One ofSherlock Holmes’most recent and successful adaptations has been the BBC’sSherlock, but there was another modern version shortly after it that avoided one of the worst things aboutSherlock. In 1887, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle introduced the world to consulting detective Sherlock Holmes in “A Study in Scarlet.” The Great Detective went on to star in four novels and 56 short stories, and for decades, it has been adapted to all types of media, some of them with significant changes to the characters and their stories.
The rights to Sherlock Holmeshave allowed artists to adapt the detective’s stories and accompanying characters in different ways, and the most successful ones in recent years have brought them to the modern world. First wasSherlock, starring Benedict Cumberbatch as the famous detective and Martin Freeman as John Watson.Sherlockbrought and adapted the characters to modern-day London and was a big success, though not without some controversies. However, two years later,Elementaryarrived, and it avoided one of the worst things aboutSherlock.
Sherlock Was A Miniseries
WhileSherlockwas in between seasons (seasons 2 and 3, to be exact), another modern adaptation of Sherlock Holmes arrived. Created by Robert Doherty,Elementarypremiered on CBS in 2012 and ended in 2019 after seven seasons.Elementaryalso brought Sherlock Holmes to the modern world, but with some key differences from the BBC’s adaptation. InElementary, Sherlock (Jonny Lee Miller) had fallen from grace in London and spent some time in rehab for his substance-use disorder. Sherlock relocated to Manhattan, where he was forced to live with a sober companion, Dr. Joan Watson (Lucy Liu).
Sherlock also began working with the NYPD as a consulting detective, with Watson joining him in his many cases and staying with him as his professional partner once her contract as a sober companion was over. Another hugechange inElementarywas Holmes’ archenemy Moriarty, who was changed to be Jamie Moriarty (Natalie Dormer), Sherlock’s great love.Elementarywas a success with critics and general audiences, and despite its similarities toSherlock,it stood out for its quality, consistency, and format.
Thanks to the latter,Elementaryavoided one of the worst things aboutSherlock: the number of episodes and the long wait between seasons. Instead,everyElementaryseason had over 20 episodes(24 consistently from season 1 to 5, with the sixth having 21 and only the final season having 13 episodes), and it released a season every year.Sherlock, on the other hand, had four seasons with three episodes each, and there was a long wait between seasons.
Sherlock’s Format Was Not Unusual For British Shows, But The Hiatus Could Be Frustrating
The Long Wait Between Seasons Played Against Sherlock
There are differences between American and British TV series, among the biggest ones being the number of episodes each season has. American TV shows typically go over 20, though in recent years, that number has decreased significantly. British TV shows, on the other hand, while some go over 10 (likeDoctor Whousually does), have fewer episodes, and the seasons are called “series.” British TV shows also tend to have smaller groups of writers, so shorter seasons take pressure off the writers and production team.
There was a two-year window between the first three seasons, with the special “The Abominable Bride” arriving two years after season 6, thus delaying season 4.
However, in some cases, likeSherlock, the hiatus between seasons (or series) can be very frustrating. There was a two-year window between the first three seasons, with the special “The Abominable Bride” arriving two years after season 6, thus delaying season 4, which was finally released in 2017.The hiatus was even more frustrating after season 2, which ended on a huge cliffhangerafterSherlock was revealed to have faked his death, which led to viewers coming up with all types of theories on how he did so.
“The Final Problem” Was Sherlock’s Messy Finale
Although the first two seasons ofSherlockused their three episodes wisely to set up the dynamic between Sherlock and Watson, as well as gradually introduce Moriarty (Andrew Scott), I feel the show needed more episodes before “The Final Problem” arrived. Many thingswent wrong withSherlockseasons 4 and 5, but the series finale was the biggest problem, as it introduced Eurus Holmes (Sian Brooke) without any previous teases, and her villainous plan didn’t make sense.
Sherlockwould have greatly benefited from a few more episodes before “The Final Problem” that properly set up Eurus’ arrival, her influence throughout the show (as she was revealed to have met Moriarty), and better explained her big plan.Elementarydidn’t go through these problems thanks to its format, giving it enough time to develop its characters, storylines, and more.
