"Sherlock" BBC series.

PADDY said:

Great interpretation. He'd make a cracking Dr Who too.

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Yes! I think that every time I watch him.

Cumberpatch's reason why he didn't want the role is pretty funny:

"I think it's a fantastic show, but the celebrity side of being the Doctor would worry me. The idea of turning up at school prizegiving days as the Doctor wouldn't appeal."

PADDY said:

Great interpretation. He'd make a cracking Dr Who too. As for the blatant ending...not all viewers are that bright, so one guesses it has to be spelled out to the lowest common denominator.

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I think that's it, Paddy. There was the same thing to a degree with the ending of Ashes to Ashes. As to the Doctor role, Cumberbatch considered auditioning for the part of the eleventh Doctor, but ruled it out after discussing it with David Tennant. It'll be interesting to see what he does next (I'm sure I heard he's also in The Hobbit, though it's really Freeman will garner more attention for that for the obvious reason), as like any other actor associated with such a successful franchise I'm sure he'll be wary of typecasting.

Edward said:

It'll be interesting to see what he does next (I'm sure I heard he's also in The Hobbit, though it's really Freeman will garner more attention for that for the obvious reason), as like any other actor associated with such a successful franchise I'm sure he'll be wary of typecasting.

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Cumberpatch is playing the part of the dragon Smaug in The Hobbit, so you probably won't recognize him under all the CGI.

vintage68 said:

Cumberpatch is playing the part of the dragon Smaug in The Hobbit, so you probably won't recognize him under all the CGI.

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He is also the Necromancer (aka Sauron).

Ah, yes, that was it!

So Moffett apparently Tweeted that they filmed the ending of the last episode to make it fairly obvious what happened so that it wasn't Sherlock who hit the sidewalk. Anyone figure it out?

Well remember towards the end he went to see the Science Boffin girl who's into DNA and bodies..etc? and he says, "Well actually, you can do something for me..."

I reckon she's had a handling in the 'dead body' on the pavment/sidewalk and fixing the DNA samples to show he was dead. Not sure 'where' HE FELL onto though...

There are plenty of theories floating around, but here's my take:

1] Sherlock jumps from building. While John is distracted (knocked by cyclist - one of the Baker Street Irregulars, I believe), he lands in the rubbish truck in front of the building.

2] Sherlock jumps down - false blood is applied to face, he lies in the road as if dead. The scrum of people - Baker Street Irregulars, I believe (or possibly Secret Service, but I can't see Sherlock trusting them) - cover this transition.

3] John finds Sherlock and checks for pulse. No pulse - believes him dead. In fact, Sherlock is employing the old trick of a squash ball under the armpit to stop the pulse in his wrist (the same squash ball we see him playing with a la Steve Macqueen earlier on in the same episode).

4] Molly the technician, who is in on it, falsifies the DNA records to match another dead body, which is buried as Sherlock. Mycroft, who also must be in on it, as next of kin identifies this body as Sherlock. I believe the body in question to be Moriarty - remember that whole "I am you" conversation? Especially in the context of other conversations across the series about DNA record falsification, and Irene Adler's fake death.

An alternative theory suggests that the body we see on the ground is someone else, and that John (most likely when bumped by the cyclist) has been dosed with the HOUND drug from the second episode in Series 2, so he sees what he expects to. I'm not convinced - seems more complicated than it needs to be - also, an already dead body would be cold to the touch, not warm as Sherlock should be if he has just died (then again, the effect of the drug...). I do think an easier switch of Sherlock for dead body could be made in the morgue, though.... and this would allow substitution of Sherlock with Moriarty.

In drawing these theories I also consider the source material: when Doyle changed his mind after ten years and brought Sherlock back, it was explained that it was not Sherlock who has gone over the Reichenbach Falls after all, but Moriarty.

I agree with your point 4, Edward. Whatever they write, I'm sure I'll love it.

Very interesting points Edward. I'm sure the simplest explanation will win out. If it's too convoluted viewers won't buy it. However it was pulled off Molly the technician is certain to have had a hand in it. We probably have a year at least here in the states until it's resolved. Unghh.

vintage68 said:

Very interesting points Edward. I'm sure the simplest explanation will win out. If it's too convoluted viewers won't buy it. However it was pulled off Molly the technician is certain to have had a hand in it. We probably have a year at least here in the states until it's resolved. Unghh.

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It has been reported that the third series was commissioned prior to broadcast of this second, and the third series will be out before the end of 2012. Given that The Hobbit will be released in December, that would be a good timeslot for the Beeb to make a big splash with a series featuring two lead actors who both appear in said film.

I am late to this thread. I thought the first series was terrific, especially the first and last of the three. It's true to the spirit of the books, but entirely modern. I love both the leads. I understand the second series is out and I can't wait.

Not surprisingly, the success of Sherlock has convinced CBS to make a pilot for an American-set contemporary Holmes series!

http://www.avclub.com/articles/cbs-boldly-reclaims-sherlock-holmes-for-america,61743/

What a terrible idea!

(BTW, though it hasn't aired in the US yet, I saw "A Scandal in Belgravia" yesterday - I won't say how! - and I thought it was even better than the first season episodes!)

Doctor Strange said:

Not surprisingly, the success of Sherlock has convinced CBS to make a pilot for an American-set contemporary Holmes series!

http://www.avclub.com/articles/cbs-boldly-reclaims-sherlock-holmes-for-america,61743/

What a terrible idea!

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Seconded.

Yesterday I was told by a woman I know that I am very similar to the actor who plays Holmes in this new series. Having seen the first episode and hated it to the core of my being, I wasn't sure how to react!

Doctor Damage said:

Seconded.

Yesterday I was told by a woman I know that I am very similar to the actor who plays Holmes in this new series. Having seen the first episode and hated it to the core of my being, I wasn't sure how to react!

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I would take it as a compliment. You are the first person I have encountered to dislike that show. Shame. I honestly think it is the best thing I have ever seen on television (not to say that there aren't other things that I very much enjoy). To each his own though.

Yeps said:

You are the first person I have encountered to dislike that show. Shame. I honestly think it is the best thing I have ever seen on television (not to say that there aren't other things that I very much enjoy). To each his own though.

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I think what really bugged me when I watched the first episode was that he seemed to be playing Doctor Who. I really dislike the "modern" Doctors who all seem to have taken the most annoying tics of the Peter Davison and Sylvester McCoy versions and combined them, times 10. I saw this as more of the same. Maybe further episodes improved or have been different, but I just couldn't get past the first one. Anyway, I'm glad it's hit a chord with so many people and hopefully they'll be encouraged to read the original stories and explore past movie and televison adaptations. On the other hand, I gave a copy of the collected Holmes stories to a friend for his two growing boys to read when they're old enough, but he looked at the book as if it was covered in dog poo or something...

Caught the U.S. premiere of Season 2 on PBS last night and enjoyed it all over again!

vintage68 said:

Caught the U.S. premiere of Season 2 on PBS last night and enjoyed it all over again!

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Agreed! That episode was the best of any of them, even the first!

I am so into "Sherlock!" It's not everyday that anyone can out-Sherlock Robert Downey, Jr!

This series is one of the best things on television, ever!

I just recently heard about this show. Can't wait to see it Sunday night before Mad Men.

Danny