Before I get into the post, let me say… I'm grateful my aunt is in my life. 60 years of bringing love, light, support, culture, and literature to our family. What a blessing. This post is in honor of her, on her birthday.


So, January was a big month for my parents and I. But, if I mustbe honest, it all started in December…

Pre-Christmas: I found my dad wrapping gifts for his older sister… what were they? Seasons 1 and 2 of a certain little show most of you know and love, called Sherlock. Shocked and more than a little jealous, I told him I'd love to see them with her sometime! Fast forward to when she received it, Christmas Day: When I expressed my intense interest to see them and spend time with her, and my parents had expressed curiosity, she said "Why don't we all have a Sherlocknight?"  I was a little annoyed that I had to "share her", but figured "Oh, why not?!"

Fast forward again, to January 3rd, the four of us in the living room watching season one. We adored it, and so, seeing as some of us had been sleepy and missed details, she left them both at our house. (so we could rewatch, and see the next season) Before I get on with the post, and my further delving into the show, let me say this…

Wow… I had always figured I would love it, but… wow! Even to this day, I struggle to properly describe my reaction to it. I guess the closest I can come is… brilliant. Crazy. Fast paced, and beautiful. And I found myself wanting more. As I told a friend later, "It's a thinkin' show.", which is something there is not a lot of, and I desperately look for. Don't get me wrong, I love action and comedy and such as much as anyone. But what is the most fun and fulfilling for me, are the shows and films that make me think. So, in the course of a very short time, I became more obsessed with, and immersed in, all things related to Holmes than I ever had been before.

I knew about the character, of course. There were different adaptations, be they film or television all over the place, my whole life. I admit I haven't read the stories too much, and have barely even touched the myriad of adaptations out there. But I vividly recall the times Data, Geordi, and even Captain Picard would go on the holodeck and enter his world (yay, Star Trek: the Next Generation!) And I've followed Elementary with great interest, as well. So, again… me liking this came as no huge shock. What shocked me was the extent it overtook me!

Anyway, for months because of commercials, I had been aware of the fact that the International Sherlock Holmes Exhibition was at the Science Center. (from October to guess when!). I had wanted to go all along, but health had prevented me from doing so. But by Christmas, I figured it was now or never… it was packing up and leaving January 5th. It took some pleading and figuring, but lo and behold, on January 4th, my parents and I set out for the adventure of a lifetime.

Am I being a little dramatic? Possibly, but being a story person, and by extension, a theatre person… let's just say it's in my personality makeup to get overenthusiastic about cool things and events. So sue me! :P (I had only had one similar experience before… for "Star Trek: the Exhibition". For my thoughts on that, go here.)

Author's Note:
Remember, all of this was over a month ago, so my memory could be a little foggy. Please bear with me, and I will do my best to recount what I experienced. :) Also, pictures are limited, as I didn't think we were allowed. Later I found out we were, so all I have are the few my mom took. :(

Anyway, when we walked up the sidewalk, you could see footprints. We followed them to the building, and outside saw this...

Anyway, we walked in and got our tickets, and got in a long line. The line moved decently quickly, though was long enough for that dang T-Rex to keep staring at me, just as when I was a kid. As we got closer, we saw some things in the distance, but before getting there… we saw Star Trek Barbies in a case (ahhhh, I want!!!), and a real life axolotl like we had learned about in VBS last summer!!

Then, we saw…

Finally we were inside the Exhibit's area.

The first thing we noticed, was there were a whole bunch of displays talking about the history of the author. And more interestingly, about someone he knew, who he later based Holmes on! It was very fascinating stuff to me, though most people didn't pay too much attention to all of it. I was different, and scoured everything because a) we wouldn't get another chance and it was cool, and b) you never knew what would be important later on. ;)

We even got to see some first editions of the books, and some pages from letters and stories in the author's own handwriting! For a budding writer, and lifelong bookworm, this was especially and awesomely cool!


So, there was a lot of this, and then following all of the in-depth history, was the part that we all can admit is the reason we went. See, we (me and everyone else that bought tickets) wanted to be like/work with Sherlock Holmes, right?!

Yep, that's right… we were gonna work to solve a murder!!!

Holmes wasn't there, obviously, but he had left us recordings and notes. It was cool, we had these little books. And every stop of the interactive thing that we hit, we would get a stamp for our books. I'd love to go super into detail, but on the off chance any of you can go, I don't want to ruin it. But I willsay, that I did NOT expect what really happened, and was only a tiny bit close in probably one or two aspects. (which really confused me, as I had paid tons of attention to everything I saw and heard in that whole exhibit.)

