With its major character introductions already out of the way, this second episode of BBC's Sherlock is able to focus more on defining roles and settling in. Holmes and Watson are already developing a prickly, sarcastic working relationship that's not without precedent but still somewhat befuddling. Watson, the kind-enough everyman, is so constantly on the pointed end of Sherlock's icy pokes and prods, it's easy to question why he sticks around - that is, until the duo lock in and begin functioning together near the end of the chapter. Even at their worst moments, though, the two work as a good balance for each other: Holmes as the brilliant, socially-stunted brains behind the operation and Watson the more personable, common sense-minded counterweight. The production values of this episode aren't quite up to those of the premiere, with a few major scenes looking very much like they were shot for TV, but it does manage to retain the cool, unique editing techniques and visually-indicated clues I liked so much in its debut. In terms of the plot, the B-level murder mystery does lead to a couple of surprisingly good scenes, but ultimately doesn't measure up to the high standards set by the first episode. Still, it's fine material that's much, much better than the Downey-helmed American interpretations.
37 Reviews
Not bad, but nowhere near as good as A Study in Pink
paul-chambre15 January 2012
Warning: Spoilers
The first episode in this series was perfectly brilliant. Its characters were interesting, its plot was fairly unique, and its dialog was exceptional. The only complaint I'd have about the first episode is that it took too long for Sherlock to figure out who the killer was when all the details were already staring him in the face.
The second episode was a lot more clichéd. Taken without comparing it to A Study in Pink, it's quite watchable and decent, but, when compared, it's a bit of a let down. There is a lot less deduction, a lot less clever dialog, and Watson, painted as a pretty strong character in the first episode, is weakened considerably, relative to the suddenly martial Sherlock Holmes.
Besides those complaints, there are also a couple of significant plot holes in this episode; the largest being why Soo Lin, who has spent five years hiding from the Black Lotus, just happens to be living right next door to their smugglers' drop point in London.
The second episode was a lot more clichéd. Taken without comparing it to A Study in Pink, it's quite watchable and decent, but, when compared, it's a bit of a let down. There is a lot less deduction, a lot less clever dialog, and Watson, painted as a pretty strong character in the first episode, is weakened considerably, relative to the suddenly martial Sherlock Holmes.
Besides those complaints, there are also a couple of significant plot holes in this episode; the largest being why Soo Lin, who has spent five years hiding from the Black Lotus, just happens to be living right next door to their smugglers' drop point in London.
Intriguing
grantss24 June 2016
Sherlock Holmes, assisted by Dr Watson, is hired by a large bank to investigate the vandalism of an artwork on the bank's premises. Someone managed to get into the bank and paint a symbol on the painting. Holmes works out that it was a message, and who the message was for. However, when he finds the person, he is dead, shot. To the police it is suicide, as nobody could have gotten into his apartment, it seems, but Holmes is convinced that he was murdered Just then a journalist turns up murdered in their apartment, and Holmes thinks the two crimes are connected. Through tracking the journalist's movements, Holmes discovers the connection - they both were presented with ancient Chinese symbols, sent as a warning. The key to the case lies with a Chinese woman, working at the museum.
Intriguing, dark and tension-filled. A good mystery that moves at a decent pace. Some decent action sequences too, some humour and even a bit of romance. Something for everybody.
Intriguing, dark and tension-filled. A good mystery that moves at a decent pace. Some decent action sequences too, some humour and even a bit of romance. Something for everybody.
Maybe would have been better off receiving a second attempt at filming it, just as the pilot had been.
stillworkingfortheknife4 May 2014
Though maintaining an engaging rapport between its two protagonists and an imaginative filmmaking style, Sherlock sees a severe step back in quality in "The Blind Banker", a generic whodunit follow-up to the phenomenal pilot. There aren't any exciting villains or really interesting supporting characters, as both Mycroft and Lestrade have gone AWOL, and the feature-length second episode has a pace and thrill problem in general.
Curiously, it takes quite some time for that to become clear, as "The Blind Banker" commences with a lot of witty moments and the type of brilliant dead-pan situation analysing I've already grown to adore about Benedict Cumberbatch's Holmes. However, after some thirty minutes, screenwriter Stephen Thompson appears to have run out of supplies and in exchange opts for only re-writing the source material and including an awful lot of detective story clichés. Neither would I have been surprised nor disappointed by that – at the time Sir Arthur Conan Doyle had been writing his Sherlock Holmes novels, these sorts of storytelling techniques hadn't been counting as clichés and this series is still an adaption of his works after all – hadn't the crime-solving part consumed such a vast portion of the episode, incorporating the development of John and Sherlock's relationship and the introduction of Sarah a bit sloppily just along the way.
For the crime story and its outcome itself, well, it's surely not on the qualitative upper end of all Sherlock Holmes stories and it will hardly be remembered for its clever or even genuinely threatening antagonists. And as if to secure that this episode is inferior to the whole rest of the bunch by an English-Channel-sized margin with all means available, there's also a colossal bouquet of plot holes to indulge in, along with some general oversimplifying, i.e. Sherlock and John ambling through the not particularly tiny city of London and encountering important hints for unravelling the murders as frequently as bookstalls. Then there's the ever-present prowess of Sherlock Holmes that does go beyond the boundaries of believability a handful of times in "The Blind Banker", but I guess that's something you've got to accept with such a series and its other instalments don't very much exclude it either.
"The Blind Banker" surely is a fun time to watch and benefits from passionate acting, excellent dialogue, and the basic idea behind Sherlock that is of course kept on with. However, whether it's viewed with a critical eye or not, this episode is simply subpar to all of the series's others and maybe would have been better off receiving a second attempt at filming it, just as the pilot had been.
