As last season of this series ended with Holmes experiencing
a relapse into his drug problem this one opens with a more prominent role
involving his father, Morland played by John Noble. The influential money man
of some notoriety, Morland using his pull to reinsert Holmes and Watson (Johnny
Lee Miller and Lucy Liu) into the good graces of the NYPD. This is fine for
Captain Gregson (Aidan Quinn) who might be a bit weary of Holmes but also know
how indispensable his help can be.
The series continues to insert the famed sleuth into a
modern setting and does so with perfection. To try and make Holmes the
detective we were accustomed to in the past might not work quite as well in
today’s world. This Holmes is more fitting, carrying on with his personal
education on various evidence types and working to steer clear of the demons
that haunt him, that pull him towards drug usage.
Liu as Joan Watson delights, easing into the larger role of
partner rather than student as the seasons have passed. At one point in this
season she begins to work for a large firm only to dig deeper into the owner of
the company. Whether her personal investigation pans out or not is for viewers
of this season set to discover. Suffice to say that if there are problems the
odds are in her favor that Holmes will assist at some point.
But it is the growth of the family unit in this season that
sets it apart from the previous three. Yes, Morland was hinted at and yes
Holmes’ brother took a large part in season three. But this season finds Holmes
working for his father whether he admires the man or not. This season also
finds Holmes developing a romantic interest as well, having once suffered the
loss of his last paramour who turned out to be his main nemesis. The young
woman was once a suspect in an episode, a woman with peculiarities of her own.
All of this leads to a different Holmes than we’ve seen before.
Watson too ends up dealing with family issues of her own
involving her mother and sister. None of these family matters deviate the show
from the detecting we’ve come to know and love. Rather they enhance the
characters of the series and make them a bit more human than portrayed in the
past.
In addition to the direct family issues seen in this season
we also get a more rounded experience with the extended family for Holmes and
Watson, the characters of Gregson and his right hand man Detective Bell (Jon
Michael Hill). Hints at a possible romance with Watson as well as Bell’s
attempt to elevate his standing at the precinct are episodes this season. A
personal situation with Gregson is also on display. All of it makes for a more
rounded group of characters that enhances rather than detracts from the
stories.
I’ve always been a fan of Sherlock Holmes, beginning with
the classic Basil Rathbone portrayal I used to watch as a child on the Saturday
afternoon movie. This brought me to reading the books and was followed by
seeing other films as well. The recent Benedict Cumberbatch version has been
quite a pleasure too. But with all of that I still look forward to watching
these adventures each week and having them on DVD makes them accessible for
future viewing. I know these are discs that are sure to find their way into my
player from time to time. They are a welcome addition to the frequent watched
shelf and should be on yours as well.
Click here to order.
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