movie, nor has it been announced when it will air.

I'm excited for the film and to find out what else is planned for the 50th anniversary. Not many other television series have been on the air when their 50th anniversary has been celebrated. In fact, I can't think of any other right now.

Merlin: Season 5 Trailer

I am so excited for season 5 of Merlin.

Colin Morgan, who plays Merlin says about season 5, "The stories are more focused on the legends that we’re going to become.”

I like the rest of the cast, but I love Colin Morgan as Merlin. I love that he's still learning to be a wizard. It makes his character much more interesting.

Sherlock: The Reichenbach Falls

Just when you thought Sherlock couldn't get better, along comes The Reichenbach Fall.

**Spoilers ahead**

If you don't want to know what happens at the end of this episode, then stop reading, because we're told the ending at the very beginning.

Observations:

The episode begins the same way as the very first episode of season one began, with Watson in therapy.

The rain is falling outside. The weather matches his mood.

Watson tells his therapist that Sherlock is dead.

Three months earlier:

Sherlock is being honored for crimes he’s solved, and the short scenes are so funny.

He recovers an expensive painting, Falls of Reichenbach, and he is given diamond cufflinks. His response, “All my cuffs have buttons.”

He aids in finding a banker who was kidnapped, and he is given a tie pin. His response, “I don’t wear ties.”

He helps the police bring in a famous criminal and he is given an iconic Sherlock Holmes cap – he hates it. His response (among others), “Why does it have two fronts?”

Moriarty is at the Tower of London. It's so cool to see places in London where I've been.

When Moriarty cracked his neck, I expected him to "woge" into a Wesen (yes, I did just watch the season finale of Grimm *wink*).

I loved the music while Moriarty is breaking into the crown jewels. And it's a great touch that he dances to the music.

It's interesting how we can like Sherlock even though he treats people so abominably. What is about him? Perhaps it's because we are drawn to clever people. I understand that this portrayal of Sherlock isn't how he is in the book.

The only reason Moriarty is in jail is because he chooses to be. It's part of his plan.

When Sherlock is on the witness stand he is very cheeky, as he usually is. He tells the lawyer how to do her job and asks, "Don't they teach you this?" And he starts spouting off things he has deduced about the jury. I love it when the judge tells him not to show off, and then he's put in jail with Moriarty for a few hours for contempt of court.

Moriarty has no witnesses. No evidence. The defense rests.

I wonder why lawyers and judges in Britain still wear the wigs.

Moriarty gives Watson a great look.

It took the jury six minutes to deliberate and find Moriarty – not guilty. What!?

When Sherlock finds out from Watson that Moriarty is free, he makes tea, and starts to play his violin as he waits for Moriarty to come.

Moriarty threatened all of the jurors. They were not stupid. They were frightened.

The scene between Sherlock and Moriarty is great, because Sherlock is at a loss. Sherlock can't figure out what Moriarty is up to.

Two months later:

Loved the scene in the gentleman's club. The men have a tradition of complete silence and cannot break it. I also love how two men grab Watson, cover his mouth so he can't talk anymore, and escort him to Mycroft. It's so funny that the men wear booties over their shoes. The detail is great.

Mycroft tells Watson that there are four assassins living near Sherlock, and he's concerned for Sherlock's safety. He believes that Moriarty wants to kill him. Mycroft can't tell Sherlock himself because there is too much "history" between them.

So, we actually do get a link to Grimm. Sherlock's next case parallels the fairy tale, Hansel and Gretel. Children of the American Ambassador have vanished. Sherlock gets an envelope full of bread crumbs left at his door.

The little boy makes a trail of messages and footprints – just like Hansel and Gretel. From the footprints, Sherlock can tell the shoe size, height and walking pace of the kidnapper.

Poor Molly, why can't Sherlock treat her decently.

Molly notices that Sherlock is sad. She's the only one who recognizes his melancholy.

Its great to see Sherlock go to his "mind palace" again.

Sherlock goes to interview the seven year old little girl after they find her. She screams. This makes one of the detectives start to think Sherlock was involved with the kidnapping.

