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Doctor Who series 7 trailer
Dinosaurs in spaceships? Daleks? Weeping Angels? Must be the new trailer for Doctor Who series 7!
The waiting has ended, we finally have a proper look at what to expect from the new series of Doctor Who.
CBS ‘Elementary’ Fall Preview
I can understand that a lot of people are cynical about the American modern take of Sherlock. Obviously because Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss were the first ones to transport a classic character in a modern setting, and my goodness they did it brilliantly.
The US did ask for an American remake of the BBC Sherlock, but their request was denied. Instead, they went their own way and made Elementary. This American modern take on Sherlock Holmes (Jonny Lee Miller) sees the consulting detective in New York, with Joan Watson (Lucy Liu).
Now we get a proper look at Elementary
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Opinion inflicting
The differences would probably be just the gender bender, the location, and it seems Holmes in America is…well, kinder. I mean, yes, he is still speaking his mind freely, but he seems nicer in this version. Not that it’s a bad thing, but it is quite different from what I had imagined Holmes to be…ever.
Personality is just a minor thing, though. I genuinely liked the gender bender, but one of the things that I did not like was Joan Watson’s profile: She is a surgeon who lost her license when a patient died. Thing is, I’d rather the she is an army doctor. Seldom do I see a woman soldier on television, and it would have been a nice touch if Joan was one. Losing a license might not mean that she is incompetent and cannot cope with Sherlock’s intelligence, but it is a bit unsettling.
The second series of the BBC Sherlock is airing on PBS, with the first episode gaining 3 million viewers. It would be interesting to know what the American audience would think about this.
But if I’m going to be honest, I’m quite excited to see Jonny Lee Miller. Probably going to watch it mainly because of him (because I’m that foolish).
Lucy Liu to play Watson in CBS’ Elementary
Lucy Liu nabbed the part of the beloved companion, John Watson, in the American attempt to modernise the adventures of Sherlock Holmes. She is the first woman to play Watson and, if this show airs, she will be joining actors such as Jude Law, Martin Freeman, Ian Hart, Arthur Lowe, among others, who have portrayed the sidekick.
Elementary’s Sherlock Holmes is living in New York City, and Jonny Lee Miller will be playing the famous sleuth. Robert Doherty is the writer and executive producer, alongside Sarah Timberman and Carl Beverly.
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This is where I will be doing my opinion inflicting…
Hate is such a strong word. I have been told that not hating this is very Anderson of me. They’re probably right.
The reason I don’t hate it is because I am too curious to take notice of how ridiculous this whole thing is. I, too, think that this is just plagiarism, infringement or whatever you want to call it, in another form. Having said that, I don’t think there is harm in giving it a chance, at least in the Pilot-episode stage. If the BBC thinks that, even with a female Watson, the show still infringed copyright, then good. If it airs, and we think it’s bad, then we’ll have justification that this was a horrible idea from the get-go. Give.It.A.Chance…Then.React.
It’s like what students do with homework: copy, paste, and paraphrase. I know for a fact that albeit the little differences the press is depressingly trying to focus on, this will be compared to the BBC Sherlock. And, I’ll admit that I will probably be one of the judgmental lot . Better to start not being a hypocrite now.
All eyes are on them now.
P.S.
Gender-swap has potential (don’t mess that up).The only problem, though, would be her background, “former surgeon who lost her license after a patient died” *shakes head*
Jonny Lee Miller cast as Sherlock in CBS Elementary
Everyone was talking about Jonny Lee Miller’s casting as Sherlock in the CBS modern take titled Elementary. The buzz was mostly because he played opposite Benedict Cumberbatch (Sherlock from the BBC Sherlock) in Frankenstein. Sue Vertue, producer of BBC Sherlock, has emphasized again that the show’s pilot will be checked, to see if they have infringed copyright. Last month, Vertue released a statement saying that if, in any way, Elementary uses elements the BBC series has, legal action will be taken.
It is obvious that the CBS will push through with this. There have been a lot of adaptations already, I don’t think something like this would stop CBS from making their own. The problem is the “modernized” part of the US version. I am assuming that that is why people are reacting the way they are reacting now, violently. I know that when news of the BBC series first came out, before we became patrons of a brilliant show, we all thought that modernizing a classic character was very unique. In fact, I think some of us even wished we thought about it first. And so, when news of CBS is making its own modernized version of the famous sleuth, we raised our eyebrows and squinted our eyes, “What?!, surely they must be joking”. Apparently, they were not.