My detective scribblings: Sherlock ex machina. I was really hoping not having to use that terrible pun when reviewing this series, but here I am, thanks to Stephen Thompson's lack of imagination. Smart reference to the source material with Sherlock just randomly fighting a robed figure in the beginning of the episode. Since he is right about the epitome of a socially awkward fellow, it's only been a matter of time until the series included Sherlock Holmes simpering and, well, here it is! What is with Sherlock's soft-focused establishing shots? It does provide them with a more distinctive touch, but I don't see it as a highly necessary thing to do. Otherwise, there are loads of good-looking shots in this episode. WHAT? Sherlock Holmes is using Internet Explorer? And I also do wonder what sorts of news websites he is visiting if they are listing things such as "Canine roller-coaster enthusiast" under their top news. General Shan creeping from the other side of the street really was a well-done suspension building move "The Blind Banker" would have needed more of. As if series creators Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss had listened to my criticisms about their pilot (and not minding the facts that I uttered these three years after this episode had already premiered), Sherlock's unneeded thought bubbles have been taken out for the biggest part. However, this has now led to him soliloquising here and there, which I don't really prefer over the on-screen writing. Best line of dialogue: "I said could you pass me a pen." Taking Sherlock Holmes as an inspiration, I'll start conversations with that phrase more often from now on.
Curiously, it takes quite some time for that to become clear, as "The Blind Banker" commences with a lot of witty moments and the type of brilliant dead-pan situation analysing I've already grown to adore about Benedict Cumberbatch's Holmes. However, after some thirty minutes, screenwriter Stephen Thompson appears to have run out of supplies and in exchange opts for only re-writing the source material and including an awful lot of detective story clichés. Neither would I have been surprised nor disappointed by that – at the time Sir Arthur Conan Doyle had been writing his Sherlock Holmes novels, these sorts of storytelling techniques hadn't been counting as clichés and this series is still an adaption of his works after all – hadn't the crime-solving part consumed such a vast portion of the episode, incorporating the development of John and Sherlock's relationship and the introduction of Sarah a bit sloppily just along the way.
For the crime story and its outcome itself, well, it's surely not on the qualitative upper end of all Sherlock Holmes stories and it will hardly be remembered for its clever or even genuinely threatening antagonists. And as if to secure that this episode is inferior to the whole rest of the bunch by an English-Channel-sized margin with all means available, there's also a colossal bouquet of plot holes to indulge in, along with some general oversimplifying, i.e. Sherlock and John ambling through the not particularly tiny city of London and encountering important hints for unravelling the murders as frequently as bookstalls. Then there's the ever-present prowess of Sherlock Holmes that does go beyond the boundaries of believability a handful of times in "The Blind Banker", but I guess that's something you've got to accept with such a series and its other instalments don't very much exclude it either.
"The Blind Banker" surely is a fun time to watch and benefits from passionate acting, excellent dialogue, and the basic idea behind Sherlock that is of course kept on with. However, whether it's viewed with a critical eye or not, this episode is simply subpar to all of the series's others and maybe would have been better off receiving a second attempt at filming it, just as the pilot had been.
My detective scribblings: Sherlock ex machina. I was really hoping not having to use that terrible pun when reviewing this series, but here I am, thanks to Stephen Thompson's lack of imagination. Smart reference to the source material with Sherlock just randomly fighting a robed figure in the beginning of the episode. Since he is right about the epitome of a socially awkward fellow, it's only been a matter of time until the series included Sherlock Holmes simpering and, well, here it is! What is with Sherlock's soft-focused establishing shots? It does provide them with a more distinctive touch, but I don't see it as a highly necessary thing to do. Otherwise, there are loads of good-looking shots in this episode. WHAT? Sherlock Holmes is using Internet Explorer? And I also do wonder what sorts of news websites he is visiting if they are listing things such as "Canine roller-coaster enthusiast" under their top news. General Shan creeping from the other side of the street really was a well-done suspension building move "The Blind Banker" would have needed more of. As if series creators Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss had listened to my criticisms about their pilot (and not minding the facts that I uttered these three years after this episode had already premiered), Sherlock's unneeded thought bubbles have been taken out for the biggest part. However, this has now led to him soliloquising here and there, which I don't really prefer over the on-screen writing. Best line of dialogue: "I said could you pass me a pen." Taking Sherlock Holmes as an inspiration, I'll start conversations with that phrase more often from now on.
Slow to start, but great when it gets going.
Sleepin_Dragon21 July 2018
Study in Pink was always going to be a hard act to follow, and in some ways this will always be the poor relation to the dynamic, pulse racing opener, but on the whole I think there is still real quality here.
The first one was big and bold, and of course introduced us to the main players, here the scene is already set, so by default we get a mystery that's a little cosy, perhaps a little smaller. Cosy might be unkind as it features some complex notions, it's still energetic, particularly towards the ends, and it's certainly visually impressive, with superb production values.
Cumberbatch continues to impress, his delivery so underplayed. Gemma Chan impressed me hugely here too.
I found it a little slow to start, but once it gets going it's enjoyable. The ending didn't feel like Holmes in the form of Jeremy Brett, but it certainly could have been in one of Basil Rathbone's movies.
Enjoyed it, 8/10
The first one was big and bold, and of course introduced us to the main players, here the scene is already set, so by default we get a mystery that's a little cosy, perhaps a little smaller. Cosy might be unkind as it features some complex notions, it's still energetic, particularly towards the ends, and it's certainly visually impressive, with superb production values.
Cumberbatch continues to impress, his delivery so underplayed. Gemma Chan impressed me hugely here too.
I found it a little slow to start, but once it gets going it's enjoyable. The ending didn't feel like Holmes in the form of Jeremy Brett, but it certainly could have been in one of Basil Rathbone's movies.
Enjoyed it, 8/10
I missed a good villain for this one.
patrick-raphael30 October 2018
Sherlock, John and Lovely Sarah Face Chinese Sand-Dripping Torture
WeatherViolet31 October 2010
Warning: Spoilers
Well, if there were one inconsistency between this and the last episode, no one this time around expresses the notion that Sherlock and John maintain romantic notions toward each other, in fact, multiple characters remarking, for a differing change of pace, that John seeks female companionship.
Sherlock Holmes (Benedict Cumberbatch) and Doctor John Watson's (Martin Freeman) Landlady, Mrs. Hudson (Una Stubbs), returns, after being informed of John's orientation the last time around, and Molly Hooper (Loo Brealey) returns to the Police Mortuary, also realizing John's eye for the ladies, but so do new characters, as well.
