Quick Reaction: Sherlock - The Hounds of Baskerville

[hells_half_acre]

Hello! A little later than I imagined with this one - I was out apartment hunting earlier (may have found a place, though I'm a little stressed about the finances of acquiring it.)

Disclaimer: Unlike the Irene-story, I don't actually know that much about the ACD Hounds story...besides you know, STAY OFF THE MOOR! and HOUNDS!!! So, yeah, this is me going in pretty much clean...

Anyway, ON WITH MY THOUGHTS! WOOO

Henry has a funny shaped head. 

The HARPOON! WHY was Sherlock covered in pigs blood with a harpoon? Also, why was he covered in pigs blood with a harpoon at 6am? Because it had to be around then, because he had enough time to shower and then get bored and go mad for cigarettes, but when Henry was talking to them it was only 9:15am and....um, yeah, obviously, I've just been watching Sherlock. :P

Anyway, before we get to Henry - they actually talk about "The Cluedo Incident" NICE! I love that they explained that - that they had the board stabbed up there last episode and now they're like "and this is why we can't play Cluedo anymore." My best friend and I have "The Checkers Incident" and we can no longer play checkers - so, yeah, I understand.

And poor Mrs. Hudson - I mean, if my friend knew that my boyfriend had two wives, I'd want them to tell me - but Sherlock IS a little heartless about it. Though, I suppose by now Mrs. Hudson is used to it. On that note: Why have I never seen a pre-series Sherlock and Mrs. Hudson fic? I mean, it's an excellent prompt - and you have enough information to run on for the basics.

Okay, so Henry...he talks SO SLOW it's almost comical. I love Sherlock's line "If I wanted poetry, I'd read John's emails to his girlfriends - far more amusing." And then he tells John to do the job, and then he tells them he'll go...and yeah, I kind of didn't understand why he was being confusing about that. Sort of odd.

Sherlock drives!! For some reason, I find that amazingly attractive. Maybe it's because every fic I ever read where they drive somewhere, John is always the one driving. 

And then you get the obligatory "two guys checking into an inn" gay joke - this time with the gay couple who own the inn. Nice touch. I also like the fact that John just gives up trying to explain otherwise. 

Also, an excessive use of the word "ta" - love it. I grew up with a mother who used a lot of Britishisms, but "ta" was never one of them - so yeah, I guess I like the word for some reason. I have friends now in Vancouver that use it, and it pleases me to no end every time.

So, then Sherlock goes out and talks to the tour guide - speaking of which, I loved how they worked in the line about staying off the moor if you value your life....but yeah, this was one of those clips that they released beforehand, and I saw some people talking about it and they were like "Benedict isn't being very Sherlocky..." and they were all concerned about Benedict's acting ability, and I thought to myself "Haha, just wait..." because really, I think we've all seen enough proof that Benedict knows what he's doing.

The military base sequence was so NERVE-WRACKING! My goodness. John pulling rank was AWESOME. Also, Sherlock getting in there and going on about Bluebell the bunny rabbit - HILARIOUS, and also I was with John "Did we just break in here because of a bunny?" Hahaha...so good.

MYCROFT! And then they are saved by the scientist...and I should have realized that he wasn't just a convenient friend, but I didn't. Not even when he screwed up John's "investigation."

Oh, and John's comment about Sherlock "with your cheekbones and turning up your collar to look cool and mysterious.." HAHAHA - cheekbones? Really John?

I love John walking into Henry's house and saying "this is um...are you ah...rich?" "yeah." Hahaha, lovely.

And of course, they go out onto the moor and John gets separated. Personally, I don't see why Sherlock wouldn't grow at least a LITTLE alarmed that John was suddenly no longer walking behind him - or that Henry wouldn't mention it. But, hey, whatever. 

Sherlock being all freaked out in the Inn afterwards was crazy...I figured he had to have been drugged, because it just wasn't normal. And then he hurts John's feelings - and bravo to John for leaving before he had to smack a consulting detective. 

Then john finds out that his mysterious morse code was just a make-out point...kind of funny.

And then Sherlock sets him on the therapist - hahaha, I guess Sherlock has found good use for John "Thee Continents" Watson. And John was doing a good job of it - AND he was basically just being honest. Then doctor guy exposes his purpose AND manages to use Sherlock as the ultimate cockblock...and I STILL didn't realize that he was the bad guy. I just thought "Ah ha, it's hard to get dates when you're already married to a dude."

