2012 gets off to a good start with this brilliant piece of television. A story that bounds between different times and locations, but still manages to keep the viewer emotionally involved in the tale of Sherlock Holmes and Irene Adler.
The first fifteen minutes were perfect in setting up Sherlock and John's current situation. After a hilarious resolution to last season's cliffhanger, which brilliantly undercuts the Hollywood gun machismo, we get several short sequences which not only show Sherlock growing as a world phenomenon, but also establish the main mystery without us realising it.
Irene Adler was definately sexy, and well written as a match for Sherlock Holmes. I was initially worried when I heard she was going to be dominatrix, but her intelligence and cunning makes it clear that she's more than just a series of sex gags. I'd love to know which member of the Royal Family was involved in the scandal. I like to think it was Kate Middleton, but Camilla is more likely, if slightly less funny.
Benedict Cumberbatch continues to excel at playing Sherlock, who is showing a far greater range of emotions this year. Sherlock's relationship with Irene Adler, and his apology to Molly Hooper at the Christmas Party show him developing more of an interest in women, and beginning to care about those around him.
It's also a joy to see more of the other Holmes. Mycroft's "concern" for his brother manifests as he is kind enough to lie to Sherlock about Irene's situation. It's fascinating to imagine what childhood was like for these two.
With the focus of the episode on the Sherlock-Adler relationship, John Watson was slightly sidelined this week. I'm fine with this, as long as it isn't a portent of things to come. I did like the idea that John's girlfriends are coming second place to Sherlock!
Moffat continues to prove himself a master of plotting. The code to Irene's phone is so obvious when you see it, but not before then. I liked the way that Moffat seeded the clues about the "Bond Air" scheme, hidden amidst Sherlock's other mysteries so that viewers did not notice them.
This was a brilliant update Conan-Doyle's A Scandal In Bohemia, which managed to add depth to the Irene Adler character. If the next two episodes prove as good as this one, I may have already found my top TV program for 2012!
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