In the absence of Inspector Lestrade (Rupert Graves), who does not appear in this episode, Detective Inspector Dimmock (Paul Chequer) substitutes for him, leading the Police investigation of a London murder spree bearing a connection to a Chinese syndicate's smuggling operation.
This begins at National Antiques Museum's Restoration Room, at which Chinese native Soo Lin Yao (Gemma Chan) specializes in preserving ancient ceramic tea pots, while British co-worker Andy Galbraith (Al Weaver) invites her to socialize at a pub after hours, but she turns him down. Soon, after someone wearing a sheet frightens her in the Museum after hours, Soo Lin Yao ends up missing, and Andy attempts to track her down.
Meanwhile, John experiences difficulties attempting to purchase provisions at an automated store, as the electronic cashier indicates that his banking card has insufficient funds. Upon his return to the flat, John discovers that Sherlock has turned down a case from lack of interest, but the bills amass, causing John to decide that he needs a job, but in the meantime, he asks Sherlock for a loan, so Sherlock says that he needs to go to the bank.
Bank Receptionist Amanda (Olivia Poulet) directs Sherlock and John to Sherlock's former university classmate, Sebastian "Seb" Wilkes (Bertie Carvel), who explains that someone broke into the fully automated bank last night to smear paint upon portrait; therefore, there's a hole in security. Seb offers Sherlock a five-thousand pound check to investigate.
Sherlock and John visit banker Eddie Van Coon (Daniel Percival), Sherlock entering his building through Miss Wintle's, Eddie's upstairs neighbor, apartment, climbing from her balcony to admit him to investigate, but in the process, Sherlock discovers a body, while keeping John waiting in the hallway.
Detective Inspector Dimmock expresses little patience for Sherlock as they conduct the investigation. But soon, Journalist Brian Lukis (Howard Coggins) runs through the streets as someone follows him into his flat, where a second body is discovered, leading Sherlock to deduce that the intruder could walk through walls of another locked room.
Back at National Antiques Museum, Andy discovers that Soo Lin resigns from museum, and he cannot locate her, while John approaches amicable Receptionist Sarah (Zoe Telford) at a Surgery Center, where he applies for a position for which he's over-qualified, which John accepts but continues to investigate with Sherlock all night, draining his stamina for work, while Sherlock must discover a link to connects the two murders.
At a library where a victim checked out books, John discovers a yellow graffiti design on bookshelf, matching discovery on bank portrait, so Sherlock consults Raz (Jack Bence), a graffiti artist, leaving John holding the can, and now he must face police charges.
At Lucky Cat Tea Room, Sherlock discovers a Chinese connection between murders and breaks into Soo Lin Yao's flat, where Sherlock is attacked by a strangler, while John waits outside for admittance. Andy then explains the tea ceremony demonstration, before yellow graffiti is found on a Museum statue.
Dimmock reaches Sherlock and John in search of Soo Lin Yao, to find yellow Graffiti paint on mural by railroad tracks, this to communicate with underworld. And back at Antiques Museum, Sherlock discovers that not every pot shines the next day.
Soo Lin Yao is soon discovered at Museum, explaining that the Cypher is after her, with the Mark of the Tong, an ancient crime syndicate, because when she was orphaned at fifteen, Black Lotus Syndicate forced her into smuggling into Hong Kong. Now, with a new life in England for the past five years, they search for her. She explains the identity of Black Lotus and the code of the graffiti, before a third body turns up at the Museum.
At the Morgue, Sherlock discovers that both male victims have the same tattoo mark on heel of right foot. Sherlock and John examine every book from two victims' collections through the night.
John invites Sarah to Chinese circus, where Sherlock joins them because he senses this a front of international smugglers. While Chinese Bird Spider performs, Sherlock discovers yellow spray paint in dressing room and is attacked by a Mark of the Tong, before Sarah joins forces to defend John and Sherlock.
When Sherlock searches for a Book which everyone would own, John is attacked, and John and Sarah kidnapped, taken to tunnel, and tortured for Empress Pin, while abductors do not believe a binded John is not Sherlock, as sands pour from overhead bag to lower large weight toward a binded Sarah. But will Sherlock be able to crack the secret code in time to figure whodunit and to rescue Sarah and John from the underground Chinese torture tunnel before the sands of time pour out, and additional bodies begin to surface?
Sherlock Holmes (Benedict Cumberbatch) and Doctor John Watson's (Martin Freeman) Landlady, Mrs. Hudson (Una Stubbs), returns, after being informed of John's orientation the last time around, and Molly Hooper (Loo Brealey) returns to the Police Mortuary, also realizing John's eye for the ladies, but so do new characters, as well.
In the absence of Inspector Lestrade (Rupert Graves), who does not appear in this episode, Detective Inspector Dimmock (Paul Chequer) substitutes for him, leading the Police investigation of a London murder spree bearing a connection to a Chinese syndicate's smuggling operation.
This begins at National Antiques Museum's Restoration Room, at which Chinese native Soo Lin Yao (Gemma Chan) specializes in preserving ancient ceramic tea pots, while British co-worker Andy Galbraith (Al Weaver) invites her to socialize at a pub after hours, but she turns him down. Soon, after someone wearing a sheet frightens her in the Museum after hours, Soo Lin Yao ends up missing, and Andy attempts to track her down.
Meanwhile, John experiences difficulties attempting to purchase provisions at an automated store, as the electronic cashier indicates that his banking card has insufficient funds. Upon his return to the flat, John discovers that Sherlock has turned down a case from lack of interest, but the bills amass, causing John to decide that he needs a job, but in the meantime, he asks Sherlock for a loan, so Sherlock says that he needs to go to the bank.
Bank Receptionist Amanda (Olivia Poulet) directs Sherlock and John to Sherlock's former university classmate, Sebastian "Seb" Wilkes (Bertie Carvel), who explains that someone broke into the fully automated bank last night to smear paint upon portrait; therefore, there's a hole in security. Seb offers Sherlock a five-thousand pound check to investigate.
Sherlock and John visit banker Eddie Van Coon (Daniel Percival), Sherlock entering his building through Miss Wintle's, Eddie's upstairs neighbor, apartment, climbing from her balcony to admit him to investigate, but in the process, Sherlock discovers a body, while keeping John waiting in the hallway.
