Sherlock & Daughter

For me, Sherlock Holmes should notice all the small details, leave nothing to chance, and in the end you get an explanation of how how Holmes' conclusion was made.

Sherlock & Daughter did try to do all these things, but it felt like the writing used for the series was in iteration 2, when it needed to be iterated 10 times to be proper Sherlock Holmes.

It was entertaining, well paced and all that. Impressive how they can nail costumes and environment to the time period. A nick pick would be a lack of a realistic amount of bystanders / crowds, due to what I only can imagine to be budget costs.

One of the endless iterations of Sherlock Holmes, this one comes with a young woman who may be his daughter. The story begins with Holmes mid-drama, trying to save persons at risk while feeling that greater risk may come from his efforts. Meanwhile, a young woman makes her way from New York City to London, hoping to meet Holmes, whom she regards as a personal hero.

The atmosphere of London, 1896, is convincing, so the viewer can relax into the story, which wastes no time developing. Holmes (David Thewlis) and the young woman, Amelia Rojas (Blu Hunt), begin the series as fully-developed characters. Their back stories and personality traits are quickly established. Holmes is self-important and surly, though considerations might be made due to his current situation. Amelia is bright, cordial, and eager to learn. When she makes her way to 221B Baker Street, her hopes are briefly dashed, but she finds a place in Holmes' situation.

Before long, the two are working together to solve a case, but not as equals. And the disparate duo competes with Scotland Yard and the Pinkertons.

The production is filled with graphics, which some viewers may like; others may find them distracting.

But the first two episodes are enjoyable, and there is potential for much more enjoyment if the script allows the main characters to grow into a relationship of depth and warmth, if only grudgingly.

A scattered review that feels very appropriate.

We're Sherlock fans for several decades and incarnations, film and tv. If this sounds like you, read on. If it doesn't, this is probably not the show or review for you.

Objections: What is up with the handheld camera during conversation scenes. There's no building of tension or other need for it. Wondering if this is filmed on an iPhone at this point. I'm getting seasick watching it.

The animations are very 1980 b movie quality. Think Allan Quartermain. I don't mind them and they seem to get marginally better. Just a little lower rent. The music choices are plain obvious in parts and ridiculous in others.

Points in favor: As for Sherlock - nice choice. Very capable. I'm reading about how others don't like the daughter's casting but I think it's also a good choice. And really, given the storyline, who else would you choose?

The storyline is decent and the pace keeps moving. It's an easy watch all told, I just wish the production quality and choices were less amateur.

The chop shop for buggies made us laugh.

All in all, it's a decently fun ride but will get tired if the producers don't spend some cash and please leave the Bourne Identity filming for where it's needed.

David Thewliss is a fantastic Sherlock, Surly, moody, cerebral and is generally true to the character we all know and love but without some of his (as yet) more destructive traits and quirks. Blue Hunt promises to be a match for his intelect, albeit more positive personality, the role is hers to mould and this first outing suggests she is doing just that.

The first episode promises good things, it grabs your attention, the costumes and settings are more than appropriate for the time period and the initial plot promises a longer running story with the opportunity to have episodal stories.

While some opinions are very negative, i fail to see why. Simply put there is nothing not likeable about this drama.

This series is taken from the Charles Veley books "Lucy James Mystery" series. Without credit of course. Anyone who has read all the books can't miss the almost total reproduction, with only trivial changes in names and plot changes. The plot line and circumstances that happen are all in the books, not in one book but from the series in total. There are two things missing in the show that the books excel at, the smartness in the writing, that's where the tv series missed the mark, it's also what makes the difference between a great show, and a just an ok show. Also missing in the show is that they really failed at showing the intellect of Sherlock Holmes, both in dialogue and in storyline, something the books excel at.