TV in Review: Sherlock, “The Blind Banker”
February 13, 2012 2 Comments
Please don’t be mad at me, but I wasn’t as thrilled with “The Blind Banker” as I was with “A Study in Pink.”
Some of it has to do with the old-fashioned Orientalism of “The Blind Banker.” In this episode, the second of the first Sherlock series, we are supposed to be wowed by the mysterious Orient, which is presented mostly as an assortment of objects. This frames the whole story…we open in a museum, introduced to magical tea cups, and in the end it’s an object from the Orient that solves the whole case.
Perhaps it’s meant to be a throwback to the Victorian Age fascination with the Far East, but I found it reductive rather than nuanced. When they talk about an “ancient device,” they might as well be whispering the old Calgon catch-phrase “ancient Chinese secret.”
I’m disappointed because I want this series to be absolute perfection, and it might not always be perfect. I want perfection!
“The Blind Banker” did contain much much of what I loved about the premiere, particularly the delightful sense of style and acting which was good enough to eat. Not to mention some gorgeous cinematography…
Also, there’s lots and lots of humor. Or, as the Brits say, humour. It’s a dry BritWit which elevates the silliness, so that Sherlock’s ducking behind pillars in an office setting becomes a hilarious comedy of manners.
When I blogged about “A Study in Pink,” several people told me something along the lines of “just you wait for season two!” So I’m still excited, but first I’m going to finish out season one with “The Great Game.” First things first.
Plus, there’s a silly plot query that’s been in the back of my head: hover over this text for a spoiler question.
TV in Review: Sherlock, “A Study in Pink” (Season 1, Episode 1)
TV in Review: Sherlock, “The Great Game” (Season 1, Episode 3)
TV in Review: Sherlock, “A Scandal in Belgravia” (Season 2, Episode 1)
TV in Review: Sherlock, “The Hounds of Baskerville” (Season 2, Episode 2)
TV in Review: Sherlock, “The Reichenbach Fall” (Season 2, Episode 3)
About Matthew
Of the three episodes from the first season I thought the second the weakest. My rank of all three episodes is 1,3 & 2.
Since I wrote this review of episode 2, I’ve watched episode 3. I’m not posting that review yet, but if I ranked them it’d be in the same order as you: 1,3, 2.