Sherlock takes a cab by himself because Watson "might talk." He still hasn't learned how to make friends and influence people.

Lestrade’s commanding officer wants them to bring Sherlock in. I love his commanding officer's accent.

Sally thinks that Sherlock kidnapped the kids so he could solve the case, rescue them, and make people continue to think he's a genius.

I love it that Watson hits the commanding officer. I just wish we could have seen it.

It's so great to see Sherlock and Watson handcuffed together when they escape from the police, and that Sherlock pretends that Watson is his hostage.

Sherlock makes them stand in front of a bus and someone saves them. Why are the assassins saving Sherlock? Because Moriarty wants to kill him?

Molly asks what he needs. Sherlock answers, "You." Hmmmmm.

It's a great twist that Moriarty pretends to be an actor, Richard Brook. He goes to great lengths to make everyone think that Sherlock is a fraud.

Mycroft says that Moriarty is the most dangerous criminal mind the world has ever seen.

Moriarty is listing to "Staying Alive" by the Bee Gees again. Pretty funny.

Moriarty threatens the lives of Sherlock’s friends if he doesn’t kill himself. He says that assassins are waiting to kill them if Sherlock doesn't kill himself.

Sherlock asks for a moment of privacy. (I love how the British pronounce "privacy.")

As long as Moriarty is alive he can call off the assassins. But Moriarty shoots himself. Now the only way Sherlock can save his friends is to kill himself. What can Sherlock do?

Everything after this moment is just such good television. It's so well written, so well filmed, so well directed, so well acted.

Sherlock stands on the ledge. No!

Sherlock calls Watson and says that Moriarty was telling the truth about him. He tells John not to take his eyes off of him.

Sherlock falls off the building. No!

Watson is hit by a biker.

A crowd gathers around Sherlock. Watson finally gets to him and checks his pulse. No pulse. Watson collapses. There's blood everywhere. Sherlock is taken away.

The rain starts to fall. The assassin packs up his gun and leaves.

Mycroft is in the gentleman’s club reading the paper about Sherlock's suicide. "Suicide of Fake Genius."

It is such a touching and great scene when Watson talks to Sherlock at his grave. "There's just one more thing. There's just one more thing, Sherlock. One more miracle for me. Don't be dead. Would you - just for me.

And then we see Sherlock standing under a tree near the grave where Watson can’t see him.

So, the question is, how did he do it? I have my theories.

Molly helped him, but what did they do? Many people tried to keep Watson away from Sherlock for a while, so they must have been in on it. They switched his body with someone else's.

Quotes:

Sherlock: All my cuffs have buttons.
Watson: He means "thank you."
Sherlock: Do I?
Watson: Just say it.
Sherlock: Thank you.

Sherlock: Why is it always the hat photograph?

Watson: The press will turn, Sherlock. They always turn. And they'll turn on you.

Watson: Don’t try to be clever, and please keep it simple and brief.
Sherlock: I'll just be myself.
Watson: Are you listening to me?

Judge: Do you think you can survive for just a few minutes without showing off?!

Watson: What did I say? I said don't get clever.
Sherlock: I can’t just turn it on and off like a tap.

Watson: Don't do that.
Sherlock: Do what?
Watson: The look.
Sherlock: Look?
Watson: You're doing the look again.
Sherlock: I can't see it, can I? It's my face.
Watson: Yes, and it's doing a thing. You're doing the "we both know what's really going on" face.
Sherlock: We do.
Watson: No, I don't. That's why I find the face annoying.

Sherlock: Most people knock. But then, you’re not most people.

Moriarty: Every fairy tale needs a good old fashioned villain. You need me or you’re nothing. Because we’re just alike you and I, except you’re boring. You’re on the side of angels.

Moriarty: The man with the key is King, and man, you should see me in a crown.

Moriarty: Falling is just like flying.
Sherlock: I never liked riddles.
Moriarty: Learn to, because I owe you a fall.

