Sherlock DVD - Order Now

It’s all about the Orient! From the very beginning, you could tell “The Blind Banker” was going to be another slick episode of Sherlock Holmes from the Oriental tea making to Watson’s troubles with the self-shopping aisle hurling abuse at the machine when faced with an annoying automated voice. The Sherlock DVD is going to be unmissable.

“Item not scanned, item not scanned, please scan item again”, Watson slightly embarrassed at his lack of shopping experience replies “can you please keep your voice down?” and to top it off when he finally manages to scan his last item of shopping  the machine has another go….

”Card not authorised please use an alternative payment method, card not authorised please use an alternative payment method” to which he quips “alright I get it” and storms out without his shopping! All the while Sherlock is back at Baker Street fending off a masked swordsman hell bent on killing the detective!

Ratings for episode 2 follow this review.

Gemma Chan

If you missed tonight’s episode then catch it while you can on the BBC iPlayer in HD.

On his return to the flat he informs Sherlock he failed to get the shopping telling him he had a row with a chip and pin machine! Haven’t we all Watson, haven’t we all!

The real story begins when Sherlock and Watson visit a high end bank in the heart of London. One of their offices has been broken into overnight and the intruder has left a calling card of yellow graffiti. Nothing appears to have been stolen. Sherlock investigates in a way only he can. Following on from “A study in Pink” Benedict Cumberbatch gives a stellar performance with his amazingly quick dialogue. How this guy remembered his lines baffles me!!

On discovering a body he calls the police and meets a new detective inspector (Dimmock) who reminds Holmes he is in charge as Lestrade is busy. No Dymock, you clearly aren’t in charge as Sherlock tells him the suicide isn’t suicide but murder. When the pair interrupts Sebastian the banker, yes I did say banker and informs him of the murder, Sebastian doesn’t believe the murder angle and storms out. Watson quipping “I thought bankers were supposed to be heartless bastards”!! Classic

When a second murder occurs, this time the victim is a freelance journalist, Holmes believes it has all the hallmarks of the same killer who appears to walk between walls and is unperturbed by locked doors. On investigating the detective pair discovers more yellow grafity in a library meant for the journalist. The cases are linked.

The Black Lotus

Even though we are only half way in to this mini-series I am enjoying Martin Freeman’s portrayal of John Watson. He doesn’t appear intimidated by Holmes and his one liners are becoming legendary. On returning from being arrested for graffiti he quips “I have to go to magistrate’s court on Tuesday – they are giving me an ASBO”!!!

The investigation continues and leads the intrepid duo to Chinatown and Soo Lin Yao’s flat (we were introduced to the beautiful actress at the beginning of the episode working at the National Antiquities Museum making a cup of Typhoo!!) who appears to be missing. More graffiti is discovered at the aforementioned Museum.

I’ve had a number of emails asking where the Museum shots were filmed. I can reveal that the internal Museum shots were actually filmed at the National Museum of Wales in Cardiff. The theme music to Sherlock was composed by David Arnold with Michael Price.

“Sherlock” comes alive at night, the colours are wonderful and the atmosphere and music are magnificent, full of oriental mystery. Soo Lin Yao (Gemma Chan) is at the heart of the mystery and once again comes back to the tea pots and a group called The Black Lotus.

Watson has a date with a fellow doctor (Sarah played by Zoe Telford) and Sherlock Holmes suggests visiting a travelling Chinese circus only to show up at the event to fin Sherlock tagging along! Not happy the pair have a “heated” discussion on the stairs “Sherlock I’m in the middle of a date and you want me to chase a killer when I’m trying …. To get off with Sarah” just as Sarah appears from the bathroom! Classic! Sherlock leaves an embarrassed Watson to lead his date into the performance.

While Sherlock cracks the code, Watson and Sarah are kidnapped from 221b Baker Street and just when all hope is lost …. You’ll just have to watch won’t you! Pre Order the DVD Now

The third and final episode “The Great Game” of the trilogy can be seen next Sunday.

Ratings

The overnight ratings are now in and Sherlock did well again securing 25.6% audience share with a peak of 6.7 million viewers. The figures represent a slight fall from last Sunday’s 7 million and 28.5% share.  Big Brother continues to perform poorly with just 7% share and under 2 million viewers.

Cast “The Blind Banker”

Sherlock Holmes (Benedict Cumberbatch)

Dr John Watson (Martin Freeman)

Mrs Hudson (Una Stubbs)

Sarah (Zoe Telford)

Molly Hooper (Louise Brealey)

Soo Lin Yao (Gemma Chan)

Andy Galbraith (All Weaver)

Seb Wilkes (Bertie Carvel)

Eddie Van Coon (Dan Percival)

DI Dimmock (Paul Chequer)