Showing posts with label The Hounds of Baskerville. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Hounds of Baskerville. Show all posts

Thursday, December 31, 2015

Sherlock Canon References - "The Hounds of Baskerville" S2E2

sherlock canonical references benedict cumberbatch martin freeman poster image wallpaper picture screensaver

Dear Readers,

This post concludes the list of Canonical References in BBC Sherlock episode The Hounds of Baskerville

Scripted by Mark Gatiss, this episode is based on the original novel: The Hound of the Baskervilles.  Here are the references to Arthur Conan Doyle's original stories:

1. Sherlock (Benedict Cumberbatch) deducing that Henry Knight (Russell Tovey) took the first morning train from Devon – Sherlock Holmes makes similar deductions about Helen Stoner in The Adventure of the Speckled Band. 

2. Sherlock's observation: “The girl, female handwriting is quite distinctive..” - Sherlock Holmes makes a deduction about masculine handwriting in The Adventure of the Cardboard Box, and about feminine handwriting in The Hound of the Baskervilles.

3. Sherlock's line: “Off to Devon with you.. have a cream tea on me” – This is a bit tenuous, but reminded me of this line spoken by Sherlock Holmes to his prospective client, Jabez Wilson in The Adventure of the Red-Headed League: “And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this advertisement had upon your fortunes.” 

4. Sherlock’s comments about John Watson (Martin Freeman): “Always rely on John to send me all the relevant data, as he never understands a word of it himself”–

In The Adventure of the Retired Colourman, Sherlock Holmes states: “You can thank Dr. Watson's observation for that, though he failed to draw the inference.”

In The Adventure of the Naval Treaty, Holmes remarks: “I have no doubt I can get details from Forbes. The authorities are excellent at amassing facts, though they do not always use them to advantage.”

5. Sherlock's angry reply to John: “I am a showoff. That’s what we do”. Later, Dr Stapleton (Amelia Bullmore) comments about Sherlock's choice of Mind Palace to John: “Why a palace instead of a house or a street”  – Sherlock Holmes states in The Adventure of the Naval Treaty: “I can’t resist a touch of the dramatic”

6. Sherlock's remark: “nicotine stains on your fingers...I know those” - Sherlock Holmes states in A Study in Scarlet: “Criminal cases are continually hinging upon that one point. A man is suspected of a crime months perhaps after it has been committed. His linen or clothes are examined, and brownish stains discovered upon them. Are they blood stains, or mud stains, or rust stains, or fruit stains, or what are they? That is a question which has puzzled many an expert, and why? Because there was no reliable test. Now we have the Sherlock Holmes' test, and there will no longer be any difficulty.”

Click on the link below to buy your copy of Season 2:



7. Sherlock tricks John into revealing where he hid the drug by pretending that he is sending Watson alone on the case - This is a reference to the plot point in the original novel, The Hounds of Baskerville, when Sherlock Holmes sends Dr John Watson alone to Dartmoor on the pretense of being busy on a case. Holmes' real intention was to travel to Dartmoor and work incognito on the case.

8. Sherlock's comment about his latest case: “Twenty year old disappearance... a monstrous hound? I wouldn’t miss this for the world” -

Sherlock Holmes states in The Adventure of the Red-Headed League“I really wouldn't miss your case for the world.”

In A Study in Scarlet, Holmes remarks: “I would not have missed the investigation for anything.”

9. The bartender named Billy – Reference to Sherlock Holmes’ page from The Valley of Fear, The Problem of Thor Bridge and The Mazarin Stone.

10. Fletcher (Stephen Wight), the local Dartmoor tour guide – Reference to Bertram Fletcher Robinson, the journalist who collaborated with Arthur Conan Doyle on the original novel: The Hounds of the Baskerville.

11. Sherlock notices Fletcher being interested in racing from the Racing Post sticking out of his trouser pocket. Then Sherlock mentions about the bet of 50 quids to the latter in order to get information – In The Adventure of the Blue CarbuncleSherlock Holmes deliberately loses a bet to gain valuable information from a salesman. He  explains his strategy to Dr John Watson: “When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of him, that man would not have given me such complete information as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a wager.”

12. After using Mycroft's ID to enter the Baskerville complex, Sherlock comments about his brother: I’ve told you -  he practically is the British government.

