Ah, TV. You're a giver. I overindulged in my addiction of choice (as opposed to copious chocolate eating) Sunday night, starting with the Grammys, a bit of rapid tweeting with friends, then onto Downton, thinking an extra hour up was totally justifable, then inevitably, sitting through the 2 hour Sherlock telling myself I'd stop at midnight. Riiight. In all fairness, I caught up on my rest the night before thanks to a super helpful stomach bug. It all evens out.
This format of the last two Sherlock installments has been very different. The Sign of Three split its focus between John's wedding day and several unsolved cases that end up being related. And of course last week's episode focused on Sherlock dealing with reaquiting himself with his old life while solving keeping Parliment from blowing up.
More importantly, Sherlock is really quite likeable. And I'm not sure if I don't like the abrassive Sherlock more. The Best Man's speech? How he really didn't understand important things like love and beauty and commitment and John did? I think he mists over at one point. How he solved murders but John saved lives? And putting John and Mary's happiness over his need for routine? Awesome, but where do we go from here? Also, he seemed a tad disappointed that the maid of honor found a guy to dance with and didn't need him to sniff out a man for her anymore.
I'm all in for the last in the series and I'm sure I'll have to rewatch all 3 to stave off the Sherlock sized hole in my entertainment schedule.
Onto Downton...
This week's episode felt like a placeholder to move the series along. The gist: Lord Grantham helped a landowner keep his farm. More guys are into Lady Mary. Tom wonders if he should go to America to give his daughter a better start, though I doubt he will. I felt like they were just giving the character something to say. Violet thinks a new gardener stole her letter opener (yawn). And the Doctor and Isobel are so going to happen. Downstairs, Alfred tested for an opportunity to become a trained chef and narrowly missed, pleasing Daisy who really likes him. Thomas continues to be oily and brings in a friend to turn the other staff around to liking him. Bates learned the truth about Anna's attack and is quietly planning his revenge (he's scary).
The last Sherlock and the next Downton resume February 2nd. For some more blogging fun, head over the the Pioneer Woman's blog under Entertainment for BigMama and BooMama's take on the respective series.
Showing posts with label Sherlock. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sherlock. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 28, 2014
Monday, January 20, 2014
Sherlock Recap: The Empty Hearse
I won't go into a play by play because I do have a bit of a life and responsibilities, plus a great one can be found here. My impression:
*Completely satisfying overall.
* Sherlock comes back as a quasi-leading man. He's always so curt and dismissive, but upon rising from the faux ashes, he's debonair, dashing, kissing Molly (!), and playing jokes on Watson. I guessing tracking down terror cells gives you time to miss your friends. And get buff. Dude has guns in the opening sequence as he's being tortured.
* Sherlock has a "mind palace" similar to the brainy character from Community. I've not read Doyle's short stories, so I must assume Community is paying homage to Holmes.
*Sherlock has very normal parents! Mycroft is the smarter of the two! And Sherlock points out that Mycroft's own shortcoming is his isolation, his loneliness. Might Sherlock be open to a companion, dare I say a romantic entanglement, especially since Watson is to be married? Prolly not, but they do like to tease us.
*Didn't you love how Sherlock congratulates Molly on her engagement? He's always belittled her crush on him. It was nice.
And on to Downton:
*A succinct plot summary can be found here.
* Love the friendship of equals between Mrs. Hughes and Mr. Carson. Her giving him that framed picture of his long-forgotten sweetheart. I wonder if their relationship will remain just that or ever move beyond. Mr. Carson reminds me of the main character in The Remains of the Day who chooses being married to service rather that taking a chance on his own life. I'd love to see Carson move out of the shadow of the Great House and live for himself.
*Speaking of Mrs. Hughes, she's kinda like a Big Momma. Everyone runs to her skirts, even the former hot-head, Tom. Didn't you love her dressing down Edna? Girlfriend told her. Two snaps, Mrs. Hughes. Don't leave the door hit ya, Edna. Though I daresay (as Mrs. Hughes would say) that the trollop will make a reappearance, make no mistake.
*Ah, Mary. Ever the beauty. Her new love, Lord Gillingham, is lovely. (I sound like Andie McDowell from Four Weddings and a Funeral. I have watched way, way too much television in my life). When he says she'll be in his prayers always, after having turned down his proposal? SWOON. That is romance, young people.
*Edith "as obvious as a bucket," according to Mary, crosses the point of no return with her not-quite fiancé, Gregson. Sisters, Sisters. There were never such devoted sisters. Her aunt warns her that though times have changed, not everything does. I think the guy is on the up-and-up. Her character seems destined for disappointment, but I hope they cut her a break and don't make this man some double agent or swindler. He seems fairly noble. Aside from putting her in an awkward position and cheating on his wife. Details.
Did you enjoy last night? Any predictions for Sherlock or Downton Abbey?
*Completely satisfying overall.
* Sherlock comes back as a quasi-leading man. He's always so curt and dismissive, but upon rising from the faux ashes, he's debonair, dashing, kissing Molly (!), and playing jokes on Watson. I guessing tracking down terror cells gives you time to miss your friends. And get buff. Dude has guns in the opening sequence as he's being tortured.
