Beautiful Soo Lin Yao (Gemma Chan) is doomed.
Copyright (c) Jane Austen’s World. While not quite as satisfying as the first episode, The Blind Banker, the second installment of Masterpiece Mystery’s Sherlock! had many fine moments. Sherlock is called by a former schoolmate to investigate the break in at his bank and the vandalism of the portrait of a banker. A bright yellow graffiti line has been sprayed over the banker’s eyes and a cryptic Chinese symbol has been painted on a wall opposite the portrait. What does all this mean? Intrigued, Sherlock follows the clues to solve this seemingly impossible puzzle.
The camera angles are quite original. Sherlock (Benedict Cumberbatch) talks his way into an apartment building.
In this episode Watson is worried over the lack of income to support his and Sherlock’s lifestyle. He needs a job and cash to live on. But Sherlock has not a care in the world. As he waits for an interesting case, he uses the exasperated Watson’s laptop. Insult above injury!
Watson (Martin Freeman) can no longer hide his exasperation with Sherlock
Then Sherlock is called by his old schoolboy friend to investigate a break-in at a bank, and all of a sudden Sherlock springs into action. When a bank employee is found inside an apartment with the doors and windows locked from the inside, Sherlock realizes that the murderer must have scaled the high rise’s walls to accomplish the dastardly deed. In order to solve the encrypted Chinese messages that are left near the victims’ bodies, he must find a “book that everybody owns.”
The victim had just returned from Hong Kong. His doors and windows were locked. So how was he murdered?
In the meantime, Watson has had enough of Sherlock’s lack of practicality. Anxious about food and rent, he accepts a part time job at a medical clinic and finds himself attracted to his boss, Sarah.
Sarah (Zoe Telford) has the strangest date ever with Dr. Watson
Their first date not only points out Sherlock’s total concentration on a case (the single-minded detective wonders why Watson would prefer a date over solving a mystery) but Watson, still trustful, accepts Sherlock’s offer of tickets to the circus. And then the “fun begins.”
The tickets Holmes gives Watson are to a Chinese circus
While I loved seeing the personal background story about Watson, I was not as riveted watching this episode as the first one. The script is still witty and intelligent, and the action is fast and furious, but this episode seemed all too familiar. As Sherlock and Watson race against time to prevent another murder, I felt I had seen this plot before.
Which book will help to solve the cryptic Chinese symbols?
All one can ask of a good detective mystery is a good story, and I did find myself sitting on the edge of my seat a number of times. If you missed this episode, you can watch it online for the next few weeks.
- Read my review of A Study in Pink here.
- Read Ruth’s review of Sherlock: The Blind Banker
Jane Austen's World 
When I watched this episode it had me wondering, flummoxed and flabbergasted. Finally, when I found out what the book was that everybody, in London that is, owns I discovered, indeed that I do own one and it works. I’ll say no more. No no it’s not my well used copy of Pride and Prejudice.
When you have all seen the programme I’ll post a picture of my copy of the,”book.”Actually by then you might not care.
All the best,
Tony
Sherlock is showing in Australia too. My sister loves to watch it but finds he speaks too fast. She prefers the older BBC version.
My Darcy Mutates
dear Vic, thank you for this wonderful review, reading your reviews is as cool as watching the show for the 1st time, I agree with you, this was as ‘exciting’ as the 1st episode, but I think it is ’cause the first one was charged with our expectations, excitement, fears, and hopes, to find out how the new Sherlock and new Holmes would be… although this episode seemed more ‘involved’ to me! harder to figure out, so probably a bit more like the real cases Sherlock used to crack, I agree with you that the camera work and the visuals over all are fantastic, the settings are great, I personally love Sherlock and John’s flat! love the paper-wall, etc. I cannot believe we’ll get only 3 episodes this season, wish we had one every Sunday for now on ;)
@Enid, I am a native Spanish speaker so Sherlock’s accent is really fast for me too, a little tip for your sister, watch the episode a second time with Close Caption, that way she’ll know every word they said!
dear Vic, thank you for this wonderful review, reading your reviews is as cool as watching the show for the 1st time, I agree with you, this was as ‘exciting’ as the 1st episode, but I think it is ’cause the first one was charged with our expectations, excitement, fears, and hopes, to find out how the new Sherlock and new Holmes would be… although this episode seemed more ‘involved’ to me! harder to figure out, so probably a bit more like the real cases Sherlock used to crack, I agree with you that the camera work and the visuals over all are fantastic, the settings are great, I personally love Sherlock and John’s flat! love the paper-wall, etc. I cannot believe we’ll get only 3 episodes this season, wish we had one every Sunday for now on ;)
@Enid, I am a native Spanish speaker so Sherlock’s accent is really fast for me too, a little tip for your sister, watch the episode a second time with Close Caption, that way she’ll know every word they said!
Vic, thanks for the great review! I’ve taken the liberty of linking to it at the end of my review post (which just went up – took FOREVER to write, because honestly I love this show so much I don’t know when or how to stop talking about it! LOL!). I’m looking forward to next week but bummed at the same time because it’s “the end” for a YEAR!!
I didn’t get to watch this one, I”m not sure if they aired it in Australia, if they did, I missed. Darn BBC, why do you make some wondeful programmes and restrict the other folks from watching? Yup, the link doesn’t work in my region.
Love Sherlock, Benedict Cumberbatch is brilliant.
What extraordinary innovation–storyline as well as casting.
I missed the first episode, but was thrilled with the discovery of the second one.
My first thought: “No, please, you must be joking.”
It took all of five, maybe 10 minutes, to be drawn into the modern adaptation.
The actors portraying Sherlock & Watson were nothing short of brilliant. And “brillian” is not just an expression here; it truly expresses the level of their ability.
The talents of Benedict Cumberbatch as Sherlock Holmes and Martin Freeman as Watson ensure the conveyance of this enchanting duo into the 21st century.
I enjoyed it too, but like you I didn’t find it as satisfying as the first episode. I feel like there are many loose ends, and I guess it annoys me because there are only 3 episodes (which means loose ends will most likely remain until next season).
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Am I really the only one who noticed all the Asian stereotypes that they managed to cram into this episode? Most of the Asians were portrayed negatively as gangsters and smugglers while the only good Asian character was rather passive and ended up dying. They also tried really hard to “other” and exoticize the Chinese community and basically play up the foreignness. And hell, they even had Chinese acrobats! All of this pretty much led to a really contrived plotline down to the climax (With the whole proverb thing and the elaborate killing device). I was expecting a lot more from Sherlock because I really did enjoy the first episode, even though the character of Sherlock was a little too similar to the Doctor. Anyway, the stereotypes were the main thing keeping me from enjoying this episode because it pretty much affected everything. I did like the dynamic between Watson and Holmes and I especially like the developement of Watson’s character. But yeah, overall, I was disappointed.
To the reviewer above me (Melissa): YES!
As an Asian-American, I found myself offended at all of the cheap stereotypes employed in this episode. SO disappointing!
The “Lucky Cats,” the “Oriental” flute and zither music in the background, the “death-defying acts,” the ACCENTS!!?!??! Watching Soo Lin Yao’s character was like watching The World of Suzie Wong all over again. All screamed of outdated, offensive stereotypes riding on mystique and danger and whathaveyou. I totally agree, that aspect just ruined the entire episode for me.
Oh, and the code wasn’t in Hangzhou… It was in Suzhou.
Agree with you that this was not as interesting as A Study in Pink. I also liked The Hounds of Baskerville episode in the second season.
Cheers!