 - In The Adventure of the Bruce-Partington PlansSherlock Holmes explains about his brother to Dr John Watson: You are right in thinking that he is under the British government. You would also be right in a sense if you said that occasionally he is the British government.


sidney paget sherlock holmes the hounds of baskerville image poster picture wallpaper screensaver

13. 
Watson using his rank as a Captain of the Fifth Northumberland Fusiliers to get inside the main building in the Baskerville complex – In A Study in Scarlet, Dr John Watson writes: In the year 1878 I took my degree of Doctor of Medicine of the University of London, and proceeded to Netley to go through the course prescribed for surgeons in the army. Having completed my studies there, I was duly attached to the Fifth Northumberland Fusiliers as Assistant Surgeon.

14. Sherlock repeatedly explains to Dr Frankland (Clive Mantle) that the hat was not his personal property - Excellent reference to the fact it was the illustrator Sidney Paget and not Arthur Conan Doyle who created the image of a deerstalker wearing Holmes

15. Dr Frankland refers to a specific blog post written by John Watson: “that one about the aluminium crutch” - Sherlock Holmes mentions to Dr John Watson about this case in The Adventure of the Musgrave RitualBut there are some pretty little problems among them. Here's the record of the Tarleton murders, and the case of Vamberry, the wine merchant, and the adventure of the old Russian woman, and the singular affair of the aluminium crutch, as well as a full account of Ricoletti of the club-foot, and his abominable wife.

17. When Dr Frankland jokingly says that he would have to kill Sherlock, the latter replies: “That would be tremendously ambitious of you” – This reminded me of the original story: The Thor Bridge. When Sherlock Holmes refuses to take up the case of the millionaire Neil Gibson, his prospective client angrily threatens Holmes. The Bohemian detective responds with a smile: “So many have tried and yet here I am”.

18.  Sherlock's plan to solve the mystery is to deliberately provoke an attack on Henry Knight by taking him out on the moor. Sherlock optimistically predicts: “That should bring things to a head” – This reminded of a similar line spoken by Sherlock Holmes in The Adventure of the Red-Headed League: “And now it is time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an hour matters will come to a head.”

20. A visibly shaken Sherlock remarks to John at the inn: “Once you have rule out the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable must be true.” Later, Sherlock again remarks: “It is the simple process of elimination” -

In The Sign of the Four, Sherlock Holmes makes one of his most famous statements: How often have I said to you that when you have eliminated the impossible whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth?


sherlock holmes henry baskerville the hounds of baskerville image poster picture wallpaper screensaver

22. Sherlock's remark to John: We’re looking for a dog, yes, a great big dog, that’s your brilliant theory. Cherchez le chien. Good, excellent, yes, where shall we start?”. Later,  we see some French words flash across Sherlock's mind in the Mind Palace scene – 

Sherlock Holmes explains about his ancestry in The Adventure of the Greek InterpreterBut, none the less, my turn that way is in my veins, and may have come with my grandmother, who was the sister of Vernet, the French artist.

Sherlock Holmes also uses the word “recherché” in The Musgrave RitualBut there are some pretty little problems among them. Here's the record of the Tarleton murders, and the case of Vamberry, the wine merchant, and the adventure of the old Russian woman, and the singular affair of the aluminium crutch, as well as a full account of Ricoletti of the club-foot, and his abominable wife. And here—ah, now, this really is something a little recherché.

23. Sherlock deduces about the financial state of one of the male customers at the inn: He is hungry all right and not well off - you can tell that by the state of his cuffs and shoes.” -

In A Study in Scarlet, Sherlock Holmes writes: By a man's finger nails, by his coat-sleeve, by his boot, by his trouser knees, by the callosities of his forefinger and thumb, by his expression, by his shirt cuffs—by each of these things a man's calling is plainly revealed. That all united should fail to enlighten the competent enquirer in any case is almost inconceivable.

24. Sherlock's comment to John: “I don't have friends. I've just got one” –

In The Five Orange Pips, Dr Watson asks Sherlock Holmes if he is expecting a friend at the sound of the doorbell. Holmes replies: “Except you, I have none”.

In The Valley of Fear, Dr Watson writes about Sherlock Holmes: “Holmes was not prone to friendship, but he was tolerant of the big Scotchman, and smiled at the sight of him.” The big Scotchman in question is the Scotland Yard Inspector Alec MacDonald. 

25. John's comment about Sherlock' sense of humor: “Funny does not suit you. Stick to ice” – In The Adventure of the Mazarin Stone, Sherlock Holmes tells Dr John Watson that he expects to be murdered shortly. When Dr Watson replies that he must be joking, Holmes replies: “Even my limited sense of humor could evolve a better joke than that.”  