Following the interactive portion, was the place where you could see things from… pretty much every adaptation you can think of! Old movies, the new movies, Elementary, Sherlock… it was crazy, man! I got to see a really cool old typewriter…

And what was really weird, was when I found myself standing in front of something very familiar, but it took me a minute to place it. (turns out it was from Sherlock's brownstone in Elementary!) Talk about surreal… an actual prop (I think) right in front of me, from something I see every week!


After exploring all of that, was the "gift shop" part of the exhibit. Mom got a white hat, I got: a hat, scarf, two of the three pics they took of us at the beginning, and the Official Exhibition Guide. (Hey, I had saved up! Luckily, since it was right after Christmas, and was the last day, things were super marked down. That's probably a good part of why I was able to get all that!) I have pictures of them, and the little book I mentioned from the interactive part… but I don't have them uploaded on my laptop yet. Hopefully I can get them uploaded and on here soon, so keep checking back!

In the car, when leaving the parking lot, they pointed out that on the roof of the one building (which kept changing colors), it had Sherlock's silhouette! Wish we could have taken a picture of that!

Right, so, when we got home, the three of us watched season 2… which… THAT ENDING! GAH! And a few weeks later, on the 26th, we watched two of the three episodes of season 3. (what, did I forget to mention that I had bought season 3 at best buy sometime in between there? Hehe, oops!) Now, all I have to do, is find a time to sit down with my parents and watch the final episode available. I'm sure I'll like it too!

Hope this was an enjoyable post, if a little on the long side, and that you can get a chance to see the Exhibit! If not, and you want to learn more about what I kept hidden about the murder mystery… message me! Until next time… notice everything, and enjoy life!

     As I’m sure many writers started out, I spent a major portion of my childhood carrying around chapter-books wherever I went. Sometimes they were the usual moody preteen paperback fantasies, but after some time I felt as if I had come to the end of all interesting literature (which is of course absurd, but that’s the delusion of adolescence for you).

     Just as I was finishing up primary school (and often reading during the lessons, which I was still acing, I might add), my mother handed me a thick old tome with the silhouette of a slender bust on the front: it was the portrait of some man with a long nose, a proud chin, and a stout little pipe. I had at last come to that great classic, with which many are familiar but few actually read.

     Frankly, one would have to live under a rock not to have noticed the recent flux in the popularity of Mr. Holmes in the last decade: the genius detective has not been protected by copyright for some time, due to the expiration of author’s rights after a certain number of years. But lately, television and motion picture companies alike have been competing to produce the best homage to Arthur Canon Doyle’s beloved antihero.

     Most Americans are likely familiar with the somewhat comical Robert Downey Jr. films by Warner Bros. (also the creators of the Looney Toons… how fitting). They definitely read into Holmes’ genius and his substance addictions, which were certainly present in the novels (though in a more subtle way). However, the films relied more on spectacle and comedy than on actually allowing the audience to solve the cases themselves. Not that anybody would have been able to, of course, but if Holmes himself had been a viewer, he would have been just as stumped as the rest of us due to much undisclosed information in the storylines such as smells or tastes. Not to mention Downey’s distinct lack of resemblance to Holmes as he has been known to appear.

     But I digress. At the moment, there are two major television shows that are attempting to unlock the genius of Holmes using a modern lens. While the hit series House based much of its main character on the Sherlock of legend, the two shows that I’m referring to have actually adapted the character in the flesh, by name: the American series Elementary, which has added the new dynamic of a female Dr. Watson… and the much-acclaimed BBC saga entitled simply, Sherlock. I will be talking about the latter, for those of you who have seen (and probably have come to fear) plenty of its fans.

     And don’t worry; the entire description will, of course, be spoiler-free.

Hogwarts Sherlock, A History

     In 2010, the BBC took a pair of relatively unknown actors named Martin Freeman of Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy...

     ...and Benedict Cumberbatch of Amazing Grace...

     ...and stuck them together in a fun little series that really defied the normal mold of most television shows. For one thing, most dramas air ten to fifteen hour-long episodes per season. With Sherlock, each episode ended up nearly two hours in length, and each season was only made up of three episodes. In a sense, Sherlock wasn’t so much a series as it was a set of straight-to-television movies.

     But the format wasn’t the only thing that worked in Sherlock: the actors fell into place with perfect chemistry, and their acting careers certainly took off from there (and they even worked together again in New Line Cinema’s The Hobbit trilogy, which almost any fan of the BBC could tell you in their sleep... so if it's new information to you, don't let on to your friends).

     But what’s a show without a script? And what’s a script without a good writer? Well, the BBC broke out their golden boys for that: Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss. Having enjoyed the benefits of placing the show Doctor Who under these men (with record-shattering results), the BBC was able to take a very trusting hands-off approach with Sherlock after Moffat and Gatiss took the reigns. Both writers, known for their convoluted genius and unparalleled humor, took the mysteries written by Arthur Canon Doyle and gave each a new, modern twist.

