‘Sherlock’ returns alive and better than ever
TV Review: After waiting two years, the devoted fans of the British series should be pleased by Season 3.
January 29, 2014
Our favorite detective Sherlock Holmes returned from the dead in “Sherlock” Season 3’s first episode “The Empty Hearse” on PBS January 19. During the shocking and personally heart-wrenching finale of Season 2, Sherlock Holmes, played by Benedict Cumberbatch, jumped to his death, leaving not only his grief-ridden and devoted army doctor John Watson, played by Martin Freeman, behind to bury Holmes’ fake corpse but also leaving Sherlockians in what would be an agonizing two year hiatus.
After knowing that Sherlock did not actually die in the last several scenes of “The Reichenbach Fall,” fans who spent the hiatus theorizing the possibilities of how Sherlock escaped death should expect to be highly disappointed since the new episode focuses on the “why” rather than the “how.” The fake death itself and how he managed to return is trivial in the face of Sherlock’s biggest challenge: John Watson. Sherlock, who allowed his best friend and companion to believe that he was dead for two years, cannot return to his normal life without returning to his angry Watson as well. Fans are able to watch Sherlock, for the first time, dealing with the consequences of his rash action as he tries to mend his relationship with Watson. This episode is different from the show’s established format because it concentrates on the emotional aspects of Sherlock’s absence rather than the episode’s plot of solving the imminent terrorist attack in London and saving the Houses of Parliament.
Although others might say otherwise, I believe that “The Empty Hearse” was possibly the most laugh-inducing, and emotionally-fulfilling episode Sherlockians could have expected after waiting two years for our arrogant, obnoxious, and yet lovable Sherlock Holmes and fearless John Watson to grace our TV screens once more. This episode was the perfect transition into the new season. There were some things that could have been addressed during the show such as the big gaping question on everyone’s mind of how Sherlock managed to escape death, but this episode was clearly created by Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss for the fans. Therefore, the episode leaned more toward Sherlock and John’s relationship, rather than the common Sherlock episode that features Sherlock’s crisp calculations and detective work.
However, the more conventional viewers don’t have to worry about the difference in this episode in comparison to others because of how quickly Cumberbatch and Freeman immerse themselves in their respective characters, making fans realize how much they missed this famous duo. Both actors completely embody their characters and their chemistry seems even more intense than before, as Sherlock resumes being the high and danger that Watson needs, and Watson being the support, control, and friend that Sherlock needs–yin and yang.
The new season began with a bang and did not disappoint. The episode was fast-paced and action-packed. It was emotional and also incredibly humorous. If you plan on watching Sherlock starting with this season, although ill-advised, you will at least find yourself laughing throughout the entire episode amidst their confusion. Of all three seasons, I think Season 3 will outdo the rest.
