Sherlock (TV Series) The Lying Detective (2017) User Reviews

Bloody Brilliant !! I am truly Sherlocked.

[vnktrmn · 10/10 · 8 January 2017]

The Lying Detective - Spoiler FREE Review I woke up at 2.30 AM IST to watch this episode through a screen sharing with my UK friend.

This is bloody brilliant in a non linear screen play! The whole episode is so intense with scenes from two story tracks sandwiched and that adds to the thrill.

For the first time since start of Sherlock, i was so connected and felt convinced for Sherlock's value for inter personal relationship.

Everything about acting, editing, CGI & story were top notch. The villain deserves a special applause for I felt like punching him straight on face. Loved the scenes wherein Sherlock will be explaining his findings to a lady. The CGI coupled with the brilliance will definitely make the viewers say WOW.

There are several moments where an ardent Sherlock fan would get an intense shock! The suspense towards the end of the episode is retained and so everyone will go crazy for sure on Next Sunday !! Don't miss a live episode on Sherlock website on Tuesday.

Verdict: This episode found the perfect balance.

Love for Sherlock from Chennai, India.

I wish the creators and Benedict/Martin do more seasons each year. Though it is far fetched, I would really love to see Benedict living the role of Sherlock. To me, he is SHERLOCK. I am SHERLOCKED forever !

Oh My Gosh!

[Hitchcoc · 10/10 · 9 January 2017]

This is one of the finest hour and a half periods I have ever spent watching a screen. After a rather pedestrian beginning last week, I thought that perhaps the madness that was Sherlock may have been derailed. Benedict Cumberbatch is everywhere these days. He has become one of our premier actors. So in my mind I thought perhaps he had to phone this one in. Just the opposite. With Watson grieving and being pulled every which way, Sherlock begins the process of facing off against a criminal named Culverton, who is probably as vicious and ugly as any of the villains I've seen. He sells things, he basically owns a hospital where the employees are terrified of him, and he is seen as a great humanitarian. Somewhere along the line, Holmes realizes that the man is a serial killer. It makes the newspapers and instead of being indignant, Culverton invites Sherlock and Watson to visit the children at the hospital. What transpires is one of the wittiest, most delicately constructed plots I have ever encountered. Every twist and turn is done with care and precision. I can't give away too much, but there is a bonus as well. We are left with something unexpected to propel us into the third episode. Perhaps the best thing on television.

Clever! Absolutely Unpredictable

[ilovemrjandhislaugh · 10/10 · 8 January 2017]

Brilliantly executed, well written, astonishingly well acted. Cumberbatch's acting was on point, as always, but was given a little bit more opportunity to display it. Toby Jones was as chilling as a Villain could be, leaves Magnussen jealous. A very good addition to the Sherlock Holmes list of villains. It is really quite dark, and at times makes you very uncomfortable, as promised. It left me quite puzzled. Comedic relief was also great, light headed, ironic humour as always. Brilliant lines for all the characters. Really loved the mind palace scenes. Overall clever. I can't complain. I'd say it is up there amongst the top three Sherlock episodes. I really hope the third one isn't a disappointment after this great episode, they've really set the bar high.

This makes us forgive the previous lazy episode

[amr-ahmed-a · 10/10 · 8 January 2017]

I have to say after last week episode i was a little angry. We wait more than a year to enjoy a season for two weeks. If our expectations are high it's because that's what we expect from the show's brilliant writers. In this episode the writers got back to their level; making up for last week lazy episode. I like the direction of making Sherlock feels more like a human and not a robot. That is why "The woman" episode will still be my favorite. However, This week's episode brought back my connection to the characters specially the relation between Sherlock & Watson. Martin Freeman angry acting skills are exceptional. Toby Jones adds the needed balance in the show between the Sherlock brothers. Talk about unlimited Ego. The episode holds together and the pace is elevated in the right rate towards the end. Can't wait for next week episode and I wish it makes up for the long wait we will have afterwards till the fifth season which i think will be the final one. Sadly.

My best episode of Sherlock

[rahmanadhikari · 10/10 · 9 January 2017]

>>>>>>>There are no spoilers<<<<<<<

Just the twist. That final reveal in the last two minutes of the episode - that's what made me write this review. I am sure, in the future when someone talks twists in TV series, this episode will be their benchmark. And why not? It has one of the most intriguing twists one can possibly imagine it. There is no way one can anticipate that would happen at the end.

