A load of Sherlocks?

**johncorrigan** · 16-01-17, 08:38

Originally posted by ardcarp View Post

When Sherlock first appeared (i.e. series 1) I thouht it quite clever and entertaining. I have just been forced (by a grand-daughter) to sit through the latest offering. I have to say it has de-generated into a Dr Who/James Bond/Psycho mash-up. Worse, it probably cost quite a lot to make. Sadly, it's probably a bulls-eye on the target market....impressionable 15-year-olds....who are being urged to pre-order (

) the DVD.

Not up with previous series, ardcarp. We just caught episode 2 last night and I thought Toby Jones was a great Saville-type baddie and quite enjoyed the 90 minutes. At least I could work out most of what was going on, unlike ep 1 which left me a bit flummoxed ( not that I always mind being flummoxed). I'll have a look in at episode 3 in the next couple of weeks...not sure Mrs C will!

**gurnemanz** · 16-01-17, 10:06

I have recorded but not yet watched anything. Comments above are not encouraging. Are they separate episodes or one linked storyline?

**Dave2002** · 16-01-17, 10:12

I watched the previous series, which were slightly amusing, but I did rather think they were over hyped tosh. If I hadn't been with others I would probably have done something else, such as listening to music - but that applies to much of my life at present. Being sociable means that I watch garbage on TV instead of listening to music.

I feel that the various "authoritative" critics in the papers have a vested interest in getting the population at large to participate in some of these experiences. The same applies to book reviewers.

Re Toby Jones - I quite liked the Secret Agent not too long ago. Note the reservations about that here - though - https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-r...ne-dimensional

**Cockney Sparrow** · 16-01-17, 11:02

Listening to the news review section of Broadcasting House (news - Sunday) on R4 yesterday morning, the reviewers said they very much enjoyed or loved the genre, but thought that La Land was "deeply average" as a musical. They felt the Golden Globe should be awarded to the film's publicists.

Then I caught a comment on the Film Programme on R4 last night that many Hollywood Films are essentially recycling what has gone before (surprise surprise - I am no great fan of the generality of Hollywood Films and prefer to see UK/European /other / non Mainstream (if US) films - mostly).

And then Mrs CS thought we should give Sherlock a go, as she had heard favourable comments from her colleagues. I've not bothered with it after trying one of the early ones, and I was able to feign modest interest as well as looking through a new non-Fiction book..... Yes, overhyped tosh.

As was that Steven Poliakoff series which we did see through to the end despite it proceeding at glacial speed - just to appreciate the sets and the acting of Molina and Duncan and some others. And I was warned from the comments on this forum at the start. Noting that I found the main character unconvincing throughout in terms of the writing, direction and the acting - one major point being the "empty tone" vocal style adopted which never seemed authentic. (And also- did army officers resident in a city Hotel post war really go about with a 36 hour stubble** - surely a contemporary style transposed to the late 1940s).

However on a more positive note, with our average TV time of an hour an evening per night plus the News, we enjoyed the Drama about the Brontes at Haworth and the 2 part Agatha Christie (Toby Jones again). And speaking of Toby Jones, I have it at the top of my "to do"list to catch up on the further tranche of "The Corrupted" - top quality radio drama - afternoons R4 last week.

** OK I suppose it marked him out as "one of a kind" brilliant at doing the job but non-conformist but again, it just seemed an affectation.

**french frank** · 16-01-17, 11:59

Sherlock finale ratings hit all-time low

**teamsaint** · 16-01-17, 16:05

I watched the first two episodes of this series. I still enjoyed them to an extent, but it seems to have gone even further down the path of "plot complexity at any cost", which surely has to be at the expense of real( human) drama. The red herring industry must be booming.

Every time I watch something like this, ( and it isn't often, I was just a great fan of the Conan Doyle stories) I have a big picture in my head of the story board (?) in the production offices, and the absolute conviction that this is where it all happens. And there seems to be an underlying assumption that it HAS to be a good thing to fool every single viewer on every single point.

Time for this to end , I think, money earned, brand created, careers cemented.

The game is over .

