Where to begin when blogging about BBC's Sherlock? The successful transition to a modern adaptation? Both the depth and successful portrayal of the characters? The way it is all brilliantly interwoven with humor and emotional depth in such a way that it creates a great deal of surprise and drama? It is all of these things and more.
So, let us begin, shall we? Steven Moffat's modern take on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's classic detective series, Sherlock Holmes and all other associated stories, has, without a doubt, launched as a success. It's becoming more and more difficult to scan the nerd/geek areas of tumbler, pinterest or even watch Youtube's SourceFed, without coming across some sort of remark, image or t-shirt supporting not only the series, but the lead character's tribulations within the series. (See: Reichenbach Feels).
Is it the way Moffat has exquisitely adapted the victorian stories to a new, modern world? Certainly, but, for me at least, the most important part is how well written and uniquely the characters are portrayed. This is both a feat of the writers, and the wonderful cast of actors. It is in Sherlock's small slip-ups where he displays some degree of emotion. Such as when he beats up and then throws a supposed CIA agent out of a second story window for daring to mistreat Mrs. Hudson in ANY way. Or when in The Great Game, he rushes Watson and forcefully strips the thick winter jacket and bomb vest from him, throwing it across the room.
It is in the way Sherlock gets very literally giddy every time an interesting murder comes to him. The way he gets excited when a villain uses a new, vile, brilliant scheme. He knows these things are horrible, but cannot help but be impressed, intrigued and even, at times, awed by them. Reminding us of the dichotomy in all of us to disapprove of something, yet still be impressed by the brilliance with which it was done. (See: ALL of Ferris Bueller's Day Off)
It is in the way Watson is constantly impressed by the brilliance with which Sherlock deduces things, exclaiming his praise "That was amazing", much how nerds of all sorts unabashedly exclaim their love of things that might be considered 'uncool' by society's standards.
It is in the friendship these two share, and the home they've built with their family and friends, reminding us that friends are often as important as family, something we know in high school but we sometimes forget with our busy, crazy adult lives.
Sherlock speaks to the nerds in us all. Those inner children who are still jumping and screaming with glee whenever we see a bouncy castle, or come across our favourite childhood cartoon. It speaks to the friendships we may have neglected along the way and the interests we forgot we had. It reminds us to be ourselves, no matter what others might think.
Oh, and of course, the tight purple shirt doesn't hurt.
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