Sherlock 2x01 - A Scandal in Belgravia
Jan. 2nd, 2012 10:41 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
allopenstarArthur really has the perfect round blond head, doesn't he? Love Bradley James, and when he is nicely done up as King of Camelot.
Caught the new episode of Sherlock. Smart and witty as ever, and I would say that the style of this ep is similar to that of third episode of the first series, The Great Game. Unfortunately, not as good as the first episode, The Study In Pink though.
The plotline is a little disjointed, and at times too convenient, which is typically of Moffat's writing right now, as evident by the terrible ending of Doctor Who Season 6. It may not be predictable, but it can be too contrived, which gets annoying after a few of the gimmicks. Boomerang really? Phone call really? :/
Irene Adler seemed to be defined by her gender in this episode. Forever immortalised as The Woman? I am not sure if I am comfortable with that. They are trying their best not to write her as an outright love interest, and trying to keep her connection to Sherlock as ambiguous. But I think they are trying too hard. They keep swinging the pendulum, and it gets annoying and disjointed after a while. I would prefer for her NOT to be the love interest though, because then her character can stand on its own merits. Oh right, not to forget Moffat's mummy issues, as evident by the latest Doctor Who Christmas special and the Season 6 plotline of Amy Pond in Doctor Who. Heck, Season 5 even.
I kind of love the random pieces of conversation that I do not understand, because it brings realism into the story. Like random phrases. I don't get it, but I will continue to try to figure it out. That's why it is fun to watch Sherlock, because your always get something new when you rewatch it multiple times.
Also, what are they trying to establish? That Sherlock is asexual but hetereoromantic? That Irene Adler is the ONLY woman for him, the only one who can rouse his interest? See? Is she a love interest or is she not? It gets annoying after a while. Is she romantically interested in him or is it just the game?
Also, did Irene Adler say she was gay, when she said "I am" after John declared that he wasn't gay. If so, presumably she is at the very least bisexual? Very interesting. ETA: Or maybe not? Maybe she is homosexual biromantic? Well, as long as they don't write it as she is a lesbian, but "oh the amazingness of Sherlock is able to overcome her sexuality", I am fine with it.
BUT, the whole dominatrix thing is once again too TV. Real D/s relationships aren't necessarily like that, though they can be. Dislike how they tried to hype it up for entertainment value.
I just wish they had allowed her character to stand on its own merits, without making the key thing about her her gender or her role in Sherlock's life. Also, wished the plot transitions and the way they fit into the final plotline not too contrived.
ETA: I really dislike how the women were treated in this ep, upon further consideration. See how all young and beautiful women are problems in one way or another, and how Mrs Hudson, the mothering type, is suddenly upheld as the ideal woman. Oh Moffat, your issues are showing. I think that Irene was written sufficiently complex that her character remains compelling, but I wish I could have gotten all the complexity without the issues. Is this too much to ask? UGH.
Here's hoping next week's ep will be better.
Nevertheless, Sherlock is one of the smartest show on TV right now, and I am always weak to that. BBC's marketing strategy is also brilliant, and the market won't get over saturated too quickly, with only three eps per season, so I can see this series lasting a long time. Also, beginning with this series in the new year is a good start. Basically, Sherlock is always worth watching despite its flaws, because it is just that good. It is a must watch, for anyone who appreciates intelligent TV shows.
Will have more thoughts upon more rewatch and discussion.
They played some really intriguing intersections between love and sex and all involving someone who's asexual, decrying love and dismissing sex. - (x) I enjoy the thoughts of this analysis. I guess complicated complexity might be good somewhat? Wish I didn't have to untangle and make sense of it on my own though, it could have been done in a smarter manner.
And someone who disagrees and prefers RDJ's version - (x) I am no expert on ACD canon, so I guess my preference can be skewed, but I definitely prefer BBC's version. It is smarter and more engaging to me, because RDJ's Holmes seems to be more about physicality rather than deduction. I also like that we get to see BBC's Sherlock process of deduction. Though I do agree to the point that Irene's story always ultimately about her getting one over Sherlock, and this episode does not demonstrate that at all.
