Sherlock Holmes....makes brainy sexy. Sure he's a self described "high functioning sociopath", with no people skills; but he's brilliant, driven and dresses wonderfully. Dr. John Watson is not a patsy (not a sidekick - he's a partner); sharp, wry, worldly man of action who tolerates Sherlock's idiosyncrasies because he misses the adrenaline edge of combat and seeks meaning in a life after war. They are evenly matched although Sherlock draws the attention and enmity of their foes - Watson is a good second.

The writing is engaging, cheeky, smart and fast paced. It rolls current technology into the stream of consciousness. The looks of awe when Sherlock figures it out - and his amusement when he learns he's alone are priceless. The cinematography, costumes, lighting and use of text overlays to move the story along are well placed and impressive on their own.

But the intelligence of the show is its presumption in the interest of the watcher; therefore moving with alacrity, flexibility and certain undefinable element of charm missing from many US shows (the brilliant but cancelled Life with Damian Lewis excluded). I'm a US viewer lucky enough to have a friend in the UK - but this show should gain followers worldwide with the power to draw from the past literary works and latch onto the current to slingshot us into the future of TV - for thinking people.

As a big fan of the original stories and of the 80's Granada show with Jeremy Brett I was expecting to be disappointed by this show. I wasn't! Though it has been transplanted to modern day London it has kept the spirit of the books, and the casting is superb, especially the lead actor who plays the cold, calculated Holmes to perfection.

It's not an easy task to move this concept into a modern day setting given the advances in forensic science since the stories were first published, but focusing on Holmes' acute intelligence, observation and deduction it still gives that sense of awe that makes you feel like you're waking around with your eyes shut.

Don't hesitate... buy or rent this today if you love Holmes!

I needed another adaptation featuring Sherlock Holmes about as much as I needed a full frontal lobotomy. Don't get me wrong--I love Holmes. As a boy, I read every story. Through the years, I've seen so many versions of Sherlock that I can't even begin to enumerate them all. I knew things looked bleak when everyone raved about last year's Guy Richie version and I found it only slightly amusing and greatly overproduced. I patently refused to accept this new BBC adaptation and refused to watch it--but I relented (I'm so weak willed) and now, hat in hand, I repent. This glorious updating is fast, smart, and riveting entertainment. What an idiot I would have been to miss it!

Set in contemporary London, "Sherlock" modernizes three classic mysteries. Episode One is "A Study In Pink" and, by itself, it is an absolutely perfect film. The way the murder is introduced, the stellar screenplay, the ingenious play on familiar characters, the droll humor, the emotional resonance, and the technological innovation to update this tale all work in perfect harmony to create an unforgettable re-imagining of Sherlock Holmes. Episode Two, "The Blind Banker," is solid but inevitably pales in comparison to the brilliant opening. And Episode Three, "The Great Game," caps this trio expertly. Just when I thought I had things figured out, "The Great Game" packs a huge wallop--the cliffhanger, and indeed the last 20 minutes, provide one of the most diabolically clever games of cat-and-mouse that you're likely to encounter. Absolutely riveting--it'll leave you gasping and begging for more!

Benedict Cumberbatch turns in a star making portrayal as Holmes. Cumberbatch, with his unorthodox appearance, has always stood out for me--but this is easily his most memorable performance. But surprisingly, it is Watson who is the real revelation here. Martin Freeman brings incredible depth as a war veteran who is alternately awed and frustrated by Holmes. While the banter is devised for maximum cleverness, there are real characters in "Sherlock." While Richie's cleverness led to a "too cool for school" vibe, the BBC version has actual emotional consequence by fully fleshing out the lead characters. As the episodes, for me, would rate 5 stars, 4 stars, and 4 1/2 stars respectively--I'll round up for just how improbably good this turned out to be. Creator Steven Moffatt is on a streak with "Dr. Who," "Coupling" and the delightfully revisionist "Jekyll" and "Sherlock" ranks with the best. KGHarris, 11/10.