Holiday-Special News ("Abominable Bride")

[Carol the Dabbler]

For me, MF has (perhaps) done something really interesting with the Watson character.  Instead of playing "Victorian ACD Watson," it looks to me like he's playing "what John would be like if he lived in the Victorian era."  That's a subtle difference, but I think I can see it coming through there.  I feel like we're going to learn something about John's psyche ....

 

... I'm not sure I'm on board with what BC has done with Holmes here.  ....  From this little snippet, Holmes seems to have a very flat affect that's foreign to our Sherlock and not even the same layered disdain and wit that floated below the relatively flat affect of Brett....

 

I must agree -- on both counts.  Judging by the few bits we've seen, "our" John has translated nicely to the 19th century (retaining his solidity and even becoming a bit more BAMF in the process), while Sherlock has, uhm, etherialized?  (Is that even a word?)  Again, from what very little I've seen, I get no sense of a person in there.  Maybe that's simply due to the scenes they chose for the trailer.  Maybe that's Moftiss's view of what the time shift would do to Sherlock -- and if so, they may be right about that.  The Victorian Era wasn't much into exploring one's feelings, as evidenced by our need to read between the lines in most of the original stories.

 

How much of a love-hate relationship does Mr Moffat have with his childhood reading material, anyway?

Could someone change the thread's title, since we now have definite dates?

 

Thanks for the reminder, Inge!  We also have an episode title, so I'll change the thread title accordingly, right after I post this.

 

One might also ask how much of a love-hate relationship you have with Mr. Moffat's adaptation!  ;)

[jadpdr]

There's an American franchise of cinemas called Event cinemas, which will show the Special and tickets will be sold on the 5th and 6th of November. Cannot speak about anyone else, but I personally find him unlikeable, untrustworthy and prone to teasing the fandom to the point of cruelty.

[Carol the Dabbler]

There's an American franchise of cinemas called Event cinemas, which will show the Special and tickets will be sold on the 5th and 6th of November.

 

I'd never heard of them, so (fearing that they exist only on the coasts) I went looking for them on the internet.  Turns out they're actually in Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji -- and yes, they will be showing "Abominable Bride."

[Carol the Dabbler]

Aha!  But the American theater dates (plural!) have been announced:  January 5th and 6th (Tuesday and Wednesday).  OK, found the details -- showings are at 7:30 pm (local time), with a running time of around 1:50 -- so ending about 9:30 (not too bad, really, even for a weeknight).

 

Tickets will go on sale at FathomEvents.com on November 6th.

 

[Inge l-w]

Dear Carol, apparently FathomEvents and the other Event thing are connected, since booking is the same.

My visceral reaction to what Mr Moffat has done with one of my favourite detectives of all time (I cannot relinquish my allegiance to Morse, Maigret and Dalglish just because the infamous, cunning Scot decided to create a flamboyant, superficial version) is that I fervently wish he had never done it in the first place. I feel a bit like his Moriarty: he has gone and broken my favourite literary figure! However, one can always hope in one's wildest fantasies of getting him alone and defenceless (like that film with the trapped famous novelist) and then using every neuropsychology trick on him until his mind turns to mush! I am not the violent type, you see!

[T.o.b.y]

This may be good news for some of you:

 

Sherlock: The Abominable Bride, a 90-minute special, will premiere Friday, January 1, 2016, on MASTERPIECE Mystery! on PBS at 9:00pm ET, and simultaneously online at pbs.org/masterpiece. The special will have an encore broadcast on Sunday, January 10, at 10:00pm ET.

 

I don't know whether PBS limits their streaming video to people in the US or not (and have no way of testing that myself).

 

Well, I just went on their website, and I could watch the extended trailer just fine. But unfortunately, that says nothing - I can watch trailers and clips and ads on the BBC 1 website too but their streaming service / player for watching whole programs after they have aired is only accessible from within the UK. When I have a little more time, I'll experiment with the PBS website. I do hope they are more open - it would be heaven to see the special on time totally legally (not that what I did for series 3 was strictly illegal, mind you - I just ventured a bit into the gray areas. Which can't have hurt anybody, because I bought the DVDs all the same as soon as they came out). Of course it would be even better if a cinema near me showed the episode, but I'm not even going to get my hopes up on that account. It sounds as if they're only doing that in English-speaking countries. And besides, I might have to work on that day anyways, and how mad would I be if it was shown but I couldn't go!

 

Just saw the extended trailer, and, on first viewing at least, I really like Watson and I really dislike Holmes!  

