REVIEW – SHERLOCK - THE SIGN OF THREE

Last week, we had the Return, this week we had the Wedding. The Sign of Three continued the Series 3 trend of being distinctively different in both style and format. This is perhaps a callback to Steven Moffat’s decision to produce Series 7 of Doctor Who in a blockbuster of the week style. Whatever the case, The Sign of three was distinctive and certainly a treat to watch.

Since there are very few things to complain about this week, I will get those out of the way first. Sally Donovan! We finally see her back, but no interaction with Sherlock. No! She hasn’t been fired. She is still there and it seems the fact that a large part of Sherlock’s demise in Series 2 lies with her, doesn’t seem to have even the remotest impact on her lifestyle. This must certainly prove that she is a complete f***ing bitch. Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss have one more opportunity next week to give me the Sherlock vs Donovan stand-off. Here’s hoping. This is my only complaint. Bye bye complaints.

Now onto the episode! Remember me mentioning ‘distinctive’? Well this week we were treated to a flashback episode. The main draw of course is that Sherlock Holmes was selected to be John Watson’s best man. A lovely sentiment from John, if a bit risky. The majority of the episode played out in flashbacks, each concerning something in Sherlock’s speech. From an invisible killer who could walk through walls to a bunch of women all dating a ghost. What does any of this have to do with delivering a best man speech? I, like the audience, wondered as well. It’s not all blood and gore though, The Sign of Three also contained some lovely, and quite hilarious scenarios including a stag gone wrong, heartfelt conversations that fell flat for whatever reason and we the audience were treated to this new dynamic that is Sherlock, Mary and John.

I mentioned this last week. I expected Mary to hate Sherlock, but thankfully that isn’t the case as the two seem to have a unique understanding about John. Sherlock accepts that he will see less of John in future days, but Mary and John are adamant that it’ll still be business as unusual which is touching and manages to do a perfect job of convincing me without sounding sappy or cheesy.

The focal point of the episode was of course Sherlock’s speech. It was awkward in some parts. Not just for the partygoers, but for me at home as well. Sherlock does have a pension for going off-topic, but has an inconceivable proclivity for leaping straight back into the action, managing to save most of his speech’s rougher moments which dragged on for a while, but thankfully, didn’t drop my attention in the slightest. I will say this; Sherlock also has an awe-inspiring predisposition for uttering the most striking things at precisely the right twinkling, managing to bring both tears to his addressees, his best friend and me. Chalk this up to the team’s script writing skill as it was a joint effort or maybe Benedict’s prowess as an actor. Whatever you decide, there can be no doubt that this episode was more about exploring what these two characters have been through and what they have come to mean to one another. If anything, this episode succeeded in highlighting that fact.

I must mention the murder. In case you might be wondering, there is one. This episode has obvious (only at the very end) shades of Steven Moffat’s writing style. Countless clues are presented to us in plain sight. The murder is always in our line of sight. The way the story comes together for the final breakdown of one of the most ingenious methods for assassinating someone is so outstanding that saying anything further will spoil it for you. This isn’t just lipservice coming from me. If there are any wannabe murderers reading this review? Watch the episode! It’s very educational. Master Killing 101!

Next week, Sherlock and John face off against the first man Sherlock really grows to hate as an individual – Augustus Charles Milverton (oops! Magnussen)