I recently started watching BBC Sherlock and it immediately became my favourite series ever. There is so much professionalism in this show. It's so perfect - the photography, the script, the acting, the music - everything really. I don't believe that there is one Sherlock episode that is bad or mediocre at least. They are all great, but as it happens with all things, some episodes are better and some worse. Here is my personal list of all Sherlock episodes from worst to best.
9. The Blind Banker, S1E2
I guess this is no big surpise. Since a Sherlock season always has three episodes, the second episode is usually doomed to rival the first which is the much anticipated beginning and the last which is the thrilling cliffhanger. Therefore, the Blind Banker makes little to no impression, yet it is a great mystery episode compared to other similar TV shows. In my opinion, the whole crime case was the least interesting so far and all the east asian fight stunts didn't quite fit the show's style. To be honest, it was a little boring.
8. A Scandal in Belgravia, S2E1
Yes, I realize that I am probably the only Sherlockian in the world to rank this episode that low. I agree that it's TV in its best, the case is one of the most interesting and Irene Adler is another character to hold us on the edge of our seat. The reason it makes it only to the eighth place is completely personal. You see, I am a manic Johnlock shipper and I went through a sad weekend till I made up my mind about what the nature of Sherlock's emotions for Irene were. I think I know now (but of course you can never know when Moffat insists you are a fool), yet the shadow of doubt returns from time to time because of this annoying episode. (Yes, I am that dramatic when it's about Johnlock.)
7. The Hounds of Baskerville, S2E2
Same with the Blind Banker, it airs right after and before two pieces of art - its fall is inevitable. Furthermore, Doyle's "The Hound of the Baskervilles" is probably the most beloved Sherlock Holmes story, so there were high expectations and, in the end, too little was delivered in the show. I didn't like the plot adaptation, it could be better. We see some progress in Sherlock's and John's friendship and we are given some really enjoyable scenes, but apart from that, nothing memorable happens. Also, I have the impression that the acting here is a bit off, especially Benedict Cumberbatch's. The scene in which Sherlock is terrified and can't rationally explain what happened is a bit over the top and not convincing. However, hats off for the ending scene - Moriarty proves to be the scariest type of villain. Obsessed.
6. The Great Game, S1E3
As its name suggests, this episode is truly great, yet the rest are even better. The game is on and it is great. However, there were so many cases, one after the other, one inside another, that I found it really hard to follow the first time. The Great Game is Sherlock's version of Inception or so it seemed to me. Nevermind, here Jim Moriarty is finally introduced in an absolutely comical and an extremely agonizing sequence, so I forgive this episode for its far too perplexed plot.
5. The Empty Hearse, S3E1
Now, this episode is the definition of clever. It's not really about crime solving, it's about Sherlock coming back and reconciling with John Watson. What I consider ingenious here is that there was a big question that desperately needed to be answered FOR TWO YEARS, yet Gatiss kept fooling around with his victims (aka the audience). He provided three explanations which were popular among the fandom, only to shot the two down a few seconds later and leave the third half-convincing half-trolling. And when you finally think "I'm done, I'll never find out exactly how that happened", they give us this heartbreaking scene where John informs Sherlock that he asked for a miracle and Sherlock meaningfully replies "I heard you". In the end, rather than looking for a rational explanation that wouldn't satisfy everybody anyway, it's better to believe in the miracle of love and friendship. So emotional, so beautiful, so clever. I could place it higher, but I won't, simply because no matter what I just said, an explanation WOULD DO, thank you very much.
4. The Sign of Three, S3E2
Here comes the only middle episode so far to be a masterpiece. The mystery case is interesting, yet again it's not the core of the story. Thank God it isn't, because we have much more serious issues in this one; John Watson gets married and Sherlock tries to cope with it (or so he thinks). The filming and script are amazing - nearly every scene in this episode is successfully delivered through a very long and very heartfelt best man speech. Here we learn more about Sherlock as a human being and we can't help but sympathize with his sorrow and loneliness. After all, this series is not about crime solving, no matter how weird that may sound. It is about the development of its two main characters as long as the depth and nature of their relationship with each other. I won't say a word about the drunk scene. A word. Only that it made me look to the show's future with hope and excitement.
