you mean edward hardwicke? i liked david burke better because he looked younger, and hardwicke's performance in the hound of the baskervilles, which was the first of the ones with him that i watched, disappointed me somewhat as i found it--a little too stiff. but he grew on me and converted me completely in 'the empty house.' i like them both and don't grumble too much about having to make the switch.

why should you hope it wouldn't lead to slash?--just because there's not all that much of it to read, and even less that's really good?