The Curious Case of Young Sherlock, Moriarty, Mycroft et al

Crafting a classic prequel to the investigative endeavours of Sherlock Holmes, the series delves into a mystery during his younger days that shaped his career. Created by Mathew Parkhill, Peter Harness and Guy Ritchie, the plot searches the origin of one of the most revered analytical minds in the history of detective fiction, interpolating back to the days when the investigator in Sherlock was young and maturing.

The main theme revolves around a haunting event that struck the Holmes family when Sherlock was just a boy that apparently intertwines with a curious case that Sherlock gets involved in concerning murder, missing persons and theft. Pulled out from the gaols by his brother Mycroft, after being thrown in due to his attempts at mastering the art of picking pockets (and returning) went awry, the young and fiercely intelligent Sherlock is obviously frustrated to find himself in the shoes of a scout at Oxford, with the best prospect being graduating to the post of a porter of the college. But that could never be a deterrent to the enterprising Sherlock as knowledge could be gained from quality books that Oxford could never be scarce of. Taking sneak peeks to whatever volumes that he could lay hold of, the young porter enriched his already inquisitive mind with the developments in the world that had evolved.

But as quite a few good things do not have a very happy finale, his adventure with knowledge was sure to suffer a major jolt!

There was a theft in the college. This followed a murder. Queerly, in both, Sherlock got himself involved, suspected........ and finally, once more, found himself behind the prison bars.

Enter Moriarty, a student at the college, a friend to Sherlock by their common interest for the uncommon and with intellect comparable and complement to his friend.

Surely the pen is mightier than the sword, but when two sharp enterprising souls joins force, the iron bars of the gaol are surely not enough!

But a break from the prison might free him, the accusation, however, remains.

So, thus starts the trek through the layers of lies against forces that are sinister yet sober, which  camouflages behind the unspeakably unethical!

The series is a very interesting search on the origin of the investigative mind that had mesmerised the fans of detective narratives through decades.

However, this pilot season of what could be a quite remarkable series, is enjoyable for a slightly different aspect. The search for the intellectual maturity combines with the subtle search for the characters that mature as well, much needed for completing the portraits that could be admired, in case of Sherlock, feared, in case of James Moriarty and become increasingly and happily intriguing, for Mycroft Holmes of the future!

Sherlock: Holmes of the modern age

The Baker Street Boys of 221B fight cases and themselves while tackling the mysteries that baffles the world. Yeah, I am talking about Holmes and Watson, but not what Conan Doyle penned, but a much younger self of Sherlock and John in a more modern time. Based mostly on the themes of the originals, but modified with twists and novelties, as hinted by the titles of the episodes themselves, the adventures and mysteries are satisfyingly attractive. Added to these will be the surprises that will be in store in terms of the equally famed characters in the world of Holmes like Mrs Hudson, Irene Adler, Mary Watson, Mycroft and Moriarty, who keep in line with the original characters but changes in personalities to keep the suspense high and trigger some pivotal moments with their appearances.

Narratives too, rhyme and follow the originals in more than a few cases, but they metamorphose into deceptively misleading plots to keep the mysteries novelly enjoyable. Thus, the Dying Detective becomes the Lying Detective, the Empty House becomes the Empty Hearse, the Hound of the Baskervilles transforms to the Hounds of the Baskerville, the ingenious detective meets his match in The Woman, Irene Adler while trying to cover up the Scandal in Belgravia and not that in Bohemia and the series concludes with The Final Problem, reminiscent of the Final Problem of the original volume. But through all of these the adventures remain as gripping as ever. However, the 4 seasons, 13 episodes long deliberately modern makeover of the grandmaster of deductions, realized by Steven Moffat and Mark Gattis, has a refreshingly traditional touch in The Abominable Bride, in which Sherlock solves a Victorian age mystery for the sake of a problem at hand that visually projects the crime fighting duo in a comfortably classical setting. But whatever be the setting, the superior analytical abilities and the sharpest of observational powers of the deductionist makes him class apart from the ordinary. So does his seemingly eccentric whims that keeps most of the common folks at bay from this peculiarly brilliant consulting detectives of fictions, a self advertised designation for the specific clients to serve. However, the portraiture of the eccentricities of this GOAT (greatest of all times) of a fictional private investigator, like any of his modern remakes on screen, is a bit too exagerrated that takes away most of the charm of the character and projects a forced artificiality in the remodelled version. So does the portraiture of his analytical abilities that borders superhuman and may share similarities with a supercomputer. Surprisingly, the villains, too, at times, reflects the same, maybe a required criteria to match the challenge of the intelligence thus created. These might appeal to the audience, tuned to fast action and promptly reacting characters, but dilutes, in the process, the natural ingenuity of the central character. Actually, the major flaw is that there is never any explanation to the evolution of the Holmes methods to quickly analyse based on precise observations that Arthur Conan Doyle subtly explained in the introductory adventures of the pair, which also defines the precise role and character of Watson, complimenting the friend in terms of imagination and intelligence. The source of his superior abilities based on garnering of knowledge is elaborated in Elementary too, a superior modern series on the sleuth as far as I am concerned, which makes it unforgettable compared to this series, which is a joyride that twists too abruptly. Here, the highlight being more on the characteristic eccentricities that the rationale of the intelligence remained unexplained that might very well be exotic in appeal but incomplete to critical minds. However, the episodes of peculiar mysteries still remain as intellectually gripping as ever with a touch of emotion to give them the required balance against the coldly analytical mannerism of the private eye at large.