Then Sherlock apologizing was ADORABLE. Also, his lines about John being a "conductor of light" are basically right out of the stories, and that was really neat. Especially since John was like "Hold on! You are failing at being nice here..." Heheheeh

And then Sherlock made John coffee and gave him puppy-eyes...and SO ADORABLE...and again, I should have KNOWN Sherlock was just drugging John and that he couldn't possibly actually be that adorable, but I fell for it. I blame the puppy-eyes. For someone  most likely on the autism spectrum, Sherlock certainly is a master at emotional manipulation.

GREG! They actually named Lestrade! I like that Sherlock didn't know his name was Greg. I loved this scene, even though I rolled my eyes when I realized that this would only encourage the Mystrade shippers (I really hate Mystrade).

Also, I loved John and Lestrade's conversation - with John telling Lestrade that Sherlock actually was happy to see him, and then Lestrade saying that he probably liked the familiar faces, and John actually using the word "Aspergers." Is that the first time they've said that possible diagnoses out loud? I think so. I liked it.

And Lestrade breathing in and saying "Nice to get away from that London air" - TOTALLY SHOULD HAVE BEEN OUR FIRST CLUE.

John's freak-out in the lab was great. Martin Freeman is amazing. Just, the way he can do terrified on the verge of tears, yet hold it together like the soldier he is...and yeah, amazing. I felt so bad for him. Sherlock is so mean to his friend.

Of course, as soon as they confirmed the drug thing, my thought was "GO HELP HENRY! HE ISN'T SLEEPING!!" If you don't sleep, you don't dream, and if you don't dream, you start to hallucinate. I once went to Munich with a guy who hadn't slept in three days...he held it together remarkably well, until the statues started moving and talking to him. Mind you, a month later he was diagnosed with schizophrenia, but my point stands!

Sherlock's "Mind Palace" was an interesting sequence. I can't decide whether I like it or not, but it was interesting. I suppose that's where he is when he doesn't notice John leaving...it's the Sherlock equivalent of staring into space, except that he can remember what he was thinking about when he snaps out of it. (I never can).

The password being "Maggie" is HIGHLY unlikely. Government passwords have to be at least 8 characters long, have both upper and lower case letters, and must also contain both a number and a special character. This is true of any password used to access a system. The only thing you could access with a password like "Maggie" is an email account. Still, whatever, maybe the British army does things differently - but my work is more secure than that, and the only thing exciting you could do if you cracked my password would be read historical documents until you are both bored and depressed...and I suppose you could find out the addresses and family names of a certain segment of the population, but I'm sure there are easier legal ways to do that.

Then Henry FLIPS OUT! But you know, good on Sherlock for talking him down from suicide. I don't know, maybe I'm a sociopath - but to me that proves that Sherlock isn't one. You care about human life if you're willing to try to prevent someone from killing themselves, in my opinion.

Also, "Uncle Bob" was a HORRIBLE friend to Henry's father, my goodness.

Then a drugged dog attacks drugged people!! DRUGS EVERYWHERE! Sherlock seeing Moriarty is really cool - it shows how much Sherlock is still worried about what Moriarty may do...also, I LOVE the fact that Lestrade misses the dog when he shots, but John gets it bang on.

And I love John's "Sherlock! Timing!" reprimand, when Sherlock was "a bit not good" again - it just speaks to the fact that "Sherlock, we have had this conversation before!" You definitely have a chance to see the way that John's presence has humanized Sherlock, even when it's a learned humanization rather than a natural one. 

And the bad guy is blowed up. Aww...

Then we have John put two and two together and realize that Sherlock's "Apology Coffee" was actually an "I'm-going-to-drug-you-and-then-terrify-you-nearly-to-death Coffee" Still, when DID John get drugged anyhow? Was it in the lab? I'm confused on that part. 

And then we get the weird end scene...Mycroft letting Moriarty go...Moriarty having written "Sherlock" all over the walls...when did Mycroft GET Moriarty? Why didn't he have him killed? That's what *I* would have done...I do not understand.


So, all in all, a great episode!! Thoroughly enjoyed by all.

Next week though  - next week is going to kill me.

Comments

[katsheswims.livejournal.com]

I love your reaction posts. I always have a lot of the same thoughts/questions.

Hmm, I think Sherlock was being confusing about taking the case-sending John and not going-then deciding to go was about finding his cigarettes that John hid. He intended to go all along, but he wanted to see if he could get John to give up his hiding place first. (Or that's the only thing I can come up with.)

John got drugged in that little room he went into off the main lab-that white smoke coming from the pipe.