* Sherlock has a "mind palace" similar to the brainy character from Community. I've not read Doyle's short stories, so I must assume Community is paying homage to Holmes.
*Sherlock has very normal parents! Mycroft is the smarter of the two! And Sherlock points out that Mycroft's own shortcoming is his isolation, his loneliness. Might Sherlock be open to a companion, dare I say a romantic entanglement, especially since Watson is to be married? Prolly not, but they do like to tease us.
*Didn't you love how Sherlock congratulates Molly on her engagement? He's always belittled her crush on him. It was nice.
And on to Downton:
*A succinct plot summary can be found here.
* Love the friendship of equals between Mrs. Hughes and Mr. Carson. Her giving him that framed picture of his long-forgotten sweetheart. I wonder if their relationship will remain just that or ever move beyond. Mr. Carson reminds me of the main character in The Remains of the Day who chooses being married to service rather that taking a chance on his own life. I'd love to see Carson move out of the shadow of the Great House and live for himself.
*Speaking of Mrs. Hughes, she's kinda like a Big Momma. Everyone runs to her skirts, even the former hot-head, Tom. Didn't you love her dressing down Edna? Girlfriend told her. Two snaps, Mrs. Hughes. Don't leave the door hit ya, Edna. Though I daresay (as Mrs. Hughes would say) that the trollop will make a reappearance, make no mistake.
*Ah, Mary. Ever the beauty. Her new love, Lord Gillingham, is lovely. (I sound like Andie McDowell from Four Weddings and a Funeral. I have watched way, way too much television in my life). When he says she'll be in his prayers always, after having turned down his proposal? SWOON. That is romance, young people.
*Edith "as obvious as a bucket," according to Mary, crosses the point of no return with her not-quite fiancé, Gregson. Sisters, Sisters. There were never such devoted sisters. Her aunt warns her that though times have changed, not everything does. I think the guy is on the up-and-up. Her character seems destined for disappointment, but I hope they cut her a break and don't make this man some double agent or swindler. He seems fairly noble. Aside from putting her in an awkward position and cheating on his wife. Details.
Did you enjoy last night? Any predictions for Sherlock or Downton Abbey?
Sunday, January 19, 2014
Turn on the Telly...
To the BBC! Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! (Name that movie reference.)
It's a double header tonight on PBS: episode 3 of Downton Abbey and the return of Sherlock.
I am so happy.
If you have some time this afternoon, find the series here or on your streaming source of choice. Watch The Reichenbach Fall to set-up the return of Sherlock.
All I can say is it will amaze you. The psychological intrigue, the twists, the unexpected depth of relationships-- it's all there. I wouldn't call myself a mystery lover, but everyone loves a good story and this is one.
Watson to Sherlock: "You... you told me once that you weren't a hero. Umm, there were times I didn't even think you were human. But let me tell you this, you were the best man, the most human... human being that I've ever known, and no-one will ever convince me that you told me a lie, so there. I was so alone, and I owe you so much...."
This is one of the last lines of the episode, and I won't give away why this quote is so powerful if you aren't familiar with the details of the stories. But whoa. That's what being human is, right? To connect.
I rewatched this episode, which runs about an hour and half, this weekend. I felt all the feelings, just like the first viewing last year.
If you need a story to get lost in, this is the one.
Oh, yes, and Downton's back. It leads in Sherlock, which begins at 10. I'm hoping for lots of jazz, doing the Charleston, and Rose behaving badly (just not too badly). I'm hoping Tom mans up and checks Edna's advances, and that Edith doesn't forgo her virtue to a married man. Put a ring on it, fella. When he's speaking the Deutsch and his marriage is legally over.
Wishing you a wonderful day of rest and relaxation.
Recap tomorrow!
It's a double header tonight on PBS: episode 3 of Downton Abbey and the return of Sherlock.
 |
| From http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/sherlock/ |
I am so happy.
If you have some time this afternoon, find the series here or on your streaming source of choice. Watch The Reichenbach Fall to set-up the return of Sherlock.
All I can say is it will amaze you. The psychological intrigue, the twists, the unexpected depth of relationships-- it's all there. I wouldn't call myself a mystery lover, but everyone loves a good story and this is one.
Watson to Sherlock: "You... you told me once that you weren't a hero. Umm, there were times I didn't even think you were human. But let me tell you this, you were the best man, the most human... human being that I've ever known, and no-one will ever convince me that you told me a lie, so there. I was so alone, and I owe you so much...."
This is one of the last lines of the episode, and I won't give away why this quote is so powerful if you aren't familiar with the details of the stories. But whoa. That's what being human is, right? To connect.
I rewatched this episode, which runs about an hour and half, this weekend. I felt all the feelings, just like the first viewing last year.
If you need a story to get lost in, this is the one.
Oh, yes, and Downton's back. It leads in Sherlock, which begins at 10. I'm hoping for lots of jazz, doing the Charleston, and Rose behaving badly (just not too badly). I'm hoping Tom mans up and checks Edna's advances, and that Edith doesn't forgo her virtue to a married man. Put a ring on it, fella. When he's speaking the Deutsch and his marriage is legally over.
Wishing you a wonderful day of rest and relaxation.
Recap tomorrow!
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