Benedict Cumberbatch dons the coat of the electronic age Holmes in style and Martin Freeman that of the smarter Watson with a blog to publish their adventures. Featuring their redefined personality traits, both the actors get inside the skin of the characters they portray. Thus, the apparently eccentric deductionist in Holmes is as natural as the composed violinist in Sherlock, thanks to his precise acting by which Cumberbatch blends the traits of the doleful composer and the critical investigator in a single mould without a hitch. The same will be said of Freeman who represents the dutiful doctor in Watson as accurately as the action loving apparently practical partner to his detective friend. However, the only question to the creators of the series will be, as to why they have allowed the otherwise excellent baritone of the titular character to predominate unreasonably while Holmes elaborates on a solution to a riddle that gets marred in the accelerando of speech and becomes merely a snappily appealing 'show off', a deliberate yet irritating characteristic of his partner according to Watson, keeping the helpless audience at the mercy of their respective auditory perceptions? Keeping this aside, the seasons will be very much recommended right from the crisp opening score by David Arnold and Michael Price that rhythmically resonates to the theme of the narratives right from the pilot.

Elementary, what else could it be!

I've seen a few episodes of Sherlock, tolerated Robert Downey Jr in the avatar, even fewer Jeremy Brait episodes, a single, as far as I remember, Jonathan Pryce acted adaptation, a few films with Basil Rathbone as the private investigator and the only with Ian McCellan donning the coat of the detective as he ages while losing memory simultaneously but when I watched Elementary with Jonny Lee Miller leading, it then and there eclipsed the others.

There had always been attempts to revise legendary detectives according to era maybe to satisfy the need of the generations. But is also maybe the case if the actual period is difficult to portray as often we have to conceptualize a period by imagination  based on documented facts. This might be a bit difficult and error prone as living in an age and showcasing it is one thing but portraying an entirely different era is another. Though I am very much conservative in this respect and would have otherwise shown a scornful attitude to Holmes using electronic gadgets, but a few episodes of Elementary educated me otherwise. Actually, I realized once again that when the fundamentals remain the same, the ornamentations are just trivial.

So, if Sherlock Holmes uses cell phones, carrys the laptop between rooms, searches the cyber space for intelligence, hooks to various channels for information, installs a host of surveillance cameras for securing premises, all is acceptable as the intellectual in the character is never compromised.

Well, Holmes is here shown as a polymath, and sometimes he seems to be a superman of sorts in knowledge as well as skills, but given the legend status of the character, this excess may be forgiven for the series.

