No duh, Sherlock

I don't watch a lot of TV, but I'm always willing to sit still for BBC One’s version of Sherlock. Loving this show is a no-brainer.

To start, the writing is good. Every episode—each 90 minutes, like a short movie—takes me by surprise, but without leaving me feeling duped or confused. The best endings are the ones that make sense, but you never see coming. I love a good twist!

The show also has an excellent cast. Benedict Cumberbatch is perfect as Sherlock Holmes in the modern era. I might even like him more than RDJ’s movie version (shh, don’t tell Robert). And Martin Freeman does a great job as John Watson, blogging about their adventures, and putting up with the genius’s pure nuttiness and lack of tact.

I love that this version is a modern adaptation. It’s fun to rethink Holmes in the age of smart phones, texting, the Internet, and modern forensic science.

The show is a good mix of mystery, fun (not outright comedy, but humorous moments), and danger.

I’ll admit that I don’t have a long history of loving Sherlock Holmes. I own the complete book of Doyle’s original stories, but I opened it once or twice and never picked it up again. I tend to like modern works set in historical times, but not so much historical works that were modern in their time.

But somewhere along my family tree I supposedly share a branch with Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, so I’m delighted that I’ve found a way to connect to his most famous character.

And I’m even more delighted that Sherlock will be back for a third series, even if BBC One hasn’t announced a date. Too bad I’ll have to wait until it’s out on DVD.

Do you like Sherlock? Is there some other show you’re obsessed with right now? Got any recommendations for similar shows?