Sherlock (Benedict Cumberbatch) examines microscopic evidence
Copyright (c) Jane Austen’s World. The ending of the final episode of Sherlock!, which represented the final Mystery! for PBS’s 2010 Masterpiece season left me sitting on the edge of my seat, and … I won’t spoil your enjoyment if you haven’t watched it yet. Click here to view The Great Game online if you missed it. Two of the three episodes will be available until December 7.
The countdown clock is ticking: 12 hours
Sherlock’s ingenuity is put to the test in The Great Game, which a darker and more complex tale than the previous two episodes. Holmes races against time to solve a mystery that began when he was a boy. Clues arrive from an adversary worthy of Sherlock, whose detective skills are put through their paces. Dr. Watson is also on top of his game, and more critical as Holmes’s partner than ever.
Watson accuses Sherlock of enjoying himself, even as another victim's deadline has dropped to 3 hours
The cat-and-mouse games become more and more intricate as clues arrive from Sherlock’s dangerous adversary. His presence has been hinted at in previous episodes, but, again, I won’t give the game away.
Watson (Martin Freeman) puzzles through the clues, which are elementary for Holmes
The script is fiercely funny and its wit sharper than the edge of a freshly honed knife. The ending is shocking. I won’t give it away except to say that PBS MUST air the second season of this series. That’s all.
The ending is a game changer that makes this series a must-see
Reade other Sherlock! reviews :
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Before it aired, I kind of expected to hate this because in my mind, Jeremy Brett is Sherlock forever. And maybe if they had done it as a period piece, I would still feel that way. But I love this modern take on Holmes. It’s fun and witty and the two leads are extraordinary. I’m hooked, while still remaining loyal to Brett as the perfect 19th century Holmes. I haven’t enjoyed a Masterpiece Mystery this much in ages.
Not to give anything away, the villain last night was brilliant. What a perfectly deliciously evil character. The actor portraying him was a treat to watch.
I can’t wait for the next series!
What an ending for the first series…talk about “edge of seat”! My husband & I are hooked on this new modern Holmes. We wanted more of Wallander, and now we want more of Holmes.
Masterpiece continues with classy, cutting edge programming that the networks can only hope to live up to.
The ending also left me on the edge of my seat — wanting to strangle the producers. If a book ever ended like that, it would never be published. There are things called a climax and an ending that were missing.
I have totally enjoyed this whole series and am really looking forward to the next set of episodes. Any idea when they will be coming? With filming for The Hobbit starting in February, it will have to be soon?
The Sherlock Holmes series was recently aired in Australia and like you I was on the edge of my seat at the end.
Now I can hardly wait for the new series which is supposed to be coming to Oz next year.
Very interesting portrail of the characters of Holmes and Watson (in the present day) and I have to admit to liking the character role of Watson.
I actually happened across this series by accident. I was giving out candy on Halloween and, sick of the so-called spooky reruns, the word “Sherlock” had snagged my attention. I only caught the last hour of it but in that time Mr. Freeman and Mr. Cumberbatch won me over and are now my favorite Holmes/Watson rendition. So I checked out the PBS website, found the Blind Banker episode, caught up on the first episode, discovered it was created by Dr. Who’s geniuses and then told everyone I knew. Then we all glued our eyes to the TV for the Great Game.
Loved it! Well done, Mr. Freeman and Cumberbatch!
Great review, Vic. This show really has it all, doesn’t it? My mind is still blown from the ending last night – I loved every second. I don’t remember the last time I’ve ever been so riveted by a television program! Just got my review posted & linked to yours! Thanks!
I loved this episode, best one. I can’t believe there are only 3 so far. Benedict Cumberbatch, damn he was born to play a modern Sherlock.
Ai agree about the ending. Pure shocker, that one.
I look forward to watching that episode of “Sherlock”. And since you say that, in your mind, Jeremy Brett is the perfect 19th century Holmes, I thought you might be interested in this site: http://www.bafta4jb.com
OK – I’ll admit I had a bit of an emergency of my own tonight – not as serious as those that faced Sherlock. The ending, though, well, there was no ending.
I feel cheated, particularly since the other two episodes were complete unto themselves, and I expected the same to be the case with the “final” episode.
I have enjoyed all of the 3 but this final episode left me wondering if there would be more.. sad at first and then realized that Mysterpiece could not foresake such a masterpiece as the Sherlock Holmes series. so when will we see more.. and find out how the 3 final episode of series 1 ended..
Loved it!! I love the old black and white Sherlocks and loved how they adapted it for today. I think the actors picked are just perfect for their roles, great job!! Many times I have had to rewind when Sherlock does his quick synopsis. And I am glad they made Watson smart, not silly, I prefer that, but he is still no match for Sherlock, and I like how he admires his deductions and says so…that’s admirable. All in all, I think this is great, and look forward to many more, I tell all my friends about it, and they love the show too and can’t wait for more!!
I just re-watched the final episode of the new PBS “Sherlock”. Even though I knew the story from my first viewing, I was mesmerized throughout. Both Sherlock and
John Watson are masterfully portrayed. The series is written with such fresh insights, witticisms and updates to contemporary life (instead of a three pipe mystery it now is a three patch mystery). Interesting to consider how the social role of smoking has completely changed!
I can’t wait for future episodes.
I’ve only seen the last episode and kept saying, there has to be more! I’ll be watching the other two and waiting for the next season.
I was blown away by this episode, and am now on pins and needles waiting for season 2.
Just watched the update of “Scandal in Bohemia”, and it was the first time I had seen this new Holmes and Watson. I thought I would go to the grave with one thing very certain: Jeremy Brett- the greatest Holmes…Not so fast. Absolutely stunning re-conception. Smart, really funny in places, moving, and WHOA, Irene Adler… so HOT. Nice chemistry between her and Sherlock…erotic and convincing. Great television, and easily one of the best Sherlock Holmes episodes I have ever seen, and I have seen a lot of them.