But beside the large twist, the entire episode is a roller coaster ride. We see this episode from within Sherlock's mind, similar to the "Abominable Bride", but this time he is high on drugs. So, we travel along with Sherlock's confused state of mind when we ourselves have to deduce most of the information. The writers wanted to involve the audiences as much as possible here, giving us raw information, and letting us deduce the outcome. It was brilliant.

Hats off to the entire team of Sherlock. I am looking forward to seeing the final episode of this season next week.

Best Sherlock episode?

[thebigyc · 10/10 · 9 January 2017]

This is probably my favorite Sherlock episode, it had a Hannibal Season 2 feel with all the visuals and "what is going on" vibe, we can't really fully understand what is happening but guess until the show reveals it and is amazing.

I have to admit I'm not a Sherlock fan, I love the show productions and the actor are great but the story/writing most of the time felt weird and force, this time might not be that different but definitely took the show to a new place.

I found the previous episode kind of regular but now I realize it was necessary to set everything on the table and this one take full exploits of those elements.

A great episode

[abhyuday-singh98 · 10/10 · 9 January 2017]

Most of the people were pretty much disappointed by last week's episode and were convinced that 2nd season was the last good season of the show. No promise of goodness was shown in the last episode and it presented itself as wastage of time as they only have 3 episodes per season. But after this episode, it seems that the previous episode was just a clever move to tease the audience as the writers knew that they'd be able to more than make up for it. This epitomizes the Sherlock we all love and wait for. CGI was incredible: the slow motion shots were well placed to represent the scenario appropriately. It was fun to see Sherlock as Quicksilver(I have a feeling that John Smith was somewhere involved in all this). Really, a fabulous use of technology. The acting also was unparalleled. Everybody expects a few deductions here and there, but this episode showed the emotional connect between John and Sherlock. Toby Jones did a good job being despicable. Desperately waiting for the last episode, more because of its name.

Its Brilliant, unless if you compare it with your expectations

[shashwatkhanna · 10/10 · 9 January 2017]

Well, let's all admit that waiting for more than two years and being greeted by an episode like the six thatchers, wasn't fair. Well, if you are like me, you probably had your expectations high too. Unfortunately, thinking like that, will always leave you disappointed after each episode.

This episode was brilliant. Stepping up from the previous episode, THE LYING DETECTIVE featured the most famous fictional detective of all time. Sherlock is back with his quick deductions and doesn't fail to entertain you. Just like in the novels, he misses some points which we come to know about in the end, which makes the first Episode (Season 4) even better.

I love how the episodes are linked, and to those people who had questions in the first episode, I'm sure they would be answered till now. However, the mystery still prevails over Moriarty, which I think would be an integral part of the third episode. Considering, this season would be the last one(Which I gather from the rumors), we might expect a thrilling and fulfilling third episode.

Now We Are Talking

[ahmad_nadal · 10/10 · 9 January 2017]

After a disappointing episode they just nailed it in every possible way, directing, acting, writing, and gave us one of the best episodes in the show.

If you were frustrated like me by the first episode in this season, believe me this episode will make it up to you. you will enjoy every single second, the show makers just gave this episode every thing, you will wish it hadn't ended.

starting from Sherlock who was tremendous and Dr. Watson who was incredible to Mrs. Hudson who did her best episode so far. I can't even remember a single scene that I didn't like in this episode.

It's difficult for me to know that there is only one episode left in one of my best shows ever but let's say that they have honored every single episode.

"The Lying Detective" is an episode full of suspension but it's the brilliant writing and acting that makes it into an unforgettable episode

[Holt344 · 10/10 · 16 February 2023]

This has to be one of my favorite episodes of the show's run, it truly was 89 minutes of full of suspension and tension, with me on the edge of my seat. "The Lying Detective" had award worthy performances, stellar writing, and was just brilliantly shot. I want to keep this spoiler free so I won't go into any details, but with this episode showing us the aftermath of Mary Watson's death (which happened in the previous episode) I can only say this, they executed it perfectly and brought us an episode to remember. "The Lying Detective" is a great example of why brilliant storytelling and writing is so important for an episode of television, the director created an episode I could easily say is a masterpiece in its genre, both for the show but also as an standalone episode of television.

Sherlock goes up against the powerful and seemingly unassailable Culverton Smith - a man with a very dark secret indeed.