Coming to his character evolution, Morland Holmes, the very rich father of Mycroft, the older and Sherlock, appoints a sober companion for the younger sibling as he recovers from his addiction to drugs while consulting NYPD at the same time. Here comes the very interesting twist for the avid Holmes readers. The sober companion is revealed to be Dr  Joan Watson. Yes, you read it right, it is Joan and not John. But this simple gender flip gives the Holmes Watson dynamics an entirely new dimension. The female companion turned apprentice turned detective in Watson actually reveals a newer side of Holmes himself. But considering the character itself, it really shows a more natural Watson than what had been our general conceptions till now. Being from the medical profession and being a practitioner, Watson ought to have some training on investigations, be it for diagnosing diseases. Thus, if the mentor in Holmes could have channelized the skill to detection of crime, Watson ought to have picked that up gradually. This is a direction that the original creator might not have considered. But Robert Doherty does and this allows Watson to flourish in her own intellect, distinctly different yet satisfyingly complimentary to that of Holmes. But this adds another feather to the cap of Holmes, who is found to be a sharp observer of talent and possesses the ability of mentoring that. True, it is never mentioned that Watson shows signs of investigative ability due to her previous qualifications but seems to have that skill inherent to her. Thus it becomes a show as much for Holmes as much it is for Watson. The one time consultant to Scotland Yard, offers his skill to NYPD and promotes his one time companion to a standalone colleague simultaneously. Lucy Liu excels in the role and her Joan Watson portraiture is sure to be remembered for ages to come. Never before the apparent sidekick character had been so gracefully competitive with the super sleuth. Maintaining her own individuality yet accompanying her one time subject turned colleague, the character is the much needed wise, less boisterous, naive, polite, soothing counterbalance to the wiser, outspoken, less friendly, apparently rude, informal partner. The bond that is shared and the relation that is developed will remain as the very interesting yet enjoyable parallel story of the series. The bond is so natural, yet so sublime, that it could only remain beautifully undefined till some climactic future.

Once again coming to the character of Holmes himself, he can be termed as simply outstanding! Intellect personified, his uncompromising stance in uncovering the truth makes him distinctly uncommon yet he remains surprisingly common in several aspects. Exhibiting the natural social introvert in him, his love-hate relationship with his supposedly dear ones keeps him not so distinct from others. As his life of the apparent social hermit threatens to a culmination due to Watson entering his routine, he remains terribly disappointed yet tries to derive the best in the situation thus presented. His passions are his neural faculties and this is revealed to be the primary cause of his accepting rehabilitation attempts from his addictions, which is surprisingly uncommon to the natural irrationality of the emotional human but the same rational person has his sentiments turn blind as he encounters Sebastian Moran, the henchman to his nemesis Moriarty and also as 'the woman', Irene Adler, is met during the beginning of his youth. Humanity prevails in other instances too, when the crime solver in Holmes demystifies the dangerous crimes but comes to terms with the perception of law as he overlooks perpetrators when the victims seemed dangerous still. Knowing the truth and hiding it seems less risky when his near ones are at bay. This is portrayed in one classic case where incriminating yet false evidence puts Watson in dire straits while the truth uncovered by Holmes threatens to unmask a vigilante whose justified revenge eliminates a crooked killer. How he deals with the situation remains both a twist in the series and reveals the soul ready to sacrifice anything for the person he befriends. He is both unmercifully direct when confronting evils as he defines them but is hesitantly apologetic when he is humbled at rare instances.

Thus Elementary is not only the adventures of Holmes and Watson as we expect it but it defines life as a deliberation between the wisest and Watson like lesser yet significant mortals.

Jonny Lee Miller outshines as Sherlock Holmes in the electronic age avatar and maintains the true essence of the legend in the major aspects but is more liberal in the personal traits.

Of the recurring characters, notable mention must be made of Detective Marcus Bell, who is coupled to Holmes Watson in their cases assisting NYPD. Possessing the skill of a true detective, Bell is initially reluctant of taking the help of the duo but finally turns to be their most trusted acquaintance. Helping each other in trying and life threatening circumstances, their bond develops deeper as the series matures. Besides his detective acumen helping the cases, he also supervises over Holmes and Watson to ensure their tendencies of bending the rule to collect evidences remain within limits. Their interactions, especially the ones between Bell and Holmes give some of the most enjoyably emotional moments of the series. Jon Michael Hill is natural in the role and is both the strict policeman as well as the understanding friend.

The next notable character will be none other than Captain Thomas Gregson of the 11th Precinct of the NYPD. Aidan Quinn flawlessly portrays the character of the supremely responsible supervising authority, the loving father and the firm interrogator and will be my personal favourite while choosing the supporting roles. His voice, his attitude and his impeccable style of handling persons of various statures keep him distinctly revered but for a slip in his character at a later stage in his career. But this seems to be balanced by the immense risk he takes while single handedly attempting to follow a lead towards some committed league of assassins.

