One name has changed the dynamic that has been building between Holmes and Watson, and it is not the only relationship that comes under close scrutiny in this episode. In fact, its an episode that delves head first into assessing and analysing Sherlock’s closest partnerships and friendships.
Sherlock is presented with a case from Captain Gregson’s past as he goes on the hunt of a potential copycat killer or the real culprit of a series of grisly murders that Gregson is convinced he already has the right man locked up for. For the first time, a serious strain is placed on the partnership between Holmes and Gregson as Sherlock digs into the past and Gregson is forced to confront the policeman’s worst nightmare. The possibility of convicting an innocent man.
As for Watson, she is conducting some investigations of her own after learning her first piece of significant information about Sherlock’s past. After having the name “Irene” revealed to her, she visits his former rehabilitation clinic to try and shine extra light on its meaning and learns more about the way in which Sherlock conducted himself and the people he was willing to allow to get close to him. Following on from the appearance of Sherlock’s friend Allistair last week, here we meet another acquaintance in the shape of Groundskeeper Edison, played by Stephen Henderson, a fellow bee-keeping enthusiast and in Sherlock’s own words, “the only person without an agenda”. He provides Joan with a few clues and the chance to press Sherlock for more details on his past.
The case at the heart of the episode proves to be fairly standard with some strange quirks and a few red herrings thrown in to string the plot along. However, while the central mystery holds no great tension dismissing the episode entirely would be to miss the point. It is an episode that completely revolves around the show’s central relationships and finds ways to test and push them. It means the performances of the cast are of greater importance and they largely rise to the task.
Aidan Quinn is strong as Gregson, especially when forced to deal with certain issues within his team. He is also impressive in his scenes with Jonny Lee Miller’s Sherlock, as he becomes agitated at Holmes’ particular line of inquiry and personal doubt, considering the lengths he has gone to and faith he has shown in Sherlock in the past. It is undoubtably Quinn’s stand out episode of the series so far.
Watson spends most of the episode away from the main case, further enforcing that this is an episode more focused on Holmes and Gregson. However, by the end of the episode the duo are reunited and more of Sherlock’s inhibitions are being loosened around her.
We are being drip fed more and more hints about Sherlock’s past and it will be interesting to see what is on the way in the coming weeks.
Review by Jonathan Gray
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