Warning: There may be mild spoilers!!
We settle for okay television, shows that are an entertaining 22 minute escape from our daily grind, or a series that is just shy of an hour of drama that keeps us piqued.
But it’s incredibly rare that we come across a show that is so perfectly crafted it puts the vast majority of Hollywood movies to shame.
And yet somehow the BBC has nurtured a series that trumps even the best of what is an impressive HBO lineup with ease.
Yes, part of it is that I’m a fan. But as a fan I also loathe the show because the writers, producers, directors, and actors have all managed to create a frustratingly addictive production that has been all-encompassing for 11 measly days and now leaves fans wound up for another two years of anticipation.
‘Sherlock’ is like a boyfriend who turns you on then walks away, and it’s hell.
The Last Vow is the culmination of more than 600 days of anticipation, followed immediately by 11 days of overwound conjecture on where season three was headed. After having opened with two episodes that delved more into humour than fans were used to, episode three took all the missed opportunities for dark drama and packed them in on top.
Where Moriarty’s character, mostly I’m sure due to Andrew Scott’s incredible acting, was equal parts terrifying and engaging, our newest villain – Charles Augustus Magnussen played by Lars Mikkelsen – is cold, calculating and straight-forward. He doesn’t care about Sherlock, there’s very little of the cat-and-mouse we got with Moriarty, and on Sherlock’s part there’s no admiration, just distaste for the conniving media mogul.
The episode is chalk full lies, heart-breaking betrayals, and adorably ‘Sherlock’ reconciliations. From learning what the Telegram from ‘Cam’ that Sherlock read at John and Mary’s wedding means, Molly finally lashing out at Sherlock, to Mycroft making an absolutely shocking admission, the episode covers all emotional bases.
The acting is above reproach as well, and not only on the parts of Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman, but Louise Brealey’s Molly and Amanda Abbington’s Mary both shine are strong-willed and invaluable members of the cast.
‘The Reichenbach Fall’ was at the time the best episode of anything I’d ever seen on tv, but after tonight it has some serious competition.
And that makes me both happy and so incredibly annoyed.
Marg's Meanderings 