**Conchis** · 16-01-17, 16:29

Originally posted by teamsaint View Post

I watched the first two episodes of this series. I still enjoyed them to an extent, but it seems to have gone even further down the path of "plot complexity at any cost", which surely has to be at the expense of real( human) drama. The red herring industry must be booming.

Every time I watch something like this, ( and it isn't often, I was just a great fan of the Conan Doyle stories) I have a big picture in my head of the story board (?) in the production offices, and the absolute conviction that this is where it all happens. And there seems to be an underlying assumption that it HAS to be a good thing to fool every single viewer on every single point.

Time for this to end , I think, money earned, brand created, careers cemented.

The game is over .

That is the trademark of the show-runner.

**Eine Alpensinfonie** · 16-01-17, 16:33

I'm in a minority here. I didn't think much to the first series, but have enjoyed the rest, including this one, surreal though it was.

I was wearing a Harris Tweed deerstalker in Malton on Saturday afternoon and a couple of teenage boys were staring at me. One on them said, "Hello, Sherlock". Quick thinking has never been my forte, but I replied, "How did you know my name?"

**Conchis** · 16-01-17, 16:41

Originally posted by Eine Alpensinfonie View Post

I'm in a minority here. I didn't think much to the first series, but have enjoyed the rest, including this one, surreal though it was.

I was wearing a Harris Tweed deerstalker in Malton on Saturday afternoon and a couple of teenage boys were staring at me. One on them said, "Hello, Sherlock". Quick thinking has never been my forte, but I replied, "How did you know my name?"

You weren't in Malton for a Classic Rock Society gathering, were you? I only ask, because I can't think of any other reason for someone to be there (provided they don't live there, of course).

**ardcarp** · 16-01-17, 17:42

I have it at the top of my "to do"list to catch up on the further tranche of "The Corrupted" - top quality radio drama - afternoons R4 last week.

Yes that is excellent (even if some people are slightly narked by the Afternoon Drama slot being taken over by it). G.F. Newman has woven his all-too-believable story into the backdrop of real politicians and real events with the flair and ability of a top-rate historical novelist.

**Eine Alpensinfonie** · 16-01-17, 21:57

Originally posted by Conchis View Post

You weren't in Malton for a Classic Rock Society gathering, were you? I only ask, because I can't think of any other reason for someone to be there (provided they don't live there, of course).

I live 22 miles from Malton and until recently sang in a chamber choir based there. It has a good bookshop, which I visited on Saturday,

**ferneyhoughgeliebte** · 16-01-17, 22:31

The idea of Alpie attending a Classic Rock gathering in a Harris Tweed Deerstalker is one I shall treasure.

I have greatly enjoyed the current Sherlock tryptich - I love the complexities of the narrative threads, the humour (Sherlock baby sitting was the best thing on telly over the Christmas/New Year break for me), the pathos, and the anguish. Yes - the fugal stretti don't match up to the possibilities suggested by the expositions (the confines of the ninety-minute frame don't help) - and the last story was rather "Crystal Maze gone Psycho" - and the whole notion of a (Censored: Spoiler Alert - the family arrangements ) - the weak continuity between series - the soppy ending of the last story. But for me the strengths far outweigh the many, many flaws - and I shall be very sorry if that was the last ever series.

**ardcarp** · 16-01-17, 23:27

gone Psycho

We can agree about that!

and I shall be very sorry if that was the last ever series.

For The Final Problem
Read The Final Program?

**Conchis** · 17-01-17, 16:24

Originally posted by ferneyhoughgeliebte View Post

The idea of Alpie attending a Classic Rock gathering in a Harris Tweed Deerstalker is one I shall treasure.

I have greatly enjoyed the current Sherlock tryptich - I love the complexities of the narrative threads, the humour (Sherlock baby sitting was the best thing on telly over the Christmas/New Year break for me), the pathos, and the anguish. Yes - the fugal stretti don't match up to the possibilities suggested by the expositions (the confines of the ninety-minute frame don't help) - and the last story was rather "Crystal Maze gone Psycho" - and the whole notion of a (Censored: Spoiler Alert - the family arrangements ) - the weak continuity between series - the soppy ending of the last story. But for me the strengths far outweigh the many, many flaws - and I shall be very sorry if that was the last ever series.

It sounds like just the sort of gear someone would turn up to a CR gathering in!