Tuesday, February 11, 2014
A couple of fun pieces of art from deviantart. . . .
Monday, February 10, 2014
'Elementary' season Two - Episode #15 - 'Corpse de Ballet'
Well, um, not a whole lot of point in reviewing this episode from a Sherlockian perspective because, well, Sherlock Holmes was not present.
Sure we can go back to it's defense with the argument that, 'Well, after all, Sherlock Holmes was basically an early police procedural." And sure we can still find one or two little Sherlockianisms that have been used to many times already.
But that's not why we read, or watch, Sherlock Holmes stories is it?
For whatever faults we may find in 'Elementary's' contemporary, 'Sherlock', it has at least found away to capture some of the traits that has made Sherlock Holmes so popular. And if not familiar traits, at least a quirkiness that makes the character stand out from those characters in the show with him.
Unfortunately, at least for me, Miller's Holmes has dysfunctions that detract and irritate, more than accentuate a great mind of a great detective.
Sure it is fun to watch these two characters change and grow, but they could do that within this show as other than Sherlock and Watson and no one would know the difference.
It is interesting to speculate that when people talk about the show 'House' and an older show called 'QED' that people often say, "That is Sherlock Holmes that House is based on." You have to wonder if Miller and Liu's characters had different names would people be saying that?
The back stories the two characters are developing seem to be developing more just to make a story work, than to make a character deeper.
Most of what Holmes does in this years episodes is what is now done in most crime shows. And sure we can argue that Sherlock Holmes lead the way in that kind of forensic work, but to make 'Elementary' a show about Sherlock Holmes, that stands up to modern times, it needs to come up with an image that sets itself apart other the addictions and fetishes.
I like how Miller's Holmes is, at least in some ways, maturing. But the show is failing to make a connection to Sherlock Holmes except on a most basic level.
Liu's Watson's father's issues may have been a nod to Doyle's father's problems.
It seems like the show is being picked up again for maybe a couple of years, so lets keep our fingers crossed.
I can only, sadly, from a Sherlockian perspective give this episode
Sure we can go back to it's defense with the argument that, 'Well, after all, Sherlock Holmes was basically an early police procedural." And sure we can still find one or two little Sherlockianisms that have been used to many times already.
But that's not why we read, or watch, Sherlock Holmes stories is it?
For whatever faults we may find in 'Elementary's' contemporary, 'Sherlock', it has at least found away to capture some of the traits that has made Sherlock Holmes so popular. And if not familiar traits, at least a quirkiness that makes the character stand out from those characters in the show with him.
Unfortunately, at least for me, Miller's Holmes has dysfunctions that detract and irritate, more than accentuate a great mind of a great detective.
Sure it is fun to watch these two characters change and grow, but they could do that within this show as other than Sherlock and Watson and no one would know the difference.
It is interesting to speculate that when people talk about the show 'House' and an older show called 'QED' that people often say, "That is Sherlock Holmes that House is based on." You have to wonder if Miller and Liu's characters had different names would people be saying that?
The back stories the two characters are developing seem to be developing more just to make a story work, than to make a character deeper.
Most of what Holmes does in this years episodes is what is now done in most crime shows. And sure we can argue that Sherlock Holmes lead the way in that kind of forensic work, but to make 'Elementary' a show about Sherlock Holmes, that stands up to modern times, it needs to come up with an image that sets itself apart other the addictions and fetishes.
I like how Miller's Holmes is, at least in some ways, maturing. But the show is failing to make a connection to Sherlock Holmes except on a most basic level.
Liu's Watson's father's issues may have been a nod to Doyle's father's problems.
It seems like the show is being picked up again for maybe a couple of years, so lets keep our fingers crossed.
I can only, sadly, from a Sherlockian perspective give this episode
I hope others enjoyed it, from a Sherlock Holmes point of view, more than I did.
Friday, February 7, 2014
Seven Degrees of Sherlock Holmes ( a little late ) - number #38 - old movies - Lyndon Brook
Okay, it's cold, it's been a long week of working outside, so I took an easy, yet interesting, connection this time.
Once again, catching up on old movies, I started with a British Favorite from 1956, about a British WW2 hero, and chose an actor from in the movie. However, not the star, because we have already done him once.