Detective Inspector Dimmock expresses little patience for Sherlock as they conduct the investigation. But soon, Journalist Brian Lukis (Howard Coggins) runs through the streets as someone follows him into his flat, where a second body is discovered, leading Sherlock to deduce that the intruder could walk through walls of another locked room.
Back at National Antiques Museum, Andy discovers that Soo Lin resigns from museum, and he cannot locate her, while John approaches amicable Receptionist Sarah (Zoe Telford) at a Surgery Center, where he applies for a position for which he's over-qualified, which John accepts but continues to investigate with Sherlock all night, draining his stamina for work, while Sherlock must discover a link to connects the two murders.
At a library where a victim checked out books, John discovers a yellow graffiti design on bookshelf, matching discovery on bank portrait, so Sherlock consults Raz (Jack Bence), a graffiti artist, leaving John holding the can, and now he must face police charges.
At Lucky Cat Tea Room, Sherlock discovers a Chinese connection between murders and breaks into Soo Lin Yao's flat, where Sherlock is attacked by a strangler, while John waits outside for admittance. Andy then explains the tea ceremony demonstration, before yellow graffiti is found on a Museum statue.
Dimmock reaches Sherlock and John in search of Soo Lin Yao, to find yellow Graffiti paint on mural by railroad tracks, this to communicate with underworld. And back at Antiques Museum, Sherlock discovers that not every pot shines the next day.
Soo Lin Yao is soon discovered at Museum, explaining that the Cypher is after her, with the Mark of the Tong, an ancient crime syndicate, because when she was orphaned at fifteen, Black Lotus Syndicate forced her into smuggling into Hong Kong. Now, with a new life in England for the past five years, they search for her. She explains the identity of Black Lotus and the code of the graffiti, before a third body turns up at the Museum.
At the Morgue, Sherlock discovers that both male victims have the same tattoo mark on heel of right foot. Sherlock and John examine every book from two victims' collections through the night.
John invites Sarah to Chinese circus, where Sherlock joins them because he senses this a front of international smugglers. While Chinese Bird Spider performs, Sherlock discovers yellow spray paint in dressing room and is attacked by a Mark of the Tong, before Sarah joins forces to defend John and Sherlock.
When Sherlock searches for a Book which everyone would own, John is attacked, and John and Sarah kidnapped, taken to tunnel, and tortured for Empress Pin, while abductors do not believe a binded John is not Sherlock, as sands pour from overhead bag to lower large weight toward a binded Sarah. But will Sherlock be able to crack the secret code in time to figure whodunit and to rescue Sarah and John from the underground Chinese torture tunnel before the sands of time pour out, and additional bodies begin to surface?
Sherlock-The Blind Banker Season 1 Episode 2(2010)
dhruviekandhari22 June 2014
Warning: Spoilers
This is the season 1 ep 2 The Blind Banker. It is a very good production but up to the mark like study in pink,Ye it has a thrilling plot but it is like a regular case unlike Study In Pink which dealt with psychology and emotions and disturbances and friendship.This one is one nice thrilling adventure that u might like but. The fans who want to get amazed by emotional journey might not get satisfied,I would like to say that this a weakest episode in Series 1 in terms of 3 dimensional art.But still as a entertaining thrill ride,this one does not get lose but this is a regular one as in three episode series,one episode must be of a regular punch as very time u can't show magic as if a magician keeps showing A magic trick every day,people start getting bored,So this not a bad one either instead it keeps a flow of episodes,there must be slow things as if they come too fast,it would be nothing surprising but this is entertaining.Performances are brilliant,Benedict and Martin are amazing.The writers have justified this episode by the quality of good writing that matches to the plot and joint subplots.Give a try as u have to watch every episode of sherlock and keep the flow even if u miss 1 ep u must watch every episode one by one.7/10 by my side.
Don't worry. Next date won't be like this.
Bored_Dragon13 March 2019
8.75/10
dcdude-2698822 December 2023
I don't believe that this episode should be this lowly rated. I believe this should at least be an 8.2. It was kind of the same last time, which is with beautiful cinematography and amazing transitions. I love how the show made this episode like a part one of two. I believe in the next episode, some of this storyline would start to come to an end. As of right now, this series is definitely worth to binge-watch. It does place as #1 of best BBC series on Ranker, and places at #5 of best binge-worthy series. I am going to have to rate this series a 9/10 as of right now, this is based on average rating. I am loving this series so far.
The weakest of the bunch
lordman30 October 2010
Warning: Spoilers
The Blind Banker offers two strong performances which are unfortunately brought short by a clichéd and somewhat disorienting storyline. Yes, the basic pieces are here and they are great, but there are many things that someone even barely familiar with East Asia might find irritating.
First of all, a disclaimer: I am a sinologist and therefore obviously sensitized towards these things. However, I feel that this episodes gets things wrong at every turn - enough to warrant irritation for the casual viewer.
But let us begin from the start. Holmes and Watson investigate a series of murders only to stumble upon a cipher and traces leading to a Chinese crime syndicate.
The performances of the leads are strong. Lestrade is replaced by a stand-in, who does his best to dislike Holmes and makes for a few good exchanges, but is all in all unremarkable. Urban London is once again shown to great effect and the series once again manages to root its story in a very solid sense of time and space.
However, as noted above, I have several nits to pick. The episode manages an amazing feat: Making China a central plot point and meaning Japan. For example, Holmes and Watson visit a store that imports "lucky cats" from China. While it might be reasonable to assume that these cats, small figurines with a moving, "waving" arm, might be produced in China for the lower price of manufacture, they are as Japanese as Mount Fuji. Even worse, the episodes continues to try and convince us that the Japanese tea tradition is actually identical with the Chinese one, that a clearly Japanese painting is Chinese and many, many other inaccuracies that fall into a very colonial stereotype of eastern Asia. Oh, and the woman running said shop of course speaks heavily broken English and tries convince Watson to "Buy lucky cat!".
Even apart from this, the episode falls flat by making the central conflict and motive, the storyline around the smugglers, center on very uninteresting characters. Victims are all treated as throwaway plot devices, and while there is a potential backstory there, everything around the killer and his motives is very formulaic.
