The Dying Detective - Sherlock Holmes Jeremy Brett Part 1 of 5

A refreshingly riveting episode.

We are taken to the opium houses in Olde London, and Culverton Smith is as despicable as any villain in the series.

After a few somewhat bland episodes in the season preceding this, 'Sherlock Holmes (1984)' comes roaring back to life in a big way. The classic story of Holmes trying to prove Culverton Smith murdered his cousin is given a super makeover. I feel that producers of any form of literary work in recent years, (as opposed to 100 years earlier), have a distinct advantage. As our values about censorship and taboo subjects have relaxed and broadened, a story can be more colorfully presented, and more detail can be explored. Issues like sex and drugs in particular, are much less limited by social etiquette. This installment is a good example of that.

Jeremy Brett is at his energetic best here, boisterously arguing with Watson, Smith, and Mrs. Hudson, among others, and seemingly enjoying the role with renewed vigor. This side of Holmes was not as evident in the original story, which deals more with Watson's concern for his friend's sickly condition. Here, more time is given to the background of the victim and his wife, which nicely develops into Holmes vs. Smith. A very welcome return to form.

StarsColin Jeavons as Inspector Lestrade

Guest Cast:

Roy Hudd as John Gedgrave
John Labanowski as Inspector Morton
Rowland Davies as Colonel Carnac
Caroline John as Mrs Carnac
Shaughan Seymour as Penrose Fisher
Keiran Flynn as Benson
Malcolm Hebden as Staples
Mary Ten Pow as Chinese Woman
Rachel Rice as Marina Savage
Jonathan Hyde as Culverton Smith
Trevor Bowen as Charles Daman
Hugh Bonneville as Victor Savage
Susannah Harker as Adelaide Savage
Colin Stevens as Police Sergeant

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  Entertainment

[tiberiousss]

Sadly, Jeremy Brett continues to be missed. His dedication to the show and Sherlock Homes was admired by all. Brett was all but consumed with the show and the character. Remarkable performances even when it was obvious he wasn't feeling well. Bravo sir!

[grimlund]

Brett and Hardwick. The best Holmes and Watson ever........and Susannah Harker is so pretty that you just want to jump inside the computerscreen and kiss her. Just to hear her talking with that beautiful english accent makes me almost blushing....ha....ha

I never get bored looking at this Granada series. Sad to think that Brett has just about a year left to live here....

[NYCGIRL51]

How many knew Richard Bonneville is Hugh Bonneville from "Downton Abbey"?

[KenyanBunnie]

Susannah Harker was on an episode of Midsomer Murders! She gained some weight but still looks very close to what she looks like on this episode of S.H.

[hadassah179]

It makes me chuckle at the fact that the villainous scientist is the same man who played the butler in Richie Rich.

[Omegawolf1000]

R.I.P. Jeremy Brett. He's Sherlock Holmes, end of discussion.

[Torontonian90]

I just read 'remarkeable' in Jeremy Brett's voice. I am truly a freak, am I not?!

[truuflly]

What is so very interesting about this episode is the way in which, for a brief instance, one may see the inner workings of Sherlock's mind and observe a full moment of guilt in his having to confront the reality of his own addiction in such a unexpected manner. This is especially poignant for him as it comes from a lady he seems to hold a physical attraction for. Sherlock is prone to discuss any number of topics exhaustively, but love is not one of them. Elementary?

[Kevin Palan]

Yes, she did.

[Kevin Palan]

Yes. Sadly. A great Watson to Brett's Holmes.

[notAbba]

My goodness, she has such a lovely long neck. Goodness, goodness, goodness.

[polycera]

Watching Jeremy Brett as Holmes inspired me to read all of Conan Doyles books on the master detective. Brett's performance remains my favourite to this day.