3. A Study in Pink, S1E1
Forever favourite, the dear one, the one that started it all. Not only does it introduce us to the unique personality of Sherlock Holmes and the adorable John Watson, but it's also one of the best crime cases in the history of TV. We get the first glimpse of the extraordinary, almost scary talent that Sherlock possesses. The sequence where Sherlock makes deductions about the pink lady is one of my favourites in the series. We also get to know lovely Molly and dear Mrs Hudson and my weakness, DI Lestrade. We wonder how evil Mycroft is until we realize he, just like Sherlock, is a drama queen. And we get just a glimpse, a glimpse about the real potential of Sherlock's and John's relationship. By that, I don't necessarily mean romantic. We see the potential through their magical, instant, outstanding chemistry. It can be romance, it can be friendship. But no matter what it can possibly be, we do know it will certainly be unforgettable.
2. The Reichenbach Fall, S2E3
Are you surprised it didn't make it to number one? Well, the two best episodes are a tie to me. Reichenbach is really the best of the best, it actually plays in the field of award winning movies. It's flawless. However,due to the fact that I watched all seasons in a few days and I didn't have to wait for two years to see what happened next, this episode had less impact on me than my number one. However, what can I really say about the last countdown between the two archenemies or the cinematography or the acting? Moriarty knows how to play Sherlock and make him vulnerable...or is it Sherlock who knows how to play Moriarty? Is the final problem solved? And what does it take for it? The Reichenbach Fall is a confusing, maddening drive to the unavoidable fall - not just the obvious one. The fall of the audience in a sea of unanswered questions, in an observatory of unspoken feelings, in the realization of how complex some things in this series are meant to be - how complex, deep and devastating.
1. His Last Vow, S3E3
Ah, here it is. The reason I can't concentrate to my work the last days. And it is not about the villain. Seriously, Magnussen is repulsive and evil, but who cares after all? No, it's not that. It takes nine episodes to start seeing deep into Sherlock's soul. It's not the brain we are interested in anymore, it's the soul. I had deduced (oh well) that Sherlock had remained a child in his mind, always fighting with his brother for some petty reason while killing time and boredom by solving mysteries. In the very last episode of the third season, in which the growth of Sherlock's character speeds up, this child dies and leaves adult Sherlock to fight with everything he supressed and mocked during all of his life - and get defeated. This episode contains my all time favourite scene and overall the best of the series in my opinion. The last mind palace. We have seen many sequencies of mind palace so far, but none quite like this one, where loss is death, insanity is hell, love is will and will becomes victory. And after all it takes, in the end everything is still unspoken and destructive, leaving the deeds to fill the air with meaning. How can Moffat and Gatiss not care about our emotional state even in the slightest? Why do we have to suffer all this? Probably because...wait, WHAT??????
9. The Blind Banker, S1E2
I guess this is no big surpise. Since a Sherlock season always has three episodes, the second episode is usually doomed to rival the first which is the much anticipated beginning and the last which is the thrilling cliffhanger. Therefore, the Blind Banker makes little to no impression, yet it is a great mystery episode compared to other similar TV shows. In my opinion, the whole crime case was the least interesting so far and all the east asian fight stunts didn't quite fit the show's style. To be honest, it was a little boring.
8. A Scandal in Belgravia, S2E1
Yes, I realize that I am probably the only Sherlockian in the world to rank this episode that low. I agree that it's TV in its best, the case is one of the most interesting and Irene Adler is another character to hold us on the edge of our seat. The reason it makes it only to the eighth place is completely personal. You see, I am a manic Johnlock shipper and I went through a sad weekend till I made up my mind about what the nature of Sherlock's emotions for Irene were. I think I know now (but of course you can never know when Moffat insists you are a fool), yet the shadow of doubt returns from time to time because of this annoying episode. (Yes, I am that dramatic when it's about Johnlock.)
7. The Hounds of Baskerville, S2E2
Same with the Blind Banker, it airs right after and before two pieces of art - its fall is inevitable. Furthermore, Doyle's "The Hound of the Baskervilles" is probably the most beloved Sherlock Holmes story, so there were high expectations and, in the end, too little was delivered in the show. I didn't like the plot adaptation, it could be better. We see some progress in Sherlock's and John's friendship and we are given some really enjoyable scenes, but apart from that, nothing memorable happens. Also, I have the impression that the acting here is a bit off, especially Benedict Cumberbatch's. The scene in which Sherlock is terrified and can't rationally explain what happened is a bit over the top and not convincing. However, hats off for the ending scene - Moriarty proves to be the scariest type of villain. Obsessed.
6. The Great Game, S1E3
As its name suggests, this episode is truly great, yet the rest are even better. The game is on and it is great. However, there were so many cases, one after the other, one inside another, that I found it really hard to follow the first time. The Great Game is Sherlock's version of Inception or so it seemed to me. Nevermind, here Jim Moriarty is finally introduced in an absolutely comical and an extremely agonizing sequence, so I forgive this episode for its far too perplexed plot.