Having Culverton Smith be inspired by infamous serial killer H. H. Holmes (who was an avid reader of the Sherlock Holmes stories) and Jimmy Savile who are the most prolific child rapist in English history. Culverton Smith has to be one of the best antagonists and it's mostly because of the performance done by Toby Jones, he was terrifying and just fantastic. Every scene he was in, you couldn't stop sitting on the edge of your seat, such a powerful performance made that happen. Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman were also terrific, bringing award worthy performances like I wrote before. I also want to say Mark Gatiss were actually quite great as Mycroft, having more to do in this episode, he have felt more like a main character ever since the season finale of the previous season. He does a great job as Mycroft and it's easy to get the impression that these two characters are siblings, as you see it through the acting but especially the writing. Spectacular writing for this episode, also brilliantly edited!

Could be the best of Sherlock

[geob_007 · 10/10 · 8 January 2017]

Weren't for the first episode of the 2nd season, I would suggest this for the best one of the series. It's a tie. This is an amazing episode, definitely a lot better than the previous one. Moffat portrays both Sherlock's and John's demons and inner wars in a brilliant way. This is what I expect from Sherlock. To be astonished and surprised at the last moment, when you think that everything is over and suddenly everything is explained in such a magnificent way that you can only ask for more, while you clear your mind from every other thought and simply focus on the screen to enjoy those specific mind- blowing scenes. Toby Jones's performance was also extraordinary, he was the perfect villain for this episode. The tension in his scenes with Sherlock was huge and Jones's expressions were perfectly portraying Smith's lunacy. This episode even managed to fully counter my disappointment of the series not being the detective-focused series that it once was. It was a brilliant add to Sherlock's myth and I can only hope for the final one to even surpass it!! 10/10

Sherlock gets back to basics in exciting and unpredictable ways

[ryanjmorris · 7/10 · 8 January 2017]

Well if any viewers of Sherlock don't suffer whiplash going from last week's episode into tonight's then I'd like to speak to them personally. I try to maintain a level of professionalism and sophistication on this blog, but can you allow me just this one? Please? Okay. YES SHERLOCK. THAT IS HOW YOU DO IT. Okay I'm done. I just... I needed that. Sherlock used to be such a great show and over the last few years it's deteriorated badly. To see it recapture even a hint of its former glory would be satisfying, but to watch as it basically evolves back into the show it once was? That felt good. "The Lying Detective" isn't perfect, and we'll get the gripes out of the way first, but to have an episode this tense and playful and unpredictable and have it not sacrifice any important character work is damn exciting. Steven Moffat doesn't always get it right, but when he does, he makes something special. "The Lying Detective" has a few too many wobbles to sit among his greatest work, but it's by a wide margin the show's strongest episode since "The Reichenbach Fall".

Let's talk through some of what didn't work. Once again, this episode's flaws lie with Mary Watson. Mary died last week, and while her initial appearances in the episode work to join the dots between instalments and successfully demonstrates John's deteriorating mental state, "The Lying Detective" eventually leans on this gimmick far too much. By the time the episode reaches its endgame and Sherlock and John are talking in their old flat, Mary's presence feels unnatural. In what should be a moving and emotional scene, Mary circles around the frame like a hawk eyeing up prey. Amanda Abbington plays the part well, as she always does, but Moffat's script writes itself into a bit of a corner with her. When we reach the episode's final scene, we need to come back to the woman from the bus from last week in order for that reveal to land properly, and having John work through that issue just minutes beforehand does the job. It's a case of sacrificing one important scene to make another important scene work more efficiently. Sherlock and John's proper reunion isn't an ideal scene for this sacrifice to land on, and I couldn't help but feel frustrated in the moment, but it at least allows for a strong cliffhanger for the episode to end on.

And that cliffhanger is a big part of what makes this episode of Sherlock so effective. Unpredictability. It's simply impossible to hazard any guess as to which direction "The Lying Detective" is headed in, and that's why it's so exhilarating. At one moment it's entirely possible to believe that Sherlock has succumbed to too much drug use coupled with his depression and imagined everything, and five minutes later it's like watching a completely new story. But it works, When Sherlock can focus on its titular character well enough, as it does here, it can pull us through a bizarre combination of scenes and tones and stories with ease. Benedict Cumberbatch was on top form tonight. He always plays Sherlock well - even in the show's poorest episodes, the performances remain strong - but the range of material he works through in "The Lying Detective" is insane, and yet he succeeds. This iteration of Sherlock Holmes is an unpredictable person. When he can be fully utilised in an unpredictable episode, Cumberbatch is able to fully let loose and explore everything going through his character's mind. His performance here makes a strong claim to be his best work on the show thus far.