Modernizing Sherlock Holmes was an idea that was first conceptualized by Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss, and I’m interpreting people’s reactions as protecting and making sure that the idea will remain unique to Moffat and Gatiss, and the rest of the cast and crew, because they worked hard for it. I imagined myself in their position, talked about a brilliant idea, writing a script for it, making the pilot, until finally succeeding to create a cult following of one of literature’s most well-known and beloved character. Finding out that someone just nonchalantly adapted an idea that was first yours, is a bit insulting. Regardless of the setting being different, it was still the same idea. We have to establish that thinking, that however different the storyline is, or the possibility of it not even coming from the books, the concept that drives that show, and is the identity of the show, is the same idea Moffat and Gatiss had.
Which brings me to another point, the misunderstood reactions coming from the fans. Tweeters and Tumblr users are in a rift, asking each other why they hate the idea so much.
You have to understand that the fans are not reacting out of hate; they are reacting out of frustration. Remember, these are wildly enthusiastic fans who spent money, dedicated time, and even made an “I believe in Sherlock. Moriarty was real” guerrilla campaign, just for the show. The interest of the show was their priority, and if they think that this is wrong, they will unintentionally react in a violent manner. I think they came off as an angry mob, but actually, if one would only take time to read all their posts, they are actually just frustrated about the whole thing. They were not, in any way, condemning the US version seeing that the show airing is inevitable, they were actually nervous and intrigued about how they will be able to pull it off, given the restrictions.
I guess we’ll have to find out the fate of CBS Elementary. How will they maximize the whole concept of modernizing Sherlock? Since we all have observed that the BBC Sherlock has already done it marvelously. We will definitely, and indirectly, be part of the investigation team, with our deerstalkers and our magnifying glasses, checking for infringement….or something like that.
Being Human Series 4: The Old Ones Prequel
The Old ones are coming…
Being Human Episode 2 will be on next week, Sunday, 10pm on BBC Three
UPDATE: Legalities of the CBS modern take of Sherlock
Steven Moffat tweeted this, an article from The Independent
It’s a fresh take on Sherlock Holmes which will transplant the sleuth to a modern-day setting. But it doesn’t take Baker Street’s finest to deduce the source material for a major new drama announced by American network CBS.
The producers of the BBC’s acclaimed Sherlock series, starring Benedict Cumberbatch, are prepared to take legal action against the US network over a rival Holmes series which appears to tread on familiar ground.
The BBC version is already a cult hit in America, where it is screened on the PBS network. The show’s contemporary reinvention of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s stories, allied to slick production values, impressed network executives at CBS – so when an offer to remake the BBC’s Sherlock for US viewers came to nothing, they decided to go ahead and make their own.
In a move which has caused concern at Hartswood Films, the BBC show’s producers, CBS has commissioned Elementary, described as a new Sherlock Holmes adaptation set in modern-day New York.
Sue Vertue, Sherlock Executive Producer at Hartswood Films, said: “We understand that CBS are doing their own version of an updated Sherlock Holmes. It’s interesting, as they approached us a while back about remaking our show. At the time, they made great assurances about their integrity, so we have to assume that their modernised Sherlock Holmes doesn’t resemble ours in any way, as that would be extremely worrying.” She added: “We are very proud of our show and like any proud parent, will protect the interest and wellbeing of our offspring.”
Conan Doyle’s creation has been subject to numerous screen incarnations, including Guy Ritchie’s all-action Hollywood version. Holmes’ sleuthing skills and character quirks also inspired House, Hugh Laurie’s medical detective.
But it is Elementary’s relocation of the character to a modern setting which may closely impinge on the BBC series, which has made laptops and text messaging an important element of its plots.
Margaret Tofalides, a copyright specialist at law firm Manches, said: “The concept of a new Sherlock Holmes is unprotectable. But if the unusual elements of the BBC series – the modern settings, characters, clothes, plots and distinctive visual style – were closely reproduced in the CBS version, that could form the basis of a potential copyright claim.”