While the other two episodes are amazing productions, this one does not quite reach their brilliance due to some fatal errors made in writing, directing and selecting props.
First of all, a disclaimer: I am a sinologist and therefore obviously sensitized towards these things. However, I feel that this episodes gets things wrong at every turn - enough to warrant irritation for the casual viewer.
But let us begin from the start. Holmes and Watson investigate a series of murders only to stumble upon a cipher and traces leading to a Chinese crime syndicate.
The performances of the leads are strong. Lestrade is replaced by a stand-in, who does his best to dislike Holmes and makes for a few good exchanges, but is all in all unremarkable. Urban London is once again shown to great effect and the series once again manages to root its story in a very solid sense of time and space.
However, as noted above, I have several nits to pick. The episode manages an amazing feat: Making China a central plot point and meaning Japan. For example, Holmes and Watson visit a store that imports "lucky cats" from China. While it might be reasonable to assume that these cats, small figurines with a moving, "waving" arm, might be produced in China for the lower price of manufacture, they are as Japanese as Mount Fuji. Even worse, the episodes continues to try and convince us that the Japanese tea tradition is actually identical with the Chinese one, that a clearly Japanese painting is Chinese and many, many other inaccuracies that fall into a very colonial stereotype of eastern Asia. Oh, and the woman running said shop of course speaks heavily broken English and tries convince Watson to "Buy lucky cat!".
Even apart from this, the episode falls flat by making the central conflict and motive, the storyline around the smugglers, center on very uninteresting characters. Victims are all treated as throwaway plot devices, and while there is a potential backstory there, everything around the killer and his motives is very formulaic.
While the other two episodes are amazing productions, this one does not quite reach their brilliance due to some fatal errors made in writing, directing and selecting props.
Engaging and suspenseful
paula-781219 July 2020
Oriental express
Lejink27 June 2012
The second outing for the modern-day Holmes and Watson proved entertaining enough but just lacking in key areas to take it below the standard of some of the other episodes I've seen (from both series).
For once, the episode title bears no direct reference to a Conan Doyle original, although some of the plot devices were familiar, like the murders occurring in locked rooms and the importance of deciphering codes as clues to solving the case. While the programme was satisfactory enough, the Holmes and Watson partnership didn't seem to develop much, with less of the sharp banter between them you'd expect from say, a Stephen Moffat written story. In addition, for some reason Inspector Lestrade and his team are conspicuous by their absence, upsetting continuity and even Mrs Hudson only manages about a minute of screen time.
As for the story itself, the background plot of smuggling ancient Chinese artifacts into the country resonated with topicality even if the ideas of a "Thuggee" gang with a female Manchu as its head and the mystery assassin being a circus performer seemed somewhat anachronistic. The encounter with a "Banksy" type street artist seemed a bit contrived too, although I enjoyed the museum settings used for a large part of the story. While it was good to see Watson hook up with a woman, although Sherlock naturally plays gooseberry, I felt the direction lacked a little of the sharpness and crispness of what I'd seen in others, even omitting the minor, showy demonstrations of Holmes' deductive skills which add to his personality as well as conveying humour.
Cumberbatch and Freeman are very good together, the latter now overcoming my initial reservations about his over-familiarity and unsuitability for his part. For me though this episode seemed to cater too much to the Dan Brown crowd and with Sherlock resorting too often to conventional fisticuffs, just seemed lacking in the flair and nuance of other superior episodes in the two series.
For once, the episode title bears no direct reference to a Conan Doyle original, although some of the plot devices were familiar, like the murders occurring in locked rooms and the importance of deciphering codes as clues to solving the case. While the programme was satisfactory enough, the Holmes and Watson partnership didn't seem to develop much, with less of the sharp banter between them you'd expect from say, a Stephen Moffat written story. In addition, for some reason Inspector Lestrade and his team are conspicuous by their absence, upsetting continuity and even Mrs Hudson only manages about a minute of screen time.
As for the story itself, the background plot of smuggling ancient Chinese artifacts into the country resonated with topicality even if the ideas of a "Thuggee" gang with a female Manchu as its head and the mystery assassin being a circus performer seemed somewhat anachronistic. The encounter with a "Banksy" type street artist seemed a bit contrived too, although I enjoyed the museum settings used for a large part of the story. While it was good to see Watson hook up with a woman, although Sherlock naturally plays gooseberry, I felt the direction lacked a little of the sharpness and crispness of what I'd seen in others, even omitting the minor, showy demonstrations of Holmes' deductive skills which add to his personality as well as conveying humour.
Cumberbatch and Freeman are very good together, the latter now overcoming my initial reservations about his over-familiarity and unsuitability for his part. For me though this episode seemed to cater too much to the Dan Brown crowd and with Sherlock resorting too often to conventional fisticuffs, just seemed lacking in the flair and nuance of other superior episodes in the two series.
worlds away from the 1st episode
billin24 January 2012
Warning: Spoilers
*** MANY SPOILERS BELOW ***
I'll say it outright: this was not a good episode, and it comes across even worse because the first episode, "A Study in Pink" was so incredibly brilliant.
The episode begins promisingly, with a good amount of mystery. What was the museum curator gazing at, horrified, off-screen? What is the meaning of the ominous symbols spray painted on the bank's walls? How was the banker murdered in his own room, when it was locked from the inside? What is the connection between the dead banker and the murdered journalist? You are quickly drawn into the episode, but the mystery, however, quickly devolves into farce, fortune-cookie Asian stereotyping, and plot holes that are so huge that they forcibly drag you out of the story. Some parts of the story that made me cringe:
In addition to those plot holes, whereas "A Study in Pink" involved the audience breathlessly trying to follow Holmes' rapid fire thought process and marveling at his attention for detail, here it seems more like a case of the Keystone Cops:
And so on and so on. My wife and I couldn't believe that this was from the same series as "A Study in Pink". Go ahead and watch this episode if you want to make sure you have all the back story, but don't expect it to be gripping drama, especially if you've just come off the heels of the first episode, as we were.
I'll say it outright: this was not a good episode, and it comes across even worse because the first episode, "A Study in Pink" was so incredibly brilliant.