While it isn't without its flaws, Moffat's script is largely what keeps this episode moving so efficiently. In this ninety minutes he packs in a wealth of material: there's humour, there's emotion, there's drama, there's twists, there's nice character development, there's fun callbacks to previous episodes that perfectly connect to where the characters are in the present. The best episodes of TV manage to bring in a tonne of stuff and remain focused, and that's exactly what "The Lying Detective" does. Moffat brought his A-game with him to this and, after last week's embarrassment courtesy of Mark Gatiss, I couldn't be more relieved. "The Lying Detective" may stumble occasionally with its handling of a few things, but it's almost all forgiven due to how effective the episode is on the whole. This episode demonstrates just what Sherlock can do when it understands what kind of show it should always be - a detective show that makes use of exciting and unique characters. For the first time since season two, I was gripped for the full ninety minutes. I laughed, I gasped, and by the end of it, I almost wanted to applaud. We don't know for how long but for the time being at least, Sherlock is back. It's about damn time.

Why is LYING to John Watson supposed to SAVE John Watson?

[cfpages · 1/10 · 19 April 2020]

And how does Mary know that John will blame her death on Sherlock? She could have been hit by a cab. Manipulating John is the favorite game of both Mary and Sherlock. So lying to John about what is going on in this episode, is what Sherlock does at Mary's direction. In the 4th series John is merely a weak pawn who can't take charge of his own life, but must be lied to so he does "what's best for him".

If I accept that Mary knows how she will die and that Sherlock's showing off will contribute to her death, then why does she think that John will be an empty shell without Sherlock? Why does John need to save Sherlock to save himself? Why did they make him so weak? He could have moved to, say, Edinburgh, and started a new life with his daughter. It was pretty obvious that the show was over. Previous seasons ended with cliff hangers. This season did not. They didn't need to keep Watson and Sherlock together anymore.

The writers changed John so much. No longer a brave and compassionate person with strong standards in the first 2 series. He's a casual adulterer. He only puts himself "in danger" when his opponent is high on drugs and unable to fight back (Sherlock and Wiggins). His only "compassion" is overwhelming self-pity in the 4th series. During this episode he contributes absolutely nothing to solving the mystery. He's just a hanger-on. there to be the object of jokes and to make everyone feel sorry for Sherlock because John in so cruel.

This 4th series makes me so mad at the writers. Watson was my favorite character through the first 3 series. He was flawed, but a strong person with his own idea of what was right and what was wrong.

Woah What the hell was that!

[DiptanshuG · 10/10 · 14 May 2020]

Literally Most unusual episode out of all.surprising,clever and unbelievably shocking.watching Sherlock and everyone like this was literally amazing the killer literally killed-it the role.that ending was amazingly surprising and Great still in shock,back on track of awesomeness after last waste episode!

Sherlock at it's best!! Classic Sherlock

[kadeemgraham · 10/10 · 8 January 2017]

MAY CONTAIN MINOR SPOILERS.

WOAH WHAT AN EPISODE!

After a shocking ending last week, Sherlock keeps upping the ante, it really isn't a game anymore. The darker tone and murky visuals is working wonders for the series. This episode we met the latest villain to cause trouble for sherlock, Culverton Smith.

The show has a great history of stellar villains from the scene stealing psychopathic Moriarty to the despicable Charles Augustus Magnussen. Culverton Smith adds to this pantheon of great villains, he is sinister, chilling and extremely egotistical, he has a charming celebrity image that hides an extremely sinister nature. A villain who practically gloats and relishes his killings. A villain that literally made me want to punch my TV screen. Well done, Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss for creating another great villain.

Sherlock dabbles in even more heavy drug filled delusions, which are enthralling and amusing to watch. Sherlock's slow humanisation is touching and wonderful. John finally makes his emotional peace with sherlock and mary's death and Mrs Hudson finally gets a larger role, and she is perfect, fully deserving of having a larger presence in more episodes.

How could I not end by mentioning the dramatic twist at the end, THE TWIST was completely unexpected and surprising, the revelation was masterful. I DID NOT SEE IT COMING, NOT ONE BIT. This twist will have major repercussions in the next episode.

