Entertaining episode from the Granada series with clever mystery and great performances. Holmes is requested by the Prime Minister and a British diplomat to recover an important document that if disclosed, could lead to war. Further complications arise when a man is murdered with a blood stain on the floor that doesn't correspond to the one above on the carpet. The story moves at a good pace and at the end the mystery is neatly solved. The excellent supporting cast includes Stuart Wilson, Yves Beneyton, and Colin Jeavons, returning as Inspector Lestrade. Jeremy Brett shines once again as Sherlock Holmes, and Patricia Hodge is captivating in her performance. Particularly noteworthy is the compassion Holmes extends to Lady Trelawney Hope, as well as his effective and sometimes amusing interactions with Watson and Lestrade. Well worth watching.
Review of The Second Stain
