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]

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! :)