On my fourth rewatch now.
Caught the new episode of Sherlock. Smart and witty as ever, and I would say that the style of this ep is similar to that of third episode of the first series, The Great Game. Unfortunately, not as good as the first episode, The Study In Pink though.
The plotline is a little disjointed, and at times too convenient, which is typically of Moffat's writing right now, as evident by the terrible ending of Doctor Who Season 6. It may not be predictable, but it can be too contrived, which gets annoying after a few of the gimmicks. Boomerang really? Phone call really? :/
Irene Adler seemed to be defined by her gender in this episode. Forever immortalised as The Woman? I am not sure if I am comfortable with that. They are trying their best not to write her as an outright love interest, and trying to keep her connection to Sherlock as ambiguous. But I think they are trying too hard. They keep swinging the pendulum, and it gets annoying and disjointed after a while. I would prefer for her NOT to be the love interest though, because then her character can stand on its own merits. Oh right, not to forget Moffat's mummy issues, as evident by the latest Doctor Who Christmas special and the Season 6 plotline of Amy Pond in Doctor Who. Heck, Season 5 even.
I kind of love the random pieces of conversation that I do not understand, because it brings realism into the story. Like random phrases. I don't get it, but I will continue to try to figure it out. That's why it is fun to watch Sherlock, because your always get something new when you rewatch it multiple times.
Also, what are they trying to establish? That Sherlock is asexual but hetereoromantic? That Irene Adler is the ONLY woman for him, the only one who can rouse his interest? See? Is she a love interest or is she not? It gets annoying after a while. Is she romantically interested in him or is it just the game?
Also, did Irene Adler say she was gay, when she said "I am" after John declared that he wasn't gay. If so, presumably she is at the very least bisexual? Very interesting. ETA: Or maybe not? Maybe she is homosexual biromantic? Well, as long as they don't write it as she is a lesbian, but "oh the amazingness of Sherlock is able to overcome her sexuality", I am fine with it.
BUT, the whole dominatrix thing is once again too TV. Real D/s relationships aren't necessarily like that, though they can be. Dislike how they tried to hype it up for entertainment value.
I just wish they had allowed her character to stand on its own merits, without making the key thing about her her gender or her role in Sherlock's life. Also, wished the plot transitions and the way they fit into the final plotline not too contrived.
ETA: I really dislike how the women were treated in this ep, upon further consideration. See how all young and beautiful women are problems in one way or another, and how Mrs Hudson, the mothering type, is suddenly upheld as the ideal woman. Oh Moffat, your issues are showing. I think that Irene was written sufficiently complex that her character remains compelling, but I wish I could have gotten all the complexity without the issues. Is this too much to ask? UGH.
Here's hoping next week's ep will be better.
Nevertheless, Sherlock is one of the smartest show on TV right now, and I am always weak to that. BBC's marketing strategy is also brilliant, and the market won't get over saturated too quickly, with only three eps per season, so I can see this series lasting a long time. Also, beginning with this series in the new year is a good start. Basically, Sherlock is always worth watching despite its flaws, because it is just that good. It is a must watch, for anyone who appreciates intelligent TV shows.
Will have more thoughts upon more rewatch and discussion.
They played some really intriguing intersections between love and sex and all involving someone who's asexual, decrying love and dismissing sex. - (x) I enjoy the thoughts of this analysis. I guess complicated complexity might be good somewhat? Wish I didn't have to untangle and make sense of it on my own though, it could have been done in a smarter manner.
And someone who disagrees and prefers RDJ's version - (x) I am no expert on ACD canon, so I guess my preference can be skewed, but I definitely prefer BBC's version. It is smarter and more engaging to me, because RDJ's Holmes seems to be more about physicality rather than deduction. I also like that we get to see BBC's Sherlock process of deduction. Though I do agree to the point that Irene's story always ultimately about her getting one over Sherlock, and this episode does not demonstrate that at all.
On my fourth rewatch now.