 

For me, MF has (perhaps) done something really interesting with the Watson character.  Instead of playing "Victorian ACD Watson," it looks to me like he's playing "what John would be like if he lived in the Victorian era."  That's a subtle difference, but I think I can see it coming through there.  I feel like we're going to learn something about John's psyche even though we're probably going to argue for a year about whether this episode is canon to the series and then whether the additional 20 minutes in the cinema are canon to the episode!

 

I hate to say it, but I'm not sure I'm on board with what BC has done with Holmes here.  I've tried to stay away from commentary and even from most of setlock because I didn't really want to form an opinion, but I figured the trailers were fair game.  From this little snippet, Holmes seems to have a very flat affect that's foreign to our Sherlock and not even the same layered disdain and wit that floated below the relatively flat affect of Brett.  I'm a little worried that I'm not much going to like this Holmes.

 

I'm not. From the little I've seen, I expect the Mr Holmes from the books to finally come alive. He's a far cry from the neurotic man-child in the modern version, and while I love that character to death, in fact, almost like him better than the original, I'm very excited to see a closer adaptation using the actor whom I have come to think of as the one and only Sherlock Holmes. Sorry folks, but because I so adamantly refused to watch any film or theater version before (as well as read any kind of pastiche), I have never seen Jeremy Brett or Basil Rathbone or any of the others, and I think that's actually going to work to my advantage now, even if it probably means I won't get half the in-jokes and references in the special.

 

As for Watson, it does seem more like "John in a Victorian setting" than Martin Freeman playing the original doctor, but that's not necessarily a bad thing.

 

I wonder what Mary's role in the special will be. My best guess is that she's already married to John and comes along for crime-solving brainstorm sessions, but is conveniently left behind when there's any chance of danger. Poor Mary. Will she be an ex-assassin in 1895 as well? I doubt it...

So many things mentioned in the trailer seem to apply to her (modern version), though. Ghosts of the past haunting our lives... that's Mary, isn't it? And like I already said somewhere, the title of the episode reminds me of her story as well.

 

 

What I am most excited about, probably, are the hints Ms Abbington gave in some interview that there's a reason for the time shift within the story. As long as it isn't time travel and / or a Dr Who crossover (or anything supernatural), that sounds great. I really, really, really want a 10th episode, not a one-off.

[Boton]

 

 

 

 

What I am most excited about, probably, are the hints Ms Abbington gave in some interview that there's a reason for the time shift within the story. As long as it isn't time travel and / or a Dr Who crossover (or anything supernatural), that sounds great. I really, really, really want a 10th episode, not a one-off.

 

 

I've said it before, but I'll say it again in this thread so I can be nice and public and we can laugh at me in January when I"m wrong   :P :  

 

I think modern Mary somehow loses the baby and/or gets killed, and the shock of the event sends John into grieving that manifests itself as a Victorian fantasy of "what might have been."

 

In many ways, I hope I'm wrong, but that's my prediction.  As for the 10th episode idea, I think only the modern framework of this episode will wind up being "canon," and the Victorian parts will not.

[Carol the Dabbler]

My visceral reaction to what Mr Moffat has done with one of my favourite detectives of all time .... is that I fervently wish he had never done it in the first place....

 

   Why in Heaven's name do you watch it, then -- morbid curiosity?

 

Well, I just went on their website, and I could watch the extended trailer just fine. But unfortunately, that says nothing - I can watch trailers and clips and ads on the BBC 1 website too but their streaming service / player for watching whole programs after they have aired is only accessible from within the UK. When I have a little more time, I'll experiment with the PBS website.

 

 Yes, please do -- and let us know what you find.  As for TAB, I'm not clear whether they're planning just a streaming simulcast, or if they'll (also?) leave a video available on their website for a while.

 

What I am most excited about, probably, are the hints Ms Abbington gave in some interview that there's a reason for the time shift within the story. As long as it isn't time travel and / or a Dr Who crossover (or anything supernatural), that sounds great. I really, really, really want a 10th episode, not a one-off.

 

Before she dropped those hints, I was wondering how the heck they were planning to use that immediately-post-HLV scene that they filmed with TAB, as well as how TAB could possibly explain anything about Moriarty.  It seemed probable that there was some current-day connection, even though Moftiss seemed to be saying there wasn't.  So now we know there is indeed some current-day connection, though we still don't know what.

