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cimorenethese are the jeremy brett versions from the 1980s, and he's by far my favorite holmes.
a scandal in bohemia: watson gives anxious and adoring looks to holmes all through the beginning of this episode, because holmes is acting funny and watson thinks he's high. holmes flirts with him for a while, offering him a try of seven percent with an obscure glittery look, then declaring he has misdiagnosed the high. his stimulant of choice is in fact a letter.
when the king of bohemia shows up, you're thinking, what's with the skirt? it turns out it's a funky long white jacket with elaborate black lacings. it is too bizarre to be anything other than historically accurate. he's also got a funky cape and brooch and one of those beards that doesn't cover the chin, and a prominent forehead. he distantly resembles viggo. (!, you say. not as hot though, says i.) holmes knows he's royalty but doesn't stand up for him and won't shake his hand; he also flat refuses to send watson from the room, which readers will know happens a bunch of times throughout the series.
irene adler is brilliantly cast with what must be a real opera singer, redheaded, large eyes, heart-shaped face. all her costumes are exquisite; she makes mutton sleeves look alright; in male drag she's very RAR; singing at the piano her voice is good enough to eat. holmes gets to play the master of disguise in this one as well. his voice changes with the parts, as first a groom and then a clergyman. the groom is the best--red hair, a funny stooped back and bushy eyebrows, red bits of fake burst veins over his nose (which is thin, aristocratic, and beautiful. looks carven of ivory. brett's casting as holmes was also inspired).
the funkiness begins when they start to imply holmes is interested in miss adler's physical appearance. 'a face that a man might die for,' he says, a voiceover. we cut to him at his desk, watson standing by. watson sounds dumbfounded, laughing a little. he says something like 'those are strange words for you.' but holmes is irritated by the implication, busily moving around and doing things. 'a metaphor only,' he says. at the end they try the implication again, dwelling with music and lengthy looks on the photograph of irene. (dad and i agree, although he's not into the slash so much, that holmes's consideration of irene is in fact because of her sneakiness, not her face.)
the dancing men: most holmes stories actually do begin with a little flirting. this one is great cuteness. brett plays holmes with shocking vigor. he starts out with a deduction, teasing watson that once he explains his reasoning it will be called 'absurdly simple,' which watson denies. of course holmes is proved right, but first he dances around and gradually reveals himself. his grin prompts watson to ask why he's in such a good mood. then there's a great shot where he's vibrating with enthusiasm, looking out from behind the slip of paper covered with a row of ciphers with this little ":>" face. even the way his ears stick out seems charming.
the ep's holmes/watson action is interspersed with a lot of flashbacks/scene shifts to the case itself and the action between the client and his wife, elsie. the guest stars for these two characters are good. there are several moving moments along with one really silly one.
the climax scenes are charming, with the abject admiration of the country constable, the nervousness of the servants (and their costumes). brett's holmes's mysterious/cunning face looks a lot like some people's seductive faces might.
a scandal in bohemia: watson gives anxious and adoring looks to holmes all through the beginning of this episode, because holmes is acting funny and watson thinks he's high. holmes flirts with him for a while, offering him a try of seven percent with an obscure glittery look, then declaring he has misdiagnosed the high. his stimulant of choice is in fact a letter.
when the king of bohemia shows up, you're thinking, what's with the skirt? it turns out it's a funky long white jacket with elaborate black lacings. it is too bizarre to be anything other than historically accurate. he's also got a funky cape and brooch and one of those beards that doesn't cover the chin, and a prominent forehead. he distantly resembles viggo. (!, you say. not as hot though, says i.) holmes knows he's royalty but doesn't stand up for him and won't shake his hand; he also flat refuses to send watson from the room, which readers will know happens a bunch of times throughout the series.
irene adler is brilliantly cast with what must be a real opera singer, redheaded, large eyes, heart-shaped face. all her costumes are exquisite; she makes mutton sleeves look alright; in male drag she's very RAR; singing at the piano her voice is good enough to eat. holmes gets to play the master of disguise in this one as well. his voice changes with the parts, as first a groom and then a clergyman. the groom is the best--red hair, a funny stooped back and bushy eyebrows, red bits of fake burst veins over his nose (which is thin, aristocratic, and beautiful. looks carven of ivory. brett's casting as holmes was also inspired).
the funkiness begins when they start to imply holmes is interested in miss adler's physical appearance. 'a face that a man might die for,' he says, a voiceover. we cut to him at his desk, watson standing by. watson sounds dumbfounded, laughing a little. he says something like 'those are strange words for you.' but holmes is irritated by the implication, busily moving around and doing things. 'a metaphor only,' he says. at the end they try the implication again, dwelling with music and lengthy looks on the photograph of irene. (dad and i agree, although he's not into the slash so much, that holmes's consideration of irene is in fact because of her sneakiness, not her face.)
the dancing men: most holmes stories actually do begin with a little flirting. this one is great cuteness. brett plays holmes with shocking vigor. he starts out with a deduction, teasing watson that once he explains his reasoning it will be called 'absurdly simple,' which watson denies. of course holmes is proved right, but first he dances around and gradually reveals himself. his grin prompts watson to ask why he's in such a good mood. then there's a great shot where he's vibrating with enthusiasm, looking out from behind the slip of paper covered with a row of ciphers with this little ":>" face. even the way his ears stick out seems charming.
the ep's holmes/watson action is interspersed with a lot of flashbacks/scene shifts to the case itself and the action between the client and his wife, elsie. the guest stars for these two characters are good. there are several moving moments along with one really silly one.
the climax scenes are charming, with the abject admiration of the country constable, the nervousness of the servants (and their costumes). brett's holmes's mysterious/cunning face looks a lot like some people's seductive faces might.