The episode begins promisingly, with a good amount of mystery. What was the museum curator gazing at, horrified, off-screen? What is the meaning of the ominous symbols spray painted on the bank's walls? How was the banker murdered in his own room, when it was locked from the inside? What is the connection between the dead banker and the murdered journalist? You are quickly drawn into the episode, but the mystery, however, quickly devolves into farce, fortune-cookie Asian stereotyping, and plot holes that are so huge that they forcibly drag you out of the story. Some parts of the story that made me cringe:
- Smugglers are known for secrecy. Despite this, they chose to commit a highly visible act of vandalism and draw attention to themselves by spray painting on a bank's walls, just to threaten a banker. Couldn't they have just left him a discreet threatening note on his desk? Why broadcast to all of London their secret code?
- The museum curator, who is desperately trying to escape from her former gang and is well-versed in their means of communication, winds up living right around the corner from the smuggler's drop point, the Lucky Cat. You'd think she'd be a mite more careful around a ruthless gang of smugglers who brook no deserters.
- The head of the smugglers, who is named, horribly, "General Shan", is hyped as a menacing figure but winds up being an overly dramatic middle-aged Asian woman who can't find a decent minion to tail Sherlock and Watson, leaving her to follow and take pictures of them herself. What's the use of being the head of a huge, shadowy organization if you have to do the grunt work yourself?
- Despite personally following the two all around London and being part of a large intelligence network, "General Shan" inexplicably still somehow thinks that Watson is Holmes, and so threatens Watson's love interest with a giant Chinese ballista that she has dragged into the underground tunnel specifically for that purpose. Sherlock Holmes in this series has a website, for crying out loud. She could have just Googled his name to find out who he was!
- The banker was targeted because he stole an ancient hairpin from the smugglers and gave it to his mistress. However, he was apparently ignorant of its true value, so why wouldn't he just tell the smugglers where it was when he was threatened? Or did the smugglers just kill him without asking where the priceless treasure was, choosing instead to waste time following around Holmes, hoping that he could find it?
In addition to those plot holes, whereas "A Study in Pink" involved the audience breathlessly trying to follow Holmes' rapid fire thought process and marveling at his attention for detail, here it seems more like a case of the Keystone Cops:
- Holmes needs the help of a graffiti artist to identify the type of paint used by the smugglers which, of course, has to be some kind of special brand. No regular hardware store spray paint for these secretive thugs, oh no!
- To find more instances of this coded graffiti, Holmes and Watson blunder about all of London, using a brute force approach rather than Holmes' superior deductive skills. Despite London being a huge city, Watson manages to find a wall of coded text, which of course is painted over immediately after he finds it and goes to tell Holmes.
- When investigating the museum curator's apartment, Holmes leaves Watson locked outside. Even when realizing the assassin is still in the apartment, Holmes chooses to dramatically pull back the screen to get himself strangled rather than let in the war veteran to help apprehend the villain.
- Despite noticing every fine detail in a person's appearance in an instant, Holmes somehow misses the fact that the museum curator has written a partial translation of the coded message on his photo, the key to cracking the case.
And so on and so on. My wife and I couldn't believe that this was from the same series as "A Study in Pink". Go ahead and watch this episode if you want to make sure you have all the back story, but don't expect it to be gripping drama, especially if you've just come off the heels of the first episode, as we were.
Good movie, terrifying though
ctyankee13 August 2010
This movies is spell binding. Lots of action some scenes especially at the end are very scary.
Deals with a bunch of smugglers that have a secret code. Many people are killed by this secret organization that uses business men and others to visit China on so called business only to be part of the smuggling gang. They smuggle ancient Chinese artifacts.
One of the killers is known to have climbing skills to get up 4 or more flights on a building. He leaves codes written in yellow paint on things in the room of the person he kills. This story is about a very expensive object that was smuggled into the country and then stolen by one of the smugglers. These smugglers and their friends are targeted by the gang that leaves a black locust on some of the dead.
This is a unique new Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson. It is a modern day version, no horses, no candles.
Cars, cell phone and computers are in this movie. Sherlock and Dr Watson have a kind of humor about them which makes the story very refreshing. Benedict Cumberbatch is tall, slim but too much dark curly hair. He talks to himself a lot to figure out the clues. He is likable but too arrogant and wants to show others how smart he is. He talks to the police with no respect and tells Inspector Lestrade how much he/Sherlock is needed by them in "The Study of Pin".
This is disappointing. Other Sherlock Holmes always had respect for those they work with. Martin Freeman, Dr Watson is nice, polite and humble man. He makes up for the Holmes bad manner.
These episodes have great music with Michael Price and David Arnold. It makes the story exciting. If you get the chance watch it.
Deals with a bunch of smugglers that have a secret code. Many people are killed by this secret organization that uses business men and others to visit China on so called business only to be part of the smuggling gang. They smuggle ancient Chinese artifacts.
One of the killers is known to have climbing skills to get up 4 or more flights on a building. He leaves codes written in yellow paint on things in the room of the person he kills. This story is about a very expensive object that was smuggled into the country and then stolen by one of the smugglers. These smugglers and their friends are targeted by the gang that leaves a black locust on some of the dead.
This is a unique new Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson. It is a modern day version, no horses, no candles.
Cars, cell phone and computers are in this movie. Sherlock and Dr Watson have a kind of humor about them which makes the story very refreshing. Benedict Cumberbatch is tall, slim but too much dark curly hair. He talks to himself a lot to figure out the clues. He is likable but too arrogant and wants to show others how smart he is. He talks to the police with no respect and tells Inspector Lestrade how much he/Sherlock is needed by them in "The Study of Pin".
This is disappointing. Other Sherlock Holmes always had respect for those they work with. Martin Freeman, Dr Watson is nice, polite and humble man. He makes up for the Holmes bad manner.
These episodes have great music with Michael Price and David Arnold. It makes the story exciting. If you get the chance watch it.
A Cipher in Graffiti
ericksonsam6022 September 2013
Warning: Spoilers
A series of murders with mysterious symbols start showing up throughout London. The victims include a banker and a journalist. As Holmes and Watson investigate they discover that the symbols are part of a Chinese numerical. Eventually, the case leads to a smuggling ring operated by a crime syndicate called The Black Lotus.
