Sherlock- The Hounds of Baskerville

WARNING SPOILERS FOR BOTH

This episode of Sherlock was aired on the 13^th of May 2012.

We first see that Sherlock (Benedict Cumberbatch) needs a case; his mind is always active and he needs something to focus it on. Luckily the doorbell rings and in walks Henry Knight (Russell Tovey). During the conversation Sherlock notices things that are obvious and easy to spot, you just need to know how.

After initially not wanting to take on the case because he was too busy looking into another case of the disappearing rabbit called Bluebell. Sherlock upon hearing the words ‘Gigantic Hound’ decides to go to Dartmoor and investigate further with his companion Dr. John Watson (Martin Freeman)

At a pub we hear more about the Hound and that there is an escaped prisoner at large. We also see where the story of the hound is an excuse to cash in on the tourism trade. This is realistic as we find where there is a story to be told, tourists like to hear about local interests.

In the 1959 version ‘The Hound of the Baskervilles’ with Peter Cushion playing the role of Sherlock Holmes, Sherlock stays in London and only after receiving reports from Dr. Watson (Andre Morell) does he make his way to Dartmoor in secret. Also the story is set around a mansion, where this more modern version is set around a Lab/Army base called Baskerville. The slight change to the title also suggests this is a different take on the book by Arthur Colan Doyle, which the 1959 version more closely follows.

We still see the original names of characters being used, Dr. Stapleton (Amelia Bullmore) and Dr. Mortimer (Sasha Behar) although one is now a shrink and the other works in the Lab. As the names were already written it is easy to slot it all together.

This version is more cold and clinical than the 1959 one, set around a Lab instead of a warm family home, changes the look and feel of this one.

Some parts give off an air of mystery and is sinister looking, it captures the moors at night. Anywhere can look creepy at night especially with an added legend included.

We see an insight into someone who spends his career thinking rationally see something he cannot explain. It plays havoc with his mind. It is clever how they script Sherlock getting his mind back on track, he does what he does best and notices things.

This episode is all about referencing seeing something and not specifically a hound. The case hinges on how the word hound, but is it, a word? It is brilliant to see Sherlock’s take on it.

It is brave to have this episode surround experimenting on animals, it is a controversial subject but with the story being about a ‘Gigantic Hound’, I suppose putting/slotting it all together it made sense for a modern take on the original story.

It is amazing to witness Sherlock and how his mind works, what jumps in and out of his mind is realistic when a person is in his own thoughts.

The prisoner seems to have been overlooked he is only mentioned in a passing comment at the beginning. The prisoner featured more prominently in the 1959 one, but It seems right to just focus on the case/story alone in this one.

When there is smoke there is fire and smoke can be deadly but fog can be used to cause somewhat just as much havoc as well.

I won’t give away who did it, but well done Sherlock, another crime solved.