An American Sherlock could threaten the revenues returned to BBC Worldwide from the Cumberbatch show. The episodes have found an international audience through DVD sales and iTunes downloads.
After reading the article, I realised that it would be quite hard to modernise a classic character without the use of technology. Because let’s face it, modernization is equal to progress in technology, which the BBC Sherlock has maximized.
It is quite intriguing now, actually. Now that we know that if they, in any way, replicate, or use any of the BBC Sherlock‘s trademarks, they would be in big trouble.
Anyway, again I think it would be best to wait for it. People are making a big fuss of this now, not surprising since the BBC show has a cult following, but if it continues, how will they transport Sherlock in a modern-day setting, and in New York, without infringing copyright?
And a funny question that has been in my head for quite some time now, will it resemble CSI?
CBS to make a modern-take on Sherlock
From Variety TV news
CBS is starting to make its drama pilot pickups, handing orders to legal-themed drama “Baby Big Shot” and a modern-day take on Sherlock Holmes.
Sony Pictures TV/CBS Television Studios’ “Big Shot,” penned by scribe Dana Calvo, is exec produced by Jamie Tarses, Julia Franz and Kevin Falls, through Tarses’ Sony-based Fanfare banner. Falls will serve as showrunner on the project about a woman from a blue-collar background who uses her street smarts to make it the white-shoe world of Manhattan law firm.
“Elementary,” from CBS TV Studios, finds the famed detective now living in New York City. Robert Doherty penned the pilot and exec produces with Sarah Timberman and Carl Beverly.
Among the other heatseekers on CBS’ drama docket are its “Rifleman” redo, the procedural drama about a genetic scientist from scribes Shawn Ryan and Simon Mirren and “Golden Boy,” a project about a young police officer from Greg Berlanti and Nick Wootton. Also generating good buzz is “Mommy Track Mysteries,” based on the series of novels by Ayelet Waldman, and “The Widow Detective,” from scribe Dave Hubbard and Carol Mendelsohn Prods.
We have known this since, if I remember correctly, October of last year. I want to make this clear, there is nothing wrong with modern spins to popular classic literature, in fact we love them and invest emotions (and for some,their lives.Yes I’m looking at you Tumblr) on shows like that. And it is easier to love when you know that your favourite classical fictional character is in the hands of people who are bigger fans of the character than you are, and Mark Gatiss and Steven Moffat are true “Sherlockians”, that is why we trust that they are going to give justice to a Conan Doyle classic. Having said that, I am not saying that the above mentioned names (those writing Elementary) are not fans of Sherlock, but I know that there will be differences in how the character is perceived.
I actually only have one problem with this: It already exists.
Fine, the setting is different, he might not actually have an accent for all I care, but a show like this already exists and now has a strong fan base WORLDWIDE. There is no competition between the two, but as the audience, we cannot help but compare. I have read some threads regarding this news, and it amuses me that a good number of people are arguing already. People are becoming very defensive already. I am just surprised they are taking this risk. It is not bravery, some people think it is because they are running out of ideas, and very slowly, I am becoming one of those people. I feel bad actually, for thinking that the creative mind has caught a virus and therefore a vaccine is needed to help it recover, regenerate. In this case, with the success of Guy Rithie’s Sherlock Holmes, and I am very sure they know BBC Sherlock, it is possible that they got the idea from somewhere, they finally found their vaccine.
I want to say “give it a chance, it might actually be watchable”, but I know for a fact that it is quite unfair for Mr. Gatiss and Mr. Moffat who originally conceptualized a 21st century Sherlock, and did it brilliantly.
But you know, we are not sure if it will actually air, it is just a pilot order. I guess we’ll have to wait. We are becoming really good at that you know, Sherlock fans always waiting.
What are your thoughts?
Sherlock Series 2 Episode 2: The Hounds of Baskerville
The Hounds of Baskerville is Conan Doyle’s most adapted Sherlock story, I can only imagine how hard it must have been for Mark Gatiss to write a contemporary version of the “hound from hell” story. Oh, who am I kidding? It’s Mark Gatiss, the man knows his horror stories. If there is someone I trust with this, it is him. It is a worthy follow up to A Scandal in Belgravia, because the first episode gave us a “Sherlock and Love” theme, now it is “Sherlock and Fear”, a true psychological horror served with supernatural elements.