This episode influenced by the short story called "The Dancing Men" as it too revolves around obtuse symbols that happen to be a hidden message. The story here is watchable enough but it bogs itself down into clichés and typical Asian stereotypes with the episode's female villain having her thugs that wear oriental costumes, know martial arts, and throw knives. The climax seems like it could have come from a typical Hollywood action film. Then again, I have never been a big fan of stories in which Sherlock Holmes is battling gangsters. I much prefer mysteries where Holmes dealing with the bizarre or the macabre.
Still, it's not all bad. There is a lot of wonderful Sherlock and John camaraderie particularly when Holmes annoys Watson by getting into apartment buildings through the back balcony and never letting him in when he searches the rooms looking for clues. I also think that Sarah made for a lovely girlfriend for Watson but oddly the makers of the series got rid of her.
So "The Blind Banker" isn't horrible but it is still without a doubt the weakest episode in this series so far.
This episode influenced by the short story called "The Dancing Men" as it too revolves around obtuse symbols that happen to be a hidden message. The story here is watchable enough but it bogs itself down into clichés and typical Asian stereotypes with the episode's female villain having her thugs that wear oriental costumes, know martial arts, and throw knives. The climax seems like it could have come from a typical Hollywood action film. Then again, I have never been a big fan of stories in which Sherlock Holmes is battling gangsters. I much prefer mysteries where Holmes dealing with the bizarre or the macabre.
Still, it's not all bad. There is a lot of wonderful Sherlock and John camaraderie particularly when Holmes annoys Watson by getting into apartment buildings through the back balcony and never letting him in when he searches the rooms looking for clues. I also think that Sarah made for a lovely girlfriend for Watson but oddly the makers of the series got rid of her.
So "The Blind Banker" isn't horrible but it is still without a doubt the weakest episode in this series so far.
Dull
Littleman9523 January 2021
Not so good
shumailzafar1 May 2020
Dumbest Sherlock I've Ever Seen
rangeriderr31 October 2010
Warning: Spoilers
SPOILERS FOLLOW AFTER FIRST PARAGRAPH
The first episode of this modern series, "A Study in Pink" was absolutely terrific. After watching it, I said to myself, "This series has real promise. Too bad, it's only three episodes." But after this second episode, I couldn't believe that I was watching the same production.
In this drama, Sherlock breaks into a dangerous house unaccompanied by Watson, and is so obsessive-compulsive that he leaves Watson outside. In the house, he is partially strangled, but left alive. Later on, shots are taken at Sherlock, Watson, and Soo Lin Yao, a young woman whom they then leave alone as they both chase after the potential killer. When the killer seems to escape, they just stand around looking like lost souls. Guess what happens next.
Later on, Sherlock, Watson, and Sarah (a new girlfriend of Watson's) are in an obviously dangerous environment, but Sherlock compulsively chases off by himself and Watson & Sarah are abducted. We then have a scene out of a Dr. Fu Manchu movie, with Watson & Sarah tied up in an underground tunnel with a cartoonish villainous woman and her thugs.
Somehow Sherlock magically (but we have no idea, or at least I may have looked away for a minute and have no idea) finds where they are being held. In a scene reminiscent of every deus ex machina you've ever seen, Watson & Sarah are saved at the last second (okay, three seconds), and Sherlock isn't killed either. (Those devilish Chinese have forgotten how to shoot and have suddenly lost their martial arts skills). In the last scene, we have an updated version of a scene from the movie, From Russia With Love, with a Chinese woman in the role originally played by Lotte Lenya who failed in her mission. Better watch out when you fail the Tong.
Well photographed, good music, but juvenile writing, and high school acting. Try the scene where Sarah is grinning like a schoolgirl as she watches the Chinese magicians.
The first episode of this modern series, "A Study in Pink" was absolutely terrific. After watching it, I said to myself, "This series has real promise. Too bad, it's only three episodes." But after this second episode, I couldn't believe that I was watching the same production.
In this drama, Sherlock breaks into a dangerous house unaccompanied by Watson, and is so obsessive-compulsive that he leaves Watson outside. In the house, he is partially strangled, but left alive. Later on, shots are taken at Sherlock, Watson, and Soo Lin Yao, a young woman whom they then leave alone as they both chase after the potential killer. When the killer seems to escape, they just stand around looking like lost souls. Guess what happens next.
Later on, Sherlock, Watson, and Sarah (a new girlfriend of Watson's) are in an obviously dangerous environment, but Sherlock compulsively chases off by himself and Watson & Sarah are abducted. We then have a scene out of a Dr. Fu Manchu movie, with Watson & Sarah tied up in an underground tunnel with a cartoonish villainous woman and her thugs.
Somehow Sherlock magically (but we have no idea, or at least I may have looked away for a minute and have no idea) finds where they are being held. In a scene reminiscent of every deus ex machina you've ever seen, Watson & Sarah are saved at the last second (okay, three seconds), and Sherlock isn't killed either. (Those devilish Chinese have forgotten how to shoot and have suddenly lost their martial arts skills). In the last scene, we have an updated version of a scene from the movie, From Russia With Love, with a Chinese woman in the role originally played by Lotte Lenya who failed in her mission. Better watch out when you fail the Tong.
Well photographed, good music, but juvenile writing, and high school acting. Try the scene where Sarah is grinning like a schoolgirl as she watches the Chinese magicians.
Hopefully better luck next time
Kingslaay8 May 2020
Not the strongest of episodes and a decline in quality. The first episode was a great and amazing start and a great introduction to these iconic characters. Sadly this episode didn't quite hit the mark and was a bit all over the place. I will off course continue watching.
Still not too bad.
profbrane5 April 2018
This episode was not based on any of the original stories. It's a new adventure created with elements of few of the original stories. Still pretty entertaining. Fans of the real Sherlock Holmes might be disappointed however.
Corny and Ok at best
sspureurubin18 May 2023
Warning: Spoilers
The start came strong, lots of mysteries and the usual stuff. How would the museum plot connect to the bank plot? How will the duo fight and connect the dots? The murder cases were good too. Then the Chinese stuff came in. I was seriously hoping it wasnt a Chinese mafia and stuff and by God I was wrong. I was thinking "Really? Chinese mafia?" And then the ridiculous tunnel kidnapping scene came in. Thank God for the leading actors and they still made it palatable. I had to check imdb how this episode is rated and no surprise, it's a high 7, if the first episode was a 10.