This is shaping up to be one of the best seasons of sherlock, since season 2( I loved Season 3 ). The darker tone and ominous theme of "it's not a game anymore has been an satisfying and fitting addition to sherlock', finally showing sherlock and john's actions having huge consequences.

Here's to next week's The Final Problem, as Sherlock would say ' THE GAME IS ON!'

Utterly inexplicable experience of roller coaster ride

[blanceto · 10/10 · 12 August 2021]

I can dare to say this is the best episode of the entire series. Even for me who's not an active reviewer nor do I have capabilities to observe things like most people do. This episode truly is their peak. I love the camera works, the cinematography, the lines, the details (but I always loves the details anyway), and the punch they gave it to you towards the end.

At first, I can already sense what's going on with Sherlock after Mary died and how this'd talk about his relationship with John afterwards and yet I didn't expect so much tension, hints, and thrill along the series. I thought I almost caught it, but nah. This is way more complicated both in the deductions and the emotional range. I call this as an emotional abuse for myself.

Everything was so well-written and taken care of. And we can't forget to applaud the acting of the actors. Sherlock and John's relationship has been there but never truly being explored as this deep as in emotionally term. Though we had already served by John's side when Sherlock faking his death. But it's never been a mutual overview. And Sherlock was still being the cocky person he was. Not until Mary died and this particular episode, it's all finally answered.

The build-ups are there since the first episode but this is the moment. This is the moment after their years of relationship, of compassion, of caring to each other seen to the viewer. Their character development is always there but in this, it jumps high to the point those blurry emotion and sentiments that Sherlock tried to ignore and John's not-so-perfectly-good-and-understanding human being as people (Mary) thought about him burst. And it's real, it felt so real. You were watching their journeys from the start and to see how much they've grown to each other, to become the human they are is so fascinating.

Realising I'm rambling too much on this but I still can't get over this, honestly. Hats off to anyone on and behind the screen. I utterly left with no words and I'm so happy for it.

Unbelievable , Amazing

[Memmess · 10/10 · 9 January 2023]

This episode was certainly unbelievable , Your mind is going to everywhere , it have all of emotions , make you sad for john talk to mary's ghost and for sherlock who comes to addict person , make you angry about smith and his doings . And make you happy because of john and sherlock 's friendship again. But obviously the strong point of this episode was the end of the it. In whole of the episode I knew that smith was serial killer but i supposed that finally i suggested the killer but this episode prove that you can't suggest all happens in sherlock right. In whole episode I questioned to myself sherlock can't say anything without evidence and they are not created by his mind.

The end of episode was unpredictable.

Absolutely Brilliant

[borowiecsminus · 10/10 · 10 January 2017]

I am very hard to please. I have given 10 stars to only 13 episodes of television ever, and that's out of hundreds that I've rated. But this deserves it.

Everything about this episode shines, and I can only address so much in a single review. So, I'll start with the acting work in this episode.

It's hard to pick an MVP actor/actress for this episode, because god dammit, everyone's so good. There's Benedict Cumberbatch delivering the heartbreaking third "I don't want to die," in sharp contrast to his earlier spree of intensity while shooting the wall in his flat. There's Martin Freeman, best towards the end of the episode when he breaks down, but solid throughout. There's Una Stubbs, as hilarious as usual, with a touch of fire we've never seen in her before, which was welcome. There's Toby Jones (Culverton Smith), who's laugh could send chills down the spine of a volcano. However, if I must, I'll give it to Toby Jones, because he's tied with Cumberbatch in this episode, but we get the latter all the time. Jones is a one-time thing (probably).

Moving on to the writing, this has to be one of the most brilliantly written episodes of television ever. There's the first amazing reveal: "Anyone," which seems so obvious, and yet so brilliantly bone-chilling. Then, there's Smith's interrogation of Sherlock about exactly how one goes about catching a serial killer. There's Mrs. Hudson's brilliantly simple "Get out of my house, you reptile," there's the hallucination reveal, there's the full "Save John Watson" sequence, there's the Black Mirror-esque "I don't want to die," there's the The Edge-esque "She died saving your life," there's John's heartbreaking confession, and of course, the huge reveal at the end is magnificently done.

Of course, the directing here is also worth talking about, but it's more difficult to actually talk about it. Essentially, the highlight of the directorial work is the lack of the series norm. Sherlock is under unique, different circumstances. There's no text flying about like normal, no epic thinking montages. Why should there be? This isn't like old times. Mary Watson is dead. We can't be allowed to think this is normal.

