This special was long and drawn out with too many "comical" elements and "blasts from the past" but not enough wit or substance compared to the first 2 seasons. We didn't even get to learn who the real murderers were, so what was the point again? The acting overall wasn't bad, and the plot had some potential until mid way through, hence it's a 3/10 and not 1/10. The sequences with Moriarty were also drawn out and unneeded, it would suffice if he had a 2 minute cameo in the end, to remind us of the 21st century, but lets leave it at that. Then the writers should have used the extra time to give us more closure in the 19th century. However my biggest concern was that according to the show, it's okay to murder someone who hurt your tiny bitty feelings, as long as you are female. "Oh no he promised her money and status but he didn't deliver so OBVIOUSLY the greedy gold digger had to kill him!". Who writes this trash, and how is any sane viewer supposed to sympathize with that? This isn't even real feminism, feminism should be about equality in opportunities AND responsibilities! The women involved in the murders deserved a long long jail time!!! This is a warped version of feminism where females are exempt from the negative consequences of their actions. Instead of appearing progressive (which I assume was the goal), it perpetuates the problematic notion that women should be pandered to. Mary doesn't come off as empowered when she speaks that way to john, the man she supposedly loves. She comes off as immature. To elaborate, saying you'd like to walk someone to their car is NOT grounds for an emotional fit. This is why shows should stick to one aspect (in this case Sherlock being a genius detective). I probably won't be watching this show anymore, it's clearly gone downhill for a while now but this episode was the final nail in its coffin.
Review of The Abominable Bride
When will show-runners learn not to force politics into their work? It rarely pays off.
2 January 2016
Warning: Spoilers