Russell Tovey joins the cast as Henry Knight (Sir Henry in the original Conan Doyle story), who lost his father from a “rabid dog” attack, and arrives at Sherlock’s place to ask for help. Sherlock was about to dismiss him when Henry mentioned a “gigantic hound”. The duo then set out for Dartmoor to investigate what this hound really is, and why Henry is hunted by it.
John Watson was so involved in the case, too. He is not just standing behind Sherlock and apologising for him, and all the other things he does, but he is a participant in this case. The experiment Sherlock did to confirm that it is a drug was hilarious, although completely “unethical” if done in the real world.
Watson’s line “You being all mysterious, with your cheekbones, and turning your collar up so you look cool”, was one cutest lines uttered in all of the Sherlock episodes just because it came out as a whine from John. Also, there was mention of Asperger’s, which is a first from the series. Another reference from the original was when Watson went off on his own to investigate the lights he thought was Morse code, but is actually just two secret lovers, instead of the escaped prisoner. There is a Spock reference, and a Frankenstein reference as well, if my eyes were right I think I saw Ingolstadt.
Sherlock’s “Mind Palace” was also interesting. Who would have thought that his mind palace is touchscreen. It was actually hard to see Sherlock so unsure of what he has seen, during their night trek in the woods. But even under pressure, he is still very observant, describing what he saw, “It was huge-cold black fur with red eyes”. You can see that he was desperate for an answer, he was fidgety, he even made John coffee! His experiment that involved John running scared around the lab proved that it was a drug, but it is not a narcotic drug, which made his previous assumption that it was in the sugar, wrong. Shortly afterwards, they found their answer in Dr. Frankland’s office. It was in fact an aerosol drug, and H.O.U.N.D., actually refers to the five principal scientists responsible for researching it.
Another interesting thing about Sherlock, when they were in the woods exposed to the aerosol drug, he saw Moriarty, but in truth it was actually just Dr. Frankland. It might be that Moriarty is his biggest fear.
Also, the opening scene with the harpoon was awesome. You can tell Sherlock’s bored. No wonder he wants a cigarette, stagnation is a slow death for him. Plus, now I know it’s fun to play Cluedo with the world’s only consulting detective, the things I would do to annoy him.
Anyway, The Hounds of Baskerville was a great episode. What can you expect from someone knowledgeable and enthusiastic in horror like Mark Gatiss but perfection!
And, if you’ve not visited John’s blog, you might want to do that now, there’s a surprise waiting for you there.
But if you’re not from the UK, then you might as well just view this one here
Someone transcribed it, too.
MORIARTY: Who lives in a house like this? It’s only me… how clean is your house? I smell baking… it’s an apple pie. Where’s Mrs. Hudson? Hellooooooo… going throught the doorway. So here we are Sherlock Holmes HQ. Ah timpany notes… boring, boring… he’s put headphones on a goat. Books, books, books. What have we got here… temper, temper, temper. A skull? I wonder what your skull would look like on my wall. More skulls, more skulls.. Market stall tat. Ohh how the hours must fly by. Alas poor Sherlock, I knew him well. *sniggering* tatatataa *evil laugh*
Brilliant episode! Makes you forget that next week, it is the dreaded Reichenbach episode, I know everyone is at the brink of losing their minds.
The Reichenbach Fall Preview
Previous episode: A Scandal in Belgravia
Sherlock Series 2 Episode 1: A Scandal In Belgravia
Spoilers ahead!
Finally! The long awaited return of Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman as our favourite detectives, Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson. A Scandal in Belgravia is the first of three new episodes for series 2. Mark Gatiss and Steven Moffat, creators of Sherlock, has now raised our standards for television shows, nothing can get any better than this.
We last saw Sherlock (Benedict Cumberbatch) and John (Martin Freeman) in a sort of deadlock situation with Jim Moriarty (Andrew Scott) at a pool side in the last episode of series 1, The Great Game. To refresh your memory, the last scene was Sherlock pointing a gun at the bomb. That cliffhanger riled up the Sherlock fandom, enough that they started to make their own end to the cliffhanger. One example was that the lasers were not really from guns, that those were just from plain old laser pointers you use for lectures. Another would be Sherlock actually shooting the bomb, and then he immediately jumps into the pool to save himself, while John hides at a corner. Some people assumed that one of them will be hit by shrapnel, or worst hospitalized because of the explosion. But to everyone’s surprise, and really everyone was surprised, the Bee Gees had been the missing piece to our cliffhanger.