Hope it gets better..
Hope it gets better..
The weakest of the 6 episodes
rammer30031 January 2012
Warning: Spoilers
I get the feeling that Stephen Thompson, the writer of this episode, didn't get his script vetted by Moffat and Gatiss before it was put on film. It is extremely different in tone from "A Study in Pink" and all episodes following. It is the weakest of the 6 episodes so far.
I knew this episode would be sub-par early on, when I first saw Sherlock fighting that Arabian-looking swordsman in his flat. It raised several questions that were never answered. Who is this guy? Why is he attacking Sherlock? Why is he wearing that exotic, impractical costume that is bound to get him noticed? Did he walk down the street looking like that? What happened to him in the minutes between his fight with Sherlock and John's return home.
This episode's mystery focuses on a Chinese gang of smugglers who murder two Englishmen and a Chinese-English woman. All three were smugglers and one of them stole an ancient piece of Chinese jewelry as a gift to his girlfriend.
Rather than an elegant chain of evidence, the circumstances that lead to our heroes solving this mystery are contrived and difficult to believe. For example, Sherlock realizes that two murder victims are connected by distinctive Tong tattoos on their feet. How could the coroner miss this? It bugs me when writers make a "genius" character look smart by making everyone around him stupid. Also, Sherlock must decode a cypher used by the Tong. He is told that the code is based on a book, but his source is killed before he finds out which one. He then goes through every book the victims own until he realizes that, for whatever reason, the code would be based on a book that everyone owns and he figures out that it is a guide to London's Underground.
Yellow Peril clichés are all over this episode. The episode seeks to make Chinatown scary by putting ominous music over stock footage of people, mostly Chinese, walking down the street. "OMG, that Chinaman LOOKED OVER HIS SHOULDER! Look at those frightening slanty eyes!" The villainess, General Shang, employs kung-fu thugs in ridiculously exotic costumes and, in a scene that is Fu Manchu meets Goldfinger, ties Watson's girlfriend to a chair and threatens her with a giant crossbow shaped like a dragon. I repeat, a GIANT CROSSBOW SHAPED LIKE A DRAGON! There is also a very forced gag where General Shang mistakes John for Sherlock as he was carrying Sherlock's debit card and a check for him at the time. Never mind that John should also be carrying personal ID, a gun license, and the military ID we would later see in "Hounds of Baskerville." Don't let this weak episode scare you away from the rest of the series. The other episodes, including the Thompson-written "Reichenbach Fall" are all excellent.
I knew this episode would be sub-par early on, when I first saw Sherlock fighting that Arabian-looking swordsman in his flat. It raised several questions that were never answered. Who is this guy? Why is he attacking Sherlock? Why is he wearing that exotic, impractical costume that is bound to get him noticed? Did he walk down the street looking like that? What happened to him in the minutes between his fight with Sherlock and John's return home.
This episode's mystery focuses on a Chinese gang of smugglers who murder two Englishmen and a Chinese-English woman. All three were smugglers and one of them stole an ancient piece of Chinese jewelry as a gift to his girlfriend.
Rather than an elegant chain of evidence, the circumstances that lead to our heroes solving this mystery are contrived and difficult to believe. For example, Sherlock realizes that two murder victims are connected by distinctive Tong tattoos on their feet. How could the coroner miss this? It bugs me when writers make a "genius" character look smart by making everyone around him stupid. Also, Sherlock must decode a cypher used by the Tong. He is told that the code is based on a book, but his source is killed before he finds out which one. He then goes through every book the victims own until he realizes that, for whatever reason, the code would be based on a book that everyone owns and he figures out that it is a guide to London's Underground.
Yellow Peril clichés are all over this episode. The episode seeks to make Chinatown scary by putting ominous music over stock footage of people, mostly Chinese, walking down the street. "OMG, that Chinaman LOOKED OVER HIS SHOULDER! Look at those frightening slanty eyes!" The villainess, General Shang, employs kung-fu thugs in ridiculously exotic costumes and, in a scene that is Fu Manchu meets Goldfinger, ties Watson's girlfriend to a chair and threatens her with a giant crossbow shaped like a dragon. I repeat, a GIANT CROSSBOW SHAPED LIKE A DRAGON! There is also a very forced gag where General Shang mistakes John for Sherlock as he was carrying Sherlock's debit card and a check for him at the time. Never mind that John should also be carrying personal ID, a gun license, and the military ID we would later see in "Hounds of Baskerville." Don't let this weak episode scare you away from the rest of the series. The other episodes, including the Thompson-written "Reichenbach Fall" are all excellent.
Big letdown from pilot and ep 1
msghall9 April 2024
The pilot and first episode of this series are wonderful examples of tight direction, facile editing, witty writing and fine acting. However, the director, Euros Lyn, of this episode blows it with inept editing and awful camerawork (although that can also be blamed on cinematographer Steve Lawes). Lyn and Lawes love to frame their subjects up super close so the characters go out of frame too often, hiding important elements of the plot and causing great frustration for the viewer. It's almost as if they hate their audience.
Even worse, Lyn and Lawes love to mix out-of-focus with in-focus in the same shot so that the image is constantly hard to see and distracting. Your eye is always trying to determine what is important to the plot. There's no flow to the editing, either. What a waste with such acting talent and wonderful scripts.
The user reviews drop down an entire point on IMDB from the previous episodes. While 7.9 could be a respectable score, it's far below the previous episodes. How can any director and/or cinematographer screw up such wonderful source material?
Even worse, Lyn and Lawes love to mix out-of-focus with in-focus in the same shot so that the image is constantly hard to see and distracting. Your eye is always trying to determine what is important to the plot. There's no flow to the editing, either. What a waste with such acting talent and wonderful scripts.
The user reviews drop down an entire point on IMDB from the previous episodes. While 7.9 could be a respectable score, it's far below the previous episodes. How can any director and/or cinematographer screw up such wonderful source material?
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