5. The Empty Hearse, S3E1
Now, this episode is the definition of clever. It's not really about crime solving, it's about Sherlock coming back and reconciling with John Watson. What I consider ingenious here is that there was a big question that desperately needed to be answered FOR TWO YEARS, yet Gatiss kept fooling around with his victims (aka the audience). He provided three explanations which were popular among the fandom, only to shot the two down a few seconds later and leave the third half-convincing half-trolling. And when you finally think "I'm done, I'll never find out exactly how that happened", they give us this heartbreaking scene where John informs Sherlock that he asked for a miracle and Sherlock meaningfully replies "I heard you". In the end, rather than looking for a rational explanation that wouldn't satisfy everybody anyway, it's better to believe in the miracle of love and friendship. So emotional, so beautiful, so clever. I could place it higher, but I won't, simply because no matter what I just said, an explanation WOULD DO, thank you very much.
4. The Sign of Three, S3E2
Here comes the only middle episode so far to be a masterpiece. The mystery case is interesting, yet again it's not the core of the story. Thank God it isn't, because we have much more serious issues in this one; John Watson gets married and Sherlock tries to cope with it (or so he thinks). The filming and script are amazing - nearly every scene in this episode is successfully delivered through a very long and very heartfelt best man speech. Here we learn more about Sherlock as a human being and we can't help but sympathize with his sorrow and loneliness. After all, this series is not about crime solving, no matter how weird that may sound. It is about the development of its two main characters as long as the depth and nature of their relationship with each other. I won't say a word about the drunk scene. A word. Only that it made me look to the show's future with hope and excitement.
3. A Study in Pink, S1E1
Forever favourite, the dear one, the one that started it all. Not only does it introduce us to the unique personality of Sherlock Holmes and the adorable John Watson, but it's also one of the best crime cases in the history of TV. We get the first glimpse of the extraordinary, almost scary talent that Sherlock possesses. The sequence where Sherlock makes deductions about the pink lady is one of my favourites in the series. We also get to know lovely Molly and dear Mrs Hudson and my weakness, DI Lestrade. We wonder how evil Mycroft is until we realize he, just like Sherlock, is a drama queen. And we get just a glimpse, a glimpse about the real potential of Sherlock's and John's relationship. By that, I don't necessarily mean romantic. We see the potential through their magical, instant, outstanding chemistry. It can be romance, it can be friendship. But no matter what it can possibly be, we do know it will certainly be unforgettable.
2. The Reichenbach Fall, S2E3
Are you surprised it didn't make it to number one? Well, the two best episodes are a tie to me. Reichenbach is really the best of the best, it actually plays in the field of award winning movies. It's flawless. However,due to the fact that I watched all seasons in a few days and I didn't have to wait for two years to see what happened next, this episode had less impact on me than my number one. However, what can I really say about the last countdown between the two archenemies or the cinematography or the acting? Moriarty knows how to play Sherlock and make him vulnerable...or is it Sherlock who knows how to play Moriarty? Is the final problem solved? And what does it take for it? The Reichenbach Fall is a confusing, maddening drive to the unavoidable fall - not just the obvious one. The fall of the audience in a sea of unanswered questions, in an observatory of unspoken feelings, in the realization of how complex some things in this series are meant to be - how complex, deep and devastating.
1. His Last Vow, S3E3
Ah, here it is. The reason I can't concentrate to my work the last days. And it is not about the villain. Seriously, Magnussen is repulsive and evil, but who cares after all? No, it's not that. It takes nine episodes to start seeing deep into Sherlock's soul. It's not the brain we are interested in anymore, it's the soul. I had deduced (oh well) that Sherlock had remained a child in his mind, always fighting with his brother for some petty reason while killing time and boredom by solving mysteries. In the very last episode of the third season, in which the growth of Sherlock's character speeds up, this child dies and leaves adult Sherlock to fight with everything he supressed and mocked during all of his life - and get defeated. This episode contains my all time favourite scene and overall the best of the series in my opinion. The last mind palace. We have seen many sequencies of mind palace so far, but none quite like this one, where loss is death, insanity is hell, love is will and will becomes victory. And after all it takes, in the end everything is still unspoken and destructive, leaving the deeds to fill the air with meaning. How can Moffat and Gatiss not care about our emotional state even in the slightest? Why do we have to suffer all this? Probably because...wait, WHAT??????
