SHERLOCK IS BLOODY MARVELOUS! As always, what Weaverman says can be taken to the bank because the BBC's "SHERLOCK" series is truly terrific. Like Weaverman, like practically everybody else, when I heard that BBC-TV was going to do a series on Sherlock Holmes updated to the present day...well, I didn't think much of the idea. But it really works. And better than I had a right to expect. In present day London, Sherlock Holmes (whom one police sergeant refers to as "the freak") is the world's only "consulting detective" whom police call in for particularly tough cases. A mutual friend (well, actually a guy who went to school with him) introduces Sherlock to Dr. John Watson: wounded and newly discharged from the war in Afghanistan. Both men are looking for a flat mate to share expenses and they take up residence at 221B Baker Street. Sherlock is, of course, extremely hard to live with; he even describes himself as a "highly functioning sociopath" while Watson suffers from a psychosomatic limp which his therapist advises he treat by blogging about his life. Thus the original Victorian journals of Dr. Watson are updated to the 21st century; I mean, of course Dr. Watson would blog about his adventures with Sherlock Holmes, wouldn't he?

****

The BBC series consists so far of only 3 movie-length episodes (at approximately 90 minutes each) but more are on the way. The casting is absolutely perfect. Benedict Cumberbatch (ATONEMENT) strikes just the right note of eccentricity and "likable unlikability" without resorting to broad acting. The basset hound-faced Martin Freeman (SHAUN OF THE DEAD, HITCHHIKERS' GUIDE TO THE GALAXY, HOT FUZZ, the maybe/maybe not probably not the upcoming HOBBIT movie as well as the doctor who tries to extract "The Little Book of Calm" from Bill Bailey's gullet in the premiere episode of "BLACK BOOKS") as Dr. Watson is also perfect; his hangdog expression coupled with a serious competence when his help is needed make him believeable as an aide to the greatest detective. Una Stubbs appears as landlady Mrs. Hudson and Rupert Graves (A ROOM WITH A VIEW, V FOR VENDETTA) plays Inspector Lestrade. The series is the brainchild of DOCTOR WHO writer/producer Steven Moffat and LEAGUE OF GENTLEMEN co-writer/co-star Mark Gatiss (who also has a recurring acting role) with Sue Vertue (COUPLING, MR. BEAN) on as producer. A strange combination, you might think, for a Sherlock Holmes updated but it works like gangbusters. The series is thankfully free of camp or comedy but takes itself seriously; however, at the same time it is an extraordinary amount of fun. The on-screen rapport between Cumberbatch and Freeman is like a big jam donut with cream on top. Couldn't ask for anyone better and, if not for these two gentlemen, I really can't think of any other actors who would be right for the roles.

****

The first episode (film?) is entitled "A Study In Pink" which is an obvious take on Conan Doyle's original "A Study In Scarlet" in which Holmes and Watson meet, take up residence in Baker Street and encounter a string of suicides which might not be suicides. Episode Two explores the well-known Victorian/early 20th century pulp trope of Chinese tongs updated for the 21st century with "The Blind Banker" which features murder, smuggling and even a monstrous assassin named The Golem! The third episode (which maddeningly ends on a cliffhanger) is "The Great Game" which incorporates elements of Conan Doyle's "The Bruce Partington Plans" as well as a nicely sly insertion of "The Five Orange Pips" while pitting Sherlock against a mad bomber who puts the consulting detective through a series of "tests".

****

Sadly, the "SHERLOCK" series is so far unavailable over here in the States but will be coming out on dvd this November. I certainly urge you to give it a look. While the idea of updated such a heavily Victorian thing like Sherlock Holmes into the 21st century might seem like a silly thing to do, the creators of the series rightly point out that, at the time, the stories were viewed as cutting-edge contemporary tales. And that's what they are again; thanks to everyone involved in this truly noteworthy series.