 

For any of you who have joined since I last posted my favorite conjecture, I am (once more) going on record to say that, similar to solving the supposed suicide of Henry Fishguard in TRF, Sherlock may be solving a Victorian Scotland Yard case -- except that this time we see inside his Mind Palace while he's in the process.

 

I have no idea how that could tie in with Moriarty and the post-HLV scene, but at least it makes both seem more plausible.

 

[Inge l-w]

Dear Carol, as Brigadier General McAuliffe telegraphed Von Mannstein in the Bastogne encirclement: Are you "Nuts"? I watch it because I have watched all things Sherlock, from Basil Rathbone to the Adventures of Young Sherlock. The only one I have not seen to date is the last Russian series! It's Sherlock Holmes we're talking about, never mind what that Scottish heathen has done to him! Certainly not morbid, simple curiosity will do, thanks for asking!

[T.o.b.y]

 

Well, I just went on their website, and I could watch the extended trailer just fine. But unfortunately, that says nothing - I can watch trailers and clips and ads on the BBC 1 website too but their streaming service / player for watching whole programs after they have aired is only accessible from within the UK. When I have a little more time, I'll experiment with the PBS website.

 

 Yes, please do -- and let us know what you find. 

 

Unfortunately, it's the same for PBS as for the BBC - full episodes / programs are only available from within the US. *Sigh*... I do wish some cinema over here would give it a go. But then, I would probably have to work that day, so... I'll just have to wait for the DVD.

 

 

[Carol the Dabbler]

Dear Carol, as Brigadier General McAuliffe telegraphed Von Mannstein in the Bastogne encirclement: Are you "Nuts"? I watch it because I have watched all things Sherlock, from Basil Rathbone to the Adventures of Young Sherlock. The only one I have not seen to date is the last Russian series! It's Sherlock Holmes we're talking about, never mind what that Scottish heathen has done to him! Certainly not morbid, simple curiosity will do, thanks for asking!

 

Actually, McAuliffe's reply was not "Are you nuts?" but simply "Nuts!" -- meaning basically, "Phooey on that idea!"  (See Oxford's second definition, the exclamation.)  But same difference, really.

 

OK, you watched the show because you were curious.  Makes sense.  But then you found it was not really your cup of tea.  So why do you continue thinking about it and discussing it?  Why not just let it go, and move on to things that you actually like?

 

[Arcadia]

Yeesh. What a lousy time to be stuck using dial up. Can't see any of the videos or the hi-res pictures or nothin'. *Sniff.*

 

Maybe this is a good thing, though, I'll be totally surprised when the thing finally airs...........

[Inge l-w]

Dear Carol, the "Are you" part referred to your question, Nuts had its own quotation marks, to reflect McAuliffe's answer, and it caused the German counterpart no end of trouble, because he sent it to be translated and couldn't get the answer the Urban Dictionary would give us today, namely Bol*****!

Move on to other things? What other things? The French have not filmed Maigret since the 90s with Bruno Cremer's death, Dalgliesh has not made an appearance since 2009 and Morse got a good start with Endeavour, the backstory, but then stalled. I have collections of Miss Marple, Father Brown, Albert Campion, Lewis and Lord Peter Wimsey on DVDs, not to mention Rumpole of the Bailey.

I am not a great fan of House, although I love Hugh Laurie, especially in Blackadder and as Bertie Wooster; and CSI in all its variations, together with NCIS and the new Hawaii 5-0 are basically mind-numbingly similar. Any suggestions for a real Sherlock Holmes addict except the current Special?

[Carol the Dabbler]

Move on to other things? What other things? The French have not filmed Maigret since the 90s with Bruno Cremer's death, Dalgliesh has not made an appearance since 2009 and Morse got a good start with Endeavour, the backstory, but then stalled. I have collections of Miss Marple, Father Brown, Albert Campion, Lewis and Lord Peter Wimsey in DVDs, not to mention Rumpole of the Bailey.

I am not a great fan of House, although I love Hugh Laurie, especially in Blackadder and as Bertie Wooster; and CSI in all its variations, together with NCIS and the new Hawaii 5-0 are basically mind-numbingly similar. Any suggestions for a real Sherlock Holmes addict except the current Special?

 

OK, you're a Holmes addict sorely in need of a fix.  Hmmm.  I suppose I would recommend just about any adaptation except Sherlock -- since you seem to be something of an anti-fan of that series.  Maybe give House another try?