I was very suspicious of the evil lab doctor at first, but then after he helped Sherlock they tricked me and I didn't suspect him anymore until Sherlock found out about H.O.U.N.D. and saw that picture. Given that the original experiments were 20(?) years ago it would have had to be an older person doing them now if they were part of the original and the only other scientist we really met besides the woman was the old guy.

Agree about Moriarty. Though I'm also wondering how he got something to write on the walls with-I imagine they would have taken everything from him and he looked pretty tied up. But I suppose they might have let him wander his cell at one point...

[hells-half-acre.livejournal.com]

Yes, as soon as Sherlock was like "Someone who would have been around 20 years ago..." I was like "OH MAN! IT'S THE SCIENTIST DUDE!"

Other than that - thanks for answering my questions and confusion!

I was also wondering what the heck Moriarty had to write with...strange.

[ravelqueen.livejournal.com]

I loved everything!

I think it horribly amusing how much thought this fandom obviously has given to the boys driving habits. Cause I was watching on a livestream and the chat exploded when that scene came on ;)

I thought John pulling rank was really an excellent character choice. They seem to be very keen on reminding us of Johns military background, which I really like (though I hope it is just a character point and not some kind of plot thing they are setting up for Reichenbach)

oh Henry...you know if I had paranoid delusions of being followed, I'd probably not sleep in the room with one wall made entirely out of windows, but maybe that's just me.

I'm actually really proud of myself, because I called doctor guy this time - also when he cockblocked John, that's when he put the drug into his coffee in case you were still wondering.

The apology scene - so so well handled. It wasn't in any way over dramatic or ooc, but still extremely sweet and you could still see all the emotions shifting under their faces, the atmosphere changing....wonderful

God I'm not prepared for Reichenbach....at least they confirmed a third season, but I just know this will still end on a horrible cliffhanger

[hells-half-acre.livejournal.com]

I think it horribly amusing how much thought this fandom obviously has given to the boys driving habits. Cause I was watching on a livestream and the chat exploded when that scene came on ;)

I love the fact that they actually asked Mark Gatiss about it - and apparently Sherlock drove because Martin can't. I thought that was funny. I guess people just see John has the one with practical skills...but it makes sense for someone like Sherlock to know how to drive, especially since he had to live for years without John around.

They seem to be very keen on reminding us of Johns military background, which I really like (though I hope it is just a character point and not some kind of plot thing they are setting up for Reichenbach)

I like that too. I think it makes him a more compelling character, because you get that juxtaposition between Doctor and Soldier all in one man.

oh Henry...you know if I had paranoid delusions of being followed, I'd probably not sleep in the room with one wall made entirely out of windows, but maybe that's just me.

Hahaha, good point! Those windows would freak me out even if I didn't think there was a gigantic hound after me.

God I'm not prepared for Reichenbach....at least they confirmed a third season, but I just know this will still end on a horrible cliffhanger

Reichenbach is going to kill me.
Cluedo: It was Reichenbach, on Sunday, and the murder weapon was "good acting."

[onechairleft.livejournal.com]

I loved this one! I really, really enjoyed it. AND, it's unlikely that fandom will explode about the treatment of the dog as a character, or summat. (Though I do, in fact, feel sorry for the dog)

I assumed, at the end, that Mycroft had to let Moriarty go because (like with Irene) even as a captive, he had something held over them. Like... Moran, maybe? (He's out there somewhere!)

In hindsight, Uncle Bob was the bad guy. But they played it beautifully, I think. Just the right amount of misdirection. Though as soon as I saw the fog in the hole (can't remember what it was actually called) I yelled out 'hallucinogenic fog!'... I hope the neighbours didn't hear me.

I thought Lestrade was a bit... shoe-horned... into that episode? Is that just me? I liked it- he's great- but it was a bit weird. If they'd given us the conversation between Mycroft/Lestrade where he was sent off, it would have worked better for me.

MF really did a stellar job this episode. He was fantastic. I do think that they gave Lestrade such a deep tan to distract from Martin Freeman's New Zealand glow- because there are some scenes where he does look like he's been on holidays. :D

Anyway. Yeah. There ya go. :)

[hells-half-acre.livejournal.com]

Yeah...poor puppy. Did you know that in America, you aren't allowed to show someone shooting a dog on TV? I don't know if they have similar rules over there.

I assumed, at the end, that Mycroft had to let Moriarty go because (like with Irene) even as a captive, he had something held over them. Like... Moran, maybe? (He's out there somewhere!)

True - I wonder if Moran will play a part in Reichenbach...

