What do most people see as Benedict Cumberbatch’s most famous role? Some movie fans will, of course, see him as Dr. Strange, the Marvel superhero who has appeared in several of the MCU films. Others, perhaps the more serious-minded, will point to his Oscar-nominated turn in The Imitation Game, as well as critically acclaimed performances in 12 Years a Slave and The Mauritanian. But for some, Cumberbatch will be synonymous with what is arguably his breakout performance as Sherlock Holmes in BBC’s Sherlock.
Airing from 2010-2017 and notably continuing as Cumberbatch hit the heights at Hollywood, the series comprised of 13 episodes, each almost the length of a movie, split across four series. It was a huge hit for the BBC, not only helping launch the career of Cumberbatch to new heights but also fortifying Martin Freeman, another Marvel alumni and star of The Hobbit, into a bona fide star.
The concept of Sherlock Holmes is obviously not new. Famously, the character is considered the most played of any role in cinema history. There have been various well-received interpretations, such as Johnny Lee Miller’s Elementary, spin-offs like Enola Holmes, video games like The Awakening, Sherlock Holmes-themed online slots like Sherlock Mystery, and, of course, the movie adaptations, including the most recent starring yet another Marvel star, Robert Downey Jnr.
But Sherlock, created by Mark Gatiss and Stephen Moffatt, offers something different. It’s not just its modern setting, as others have done that, nor is only about the youthful appearance of the titular character (Cumberbatch was 34 when the series). It is the tone of the series that arguably won over fans. It’s funny and weird, and somewhat fantastical, but it also has an ability to deliver drama like a gut punch. It has retained a cult following, and those behind the show are constantly asked if they will make more.
For those who haven’t seen Sherlock, we’d recommend watching chronologically. However, we can also pick out the five best episodes in descending order:
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5: The Sign of the Three (S3E2)
Here’s the thing about The Sign of the Three. If you had tuned in without watching any previous episodes, you would not be lost in terms of plot. You would, however, likely fail to see much of the humor, which feels like a payoff for the characterization carefully built up in previous episodes. The episode tracks the wedding day of John Watson (Freeman), in which Sherlock inevitably takes center stage. At times, the episode is hilarious, particularly during the disastrous bachelor party. This episode is one for the committed fans, but it allows the actors to really demonstrate why we love them.
4: A Study in Pink (S1E1)
Sherlock did have an unaired pilot, but A Study in Pink is really the first time we are introduced to the enigmatic Holmes and stoic Watson. The chemistry between Freeman and Cumberbatch is there from the off, and we are immediately thrown into an intriguing mystery as Sherlock tries to solve the case of a London serial killer. While every episode of Sherlock is a standalone, each will plant seeds for what will come later. And at the end of A Study in Pink, the audience is gripped by the tantalizing naming of Sherlock’s nemesis.
3: The Final Problem (S4E3)
Disclaimer: Not everyone likes The Final Problem, which is the last episode of the series. Some claim that it is a little too preposterous and a sign that the series was tiring. However, it’s also poignant and gripping, delivering fitting endings for several of the main characters. We won’t spoil some of the reveals for those who haven’t seen the series, but it’s enough to say that many of the questions that arise during the series are answered, sometimes with horrifying twists.
2: The Great Game (S1E3)
This episode could certainly be at the top of the list, and it does a fantastic job of marrying a single storyline – the hunt for an assassin known as the Golem – and the overarching plot of the series, i.e., the specter of Sherlock’s nemesis, Moriarty. Andrew Scott as the nefarious Moriarty was a bold choice by the casting directors, but he knocks it out of the park. Scott ‘gets it’ about Sherlock (the series), able to flip easily from silly and fantastical to dramatic and scary. The stand-off toward the end leaves us with one of the best cliffhangers in modern television.
1: The Reichenbach Fall (S2E3)
One of the best episodes of television of the 21st century, the finale to series 3 builds in tension and drama until a final 15 minutes that leave your heart in your mouth. The brilliance of Sherlock lies in its desire to take risks in terms of plot and twists. Sometimes, that leaves the audience in disbelief in a negative way. But when it comes off, it is magical. That’s the case with The Reichenbach Fall, which sees Holmes’ nemesis turn everyone against him before that thrilling finale. Cumberbatch, Scott, Freeman and the supporting cast are all on top form as they deliver a thrilling payoff to what has been slowly building over the previous five episodes.
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