I don't consider Wisteria Lodge up there with the best Granada Sherlock Holmes adaptations, but I can think of worse(ie. Eligible Bachelor), however it is in my opinion quite good. The story itself is wonderful, and quite unique for reasons that have been explained so well already.
The story here is intriguing and starts off grand, it's just that in the middle where the atmosphere get darker and gloomier and some of the pacing gets a little too languid for my liking, the storytelling does get perhaps too murky.
However, the adaptation once again is well made. I have always admired the authenticity and look of the costumes, sets and scenery, and Wisteria Lodge is no exception. The photography and editing is not among the best of these adaptations but they are good.
My quibble with the production values though is some of the lighting where some scenes are too dimly lit, so it is not always easy to see what's going on. In its defence though, Wisteria Lodge is not the first Sherlock Holmes to have this problem, of the many I've seen I think Mazarin Stone(one of those interesting but failed attempts) is especially guilty of this.
Back to the positives, I have always loved the music of this series, I find it so haunting and beautiful. Again Wisteria Lodge is no exception to the rule. The writing is as thoughtful and sophisticated as ever, some may find the mirror gimmick annoying I actually found it interesting and crucial to the mystery, and as superb as Jeremy Brett and Edward Hardwicke are in the leads, the real kudos when it comes to the acting is Freddie Jones. His Baynes is a very interesting character and very enjoyable to watch, and Jones, always a fine actor, nails the role.
In conclusion, it is a slight disappointment, but it is quite good all the same. 7/10 Bethany Cox