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sherlock60Let's talk telly in the discussion post for Granada's TV adaptation of The Norwood Builder. If you haven't seen this episode yet, you can find it at YouTube, Netflix, Amazon Video, and DVD. Follow me behind the jump for my random thoughts and impressions. Please add your own in the comments!
Canon discussion for The Norwood Builder is available in the canon discussion post.
- When I notice the episode is one with David Burke as Watson, I'm happy, but it's not so much because he's there. Burke is great, don't get me wrong. Especially in this episode he is a useful helper, a caring companion, and a clever detective in his own right. But what really excites me is that his presence means Jeremy Brett as Holmes will be younger and healthy and spry, all flashing eyes and a thirst for the truth.
- The logical difficulties of NORW are softened here somewhat. It's a tramp's bones in the fire, which actually makes sense and has plausibility, unlike the rabbit bones in the text. But the plot still makes little sense. If Oldacre is so eager to "finalize" his will, wouldn't that include having it filed? But McFarlane never even makes it back to the office before Oldacre frames him for murder. Well, patience does not seem to be one of Oldacre's virtues -- unless you count the decades he spends waiting for the moment to enact his revenge. Couldn't he have waited just a few more days? And why does Mrs. McFarlane still have the defaced photo of herself from all those decades ago if she "tried to forget" Oldacre had ever been in her life? At least Watson asks about the bones here. I wish canon Watson did, because the doctor would have known those tiny animal bones weren't human!
- I felt terrible for that poor tramp sailor and his sad, angry, drunk sergeant friend Holmes meets undercover. It's probably better to leave Drunk Sergeant with the belief Tramp Sailor was a liar rather than tell him the hideous truth. Holmes can't resist trying to defend the innocent dead man a little, but Drunk Sergeant is too hurt by the supposed betrayal to allow that. I hope he found a safe home somewhere and a friend to stay at his side. Maybe the Great White tooth eventually found its way to him.
- It's fun to watch Jeremy Brett's Holmes versus Colin Jeavon's Lestrade and the Yard at their friendly(ish) rivalry. There's a mutual respect and a begrudged affection between them, even when they each think or realize they're beaten. They are both good, decent, fair men in search of truth and justice above their own successes, although showy personal triumphs over the other are irresistible if they're available. If only Lestrade was a little more competent, and his opposition a little less, well, Sherlock Holmes.
Canon discussion for The Norwood Builder is available in the canon discussion post.
- When I notice the episode is one with David Burke as Watson, I'm happy, but it's not so much because he's there. Burke is great, don't get me wrong. Especially in this episode he is a useful helper, a caring companion, and a clever detective in his own right. But what really excites me is that his presence means Jeremy Brett as Holmes will be younger and healthy and spry, all flashing eyes and a thirst for the truth.
- The logical difficulties of NORW are softened here somewhat. It's a tramp's bones in the fire, which actually makes sense and has plausibility, unlike the rabbit bones in the text. But the plot still makes little sense. If Oldacre is so eager to "finalize" his will, wouldn't that include having it filed? But McFarlane never even makes it back to the office before Oldacre frames him for murder. Well, patience does not seem to be one of Oldacre's virtues -- unless you count the decades he spends waiting for the moment to enact his revenge. Couldn't he have waited just a few more days? And why does Mrs. McFarlane still have the defaced photo of herself from all those decades ago if she "tried to forget" Oldacre had ever been in her life? At least Watson asks about the bones here. I wish canon Watson did, because the doctor would have known those tiny animal bones weren't human!
- I felt terrible for that poor tramp sailor and his sad, angry, drunk sergeant friend Holmes meets undercover. It's probably better to leave Drunk Sergeant with the belief Tramp Sailor was a liar rather than tell him the hideous truth. Holmes can't resist trying to defend the innocent dead man a little, but Drunk Sergeant is too hurt by the supposed betrayal to allow that. I hope he found a safe home somewhere and a friend to stay at his side. Maybe the Great White tooth eventually found its way to him.
- It's fun to watch Jeremy Brett's Holmes versus Colin Jeavon's Lestrade and the Yard at their friendly(ish) rivalry. There's a mutual respect and a begrudged affection between them, even when they each think or realize they're beaten. They are both good, decent, fair men in search of truth and justice above their own successes, although showy personal triumphs over the other are irresistible if they're available. If only Lestrade was a little more competent, and his opposition a little less, well, Sherlock Holmes.
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