Hot off the presses . . . .

Natalie Dormer cast as Irene Adler in Sherlock Holmes update Elementary

The Game of Thrones star will take on the role played by Lara Pulver in BBC1's Sherlock

Written By

Paul Jones

12:16 AM, 10 April 2013

The influx of British stars to US Sherlock Holmes update Elementary continues with the news that Natalie Dormer will play Irene Adler, the key love interest in the life of Jonny Lee Miller's detective.

Dormer follows Vinnie Jones, who made an appearance as Holmes's adversary Sebastian Moran, and John Hannah, who played the detective's ex-drug dealer. However, her character Adler is unlikely to make the trip to the drama's New York base, and is instead expected to appear in flashbacks set in Holmes's native London.

In the Elementary universe, Adler is the detective's former lover who was murdered by the as-yet-unseen villain Moriarty (another hotly anticipated piece of casting, yet to be announced). A three-episode story arc for the character will culminate in the two-hour season one finale (showing in the US on 16 May and shortly afterwards in the UK on Sky Living), as confirmed by the show's writers via America's TV Guide.

Elementary has faced criticism from some Sherlock Holmes fans for the decision to make the detective's partner Dr Watson female, handing Lucy Liu the role. But Dormer seems an excellent casting choice, with a proven track record in portraying entertainingly arch characters similar to Adler, the woman whose intellect comes close to matching that of Holmes.

As both Margaery Tyrell in fantasy drama Game of Thrones, and Anne Boleyn in historical romp The Tudors, she combines brains and feminine wiles to great effect in her pursuit of a king, while she is also known to British viewers as a formidable supernatural being in BBC3 drama The Fades.

The news of Dormer's casting comes on the same day that Lara Pulver, who plays a dominatrix version of Irene Adler in BBC1's Sherlock, told Radio Times she does not expect to reprise her role in the upcoming third series, which is currently in production.

The door is still open for Pulver ahead of an expected fourth series of Sherlock but, unlessElementary has some radical twists up its sleeve, Dormer's role is likely to be more shortlived.

Credit where credit is due.

Margaret Thatcher 1925-2013

Margaret Hilda Thatcher, Baroness Thatcher, LG, OM, PC, FRS, née Roberts (13 October 1925 – 8 April 2013)

As with most politicians, you either loved her or hated her.

We can at least agree to respect her.

Do you remember this show?

Q.E.D.  1982

As with most shows I tend to like, it did not last long. I don't know if that says more about me or the rest of T.V. land.

But I really liked this show when it came out. (This one and Tales of the Gold Monkey.)
Even back then when watching it, before I had ever heard of Scion Societies, I thought the lead shared a lot of charecteristics with Sherlock Holmes.

Any one else remember it?

Q.E.D.

Episode #19 Elementary - 'Snow Angels'

For me, this was one of the best episodes yet.
Lot of Sherlockian references, some good humor and a fairly fun case.

Holmes is asked to help solve a case involving a murdered security guard and stolen cell phones.

These two crimes turn out to be a cover for a bigger heist.

Early on we meet 'Mrs. Hudson', wonderfully played by Candis Cayne, who will probably turn out to continue to be the new housekeeper. A friend of Holmes', she is a transgender women having relationship problems, whom Holmes invites to stay at "Baker St." till things calm down. She soon organizes the house in such away that even the picky Holmes finds acceptable. (Miller has some great facial expressions while pondering the new room arrangement.) Watson also finds her likable which should cement her return.
Although not the prim older woman we usually associate with Mrs. Hudson, she could become a fun character and fits in well with all the other dysfunction.
She happens to be very proficient in Greek which could be a reference to 'the Greek Interpreter."

We have the familiar quote, "Life is infinitely stranger than anything the mind of man could invent', from 'Case of Identity.'

We also see in this episode the use of one crime or incident to cover up or hide another. This ploy is use in 'the Redheaded League'.

I think 'Holmes' reference to not reporting the stolen phones to the police is a reference to not making up for the deficiencies of the police (and I will find out which case that it is mentioned in and re-post it here.) Here it is, from BLUE, “After all, Watson,” said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his clay pipe, “I am not retained by the police to supply their deficiencies. "

From 'Mrs. Hudson, who comments on having read the monograph, a reference to the work, 'Practical Handbook of Bee Culture, with some Observations upon the Segregation of the Queen.' from 
'His Last Bow.'

We also have 'Holmes' observing Bell with the defendant and commenting on Bells abilities as an actor saying, "the stages loss is New York's gain." a reference to 'SCAN', . 'The stage lost a fine actor, even as science lost an acute reasoner, when he ...'

The plot was fun, but it seemed, in this episode, that the plot was not the main focus of show, but more the individuals and stories related to them. Which I think made for a good show.

I loved the truck driver Holmes and Watson used.

We did, once again lack hookers. (What is up with that!)

Watson as a new consulting detective was played down a little and made for better interaction. Although she did help and was present in most of the story, she was better served in the roll she had in this episode.

I had fun watching the episode and I think it held up well, and for that reason I give it,

And another source. . . .

British film locations.

I always have fun with this site. . .

Locations of 'Sherlock Holmes'

Filming locations.

Have you ever made the pilgrimage?

Several years ago, in the early 90's, I was invited to Tulsa to give a presentation ('Sherlock Holmes and the single male. Does Sherlock Holmes help or hurt your dating life.') at a Sherlock Holmes convention.

Several of us from our scion made the journey. Since we were headed that way we decide we would also try to achieve the summit of newly named 'Holmes Peak'.

We made ourselves an expedition flag and everything.
On our visit we were lucky enough to have Richard Warner join us for the trek.

If you are ever in the area . . . . 

How Did Holmes Peak Get Its Name?

Holmes Peak is named after the fictional character Sherlock Holmes created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in 1887. Richard S. Warner filled out the paperwork with the United States Board on Geographic Names, and the name became official on October 5, 1983.
Click on the link above to read the article.
Holmes Peak has been mentioned as a site for the proposed Shan Gray monument, The American.

Source Warner, Richard S. (1985). The Naming of Holmes Peak. The Baker Street Journal, 35, pp. 29-31. Tulsa World, April 23, 2004; 

Credit where credit is due.

On some other happenings.

In the news - BBC

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Sherlock Holmes archive needs volunteers

25 March 2013 Last updated at 11:15 ETHelp

Volunteers are being sought to bring a rare collection of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle memorabilia to a wider audience.

Portsmouth City Council has received £80,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund which it hopes will enable schools and community groups to delve into the archive and create their own exhibitions.

More than 40,000 items once belonging to the Sherlock Holmes writer lie in the city's archives, with only a small amount on display at Portsmouth City Museum.

Sir Arthur created Holmes while living in Southsea, where he worked as a GP before turning his hand to writing.

Credit where credit is due.

BBC America shop

Sherlock Holmes Tulip Pub Glasses

Employing observation skills learned from the genius whose profile distinguishes this set, you may correctly deduce that each glass holds an Imperial pint (19 1/4 US oz) of alcoholic beverage and fits perfectly in your hand. Ideal for toasting your powers of deduction. Set of 2.

(1 rating)

Item Number: 17031

Availability: IN STOCK
Reg. Price: $22.98
Your Price: $19.98

BBC AMERICA SHOP

Reading for April. . .

1883 - April 1 - SPEC
1887 - April 26-REIG
1888 - April 16-IDEN
1891 - April 23-FINA
1894 - April 3 - EMPT
1895 - April 20-SOLI

Four of the most often discussed cases appear to have taken place in April.