Sherlock Episodes Ranked

[shadowfireflame]

I like this Digital Spy article ranking the Sherlock episodes from the author's least favorite to favorite. While I slightly disagree with her rankings of the middle episodes, her explanations are right on for what worked and what didn't in each one.

Recognizing that all the episodes have some fantastic moments and that ranking them is ultimately futile (as I feel that each builds on the previous), it's still pretty fun. Here's my list and, briefly, what I loved and didn't:

• #9: "The Blind Banker" (episode #2, written by Steve Thompson)—I liked the relationship parts, but the China element just does not work.


• #8: "The Hounds of Baskerville" (episode #5, written by Mark Gatiss)—I still am not sure how to successfully do a modern adaptation of a giant dog with fluorescent paint on it. But I loved the idea of Sherlock, John, and Lestrade taking a little vacation on the moor!


• #7: "The Great Game" (episode #3, written by Mark Gatiss)—too much frenetic running around. Improves drastically with Moriarty's entrance, though.


• #6: "His Last Vow" (episode #9, written by Steven Moffat)—Magnussen is fantastic, but damn, this was unnecessarily complicated. I hope our questions about Mary will eventually be answered!


• #5: "A Scandal in Belgravia" (episode #4, written by Steven Moffat)—I adore the character moments, but something about the solution still doesn't quite sit right.


• #4: "The Empty Hearse" (episode #7, written by Mark Gatiss)—hysterical, unexpected, and so rewatchable. Made me love Mary so much. I still don't like the tube carriage scene, though.


• #3: "The Sign of Three" (episode #8, written by all three writers)—I think this episode may actually be perfect. And two words: stag night.


• #2: "A Study in Pink" (episode #1, written by Steven Moffat)—Could there be a better way to introduce a character than looking up at him, upside down, from the inside of a body bag? This episode sold me forever on this show and everyone involved with it.


• #1: "The Reichenbach Fall" (episode #6, written by Steve Thompson)—this brilliant, twisty episode riveted me instantly and then kept me speculating over hundreds of re-watches for two years, guys. Watching Sherlock deal with the noose slowly tightening around his neck as everything he has worked for crumbles is so heartbreaking.

How would you rank them? :)

Comments

[andrea-deer.livejournal.com]

That is interesting! :D But my ranking would be different, I think. Though in my case I'd have to more warn that I complain about something in all of those episodes XD But let me try! :D

#9 Blind Banker - I loved Dimmocks and Sarah, but the case/plot part of the episode was just bad and boring.

#8 A Scandal in Belgravia - I like the beginning, but then it went bad in my opinion. I still hate what they've done with Irene's character, her motivations and most of all the final confrontation, no, thank you.

#7 The Hounds of Baskerville - too boring, too filled with conspiracy theories. I liked Lestrade and Mycroft on this, so there is that.

#6 The Sign of Three - Points for Mary, showing us that Sally still exists, and of course - Janine. Minus points for making the case secondary plot to relationship plot, wasting Lestrade's character once again, once again telling the story jumping from one point to another, I'm in general not fond of editing in season 3. Oh, but very shallow bonus points for Mycroft training.

#5 The Empty Hearse - I was going to make it number six to be honest. I don't like telling story all over the place without actually saying anything. I don't like the waste of Sebastian Moran's character. The whole bomb idea with a switch off and the whole scene no, just no. Points for awesome Mary, Molly, Lestrade and Mycroft. The reason for moving this episode higher in ranking and probably the only reason I was excited for this season: Anderson.

#4 His Last Vow - Too complicated. Story told all over the place. Magnussen in the end being painfully easy to win over. Everyone suddenly developing morals, when it's Sherlock behind the trigger and not John. (Or Mycroft.) You know I'm not sure why this episode is so high up. Okay, good points: MARY. Anderson & Molly. Mycroft & Lestrade (worth all the points). Jim. I don'te care how fake it is, I was talking every 5 minutes through this episode that I miss Moriarty and he suddenly asks if I did miss him, it was beautiful.

#3 The Reichenbach Fall - Moriarty is brilliant in this one. Also Sally. Molly. Lestrade. And Mycroft once you know what the heck he he is doing. Main minus: Not comparable to the cliff-hanger of the previous episode.

#2 The Great Game - Moriarty. Flirting with Sherlock and being a crazy ass psycho. Molly. Cliff hanger to end all cliff hangers.

#1 Study In Pink - Mycroft, Anthea, Lestrade. John and Sherlock just meeting. I always have a sentiment for first episodes and I'm willing to forgive them more, that probably plays in here as well, but yeah. Also the cabbie, Jefferson Hope, I actually liked him and felt bad for him.

(I can't keep my complains short, sorry xD)

[shadowfireflame.livejournal.com]

Ooh, thanks for sharing your ranking. It's hard, isn't it, because every episode has at least one crowning moment of awesome.

I'm convinced that we haven't seen the last of Sebastian Moran (there's also that theory that Mary has basically taken over his role as a sniper for Moriarty, which would be fascinating).

Also, did you feel a kind of Molly/Lestrade vibe from "The Sign of Three"? They were sitting pretty close together, weren't they? I admit it, I like Mycroft/Lestrade but am also starting to ship the Molly/Lestrade. :)

[andrea-deer.livejournal.com]

For some reason I can't stand Lestrade/Molly! And it's not that there's anything specific about it that puts me off immadiately, no, it didn't work on me, but I was intrigued by it's growing popularity, so I checked a few fics. I admit the fics were good, but I still couldn't see the ship. *shrugs*

Of course I'm not being like "bad ship, go away", because that's just silly in general. And in this case especially so as I'm mostly "I can see why would people enjoy that, but I simply cannot". I'm not sure how I would feel about it becoming more canon though. I admit part of it is my helpless undying hope for mystrade (I KNOW), but in general it would have this feel of "oh, we have those two left and people like them, we should pair them up". At least for me, of course.

I admit that after thinking about it, in simplest terms, he seems too old for her. I don't care so much for the age of it, but he has this mature, old, bitter cop air about him. And while I believe he is still great fun and I love him dearly, he just doesn't work for me with Molly who enjoys her child-like joys, even if I don't consider her immature at all.

Personally, when it comes to known in canon possible partners for Molly, I would be over joyed if Dimmock came back. (And not only because hoping for Sally would be too hopeless. ;))

[shadowfireflame.livejournal.com]

Ah, fair enough. I'd like to see Dimmock return as well!

I think maybe the writers were surprised by how beloved and popular Molly was, but I've really liked how she's grown as a character throughout the series. And I like that Christmas party scene in "Belgravia" when she takes off her coat and Lestrade is like, "Whoa!" Hee! Regardless, maybe they will just stay friends. I will be happy either way! :)