Kenneth More (1914 - 1982) starred in a 1956 movie called 'Reach for the Sky'
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Once again, catching up on old movies, I started with a British Favorite from 1956, about a British WW2 hero, and chose an actor from in the movie. However, not the star, because we have already done him once.
Kenneth More (1914 - 1982) starred in a 1956 movie called 'Reach for the Sky'
(A wonderful movie made when there were still some Spitfires and Hurricanes still around)
Also in the movie was Lyndon Brook (1926-2004)
He was the son of Clive Brook (1887 - 1974)
who starred as Sherlock Holmes in 1929's 'The Return of Sherlock Holmes'
So there you have it, there you are.
Thursday, February 6, 2014
Tuesday, February 4, 2014
An informal poll. . . .
A couple of days ago Doyleockian posted an inquiry that I was afraid to get involved with.
He bravely asked the question, "Is Sherlock Holmes Sexy?"
So, firmly tongue-in-cheek, I decided to have another poll.
This one along the lines of the old Gilligan's Island theme asking, "Mary Ann or Ginger?"
So here goes.
Mary Ann
Ginger
Irene One
Irene Two
Mary One
Mary Two
Voilet
He bravely asked the question, "Is Sherlock Holmes Sexy?"
So, firmly tongue-in-cheek, I decided to have another poll.
This one along the lines of the old Gilligan's Island theme asking, "Mary Ann or Ginger?"
So here goes.
Mary Ann
Ginger
"Sherlock"- Season Three, Episode Three - "His Last Vow" - It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.
Corrections.
As James pointed out, I missed the point that Sherlock showed positive on the drug test. And although that changes my theory about Molly's behavior, I stand by my pipe scale.
Loved the beginning.
Okay with the middle.
Did not like the ending.
James makes some very good points, but some of them could be argued either way. And that is what it's all about.
Thanks James.
To be honest, I still am not sure how I feel about the latest episode, "His Last Vow".
I loved the beginning.
Liked the middle.
And not sure how I feel about the end.
The first third to one-half of the episode, for me, was the most Canonically convincing yet.
I loved the references to TWIS, and how that story line was handled.
Also the introduction of CHAR or C.A.M.
The addition of Wiggins, or Billy if you prefer, was fun without being to silly or slapstick.
What little humor there was in this episode, for the most part, was handled appropriately. More like the way funny moments would happen in any one's life. The tit-for-tat when, John and Mary were leaving their apartment, and when all were leaving the drug den, and again when John finds out Sherlock is dating was well balanced and not over-played.
The acting all around was once again top notch. Again, for me, this was the best I had seen Benedict Cumberbatch in all the episodes. Martin Freeman could do not wrong. And I still love Amanda Abbington as Mary. (Although I don't like Mary as well.)
The question of whether or not Sherlock is still a virgin was answered, however, still leaving some questions unanswered. "His Last Vow" perhaps suggesting he won't go down that path again.
Magnussen was almost played more like the reptilian Moriarty, and at times his character would almost go over-board, but they had the sense to pull it back before it went to far.
It was fun to see Holmes' parents given a little more weight in character.
However, other than John and Mary's confrontation by the fireplace, the whole cottage Christmas was lost on me, especially once the drugging took place. It definitely turned into a 'BLUE' Christmas.
Molly's reaction to Holmes being found in a drug den, although proven clean, was almost to much until you realized that it was probably played as repressed emotions coming out about unrequited love, while watching Holmes take on another girl friend, and her loss of the boy friend.
I liked the fact that Janine handled the abbreviated engagement the way she did, while still telling Holmes off about his behavior with her emotions.
There were times, when watching the last third of the episode, and James stated the same, that I felt I was watching an episode of 'Elementary'. The resolution became overly complicated and convoluted.
But, darn, for the life of me I don't know how it could have been done differently once Mary was shown to be a female James Bond.
Holmes couldn't let Mary kill C.A.M. because he knew Watson could not live with that, but he also knew Watson needed to know the truth about Mary.
The whole figuring out how Holmes was not going to die after being shoot was a little to Guy Ritchie for me and went on a hair to long.
The ending seemed escapist also. Meaning they got to a place where the ending was, again, very convoluted and they couldn't figure out how to get out of it. So they suggested Moriarty wasn't dead, and the murdering Holmes was needed to save England.
