Pete Messum Reviews...

So, here we are. The Final Problem. No, not that final problem from Series Two all those years ago, but the definitive final problem. Sherlock's last case. I'm going to cut to the chase: The Final Problem is an exhilarating roller coaster of emotions and revelations, but is sadly so fragile in its plot construction and writing that a if you were to concentrate just a little you'd notice the cracks almost instantly, meaning that Mark Gatiss and Steven Moffat's teleplay is oddly enough one of their least tight. I'm not sure if it's the weakest in its construction, and certainly doesn't falter to the levels of The Abominable Bride, nor does it have the rather poor structure of The Six Thatchers, but The Final Problem just doesn't hold up to much, if any scrutiny. So, Sherlock has discovered that he had a sister when he was younger, and that Mycroft had kept her hidden away in a facility called Sherrinford since her and Sherlock were young children. At f...

Before starting this review, I want to say that I am not holding the ending to The Lying Detective as part of my conclusion whatsoever. It's unfair to pass judgement on a plot twist at the end of an episode that is more of a tease to next week's than it is an intrinsic part of this particular story. The Lying Detective picks up not long after the events of The Six Thatchers with a depressed John Watson seeing his wife everywhere he looks - a combination of grief and guilt physically manifested in his subconscious. He and Sherlock haven't spoken in some time, until Mrs Hudson drives up to his Therapist's door in a flashy car with Sherlock in the boot and Molly on her way. Sherlock is high on pretty much everything, and whilst being completely off his face he's picked up a case involving Culverton Smith's apparent murder of someone. Now, The Lying Detective is the sort of episode I have to think twice about. It's a Steven Moffat script, and that usually...

Sorry for the lateness of this review. I did write this last week, but I completely forgot to post it. Although, to be fair I completely forgot Sherlock was actually on last week! There's a reason I've never reviewed Sherlock before and that's kind of because of the controversial hype culture its developed since its inception in 2010. Back when it first started, Sherlock was this out of nowhere hit that surprised everyone, and being co-created by Steven Moffat, and after how great his first series as show-runner on Doctor Who had been, it didn't seem to be a fluke at the time. Two years later and Sherlock: series two basically blew everyone away with how brilliant it was, and made Sherlock such a big deal that anyone who hadn't watched the show before was either caught up in the hype culture it had created or had the complete antithesis of hating the show and how big it had become. That's probably why series three was the one that really divided people, wit...

Well, glad I didn't go and see it at the cinema. So, Sherlock is back for a one-off special two years after the slightly underwhelming but ultimately enjoyable third series. Steven Moffat promised us a one-off Victorian-set episode that acts as a completely standalone episode. Fair enough. So, as the episode starts, why is their a 'so far on Sherlock' previously montage (and not a very good one at that)? Well, I guess it sets up a new continuity with the 'or, alternatively...', but...was it really needed? The Abominable Bride starts off with a flashback to when Dr John Watson and Sherlock Holmes first met, recreating the familiar scene from A Study In Pink in Victorian fashion. There's something slightly off about it though... As the brand new title sequence brings us a new rendition of the theme tune and some clever teases for later in the episode, it would seem that this will be a unique, special episode in Sherlock. As the episode continues, we're gu...

THE EMPTY HEARSE: An interesting title that wastes a perfectly good story opportunity but never mind. The story lacks the case and mystery that it starts out with, but it is genuinely entertaining television. Such a pity that Lord James Moran was horrible underused. Mary Morstan comes across as an interesting character and it certainly brings the viewer back to the world of Sherlock once again. 9/10 THE SIGN OF THREE: This episode is mostly made for laughs and it works! The jokes are fantastic, but its such a pity the reveal of the murderer was so boring and easy to work out. 9/10 HIS LAST VOW: A fascinating episode but the Mind Palace becomes boring after the first minute, and the ending lacked the scale it should have had. I'm unsure why Mary has to be an assassin though. 9/10

A SCANDAL IN BELGRAVIA: After a brilliant twist opening continuing from Series One, the episode delves into the most interesting episode of the series so far. Lara Pulver is brilliant as Irene Adler and there is a real sense of scale that helps soften the fact that at the end of the day the resolution to the cliffhanger is just a cop-out and purely comedic, despite it being a great resolution. 10/10 THE HOUNDS OF BASKERVILLE: A story with a little too much on the mystery side that never fully explains all elements. Terrifying stuff though, and the joke about Lestrade's first name? It will never get old... 8/10 THE RIECHENBACH FALL: A chilling story with great build-up. Andrew Scott steals the show throughout and there are some great moments. The tension is built up to the bitter end and it truly is engaging TV. 10/10

PILOT: An interesting pilot episode, but it lacks a lot of the energy that Episode 1 brings, and ultimately comes a little too short and lacking in budget in some areas. 7/10 A STUDY IN PINK: A fascinating and absorbing first episode of the series, with fantastic performances and great production values. Martin Freeman is excellent as Watson and Benedict Cumberbatch seals his presence as Sherlock Holmes within mere moments. Rupert Graves and Una Stubbs are also notable mentions in a great entertaining piece of crime drama, with a unique style.  A pity the big reveal is a bit too obvious. 9/10 THE BLIND BANKER: A less interesting story but certainly entertaining, despite the crime drama clichés. The overall mystery is very interesting as well but it lacks depth. Some great twists and turns though. 8/10 THE GREAT GAME: A huge build-up to the big Moriarty reveal at the end of the episode (and seriously, if you didn't know he was in it, how couldn't you?) with great tension, ...