Molly: Alkaline.
Sherlock: Thank you, John.
Molly: Molly.
Sherlock: Yes.

Sally: Right then, the professionals are finished if the amateurs want to go in and have their turn.

Lestrade: Don't let it get to you. I always feel like screaming when you walk into a room. So do most people.

Mrs Hudson: Cameras? Here? I’m in my nightie.

Sherlock: I don’t care what people think.
Watson: You’d care if they thought you were stupid or wrong.
Sherlock: No, that would just make them stupid or wrong.

Mycroft: John, I’m sorry. Tell him, would you?

Moriarty: Just trying to have some fun.

Moriarty: There is no key, doofus.

Moriarty: All my life I've been searching for distractions. You were the best distraction, and now I don't even have you, because I've beaten you. And you know what? In the end it was easy. It was easy. Now I've got to go back playing with the ordinary people. And it turns out you're ordinary just like them.

Moriarty: I love newspapers. Fairy tales. And pretty grimm ones too.

Moriarty: Oh, just kill yourself – it’s a lot less effort.

Sherlock: You’re insane.
Moriarty: You’re just getting that now?

Moriarty: You have an audience now. Off you pop.

Sherlock: You want me to shake hands with you in hell? I shall not disappoint you.
Moriarty: No, you talk big. You're ordinary. You’re on the side of the angels.
Sherlock: I may be on the side of the angels, but don’t think for one second I am one of them.

Sherlock: It’s all true. I invented Moriarty. I’m a fake.

Sherlock: This phone call – it’s my note.

Mrs Hudson: Imagine, keeping bodies where there's food.

Watson: Sherlock, don’t be dead.

Sherlock: A Scandal in Belgravia

Can I tell you what I love about Sherlock?

Everything.

The first episode of the second season of the wonderful BBC series, Sherlock aired on Masterpiece Theater on Sunday. The first season was so outstanding, and based on this episode, you know the second season will not disappoint. I have actually seen all of the second season, but I've waited until they aired in America to post my thoughts on them. I hope you enjoy the season as much as I.

This episode introduces Irene Adler, and is based on A Scandal in Bohemia. It begins where the last episode ended, with a confrontation with Moriarty. And what a great confrontation it is. I love Andrew Scott as Moriarty.

Observations:

***Spoilers***

Moriarty's ring tone is "Staying Alive." Brilliant.

Sherlock is such a narcissistic, egotistical jerk sometimes, but he's so likable - why is that? If he were living in America, in L.A., he would be named Sheldon Cooper.

Sherlock has thumbs in his refrigerator.

It's hilarious to see Sherlock Holmes sitting in a sheet in a beautiful room at Buckingham Palace. Sherlock and John find it quite funny too. I love seeing them laughing at the absurdity of the situation.

Benedict Cumberbatch is absolutely stellar as Sherlock Holmes. Along with the great script and directing, his acting is a joy to watch.

Irene Adler's professional name is The Woman.

I love how they filmed the scene when Sherlock is explaining to Irene how the hiker was killed. This is great television.

The only kind of woman that Sherlock can be attracted to is one who can match him brains for brains.

Sherlock says "Before you sent John and I in there." Sherlock may be a genius, but he doesn't know the proper grammatical use of I and me.

I love how both Sherlock and John stand up for Mrs. Hudson against Mycroft.

It's sad to see how Molly likes Sherlock so much and Sherlock has no clue (pun intended). He can be such a jerk. At least he apologizes to her when he finally figures it out.

So, Irene Adler is dead. Or is she?

Benedict Cumberbatch and Mark Gatiss have similar noses. Convenient when they are playing brothers.

I love the wallpaper in Sherlock's flat.

It's wonderful to see Sherlock being tender to Mrs. Hudson after she is attacked by the Americans.

How the heck did Benedict memorize all of that deduction? So many words. So fast. How many takes did it take him?

The plot thickens, or just gets turned on its head. Sherlock gives everything away to Irene Adler. She played him, and he allowed it. But then, Sherlock always gets the last word - or he wouldn't be Sherlock.