26. Sherlock's statement to Lestrade: “You are as brown as a nut” - In A Study in Scarlet, Stamford remarks to Dr John Watson: You are as thin as a lath and as brown as a nut.


benedict cumberbatch martin freeman sherlock john watson the hounds of baskerville image poster picture wallpaper screensaver

27. Detective Inspector Lestrade (Rupert Graves) confirms to Sherlock that his first name is Greg - In The Adventure of the Cardboard Box, Lestrade signs his note (sent to Holmes) as G. Lestrade

28. Sherlock asks John to get information from Dr. Louise Mortimer (Sasha Behar) and also send him her picture. He later checks if John got anywhere with Louise – Arthur Conan Doyle has often written about Dr John Watson being a ladies man.

In The Sign of the Four, Dr Watson himself writes: In an experience of women which extends over many nations and three separate continents....

In The Adventure of the Retired Colorman, Sherlock Holmes remarks to Dr Watson: “With your natural advantages, Watson, every lady is your helper and accomplice...I can picture you whispering soft nothings with the young lady at the Blue Anchor, and receiving hard somethings in exchange.”

29. The final resolution of the mystery - The explanation for the mystery is a reference to the plot of The Adventure of the Devil’s Foot

30. Dr Stapleton explaining to John that the GFP gene from Aequorea Victoria, a species of jellyfish was used on the rabbits - This could be a possible reference to the original story: The Adventure of the Lion's Mane. In this story, the murderer is Lion's Mane Jellyfish (Cyanea capillata).

31. A drug induced Sherlock “sees” Frankland as Jim Moriarty (Andrew Scott). – Reference to the fact that the only person who ever created fear in Sherlock Holmes' mind is Professor Moriarty. As Sherlock Holmes mentions about Moriarty in The Final ProblemMy nerves are fairly proof, Watson, but I must confess to a start when I saw the very man who had been so much in my thoughts standing there on my thresh-hold.... The fact is that upon his entrance I had instantly recognized the extreme personal danger in which I lay.

Readers are welcome to point out any references I might have missed.

Wishing Everyone a Very Happy and Prosperous New Year 2016!!!

Click here to read all my posts about BBC Sherlock.

If you enjoyed this post, please subscribe to this blog by clicking here.

Image Source: BBC Wales, Hartswood Films, Masterpiece Theatre, WikisourceCumberbatchweb

You might also like:

Canonical References in "The Empty Hearse"
Canonical Nods in "The Empty Hearse"
Canonical Nods in "A Study in Pink"

Sunday, September 13, 2015

BBC Sherlock Canon References - "The Hounds of Baskerville" Season 2 Episode 2

sherlock holmes john watson dartmoor hounds of baskerville poster wallpaper image picture screensaver

Dear Readers,

It is time for a new post in my favorite series - Canonical References in BBC Sherlock episodes. 

Scripted by Mark Gatiss, this episode is based on the original story: The Hound of the Baskervilles.  Here are the references to Arthur Conan Doyle's original stories:

1. Sherlock makes his entrance at 221 B Baker Street with a harpoon and blood all over himself. A surprised John asks him: “You went on the Tube like that?” - In the original story, The Adventure of Black Peter, Dr Watson notes that Sherlock Holmes “strode into the room, his hat upon his head and a huge barbed-headed spear tucked like an umbrella under his arm.” Dr John Watson asks Holmes: Good gracious, Holmes!....You don't mean to say that you have been walking about London with that thing? 


sidney paget sherlock holmes illustration drawing artwork painting poster

2. In the next scene, at 221 B Baker Street, Sherlock is seen walking around impatiently, while holding the harpoon.  - Dr John Watson mentions in The Adventure of the Bruce-Partington Plans:  “..my comrade's impatient and active nature could endure this drab existence no longer. He paced restlessly about our sitting-room in a fever of suppressed energy, biting his nails, tapping the furniture, and chafing against inaction.”

3. Sherlock asks John: Nothing?” referring to the newspapers that John is reading – In The Adventure of the Bruce-Partington PlansSherlock Holmes asks Dr John Watson: “Nothing of interest in the paper, Watson?” 

4. John replies to Sherlock's above question: “Military coup in Uganda....another photo of you with the (deerstalker)... Cabinet re-shuffle”. Sherlock responds: Nothing of importance! Oh, God! – In The Adventure of the Bruce-Partington Plans, Dr John Watson writes: “I was aware that by anything of interest, Holmes meant anything of criminal interest. There was the news of a revolution, of a possible war, and of an impending change of government; but these did not come within the horizon of my companion. I could see nothing recorded in the shape of crime which was not commonplace and futile. Holmes groaned and resumed his restless meanderings.”


Click on the link below to buy your copy of Season 2:


5. A frustrated Sherlock Holmes starts looking around desperately for drug/artificial stimulant(s): John, I need some. Get me some! – In The Adventure of the Yellow Face, Dr John Watson writes about Sherlock Holmes: “Save for the occasional use of cocaine, he had no vices, and he only turned to the drug as a protest against the monotony of existence when cases were scanty and the papers uninteresting.”

