Sherlock in love: A Scandal in Belgravia

There are so many things I love about Sherlock, the TV series produced by BBC. Each episode takes about 1.5 hours, almost as long as a short film, but equally as engaging as the best thrillers. While for many shows, adapting classical themes to their modern versions has posed some problems, we don't see that kind of dilemma here. The show is never trying too hard to be the modern rendering of the classic detective stories by Arthur Conan Doyle.

The challenge for any viewer is to dissociate previous mental images of Robert Downey Jr when looking at this Sherlock. In the BBC series, Sherlock is so British he's almost a snob. At first glance he's hardly charming but you go on to like him—it's inevitable—especially when he rattles of the list of clues he's used to deduce a particular detail. Benedict Cumberbatch is perfect for this role.

Martin Freeman stars as Dr. John Watson. If he's not assisting Sherlock on investigations, we see him blogging often in their shared apartment at 221B Baker Street, typing slowly using his two index fingers, with Sherlock occasionally moaning the stupidity of his posts. It's hilarious.

Season Two opens with A Scandal In Belgravia. Sherlock is summoned by the British government to take on a case of stolen photographs, which can be used to incriminate a high profile official. He goes to Buckingham Palace naked, covered by a white blanket. "What are we doing here?" asks Watson in disbelief, and they both laugh. This scene is so memorable to me because it shows that they've become really close friends.



Later we see the outline of a woman carrying a whip, wearing fishnet stockings . . . and someone familiar with the Sherlock stories will suspect that this must be Irene Adler (Lara Pulver). Her face is eventually revealed.

Sherlock sees Irene stark naked when he visits her place to do some investigating. For some reason, Sherlock cannot deduce anything from her, and he is taken aback by this strangely beautiful yet powerful woman.

And Sherlock falls in love. It's almost unbelievable, but he drifts to deep thinking and resorts to composing songs on a violin when he receives the news that she, the baffling Irene, is dead.

But is she, really? Can't wait for The Hound of the Baskervilles to be featured in the next episode.