Of course, this episode ends on a horrific note: "I think I'll put a hole in it." She shoots, and the screen turns red.

I believe that John Watson is dead. Or, I certainly hope so. Of course, I'd be heartbroken, but more than anything I'd love to see how dark and gritty the show gets when half of it is ripped out from under it. I also hope the next episode will be the last - ever. Not because I don't want more "Sherlock," which I do, but because this could be the perfect note to end the series on: the aftermath of John's death, from none other than Sherlock's sister.

This is the series' best episode since "The Reichenbach Fall," and I would struggle to give anything such high praise.

One of the best episodes of television - ever. Shines in all departments. 9.8/10.

Funniest Episode Ever

[eddiesithole · 10/10 · 7 July 2020]

This is the hilarious Episode Ever!!!

The Serial/Cereal Killer Is My Favourite Guest Character

Funny Guy!

By far the best episode of Sherlock

[jamie_windsor · 10/10 · 22 July 2018]

This is not so much a return to form as a complete surpassing of it. Unlike other Sherlock episodes in the later series, this one is pitched absolutely perfectly. A perfect balance of non-linear storytelling with multilayered foreshadowing and interweaving story arcs. This episode is ambitious yet manages to remain not only clear and cohesive, but also utterly compelling.

This is an exemplary piece of television. A benchmark for other shows to aspire to.

S4.2: The Lying Detective: Flamboyant nonsense which is as entertaining as it is tiresome

[bob the moo · 22 January 2017]

I'm thinking of going back to the very first episodes of this show to look at it again. I mean, it can't always have been the way it has become, can it? My memory tells me that the first episodes were sharper, more interesting in the construction, and more satisfying in the delivery; but maybe I am being nostalgic. As it is, the last few episodes of Sherlock are hit and miss; sometimes infuriatingly superficial, and other times entertaining in its flamboyant and quite fun. More and more though it is doing it all at the same time, constantly.

The Lying Detective was a great example as it offered so much that is interesting, or 'event' television, or just fun (and it is fun to watch actors chew the scenery), but at the same time it is hard to shake off the constant feeling that it is all just busy nonsense of no consequence. I found this one quite tiresome. The mystery had an interesting construction, however it was built off so much convenience that it really cut its own legs off – and the '3 weeks ago' thing only covered it the first few times they relied on that joke. The sheer energy and professionalism of the production helps it a great deal – indeed it is so well put together in the technique, the performances, and the technical, that one assumes it must be good, because it certainly looks and sounds like it should be good.

I found myself thinking that even as I sat there left detached from the whole thing. The humor is overly smug; frequent moments of excess (in all forms) are overpowering and lose impact – making the whole thing seem silly more than clever or fun. The mystery holds no intrigue because everything is just explained away as Sherlock being miles ahead of everyone, and the very high quality cast (including Jones) is generally wasted in the middle of it all – they enjoy the energy, but there is little of substance to get into for long.

East Wind has come with 90 mins of Roller Coaster Ride

[geomathsa · 10/10 · 10 January 2017]

After the let down by the six thatcher , the lying detective is surprisingly amazing , which we generally expect from sherlock .

Is it the best sherlock episode ? No, A Scandal in Belgravia and The Reichenbach Fall hold that place for me .

But The emotional aspect of this episode touched me the most , it has some great emotional moment for sherlock that shows apart from being smart ass high functioning sociopath he has feelings too . It has some minor flaws but they can be overlooked specially when you see sherlock hugging John . Mrs. Hudson's Character also has some cool stand up lines and moments.

Toby Jones played a good villain and there is that other villain who will definitely going have a huge payoff in The Final Problem . The duo of Benedict and Martin was as usual awesome.

Other than emotional aspects , the game is back on too , the mystery suspense , thrill , chase , chaos , typical sherlock one liners , sherlock going nuts , plot twist everything is back what i missed in the six thatcher .

The ending is what sum up the whole episode beautifully . If it was something else than this ending it would have left a total different impact on me .

In the end i want to assure you The Lying Detective will leave you with a huge wtf moment.

A definite improvement on 'The Six Thatchers'.

[jzathajenious · 7/10 · 11 January 2017]

Whilst not approaching the greatness of earlier seasons, 'The Lying Detective' was a welcome return to form for Sherlock, yet still contained some flaws that detracted from my overall enjoyment.