6. Sherlock tries to bribe John into getting his some cocaine: “I will let you know next week’s lottery numbers” – Reference to Watson’s gambling habit as mentioned in this exchange from The Adventure of Shoscombe Old Place - Sherlock Holmes: “By the way, Watson, you know something of racing?” Dr Watson: “I ought to. I pay for it with about half my wound pension.”


benedict cumberbatch sherlock holmes poster wallpaper image picture screensaver

7. Sherlock refers to his “secret supply” while searching his slippers – In The Adventure of the Musgrave Ritual, Dr Watson writes about Sherlock Holmes' habits: “...But with me there is a limit, and when I find a man who keeps his cigars in the coal-scuttle, his tobacco in the toe end of a Persian slipper... then I begin to give myself virtuous airs. ”

8. Mrs Hudson’s reaction to Sherlock’s (seemingly childish) fascination with the harpoon: “How about a nice cuppa? And perhaps you could put away your harpoon” – In A Study in Scarlet, when Stanford introduces Dr Watson to Sherlock Holmes, Holmes is working on a chemical experiment. Dr Watson writes about Holmes' enthusiasm about his discovery: “ "Ha! ha!" he cried, clapping his hands, and looking as delighted as a child with a new toy.”

9. Sherlock responds to Mrs Hudson: “I need something stronger than tea. Perhaps 7 percent stronger – In The Sign of the Four, Dr Watson gets angry with Sherlock Holmes for using drugs and asks him whether he took morphine or cocaine on that particular day. Holmes responds: “It is cocaine,....a seven-per-cent solution.”

10. 
Sherlock’s deduction about Mrs Hudson’s recent activities by observing the flour on her sleeves and tiny foils on her thumbnail – In A Study in Scarlet, Sherlock Holmes explains about the Science of Deduction and Analysis: “By a man's finger nails, by his coat-sleeve, by his boot, by his trouser knees, by the callosities of his forefinger and thumb, by his expression, by his shirt cuffs—by each of these things a man's calling is plainly revealed.”


martin freeman john watson poster wallpaper picture image screensaver

11. Sherlock correctly recognizes the perfume being worn by Mrs Hudson as Casbah Nights and advises her to read his blog on the identification of perfumes – Reference to this line from The Hound of the Baskervilles: “There are seventy-five perfumes, which it is very necessary that a criminal expert should be able to distinguish from each other, and cases have more than once within my own experience depended upon their prompt recognition.”

12. Sherlock's remark about his mind: “Mine’s like an engine, racing out out of control… A rocket, tearing itself to pieces trapped on the launch pad... I need a case!” – In The Adventure of Wisteria Lodge, Sherlock Holmes tells Watson: “My dear Watson, you know how bored I have been since we locked up Colonel Carruthers. My mind is like a racing engine, tearing itself to pieces because it is not connected up with the work for which it was built.”

13. John retorts: You have just solved one! By harpooning a dead pig, apparently - Reference to the plot of The Adventure of Black Peter in which Sherlock Holmes solves the mystery behind the murder of Captain Black Peter.

14. Sherlock expresses his anger and frustration at being asked by a prospective client to find her missing rabbit Bluebell – In The Adventure of the Copper Beeches, Sherlock Holmes complains to Dr Watson about a letter he receives from Violet Hunter:  As to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my zero-point, I fancy.”

russell tovey henry knight the hounds of baskerville poster image wallpaper screensaver image picture

15. Sherlock switches off Henry's TV interview and asks Henry Knight to repeat the story. Sherlock's reason: “I prefer to do my own editing” – In the Canon, Sherlock Holmes often asks clients to repeat their case history to Holmes and Dr Watson, despite the availability of other sources of information.

In The Adventure of the Red-Headed League, Sherlock Holmes tells his client, Jabez Wilson: “I ask you not merely because my friend Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every possible detail from your lips

In A Study in Scarlet, Sherlock Holmes makes a similar request to John Rance, the police constable. When John protests that he has already filed a police report, Holmes offers him a half-sovereign as an incentive and explains: We thought that we should like to hear it all from your own lips...... Just let us hear it all in your own way as it occurred.

