There are two great shows on British TV right now, and no I’m not an Anglophile, and if I am, it’s just for British TV, it’s “Doctor Who” “Sherlock”. I’ve talked a lot about Doctor Who, and I enjoy it so much that I’m rewatching the revival of the series all over again and dipping my toe on the older shows. With the many writers and the many people who’ve had their hands in the franchise, I’ll have to say, that my first Doctor was the Tennant doctor and I do like his run better than the rest. With that said, the latest Doctor is being written, for the most part, by a man named Steven Moffat.
via – BBC – SherlockI’m not very familiar with this man, other than I know he’s also writing for another show I love, “Sherlock”. I can’t get enough of this reimagining of the great detective. I’m fine with Robert Downey Jr.’s performance, but there’s something about Benedict Cumberbach as Holmes that just really brings out the character in this modern time. I know I’m comparing apples and oranges in actors, but they’re both doing a new take of the guy, so I figured it was fair. So if you haven’t seen the BBC’s Sherlock, I suggest you get on Netflix or buy the bluray, look that “‘ish” up and watch now. (That was my attempt at being cool.) I’m pretty sure you’re not going to be disappointed.
So here’s the thing. Moffat writes for both shows, and I have to say, I do not like the new Doctor. And that’s not because I prefer Tennant’s, because I liked Eccleston, and I like the third and second doctor’s, but for some reason, the way these last two seasons have been written, it’s been ood. Haha….get it? *clears throat* Moving on. So, there seems to be something wrong with the stories and the way they’re written. For those who haven’t watched the latest Matt Smith seasons, I won’t spoil anything, but there is just not enough happening. The episodes seem so short, and it feels like nothing happened. With the previous Doctors, each episode was a full on adventure that felt big and complete. With this Doctor, it’s shallow, boring, and lacks the kick and personality of the previous regenerations of the good Doctor.
Karen Gillan – Amy PondThere is a bright side though, and that’s Karen Gillen who played Amy Pond and who will be leaving the show this season. She made a great companion and she is very nice to look at. Her flirtatiousness in the first season and her character overall was great. You cared about her, and you wanted to see her happy, and it bothered you when she wasn’t. Then there are the other two characters who I could care less about, which is Rory and River Song. So as you can see, there’s one thing that made Doctor Who watchable the last two years, and it was Amy Pond. That’s pretty sad when the star of the show doesn’t even make you want to come back for me.
Then there’s the other side of the coin in “Sherlock”. Cleverly written with likeable characters and hateable villains, this show is like a mini movie each episode. You want to see what happens next, and you want to see Sherlock and Watson succeed. You feel Mrs. Hudson’s pain, you try to figure out how the crimes happened and it’s just so cleverly written. In an ironic twist, this show feels a little like Doctor Who, when it was good. Sherlock often has the Doctor’s quirks.
The stories from the actual books by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle are translated and modernized, and they work well. You meet iconic characters from the books and you seem them fully realized in 21st century England. I don’t like to spoil shows, and there are only three mini movies per season, but I highly suggest you watch this. Martin Freeman alone as Watson is reason enough to watch. He’s a great actor and he plays plays the human very well against Sherlock’s cold, almost robotic nature.
Sherlock is an absolute joy to watch and makes me wonder what went wrong with Doctor Who? Maybe sci-fi time and space traveling type shows are not Moffat’s cup of tea. He seems better suited for the adaptation of the mysteries and conspiracies of Sherlock.