I yelled out 'hallucinogenic fog!'... I hope the neighbours didn't hear me.

Hahaha *imagines your neighbours running to look fearfully out the window* :P

I thought Lestrade was a bit... shoe-horned... into that episode? Is that just me? I liked it- he's great- but it was a bit weird. If they'd given us the conversation between Mycroft/Lestrade where he was sent off, it would have worked better for me.

Hmm, yeah, I can see that. He didn't have THAT huge of a roll. I'm guessing he'll feature prominently in the next one though.

MF really did a stellar job this episode. He was fantastic. I do think that they gave Lestrade such a deep tan to distract from Martin Freeman's New Zealand glow- because there are some scenes where he does look like he's been on holidays.

Hahaha, MF really was amazing. I wonder if they shot these in reverse order again...we'll have to see if he's more tanned in the next episode. Though, I guess these were filmed in summer and they were out on the moors for days...maybe that was enough, New Zealand or no. Maybe MF just has very sensitive skin :P

[onechairleft.livejournal.com]

Yeah...poor puppy. Did you know that in America, you aren't allowed to show someone shooting a dog on TV? I don't know if they have similar rules over there.

I don't know about the rules re: shooting dogs on screen... but I suppose if you want to get technical, they shot their hallucinated were-dog. Or at least, they shot a dog hyped up on crazy-fog.

I'm guessing he'll feature prominently in the next one though.

Bring on the silver fox! The *second* he said the words 'I don't do everything your brother tells me', I swear I heard fandom explode. No lie. ;)

[hells-half-acre.livejournal.com]

Bring on the silver fox! The *second* he said the words 'I don't do everything your brother tells me', I swear I heard fandom explode. No lie. ;)

Haha, me too! Only it was a groan from me, because I really can't stand the Mystrade ship. :P Ah well... it DOES make sense that Mycroft would have kidnapped Lestrade in the beginning just like he did with John though, so I liked that aspect of it.

There's also something just really pleasing to me about Lestrade's accent. I don't know that much about the different British accents, so I'm not sure if I'm supposed to find it pleasing - but I do. I look forward to hearing him say more things. :P

[dairygirl.livejournal.com]

Bluebell the rabbit was an unexpected tie-in to the storyline, wasn't it? Like, you, I did not think anything of Dr. Franklin interrupting John's interrogation of Henry's therapist but I was quite suspicious of Sherlock feeding coffee (with sugar) to John. And I swear, I read a fanfiction with the same lines about John greeting Greg and Sherlock asking who that was. I totally missed the mention of Aspergers when John and Greg were talking later. Sherlock totally deserved another punch in the face for terrifying his friend in the lab as an experiment. I was surprised that Sherlock saw Jim Moriarty when overcome by the gas at the moor but should not have been. And the poor dog being shot by John. Not his fault for being at the wrong location at the wrong time (even if the inn owners were using the Giant Hound to further their own agenda.) And then yes, we see that Mycroft had Moriarty confined and then let him go after writing his brother's name all over his cell wall? This does not sound promising and the last think I would do is unleash such an individual on the world much less my brother. Excellently done creepy episode from terror at night in the dark to bright shiny lab spaces.

[hells-half-acre.livejournal.com]

Bluebell the rabbit was an unexpected tie-in to the storyline, wasn't it?

It was! I liked how they did it though.

Like, you, I did not think anything of Dr. Franklin interrupting John's interrogation of Henry's therapist but I was quite suspicious of Sherlock feeding coffee (with sugar) to John.

See, I think this is where my obsessive reading of fanfic did me a disservice. I'm so used to seeing the "Sherlock makes John tea as an apology" trope, that I really did just think it was an apology. :P

This does not sound promising and the last think I would do is unleash such an individual on the world much less my brother.

Same here! I'm really nervous for next week.

Excellently done creepy episode from terror at night in the dark to bright shiny lab spaces.

Yes! Amazing.

[verdande-mi.livejournal.com]

This episode blew me away more than the first one; it deserves a re-watch before the day is over. I watched it late at night, and almost stopped because I thought perhaps this is better for daytime hours, and I’ not usually easily scared like that. I stayed with it though, at the edge of the seat pretty much from when they first enter the military compound till the end. The pacing in this episode was just top-notched, and main plotline and the side stories wove together very well.

[hells-half-acre.livejournal.com]

Yes, I was really happy when the iPlayer didn't freeze up as often as it did when I was watching ASiB...because I was at the edge of my seat the whole time.

Really well done, and although I haven't rewatched it yet - I have a feeling I'll like it even more when I do.