The acting overall was superb, with a still grieving and guilt-riddled Watson and a seemingly off the rails Sherlock sharing some great scenes together. One of the problems with recent Sherlock has been the waste of the amazing supporting characters, especially Mrs Hudson, Molly, and Lestrade, who contributed so much to the earlier seasons but who have been relegated to bystanders for the most part as of late. Lestrade unfortunately still gets short shrift, but Molly has a small but fun scene and Mrs Hudson almost steals the show during the second act (that Aston Martin bit was pure gold!). Toby Jones plays Culverton Smith as a disgusting, slimy little rodent, and yes I get the Jimmy Savile metaphor, but it was a bit too over the top, and strained belief that this person could be so famous and so loved by the public.

The overall plot was very good, and Steven Moffat's script is by far more coherent and enjoyable than Gattis' effort on The Six Thatchers. Sherlock's scheme to both catch a serial killer and win his friend back was seemingly clever, yet when looked at closely reveals some implausible and too convenient plot machinations. What if Watson was 2 minutes later in arriving at the hospital? What if Smith hadn't confessed to police? When examined further, Sherlock's plan was pretty slap dash and not very well thought out. This to me was the episode's major failing.

And yet it was almost totally redeemed by the final twist of Euros' reveal. It was incredibly well done, and left me on the edge of my seat. All I can say is that was some fine acting by Sian Brooke. I cannot wait to see the final episode of season 4, and if it is indeed to be the final episode of Sherlock ever, I hope they really finish it with an episode to rival The Reichenbach Fall.

Sherlock as comedy farce

[kjruk · 5/10 · 11 January 2017]

One thing the writers of Dr Who cannot be accused of is subtlety. And we don't get any here. Both are now headcases, of course they are. Both weak and pathetic especially Sherlock. This is a parody of a Sherlock Holmes. Not just parody but ridiculous overblown farce. What a pathetic spectacle of a person set to overblown operatic music - and in slow motion. Why? Because the plot is once again secondary to the comedy and hysteria. So Sherlock Holmes has become a comedy farce. Well Rowan Atkinson is better at it.

Half a hour in and there is still no plot or rather it takes half an hour of silliness to get to the first serious point which is equally ridiculous because we are supposed to believe that Sherlock predicted everything 2 weeks previously. Of course he did. How. Who knows. And we are expected to believe he is just acting anyway.

And Watson talking to his dead wife is just a boring excuse to keep an actor in work. She even makes suggestions becoming tedious in the process. And is it love between Watson and Holmes? The villain is the Joker from Batman and a large chunk of Jimmy Saville. Nothing new in the evil magnate I think Bond did that one.

It is all just too unbelievable and the characters silly. Sherlock is not weak or a drug addict or ever out of control and it achieves nothing to make him the opposite.

As for the plot, what plot? Nothing of the slightest interest happens in the way of plot and the fact there is supposed to be a serial killer on the loose! We are told he is a serial killer and that he is evil but we see nothing to demonstrate that until he tries to kill Holmes - well a lot of people want to do that! I don't care about their emotional life. That is not what a Holmes is about.

The biggest silliness of all is that we are expected to believe that the tedious Moriarty is still around. Boring!

Dark, Dramatic and Dangerously Discomforting

[abedein7 · 10/10 · 8 January 2017]

Wow. Honestly, wow.

So after last week's slightly more average episode, the Lying Detective was dark, dramatic and dangerously discomforting. Sherlock was back on the drugs - Benedict Cumberbatch doing phenomenal work as always - and, of course, John grieving for his dearly departed wife.

Toby Jones as the insanely creepy Culverton Smith did an amazing job portraying this almost Saville-like celebrity. Moffat and Gatiss wasted no time in making this villain seem 'normal' in some way, unlike last week's villain Vivian Norbury, which immediately gave of a sense of threat.

In particular, the scene where Sherlock and Smith were talking to the children, their constant war of passive-aggressive threats was done superbly and the product was so discomforting, I was (and I'm sure most people were) shuffling in my seat.

But, of course, the ending. WOW! We knew since the end of series 3 when Mycroft slipped it out, that he and Sherlock had secret sibling. I thought that it may have been Toby Jones' character but oh no!

It was staring everyone in the face and yet no one could see it! Brilliant! The therapist/the flirty woman on the bus is in fact Eurus Holmes - the sister.

Overall, this episode totally tops the sub-par 'The Six Thatchers' and I'm going to give 'The Lying Detective' a 9/10 by Sherlock's standards. Fantastic!