The pass code is cool, but how did it show up as letters instead of numbers?

"Witness protection scheme." Not program, but scheme. I love how the English have different words than we do for certain things.

The ending is so perfect. Again, it shows how well this show is written.

Sherlock has too many quotes to list them all, but the following are some of the great ones.

Quotes:

Moriarty: Say that again, and know that if you are lying to me and I find you, I will skin you.

Moriarty: Sorry. Wrong day to die.

Moriarty: If you have what you say you have I'll make you rich. If you don't, I'll make you into shoes.

John: What happened there!
Sherlock: Someone made him charge his mind. Question is, who?

Sherlock: Tell us from the start. Don't be boring.

Lestrade: Listen to everything [Sherlock] has to say, and as far as possible, try not to punch him.

Mycroft: We are in Buckingham Palce at the very heart of the British nation. Sherlock Holmes, put your trousers on.

Sherlock: I'm not the Coomonwealth.
John: And that's as modest as he gets.

Sherlock: Punch me in the face. Didn't you hear me?
John: I always hear "punch me in the face" when you're speaking, but it's usually subtext.

Sherlock (to Irene): Stop boring me and think. It's the new sexy.

Irene: You got that from one look? Definitely the new sexy.

Mycroft: Oh, shut up Mrs. Hudson.
Sherlock & John: Mycroft!

Jeanette (John's girlfriend): You're a great boyfriend. Sherlock Holmes is a very lucky man.

Sherlock: I dislike being outnumbered, it makes for too much stupid in the room.

Mrs. Hudson (re: man falling out of the window): That was right on my bins.

Sherlock: Shame on you, John Watson. Mrs. Hudson leave Baker Street? England would fall.

Irene: I was just playing the game.
Sherlock: I know. And this is just losing.

Mycroft: My brother has the brain of a scientist or a philosopher, yet he elects to be a detective. What might we deduce about his heart?
John: I don't know.
Mycroft: Neither do I. But initially he wanted to be a pirate.

Sherlock: The Woman. THE Woman.

Holmes, Sherlock Holmes

I am going to argue that the best thing on television today is an import from across the pond. It's a small show (only three episodes each in the first and second seasons) called Sherlock.

The premise is very simple: take Sherlock Holmes and John Watson out of 19th century London and drop them into 21st century London with cell phones (or as they call them "mobiles"), texting, and blogs. Sherlock has nicotine patches instead of smoking a pipe. He is not an action hero. Sherlock is an socially awkward genius who itches to find a good mystery and solve it. There may have been one explosion, but this version of Sherlock Holmes is all about solving the mystery. And he still plays the violin.

I've never been a big Sherlock Holmes fan. I've seen a few movies with Basil Rathbone, I saw the first Guy Ritchie movie with Robert Downey, Jr as Sherlock, and I've seen a few plays based on Doyle's books. However, I still haven't read any of the books or short stories (they are in my queue of books to read, but there are so many more ahead of them). 

But then I saw Sherlock. Benedick Cumberbatch's Sherlock is more detached from the world than most Sherlocks I've seen. He seems to only be interested in the case he is trying to solve at the moment, and is the definition of cerebral. Martin Freeman is a wonderful Watson, and plays off of Cumberbatch's Sherlock so well and so seamlessly.

The acting is wonderful. It's subtle, understated, not in-your-face. Each episode is based on one or more of Doyle's books or stories. The direction is clever and imaginative, the cinematography is exquisite, and the scripts are almost flawless.

I have to thank Blogtor Who for making me aware of the series before the first season even aired in Britain. The series was co-created by the head writer of Doctor Who, and, even though I am a big Doctor Who fan, script-wise think Sherlock is better than Doctor Who; and for me, that's saying a lot. Please don't tell anyone.

If you haven't checked out the first season yet, I would recommend that you do. If you're a Sherlock Holmes fan, I'm sure you'll be hooked. And if you're not a Holmes fan, and you just like smart television, you will be a fan of Sherlock very quickly.