I still don't know where the connection is between the drug den and the case against Magnussen. It either was never stated or I missed it.
The explanation about Janine's connection to both Mary and C.A.M. was to easy, it makes one, or should, wonder if Janine was in on the blackmail all along. Mary's bridesmaid works for Magnussen, and Mary did not know that? Or was Mary using Janine so she could get access to him?
Was everyone using poor Janine?????
I know! It's kind of a rambling review, but that's how I feel about the show.
It was, for me, at times the best episode. While at times having a few shortcomings.
So, to be fair to my confusion, I give the first part of this episode
As James pointed out, I missed the point that Sherlock showed positive on the drug test. And although that changes my theory about Molly's behavior, I stand by my pipe scale.
Loved the beginning.
Okay with the middle.
Did not like the ending.
James makes some very good points, but some of them could be argued either way. And that is what it's all about.
Thanks James.
To be honest, I still am not sure how I feel about the latest episode, "His Last Vow".
I loved the beginning.
Liked the middle.
And not sure how I feel about the end.
The first third to one-half of the episode, for me, was the most Canonically convincing yet.
I loved the references to TWIS, and how that story line was handled.
Also the introduction of CHAR or C.A.M.
The addition of Wiggins, or Billy if you prefer, was fun without being to silly or slapstick.
What little humor there was in this episode, for the most part, was handled appropriately. More like the way funny moments would happen in any one's life. The tit-for-tat when, John and Mary were leaving their apartment, and when all were leaving the drug den, and again when John finds out Sherlock is dating was well balanced and not over-played.
The acting all around was once again top notch. Again, for me, this was the best I had seen Benedict Cumberbatch in all the episodes. Martin Freeman could do not wrong. And I still love Amanda Abbington as Mary. (Although I don't like Mary as well.)
The question of whether or not Sherlock is still a virgin was answered, however, still leaving some questions unanswered. "His Last Vow" perhaps suggesting he won't go down that path again.
Magnussen was almost played more like the reptilian Moriarty, and at times his character would almost go over-board, but they had the sense to pull it back before it went to far.
It was fun to see Holmes' parents given a little more weight in character.
However, other than John and Mary's confrontation by the fireplace, the whole cottage Christmas was lost on me, especially once the drugging took place. It definitely turned into a 'BLUE' Christmas.
Molly's reaction to Holmes being found in a drug den, although proven clean, was almost to much until you realized that it was probably played as repressed emotions coming out about unrequited love, while watching Holmes take on another girl friend, and her loss of the boy friend.
I liked the fact that Janine handled the abbreviated engagement the way she did, while still telling Holmes off about his behavior with her emotions.
There were times, when watching the last third of the episode, and James stated the same, that I felt I was watching an episode of 'Elementary'. The resolution became overly complicated and convoluted.
But, darn, for the life of me I don't know how it could have been done differently once Mary was shown to be a female James Bond.
Holmes couldn't let Mary kill C.A.M. because he knew Watson could not live with that, but he also knew Watson needed to know the truth about Mary.
The whole figuring out how Holmes was not going to die after being shoot was a little to Guy Ritchie for me and went on a hair to long.
The ending seemed escapist also. Meaning they got to a place where the ending was, again, very convoluted and they couldn't figure out how to get out of it. So they suggested Moriarty wasn't dead, and the murdering Holmes was needed to save England.
I still don't know where the connection is between the drug den and the case against Magnussen. It either was never stated or I missed it.
The explanation about Janine's connection to both Mary and C.A.M. was to easy, it makes one, or should, wonder if Janine was in on the blackmail all along. Mary's bridesmaid works for Magnussen, and Mary did not know that? Or was Mary using Janine so she could get access to him?
Was everyone using poor Janine?????
I know! It's kind of a rambling review, but that's how I feel about the show.
It was, for me, at times the best episode. While at times having a few shortcomings.
So, to be fair to my confusion, I give the first part of this episode
The middle I give;
and the end .
so over all about
unless I change my mind and think about it more.
Over all I think I found it a strong episode with some well done connections to the Canon.
My dislikes are very minor. and the parts I liked, I liked a lot.
The ending has me disappointed about the beginnings of the next series, but I am willing to hope I will be surprised.
Monday, February 3, 2014
Sunday, February 2, 2014
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