 

Which version of Lord Peter Wimsey do you have -- Ian Charmichael or Edward Petherbridge?  Mr. Charmichael was my introduction to the character, and his production impressed me sufficiently that when I was laid low by a mysterious malady shortly afterward, I sent for all the books and read them right through.  But to my mind, Mr. Petherbridge is the real Lord Peter, and thanks to your reminder, I have just added that DVD to my Amazon wish list!

[Slithytove]

I'm not worried about disliking this version of the original, 19th century Holmes. I have sufficient faith in the actor and (I admit, grudgingly) in the writers too. They may infuriate us - like obliterating the entire reason for TRF, by the "explanation" offered in TEH! - but they know how to write a good story. I even like Watson's moustache....It was pretty awful on modern- day John but looks right, somehow, on Victorian Dr Watson.

 

What intrigues me is the way in which Mrs Ricolleti is going to turn out to be abominable. It's such a strong word - I do hope that they give us someone truly abominable.

[Carol the Dabbler]

I even like Watson's moustache....It was pretty awful on modern- day John but looks right, somehow, on Victorian Dr Watson.

 

I like it better this time as well.  True, mustaches are more of a Victorian thing.  But also, it's a different mustache -- a handlebar rather than a caterpillar!

[T.o.b.y]

What intrigues me is the way in which Mrs Ricolleti is going to turn out to be abominable. It's such a strong word - I do hope that they give us someone truly abominable.

 

Do we know it's Mrs Ricolleti?

 

[Inge l-w]

Too true! The same person appears to yell at Sherlock "You were supposed to keep him safe!" straight out of the Valley of Fear and Birlstone Manor. Diversionary tactics keep us guessing!

[Boton]

 

I even like Watson's moustache....It was pretty awful on modern- day John but looks right, somehow, on Victorian Dr Watson.

 

I like it better this time as well.  True, mustaches are more of a Victorian thing.  But also, it's a different mustache -- a handlebar rather than a caterpillar!

 

 

Agreed, but then MF is a man that just carries embellishment well.  He looks good in John Watson dress, but he looks amazing when he wears ascots and trendy trousers and the latest sunglasses.  So, it stands to reason that the guy doesn't need a miserable excuse for a 'stache, he needs a handlebar!  (I almost think he could carry off a goatee, and almost no man can do that well.)

[Carol the Dabbler]

Now I'm trying to recall if I've ever seen him in a goatee.  Not offhand.  But he does do a really nice homegrown beard.

 

Hmm, is this close enough to a goatee?  (Not his own, unfortunately.)  Or this?

 

[Inge l-w]

Mr Freeman has never been a favourite of mine, his only worthwhile performance was in Douglas Adam's Hitchiker adaptation, so with or without a moustache, it's the same difference to me.

[Slithytove]

 

 

What intrigues me is the way in which Mrs Ricolleti is going to turn out to be abominable. It's such a strong word - I do hope that they give us someone truly abominable.

Do we know it's Mrs Ricolleti?

Oh, probably it won't be. Knowing Moffat and Gatiss, it wll have only the vaguest connection to the canon. I just like to imagine it will be Mrs Ricolleti and her club-footed husband.

[Slithytove]

Mr Freeman has never been a favourite of mine, his only worthwhile performance was in Douglas Adam's Hitchiker adaptation, so with or without a moustache, it's the same difference to me.

Interesting. I didn't like that adaptation, though that wasn't due to MF's performance. I think he's a very good actor - as John Watson, of course, but I also liked him in The Hobbit, although I didn't expect to, and in Fargo, once I had got used to his accent.

[Boton]

Now I'm trying to recall if I've ever seen him in a goatee.  Not offhand.  But he does do a really nice homegrown beard.

 

Hmm, is this close enough to a goatee?  (Not his own, unfortunately.)  Or this?

 

I'll take both of those as proof of my theorem that the man can handle a goatee!

[T.o.b.y]

I just came across this:

 

 

I hadn't seen the full picture before with the woman in the middle.

 

I just can't help myself, but somehow the whole special screams Mary to me. I know they said it's somehow supposed to clear up the Moriarty case, but airing something called "The Abominable Bride" when the last episode was about John's bride shooting Sherlock and turning out to be a trained killer plus when in the trailer, they show a woman in a wedding dress firing guns, well - is this really a coincidence?

 

I'd be thrilled. No matter if it's told in some twisted, surreal, time-shifty indirect way, I want Mary's backstory. And it might be the right kind of thing for a special, because it would probably take up too much space in a regular episode. Now, if Mary's past is indeed intertwined with Moriarty's, then maybe the Special will shed light on both of them.

 

*Sigh*... Come on. A girl can hope...