Oh, I wish I could. . . .

EBAY

Seven Degrees of Sherlock Holmes - #24 - Dan Aykroyd

Again, I didn't think this one would go as quick as it did, but it does have an interesting side note..
So here goes.


Dan Aykroyd - (1952)

was in the 1979 film '1941', or was it the 1941 film '`1971', well anyway. . .

which was directed by Steven Spielberg (1946) (much to John Wayne's and Charlton Heston's dismay).

who we have made a connection with several times for his involvement in the production of 1985's

'Young Sherlock Holmes".

But did you know that Dan Aykroyd is a Spiritualist, as was his dentist Grandfather, who corresponded with Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

So Dan may have some connections that are even closer, if you know what I mean.

So, there you have it, there you are.

This is interesting. . .

Thankful villages

The village of Upper Slaughter

I may try to save my money and go. . .

Canadians Sherlocked

'Elementary' Season Two - Episode Two - 'Solve For X' - a review

After the euphoric anticipation of season two and the good start with the first episode last week, this week came as somewhat of a disappointment.

And I so wanted to write another good review.

I am hoping it was just me having a down week, and that there were a lot more connections than I was able to pick up.

The references I picked up were.

1. Soto used as a name. Perhaps a reference to Sholto.(Which I could not hear well, so it may have been spelled differently)
2. Consulting detective (this time however used to describe Watson)
3. Holmes' acute sense of smell.
4. Reference to Watson sort of being a little 'Victorian' in her behavior
5. Encryption and hidden messages.
6. mathematics (perhaps a reference to Moriarty)
7. Holmes lack of respect for the abilities of  the police (Scotland Yard) to use observational skills.

(help me find some more)

The episode lacked any great deductive reasoning, and the crime itself was almost second fiddle to Watson's personal issues in this episode. Although the death of two great mathematicians could have made a great story it was not written has well as it could have been. It seemed a walk through for Holmes to solve. The only real good find was the hidden writing.

The gal playing the murderer (Lynn Collins), who has normally quite substantial acting chops, was unconvincing as a math professor and well respected mathematician. I did not believe she was in competition for a great math discovery. And considering she had already solved the mystery of the math, she was far ahead of the others, and only needed to find a coder.
Maybe that is why she needed the money. Well anyway, she can celebrate her discovery in prison.

It was nice to see the relationship developing between Holmes and Watson as a good friendship based on respect. Holmes handled the issue with Joey very well, giving Watson his advice but allowing her to make her own decisions.
And those how complain about Holmes being a spoiled man-child can not complain about that behavior in this episode. Although lacking in deductive things to do, he did carry his part of the partnership this week.

I have to say I now agree with those who say they are taking Watson to far as a partner and not a side kick. Watson's deductions are almost overshadowing Holmes'. I like it when Watson is an inspiration or catalysis, but not the detective. They still need to find that balance yet.

The episode did not have quite as much quirkiness to it, which was good. The only real one was the shirtless mathematician.

I think Miller did some good acting, but did not have much Sherlockian to work with.
Lucy Liu seemed a little flat this week.

Did anyone else notice a theme with the number 2 this week. Maybe I'm reaching.

Two times was said, "I don't want any trouble."
Two murder victims.
Two times Joey asked for Money.
22,000 dollars.
2 false suspects.

I don't know, I guess I'm reaching.

So, after a great start last week. . . I can only give it. . .

this week.

Well I never. . .

made the connection before.

But Dr. Mortimer in Brett's 'Hound' is played by an Alastair Duncan

seen here with Brett.











Shares the same name (well pretty close) as one of my favorite Sherlockian bloggers.

Alistair Duncan

and he to is posting about Hound today.

Tour de Hound - Chapter #15 - it's more about what's not there . . .

It has been fun reviewing the Hound in the way I have over the last month. What seemed to start out as a friendly joint tour of the Hound soon took a detour that required me going it alone.
The Hound being one of my favorite stories, I didn't find this too cumbersome of a task.

I think the first sentence of the chapter pretty well sums up how we feel about the story coming to an end; "It was the end of November, and Holmes and I sat, upon a raw and foggy night, on either side of a blazing fire in our sitting-room in Baker St,"  Who doesn't wish they were there with them!!!

After all, isn't this where Sherlock Holmes stories are suppose to start and end. For the most part I think most of use would be real happy if most Holmes stories took place almost completely within those walls, with just occasional foray's about London. We must at least start and end at Baker St.
That is the one place where we can always find both men as we wish to see them.

Once again while in 221b Watson (Doyle) teases us about cases we will never read.
We hear about a mischievous colonel, but we never get to hear of his crime. (Did this mysterious colonel know Moran?)

What could have been so gross or bizarre about Mme. Montpensier's case that we find her convicted of the murder of her step-daughter.

But alas, we are never to know.

But at least we are back at Baker St. I don't think, probably, that there is a Sherlockian out there that doesn't, at least at some point in their Sherlockian career, wish they had the money and resources to build and furnish their own version of 221b. Most of us have to settle for one or two little items that we can imagine Holmes or Watson may have had.

Most of the chapter is taken up with Holmes finally explaining to Watson all the little details he did not know at the conclusion of the adventure in Dartmoor. After all they couldn't talk about it on the train back because Lestrade was with them.

After almost a month, Sir Henry, who we thought was built of sterner stuff, still has not recuperated from his ordeal and must take a long voyage to get better. (I don't think it took Lestrade as long to bounce back.) Personally I think he is accompanying Dr. Mortimer who is splitting from his wife and needs some man time with a friend.

What became of the lovely Beryl, and although we know Holmes had more contact with her, we learn nothing about what happens to her.

For me the ending didn't actually come in the story until the very end when Holmes invites Watson to go out for dinner and a play. Once again we are back to the familiar and known.

It is interesting to note, as I am sure many Sherlockian scholars have already pointed out else where,

that one Edouard de Reszke performed several times in London in the opera Les Huguenots between 1888 - 1900. These were at the Royal Opera House at Coven Gardens.

See ya next tour. 

(Did anyone actually count how many times Watson checks his gun in the Granada HOUN?)

Trivia question of the dayweekmonthyear for today

Give me a Sherlockian connection to Angela Lansbury, CBE (1925)

Oct. reading - a busy month by anyone's standards

Chris Miller

RESI - 1881
NOBL - 1887
HOUN - 1889
REDH - 1890
VEIL - 1896
THOR - 1899
                                                     

Baring-Gould

MUSG - 1879
RESI - 1886
NOBL - 1886
SECO - 1886
IDEN - 1887
REDH - 1887
VEIL - 1896
THOR - 1900

Seven Degrees of Sherlock Holmes - #23 - Halle Berry

A quicker one than I thought.

Halle Berry, beautiful and talented (1966)

had her film debut in 1991's 'Jungle Fever'

which featured Samuel L. Jackson (1948)

who was in 1993's 'Jurassic Park' 

which was directed by Steven Spielberg (1946)

who was executive producer of 1985's 'Young Sherlock Holmes'

There you have it, there you are.