     For some time after 2012, a third season was rumoured but unconfirmed — Freeman, Cumberbatch, Moffat, and Gatiss all had separate blossoming careers, and it was suggested that the show might never be renewed…

     ...but after much agonized waiting by a growing fan base, Season 3 came to fruition and blew away the television world (and much of the internet) in 2014 with hardly any effort at all. And now, with a special in the works for Christmas 2015 and a fourth season confirmed for 2016, it would seem that the ratings (and furious internet rantings) tell the rest of the story.

The Plot

     As in the original mysteries, a rather ordinary military doctor John Watson returns to Jolly Old England and finds himself a fellow bachelor to split the rent with: a rather odd, eccentric, yet strangely genius man by the name of Sherlock Holmes who works as a detective. Soon Doctor Watson finds himself alongside Holmes on all sorts of escapades, investigating unexplainable crimes that lead them into situations that range from comical to perilous; meeting many characters of questionable or undeniably psychopathic countenances; and, of course, solving crime waves and saving the British Empire.

The Appeal

     As mentioned briefly above, a large portion of this show’s appeal lies in the intricate genius of its writers and the chemistry of its lead actors.

     There’s great comedy in watching the eccentric Holmes make unorthodox demands of Dr. Watson (rather like watching the neurotic Sheldon Cooper quarrel with Leonard Hofstadter over "proper behavior" in The Big Bang Theory).

     And I can’t help but feel a sense of awe at the incredibly detailed masterpiece plots that Moffat and Gatiss have produced. Even if the cases are based on already-existent literature, transferring the crimes into modern settings requires so much focus that it’s uncanny. Every time I watch an episode of Sherlock, I (as a writer) feel intimidated, as if I’m in the presence of the next great classic novel (albeit in cinematic form).

     But I think that perhaps one of the most central factors contributing to the show’s popularity often goes overlooked. Simply this: the audience is provided with all of the information necessary to solve the cases themselves. When Holmes touches a surface, we’re told whether it’s wet or dry. When he looks a suspect over, we see the dog hair and imported watch and tailor-made suit that he sees. We may not be smart enough to solve the mysteries presented on Sherlock, but if Holmes were in the flesh to watch the saga for himself, he would have all the clues necessary to reach every conclusion.

     And it's because of this feature that the fans often go into hyper-detective mode, trying to search for clues to solve unanswered questions between seasons. I've seen many incredible fan-theories, one of which [involving a seemingly-insignificant little squash ball] even turned out to be correct in the long run.

     And as an added bonus to the fun of the show, writers Moffat and Gatiss like to poke fun at their fans.

     The third season especially was laden with multiple tributes to the madness that tends to come with formulating theories about Sherlock...

THERE MUST BE A CONNECTION SOMEWHERE!!

The Rating

     This show is a solid PG-13, but some of the psychological battles (and a few more sexualized episodes) might not be suited for anyone under sixteen.

     Violence: This is a show about modern crimes and masochistic psychopaths. While we may not encounter something as gruesome as, say, Hannibal Lector or Jack the Ripper… there is no shortage of blood, hostages, and cringe-worthy deaths.

     Sex: While, to the modern reader, the unencumbered Irene Adler of the original books was simply a forward thinker… this show’s version of the scandalous lady is certainly not for children or the faint of heart. Nudity, innuendos, and some very revealing clothing abound, as the lady in question has a nearly-illegal career.

     Language: Some Americans may not catch all of the bile in the British slang, but there are enough serious adult words scattered throughout that it’s still best to reserve the show for a mature audience.

The Genre

     This is a modern drama that pays homage to classic murder mysteries and thriller novels: there are dark moments where the souls of men are laid bare, and there are equally many scenes that will have audiences in stitches thanks to the blunt British humour of having an irritating genius for a roommate.

     Right and wrong are often discussed, but they seem to be more and more opaque as time goes on. Many protagonists are brought into situations where the only right solution to their problem is still a questionable action. This certainly isn’t the show meant to answer anyone’s moral dilemmas, but it will certainly get its audience thinking (and perhaps checking out a few extra books on religion, philosophy, and crime-solving at the library).

     So is it worth it?

The Decision

     That depends on you. For one thing, this show is the only British rendition of Sherlock Holmes to be made since the turn of the century… and as the original novels are of British make, it’s generally a more respectable choice than Elementary or the Warner Bros. movies. However, the show certainly tap-dances on some dark criminal themes that aren’t meant for young viewers.

     But I can assure you of one thing, above all else, if you choose to watch Sherlock: You. Will. Not. Be. Bored.

    And if you’re worried about getting caught up, don’t fret too awfully about it. You do have to start at the beginning to understand the deep network of plot twists and criminal webs, but remember: one of the show’s advantages is its unorthodox format. It’s less like three seasons of a TV show and more like nine separate feature films. Even if you simply watch one episode every weekend to unwind, you’ll still be finished in three months (long before the Christmas special arrives). It would be quite similar to watching through all eight of the Harry Potter films.

