Monday, 6 January 2014

Sherlock 3x2: The Sign of Three



One of the great things about Sherlock as a TV Show is that it continues to be surprising. There are not many TV Shows where the main character can  effectively solves an entire case during a wedding speech. But this is exactly what happens here, when Sherlock solves a mystery and prevents a potential murder at John Watson and Mary Morstan's wedding. This is a very laid back episode, consisting of lots of funny set pieces like Sherlock interacting with the guests at John and Mary's wedding, and also set pieces like the drunken Sherlock, but it all comes together in the end to form a single mystery.

Unusually, this episode was written by three main writers together. I'm not sure how the sections were divided but I would assume that the wedding section was probably written by Steven Moffat given that the Bridesmaid sounds like his kind of woman. I could not guess with the other two.

Sherlock continues to show a more human side in trying to make John's wedding work by forcing guests to conform to his wishes. He also admits, in his speech, that John is the best of him. His brief interraction with Mycroft once again highlights the fact that Sherlock is beginning to become more accustomed to other people. I suspect that the third episode will see the price paid for that.

It may be their wedding, but John and Mary are not really developed in this episode. It was good to see John getting to use his medical practitioner skills during the case of the soldier's belt, and Mary continues to be likable, at least.

Una Stubbs gets a bit more to do this week as Mrs Hudson reminisces about weddings. Lestrade sadly gets very little to do other than be the butt of the jokes, although we do at least get to see him solving a case. Molly is not the focus this week, but she is still with her boyfriend Tom.

This is the first Sherlock not to end with a prelude to the third episode. However, with all of the main characters relaxed and enjoying themselves, this feels like the calm before the storm.

7/10

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