I don’t think anyone saw that coming, the Staying Alive ringtone is probably the best way to end a nail biting cul-de-sac. I can only assume that this is Moffat trying to shake the whole Sherlock fandom. That sudden shift from latent hostility to comedy was perfection. Andrew Scott’s Moriarty was also brilliant, shifting from psycho, to embarrassed, and then back to being psycho again, was perfectly executed.
And, of course, the latest addition to the cast, the woman, Irene Adler, played by Lara Pulver. Let me start off by saying how great Ms. Pulver was in the episode. I could not imagine anyone ever playing Adler and giving it justice, Pulver was simply amazing.
A Scandal in Belgravia is, in a really vague description of the whole episode, action-packed. There are CQC’s (Close Quarters Combat), suited agents, and headbutts. To those of you who are not familiar with the books, A Scandal in Belgravia is taken from Conan Doyle’s A Scandal in Bohemia, where a blackmail photo, which was originally just Adler and the Crown Prince of Bohemia together and was tweaked in the show as a photo of a monarch and a dominatrix saved in a phone, is being desperately recovered, and to do that, they asked Sherlock to help.
Sherlock gets a hold of the phone and is trying to decipher the code and also to find out what lies beneath the deceptive Irene Adler. One of the highlights of the show is from a scene with Mrs. Hudson played by Una Stubbs, when she was harmed by American agents who is also trying to get a hold of the photo. Sherlock’s concern for Mrs. Hudson was a lovely sight. That scene, to be honest, made me furious as well, it’s Mrs. Hudson for crying out loud. This gave us what I call one of the most tweeted, quoted, and tumblred line of the show, “Mrs. Hudson leave Baker Street? England would fall!”
There are other quotable lines like, “They all care so much.Do you ever wonder if there’s something wrong with us?” from when Mycroft and Sherlock were talking in the morgue. That scene was our glimpse of how aware the Holmes brothers are that they are different, and that at least they understand each other, very different from the usual bickering that we see when both of them are in the same scene. And a line from Irene, and if you’re going to think about it, it’s actually true, “brainy is the new sexy”.
Other quotable lines are: (Yes, I listed them down)
“That’s the deceased for you – late in every sense of the word.”
“No disrespect, but you were clearly born in the ‘80s.”
“He will outlive god trying to have the last word”
“It’s not the end of the world.It’s Mrs.Hudson”
“If you have what you say you have, I’ll make you rich. If you don’t,I’ll make you into shoes”
“Say that again. And know that if you’re lying to me,I will find you, and I will skin you”
“All lives end. All hearts are broken. Caring is not an advantage”
“Mrs. Hudson has been attacked by an American. I’m restoring balance to the universe”
Also, what’s great about this episode is how Sherlock took everyone, especially John and Mrs. Hudson, by surprise when he reacted in a very melancholic manner upon Adler’s death. A side of Sherlock Holmes you never see, it’s like his non-human facade had a crack at that particular moment. As you may all remember, in the previous series, he had shown little to no emotion at all when John pointed out that people have been dying in this “game” Moriarty and Sherlock are playing. So this episode gave us a glimpse of his human side, I think. The use of the internet was brilliant, as well. Blogs and Twitter,the “in” thing now, and Sherlock becoming an internet phenomenon because of John’s blog shows that what you put on the net, whatever it may be, will be found. And if it’s worth viewing, people will pay attention.
A Scandal in Belgravia was written by Steven Moffat, and next week’s episode, The Hound of the Baskervilles was written by Mark Gatiss. I would also like to note how great the music was, thanks to Michael Price and David Arnold. Also, for the whole fandom, I think you should also thank Paul Mcguigan for the Buckingham Palace scene.
I have to point out now that this isn’t exactly a review, I think it’s more like a description of how perfect it was.
But, there you have it! Watch out for next week’s episode,The Hound of the Baskervilles.
P.S.
Last Song Syndrome,guys!