     And if you’re still on the fence, just give it time. There are plenty of fan-made trailers on Youtube that might interest you if you’re more of a visual person (like myself). Though personally, this official trailer for the first season is my favorite.

Conclusion

     In the end, I’d recommend that you not only sit down to this whirlwind of a show — I’d recommend that you have some friends join you for the viewing. This series is a perfect popcorn-stuffer and will thrill your social group just as much as any movie might. It’ll leave you laughing, gasping, and often in speechless awe… because, like its protagonist, Sherlock is nothing but unparalleled genius.

Sherlock Holmes is one of the last characters associated with romance. So when I began watching the BBC show series, Sherlock, I hardly expected anything of that nature.  When I was introduced to the character of Molly Hooper, though, I quickly decided that if anyone could belong with Sherlock, it would be her. Allow me to share six clues that helped me deduce this information.

A disclaimer before we go any further: Spoilers will be scattered through the sections below. I don't recommend reading on if you haven't watched all three seasons (Yes, THREE! With three episodes each! Isn't the Sherlock fandom fortunate?)
An additional disclaimer: I have watched a lot of Sherlock, and most of it was binge-watching. As such, I apologize if I confuse any dialogue or details. My mind palace is not as grand as Sherlock's.  
Now then, the game is on!

1. Sherlock claims not to have friends, but that never stops Molly from being his friend. Even when Sherlock is demanding, inconsiderate, clueless or even a bit jerky,  Molly stands by him and shows kindness. For his part, Sherlock looks out for Molly in his own way, such as when he advises her to break up with "Jim." True, Sherlock usually takes Molly for granted and can be insensitive at times, but Molly remains his friend through thick and thin.
   
   
   
   
   
2. Molly never treats Sherlock like an oddity. Because he's misunderstood and frequently misunderstands proper social norms, Sherlock is often viewed as a freak. Just look at how Sargent Donovan continually insults and mistrusts him. Molly, however, never does this. She is patient with Sherlock's shortcomings, overlooks many of his faults, and even finds some of his quirks endearing. In the third season, Sherlock says something to the effect of, "You can't always date sociopaths, now can you?" After he walks away, Molly answers softly, "Maybe it's just my type." Sociopaths aren't your type, Molly- but Sherlock seems to be. ;)
   
3. Sherlock and Molly make an excellent team. Yes, Sherlock and John are a great crime-solving duo, but much of their work requires Molly's help, too. She gives Sherlock access to her lab and the morgue, (okay, that's not romantic, but it is useful), she changes her plans to help him, and when John isn't Sherlock's assistant, Molly is the next person Sherlock turns to. They would be a well-matched team outside of work, as well. Their personalities have a good balance, with Molly being sweet, energetic and easygoing yet strong, and Sherlock being sharp, mostly calm and driven yet too unsentimental. Both of them are loners and rather awkward at times, and both are quite smart. Sherlock may be better at solving cases and reading people, but Molly did attend medical school and is better at understanding people's emotions.
4. Molly may have a crush on Sherlock, or even be truly in love with him, but that doesn't stop her from setting him straight. When he insults her, she tells him, "You always say the most horrible things." When he's caught in drug involvement ("It was for a case!" he protests,) Molly actually slaps him and scolds Sherlock for throwing away his gifts and worrying the people who care about him. And he accepts it, which is rare for Sherlock Holmes. (Just think of all the times Mycroft has tried to scold Sherlock!) Molly Hooper is able to be honest with Sherlock, and he seems to value her opinion of him. Even if he would never admit it. 
   
   
5.  Sherlock cares for and trusts Molly. When she shows how much his sharp words have hurt her at the Christmas party, he actually apologizes, another rare occurrence for him. Molly is also the only person besides Mrs. Hudson to receive affection from Sherlock. He's growing to be kinder to her than most other people, and places great trust in her, eventually including her in a plan not even John knows. After Molly tells Sherlock she doesn't count, he later returns to confide in her and tell her, "You do count. You've always counted."
   
   
   
   
6. Molly is always there for Sherlock She notices things about him others don't, such as when she tells Sherlock he looks sad when he thinks no one can see him. Molly is also the only person to notice Sherlock leaving John's wedding alone in Season 3. Before that, in Season 2, she is the one who helps save him. I'm pretty sure what Molly did for Sherlock there was illegal, but she meant it when she said she'd do anything at all to help him. Because of this, Molly truly turns out to be the one person that mattered the most.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   What have you deduced about Sherlock and Molly? Isn't the ship name, "Sherlolly" adorable? Are you a Sherlock-type in need of a Molly, or a Molly-type in love with a Sherlock?