Sherlock, New Years Day 8.10pm, BBC1

[SantasCave]

Can't believe there isn't a thread already!

Can't wait for tonight: the first series was amazing, and far too short!

Plus Benedict Cumberbatch = yum!

nailak, I think that's definitely implied, yes.

On the violin playing, apparently BC did learn to play (and presumably therefore move his arms and fingers) quite convincingly, so perhaps we can blame the editing process for the not-so-convincing screen outcome. They probably had to edit together several takes to get the best acting, lighting, angles etc, and something has to give in that process ? in this case, the violin stuff.

I agree with the comments that the episode seemed a little fragmented and all over the place. I also wonder if the direction, although full of Paul McGuigan's usual flair, was a bit OTT for an episode of a telly show. I'm going to watch it again though, to letch all over again at Benedict on his back doing sex faces make up my mind.

I love this show and I think old Benny Cumberbatch is a fab actor but I can't understand why he has such a huge female following who fancy him. I just can't see it. He's a bit ladyboyish for me but love him as an actor though. Saw him as the creature in Frankenstein too last year and he was bloody cracking in that. Looking forward to this week's episode but I must admit I did laugh when I saw the trailer last night on the tele and Russell Tovey said that really over dramatic line about seeing the hound! Looks good though!

I think you may have answered your own question, wintera ? I guess some people like ladyboyish types!

Ha ha yeah that must be it obviously!

PS yes, he was cracking as the creature in Frankenstein, wasn't he? He was just as good as the Doctor ? made a fairly slight and underwritten role into a minor tour de force, IMO. Have you seen him in van Gogh: Painted with Words, or Hawking? Both phenomenal performances.

I saw him in hawking yes, actually I think it was the first time I had seen him in anything. He was great in that. Don't think I saw him in van Gogh though. I thought Frankenstein was brilliant. I just wish I had also been able to see it the other way round with JLM as the creature. I had to settle for seeing NT live at the cinema instead to see the other version.

Do search out the van Gogh thing. It's possibly not full-on 'acting', IYSWIM, as it's just him monologuing to camera ? they dramatised van Gogh's letters and diaries to give a (pretty heart-breaking) picture of his life and the lead-up to his death. But despite the limitations of the format, Benedict is truly brilliant. Makes me weep every time.

What did you think of him as Dr Frankenstein?

(sorry, have hijacked thread somewhat but suspect it was just about dead anyway )

I just loved everything about Frankenstein, I feel like I witnessed a real event in the theatre. As soon as my hubby and I sat down, we were sat right next to that huge big bell which was even better! Loved the music too and have downloaded the Underworld soundtrack from iTunes. I thought BC was wonderful as both Dr and creature, he was quite arrogant and sometimes unpleasant as the Dr which I thought was really interesting. Jlm made a very good and sympathetic creature but I think BC definitely had the edge as the Dr though.

Did you ring the bell? I was way up in the cheap seats every time I went, and was dying to run down and have a go! I loved the score, and the lighting and set. What I loved most about BC as the Doctor was that yes, he was unpleasant, un-self-aware and arrogant, but also sometimes vulnerable and so very human. His performance was incredibly layered and subtle.I thought he was also better than JLM as the Creature ? just has more depth as an actor IMO, plus better and more varied physical acting skills and vocal range and technique.

[I just love Benedict don't I emoticon]

No I didn't ring the bell unfortunately. I just didn't have the guts to do it! Me and my hubby were both wanting to have a go but we were too chicken! I did pick up some of the petals from the wedding party that walked past us though. Have kept them as a souvenir. I hope they release a DVD of it, I would definitely buy that. There's a campaign to get it released but am not sure how it's progressing though.

Pity! I'd imagine it was deafening if you were sitting near it though, so perhaps for the best.

On the DVD, the latest I've heard isn't that promising. Seems to have swung back from talk of it being released for Christmas (2011) to vague mutterings about perhaps releasing one one day. We live in hope!

Yes it did seem promising for a bit but now it seems to have died a death. Pity, I would imagine there are a lot of people who would like to own the DVD, seems like a missed opportunity really.

I've read a few things that suggest that they've found or would find the tangle of getting permission from everyone involved, and how to work out royalties etc, rather daunting. It could still happen though!

It's being repeated on BBC3 right now

Just finished watching last week's episode. We both liked it and as others have said, I felt the violin playing let it down. I'm not a violinist (am a bassoonist) but even I know what it should look and sound like. Other than that - excellent!

Looking forward to tomorrow

I am so looking forward to the Hounds!

Bumping in anticipation of 8.30pm!

Grr, PILs visiting so I have to record it and watch when they're gone. Of course, if we visit them we have to watch whatever inane drivel they want.

Did anyone else think that was Alfie Allen or was it just me?