Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Sherlock You Broke My Heart *CONTAINS SPOILERS*

I'm a Sherlock fan. The books first and then the TV show. So when season 3 hit TV screens my joy knew no bounds. Like really. I work 5 days a week and it takes me two alarms and a wake up call from my roommate to get to work. So imagine my roommate's surprise when I woke up at 6.00 AM to download Sherlock and watch it. After which  in a matter of 2 hours got dressed and got to work without so much as saying a "I'm so sleepy".

Well that aside, when you get to watch the genius of Gattiss and Benedict and Freeman, all the tiredness vanishes, all the sleep takes a backseat, because of course, the show is superbly made (or so I thought).

Season 3 was one of the most anticipated TV shows in the last year or so, I've been sitting, sleeping, dreaming Sherlock. But when I finished watching season 3, my world didn't move. It didn't shake me, move me or for that matter even inspire me.

It started with The Empty Hearse, Moffat and Gattiss quite brilliantly played exactly to the audience's whims and fancies. All the Sherlolly shipping and the Sheriarty Shipping, the conspiracy theories from tumblr and youtube were compiled into one giant episode for the Sherlockians to enjoy. Tumblr exploded with joy. It was everything they ever wanted. But I asked myself, was it what I expected from Sherlock the show (and not Sherlock's fan)? The answer sadly was no. Being in love with Sherlock I couldn't look at the possibility that it wasn't great.

However, Let's start with what worked.

With Mary, I loved her. But secret agent or not, I was expecting Mary to have a slightly twisted side and she delivered. She as the assassin and  as the wife was perfect. No complaints there. The thing with all Sherlock characters is that all of them are multidimensional, there is no scope to be bland. From the seemingly plain Molly the awkward in love with Sherlock doctor to Anderson who clearly has more than just one kind of character. Multilayered if you will. To Mrs Hudson who ran a drug cartel.  (Hat tip)

I loved Sherlock's speech as the best man. I had a little lump in my throat when I watched him say the words.

I found  the kisses to be downright adorable, both Sherlolly and Sheriarty.

Let me simply list out the things that I did not find great in season three.

What were they smoking up? Seriously. Where was the plot. Where was the case? Why did it feel like Sherlock was lost? Where was the arrogance? That aside, where was How Sherlock Faked his Own death bit? That definitely told me something on the Moriarty end was brewing. An off button. I mean, please alert bomb squads from around the world, they need to know that there is an "Off button".

Where was a villain and why isn't he scary enough? Like "Mind Palace". I wanted to cry. I waited for a good year  and 2 more episodes to listen to some guy say he is the weapon. Hello! Moriarty was evil, Magnussen was just plain boring. He's the consulting blackmailer. But hey! Wasn't Irene doing the same thing? Trained by Moriarty of course. At least Irene had pictures. Well, Magnussen is obviously a reference to Rupert Murdoch, doesn't take a genius to deduce that. But seriously, Mind Palace? What a load of Bull!

Where was Sherlock the detective? This was just Sherlock's Human Side, not that there is anything wrong with it, but that's not why you watch Sherlock. I loved how we got subtle hints to Sherlock's humanness in the last 2 seasons, this season; a little short of crying like a child, Sherlock did it all. I don't mind it that much though.

Like someone pointed out, tying down the mayfly man story, the stalker story,  Sholto and John's wedding seemed too far fetched. Seemed a tad bit overworked. What's the point of the stalker? If all he wanted to do was kill the guardsman, why take  pictures? to a point where the guardsman would notice.  The universe isn't lazy, but the universe doesn't really care for elaborate plans that lead nowhere.

Also I'm not powerful, but even I don't  leave my passwords and confidential information lying around. Mycroft would know better than to take his laptop and recklessly leave it on the coffee table. (If you're thinking it's his family, he thought it would be safe. Think again. It's Mycroft. He's the most powerful man in England). He would know better.  

The Empty Hearse is a 4/5
The Sign Of Three - 4/5
The Last Vow -3/5

11 comments:

  1. I love Sherlock!! :D
    Its fab and Benedict Cumberbatch is simply brilliant!

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    1. Cumberbatch and Freeman are awesome. So is Gatiss. Can't say quite the same for Season 3 :)

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  2. I have never seen the show...but your descriptions are intriguing and if they are anything like the books I am sure I would be hooked in no time. It is too bad in the new season they didn't capture the same magic as the previous ones.

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    1. The show is not bad. But I really wish they'd done something epic with it.

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  3. I have read Sherlock but haven't seen the shows....

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    1. oh it's a must watch. You'll be hooked on to it! :)

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  4. I stopped reading at the spoilers! As Sherlock has not even aired here in the US!!! 1/19/14 on PBS's Masterpiece Theater. While I love that you are helping to get the show "out there" and noticed, I think a little more consideration is in order! Just my opinion.

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    1. Hey Joseph. Sorry, I didn't know that It wasn't out in the US. I was just disappointed and I needed a venting space and didn't realise it. Anyway, Thanks fr the feedback. I've put up a spoiler alert! :)

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  5. Ahhhh harry potter love and sherlock too! Well overflow of everything here <3 Will start watching sherlock this week!

    Richa

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  6. Maggie could i agree more with this review... these are just my thoughts..just that i do not have such beautiful words to put them across like this. I mean while I was reading things were going at the back of my mind planning points I will add in the comment and by the end of it I see all has been covered... This season broke my heart too.. I mean ofcourse I am and will always be a Sherlock fan..But I missed "my sherlock" this time

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