16. Sherlock interrupts Henry when the latter is describing Dartmoor's beauty: “It is an amazing place. It is like nowhere else...It’s sort of black but beautiful. Sherlock's response: Hmm. Not interested, moving on. – In The Adventure of the Retired ColormanSherlock Holmes sends Dr John Watson to collect information about Josiah Amberley. Dr Watson returns and explains about Josiah's house: You know that particular quarter, the monotonous brick streets, the weary suburban highways. Right in the middle of them, a little island of ancient culture and comfort, lies this old home, surrounded by a high sun-baked wall mottled with lichens and topped with moss, the sort of wall...”. Holmes' angry response: Cut out the poetry, Watson...I note that it was a high brick wall. 

I will be listing the remaining nods in another post.

Click here to read all my posts about BBC Sherlock.

If you enjoyed this post, please subscribe to this blog by email or RSS by clicking here.

Image Sources: BBC Wales, Hartswood Films, Masterpiece Theatre

You might also like:

Canonical References in "The Empty Hearse"
Canonical Nods in "The Empty Hearse"
Canonical Nods in "A Study in Pink"

Monday, May 14, 2012

TV Review: Sherlock - "The Hounds of Baskerville"


Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman as Sherlock Holmes and Watson in The Hounds of Baskerville
Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman as Holmes and Watson
Holmes is in between cases and as is his wont, starts craving for artificial mental stimulants. Watson does his best to dissuade Holmes from his drug intake and is relieved when Henry Knight arrives at 221 B with his case.

The case in question is arguably the most popular novel in the Sherlock Holmes Canon: The Hound of the Baskervilles. As was the case with A Study in Scarlet, the canonical novel has been updated for a modern adaptation.

Henry has recurring memories of his father being killed by a hound 20 years ago. Henry returns to the place of his father's demise and claims to have seen the footprints of a gigantic hound. Holmes is quite dismissive of Henry's beliefs in the existence of a hound, but his interest is nevertheless piqued and takes up the case. Holmes and Watson soon arrive at Dartmoor and Watson does some sleuthing of his own in a local café.

Instead of the Baskerville Hall, we have a military complex. Barrymore, Lyons, Frankland and Stapleton work at the complex. Dr Mortimer though still remains the same except for the fact he is now a she (a trait shared with the character of Stapleton). The escaped convict Selden does not directly appear in the episode but does contribute to a cheeky moment.

Benedict Cumberbatch as Sherlock Holmes faces the Hound in The Hounds of Baskerville
Sherlock comes face to face with a nightmare

Sherlock uses Mycroft’s credentials to sneak into the military complex. Sherlock and Watson discover that there is a lot of research and testing going on, that may or may not be related to the hound. Soon their adventure is cut short and the cheerful Dr Frankland comes to their rescue by (wrongly) confirming Sherlock’s identity as Mycroft.

There is a little mystery involving Dr Stapleton as well, that confirms Sherlock’s suspicions that there is some genetic testing going on at the complex.

Soon Sherlock encounters the cause of Henry's fear and is forced to reevaluate the case. Sherlock copes with the emotion of fear and overcomes it soon enough to solve the mystery. Mark Gatiss has done a fine job of reworking the original story.

There are quite a number of clues spread throughout the episode that astute viewers would have noticed. I will not reveal the resolution, except to note that readers familiar with the canon will be reminded of The Adventure of the Devil’s Foot.

Russell Tovey as Henry Knight in The Hounds of Baskerville
Russell Tovey as Henry Knight
Cumberbatch gets to display his acting chops as the character of Sherlock evolves further in the second season. Freeman provides ample support as Watson. Russell Tovey makes an impressive Henry Knight, the man who has been scarred for life after witnessing his father getting killed. Rupert Graves has a bigger role in this episode and as always delivers a nice performance.

Mark Gatiss is a gifted writer and has a fine command over the language. From the reworking of the episode title to renaming Sir Henry Baskerville to Henry Knight and the term HOUND, Gatiss has woven a fine web of word play.
Now on to the trivia section. I caught the following references to the original stories:
1.   The Adventure of Black Peter (Holmes’s appearance at 221 B with a harpoon)
2.   The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle (Holmes placing a bet with a local guide to get some information)
3.   The Adventure of the Greek Interpreter ("Mycroft is the British Government")
4.   The Sign of the Four (“When you have eliminated everything that is impossible, the remaining however improbable must be the truth”)
5.   The Adventure of the Devil’s Foot  (I will leave it to the readers to figure this one out)

The episode is easily the best of the season and returns Holmes to his Doylean roots. This is my favorite episode so far after A Study in Pink.

Click here to read all my posts about BBC Sherlock.

If you enjoyed this post, please subscribe to this blog by clicking here.


You might also like:

Canonical Nods in "The Empty Hearse"
Canonical Nods in "The Empty Hearse"
Canonical Nods in "The Sign of Three"
Canonical Nods in "The Sign of Three"