Then comes the soberly charismatic Morland Holmes whose presence in the screen sometimes, though not often enough, justifiably overshadows Holmes himself. Filthily rich, as felt by Sherlock, his relation with his younger son remained a bitter sweet tale of fight and forgiveness. Apparently ruthlessly careless about the ill consequences of his trade, Morland is selflessly sacrificial when it comes to the son who had never been terribly dear. No other actor could've been more properly casted than John Noble whose magnanimity in appearance and magnificence in performance gives the coldly cruel touch that this character demands for its complexity to be maintained throughout.

Balancing this, is the soothing mother daughter relation of Joan with Mary Watson, which, albeit less complicated, yet remains practical and resolved. Extremely free willed, she tries to dominate over Joan initially. But as she begins to appreciate logic, through her gradually failing memory, their relation maintains mutual respect. Freda Feh Shen seemed again the correct choice for the character whose firm and frank simplicity mirrors in her daughter but yet individuality prevails by the varied proportion of the traits in the dominating elder.

The list of prominent characters won't be complete without mentioning Kitty Winters, whose tragic past and chance meeting with Holmes started her apprenticeship on detection by the teacher in Holmes who also taught her defensive martial tactics for her safety and security. She also became good at espionage and was once tried on Watson herself. With a traumatized past but with a determined heart, her vengeance drove her to commit offense but Holmes, sharing her mutual trust and his own understanding of justice helped her in her escape. Ophelia Lovibond connects with this character so well as to become synonymous with her and will be my personal favourite with her portraiture of determined, intelligent, arrogantly beautiful, fiercely stubborn yet unquestionably loyal Kitty Winters, a protegee that reflected her master in his several youthful impulsive aspects.

The elder in age and in wisdom, Mycroft Holmes was introduced as a master chef and a restaurateur but before long he becomes central in interest as well as activities. Starting on the wrong foot, early from their youthful days, the siblings were bitterly critical yet overly protective of each other. Secrecy prevails with Mycroft as is predictable and remains the forte of this character till its completion. Rhys Ifans plays this enigmatic character to perfection with a charisma that adds to the magic while posing a finer check to a host of traits in his maturing brother.

Before going any further on its better side, let me tell about the flip side of the series too. Personally speaking, I was disappointed on a couple of instances.  The primary may be due to my addiction to the series that seemed a bit too hasty in its finale that was dramatic yet seemed lacking some vigour. But the other disappointment was regarding the character of Alfredo Llamosa who seemed to be hurriedly scripted out of the series. It is quite true that both the character and the series didn't leave any previous questions unanswered but both their quickened pace of closure raised a few.

Returning again towards its praiseworthy novelties, the series introduced some interesting transformations that fascinated me. Not only was Watson, Gregson, Mycroft redefined but some more characters and events themselves were each metamorphosed in such a novel way as to add a sudden element of surprise to something so essentially predictive in traditional Sherlock Holmes adventures. Chief among them is obviously Moriarty, Irene Adler having awesome character tweaks to say the least but characters like Hudson, Lestrade also features with similar essence to preserve the heritage. Infact the use of the letter M in naming characters with subtle hints of being Moriarty seems to be designed rather than accidental. Thus, new viewers, if there is anybody left, may genuinely be wary in the episodes any of them features. Well, the best in naming seemed to be the infamous Reichenbach Falls and this particular title features in obviously a most significant episode leading to the finale. Never before these words had held a simpler yet climactic meaning.

Elementary also gets its fair share of humour laced dialogues and events and thus investigations that would have otherwise turned to a monotony of analytical reasoning gets a respite with these comic refreshing instances.

Opening score by Sean Callery is another attraction of the series with its intense rhythm and signature notes that seems to resonate in style with the genre.

Highly recommended for the Holmes fans, Elementary unfolds the analytical genius with attitude who stands apart amidst the ordinary with his more than ordinary intellect, acute observational skills, a mind with unwavering focus, with an avid interest in apiculture, a bartistu specialist, having a keen insight in human psychology, a good man, a good friend, evolved in the electronic age, a mentor to the gifted, the greatest grandest master of deductions!