[franztastisch]

NOT A WORD AGAINST RUSSELL TOVEY AND HIS AMAZING FACE. I do love that man. (Oh, Henry, btw)

Oh it was all so glorious and good and ajdfhlakfha. And so tense! And the bit with the lights at Henry's house. Properly creeped me out.

Ahaha and the morse code and the doggers. That properly made me laugh. And my mum in fact. Oh everything was glorious. GLORIOUS. And I love Martin Freeman and Russell Tovey. Yey!

[hells-half-acre.livejournal.com]

I didn't mean "funny shaped head" in a BAD way!! Also, Russell Tovey was AMAZING!! I should have said that in my review! He blew me away. He did such a great job.

I had to look away from the screen during that bit with the lights at Henry's house. I was too creeped out!

haha "the doggers" :P I loved how embarrassed John was that it wasn't some sort of secret morse code message.

[franztastisch]

You better not have..! I love him. He's just... eeeep! Adorable. And gay, I found out! Which I love, because if there is one person who doesn't look like a stereotypical gay guy, it's Russell Tovey. Awww I love him. :D

OH IT WAS SO GOOD. Like, sometimes I forget that the most mundane things can be scary if you do it the right way.

Embarrassed and "...really? I mean, really?" :D

[hells-half-acre.livejournal.com]

Awww...I don't think I've seen Russell Tovey in anything else, because I don't watch Being Human due to my absolute hatred of sympathetic vampires.

[franztastisch]

Aah he was in the History Boys, and a programme I saw once over Christmas, My Family and Other Animals. And I think I've seen him in a couple of episodes of Being Human, though I don't watch it. And he's also in a sitcom type thing on BBC3 called Him and Her. Which I didn't think was very funny, but there you go. Oh and I think he was on Dr Who once, and he's done some period drama type things for the BBC.. Little Dorrit? Maybe. I dunno.

[hells-half-acre.livejournal.com]

Probably Doctor Who would be my only bet for having seen him then. I've heard of the History Boys, but never actually seen it.

[franztastisch]

I can't remember which episode, though I have a feeling it was with David Tennant. And you should see the History Boys. It's good. Very... British.

[majorshipper]

Basically yes, totally. I'm not sure if this show can actually do wrong in my mind. I'm getting all excited again like I did when I first saw the first season.

And I find it really interesting the effect this show has on fandom. It's so good that somehow it's managed to energize a fandom that has had to wait two years for a total of six episodes. I know when I fell in love with it back when it was originally airing, I wasn't sure if it could sustain its fandom with just three(albeit spectacular) episodes.
And I'm pleasantly surprised to find it's been going strong even since I left.

[hells-half-acre.livejournal.com]

Fandom just took on a life of it's own - it was nuts. It's the first fandom where I've actually had trouble keeping what's "canon" and what's "fanon" straight. (I think it's especially hard with someone like Sherlock, which is notorious for having "fanon" things become "canon" - such as the deerstalker).

It's why I mention things like: Sherlock drives!! :P (According to Mark Gatiss, Sherlock drives because Martin Freeman doesn't. So, that's adorable.)

Really, it speaks to the QUALITY of this show a lot. It really is completely astounding what they put together. I actually don't MIND that we had to wait 18 months for it, because it seems that time was spent on making it completely awesome.

[majorshipper]

Exactly. Often, for a show, it seems like the lottery as to whether or not it gets a massive, passionate fandom. But Sherlock's different. Like you said, it blurs the line in a way that few other canons can, throwing in fanon and canon together.

But also the quality of the show is obvious. You can rewatch and rewatch and you'll still pick up new and different details you may have missed before. It's amazing on first, second, third, fourth, fifth, etc. watch. And I say that, because I've got a near-perfect memory when it comes to visuals; so, often with shows, I'll only watch the episodes a couple of times(see the fact that I can name time/episode for clips/gifs of most of my shows or con vids I watch). But with Sherlock, I've watched everything many times over, and it doesn't get tiring or boring, because you realize something new every time. And that really speaks to why fandom has persisted and why the show is only getting more popular.

[hells-half-acre.livejournal.com]

I'm the same way. I rarely watch things more than once - and if I do, I need a reason. Like, doing an in-depth Supernatural rewatch when I get the DVDs every year...or making a timeline, or cataloging clothes. I never just sit down to watch an episode for the heck of it, because I remember them too well from the first viewing.

Sherlock though, it seems like there is always something new to notice, or a particular acting performance to marvel anew at. It's amazing.