User Reviews

The first two series of Sherlock were quite superb, they hardly put a foot wrong, The Hounds of Baskerville, in my opinion is one of the best. It is such a slick, creative, truly imaginative reworking of Conan Doyle's most famous novel, who's not heard of the blood thirsty hound, that terrifies people on the Moors? This could have easily been a disaster, but it wasn't, it was superb, back then the show was super clever and witty, without being smug.

Plenty of scares and thrills, definitely dramatic enough to keep you fully engaged and entertained.

Superbly acted, Cumberbatch and Freeman on top form, special mentions for Russell Tovey and Amelia Bullmore.

Excellent production values, several scenes from this one lived with me a long time.

I'd class this as excellent. 9/10

Sherlock and Watson investigate a 20 year old death claimed to be an attack by a 'hound'.

This an enjoyable retelling of a popular Holmes mystery that has been cleverly updated by writer Mark Gatiss.

The plot strikes a perfect balance between the original work and adapted material. There is some suspension of disbelief required, but if you approach it in the frame of mind that you would a horror movie or possibly a scary 'X Files' episode, it helps.

As ever the central two characters are excellent. Not only do they lead the episode well with their charisma, but they generate a typically strong level of humour with their banter. Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman have fantastic screen chemistry.

Visually it works particularly well to generate suspense and creepiness. One scene is particular tense and I love how they show it again from a hilariously different perspective.

The first season tapered off after a great beginning. Any doubts about this season disappointing after the superb Scandal in Belgravia is dispelled with an even better Hound of Baskerville. Holmes and Watson go out in search of a mysterious animal which has tormented a man since his childhood. Like all episodes in this franchise, there is plenty of humour, suspense and intelligence, but this one also manages to be a little scary. It is indeed great to see two wonderful stories this season, which leads us to the final one, where Holmes battles the original you-know-who. How exciting is it for Sherlock Holmes fans to get a fun movie and this series almost back-to-back. Great stuff.

The Hound of Baskerville

When Mark Gatiss went on to remake The Hound of Baskerville for BBC's Sherlock- he knew what he was getting into. This one wasn't a short story- it was a full fledged novel, it has seen 23 film adaptations till date (the largest number for any of Holmes' adaptations) and is unique, perhaps the most iconic of Holmes career, because this is the only one that has Gothic horror elements. The blockbuster nature of the subject and the need of the Sherlock series to re-imagine the classic in a modern scenario presented complex challenges, and am pleased to say, the results are awesome.

Modernizing the story begins with modernizing the setting- So instead of a foreboding dark house alluding to the horror theme in the book, we have a modern day horror setting- army research facilities, you know where all germs, epidemics are bred, and chemical/biological weapons of war are created? You never know just what might they come up with one fine day, to spoil the rest of your lifetime. Anyways, Sherlock is in one of his most bored moods, he just isn't happy with the quality of cases at his disposal, which makes him edgy and maniacal. Up comes a young man plagued with nightmares about the death of his father at the fangs of a monstrous dog.

"It is as big as a horse, has red eyes, and glows"- Holmes is both intrigued and excited as he begins his pursuit on a dark, and desolate moor and then its a race against time as our heroes try to figure out the mystery before it takes more innocent lives. From the lighthearted erotic romp that was Scandal Belgravia, this one is straightaway a suspenseful, creepy, and rabid chase. There are moments of sheer atmospheric terror when Holmes decides to lock up Watson in a lab to conduct his own private experiment, and in the climax where he faces his fears- in the form of his mortal enemy, and yet there is the trademark humor and sardonic wit all throughout.

Benedict Cumberbatch is prodigal as usual. "I do not have friends", he says, as he treats us to both sides of Sherlock- his brilliance in observing the smallest possible detail, and deducing the most accurate fact, and his nasty, inhuman side- his superiority complex, and almost complete lack of feeling. There is plenty of warmth in Sherlock for Watson as there is sarcasm, but as Holmes can compartmentalize his mind, we too learn that his tongue and his heart also reside in separate compartments. And like in Belgravia, Sherlock gives a hint of his interest for the lovely Adler, here its his understanding of fear that brings out the best in him- he is a showstopper in the scene where he knows he has seen the impossible, but yet cannot believe his eyes, and almost breaks down because of the confusion he is in because his senses betray his mind. Martin Freeman as Watson gets to step out of Cumberbatch's shadows and do a bit of investigating on his own, and displays immense depth of character in addition to display of camaraderie.

We have come to expect ingenuity and wit, novelty and shock value from each episode of Sherlock, yet the intensity, apprehension and audience involvement in Hound of the Baskerville raises the bar even further. The episode ends with Moriarty getting released from the prison to set up a series finale at Reichenbach Fall, for the solution to the "final problem"- can't wait for 15th January!!! Oh, easy 10/10! Don't miss or it will hound you forever!!!

An interesting way to place "The Hound of the Baskervilles" in the 21st century. In my opinion, this story should be a bit more creepy, but certainly very well done.

8/10

It's not a bona fide rug-pull, but Sherlock does at least sway the mat with uncanny clandestine experiments and terrifying childhood traumas completely taking the place of the previous episode's light-hearted humour in "The Hounds of Baskerville". Moreover, this one establishes its main plot after only five minutes and, if you ignore the forced quarrel between Sherlock and John, stays fully focused on it for the remaining time, whereas "A Scandal in Belgravia" made its central storyline rather hard to pick out for quite a while. In essence, there's a plethora of differences between these two episodes and the all- important one resides in their quality.

I'm earnestly begging for this not to become a practice, but as yet, the monumental brilliance exhibited by Sherlock in the first and final episode of its series has, at the halfway point, consistently made room for a run-of-the-mill detective story with some of its title role's quirks added to the recipe. Remember "The Blind Banker"? That was precisely the same type of let-down, plainly above average when compared to all the rest that can be discovered on television, yet a potentially fatal drop in form for this programme. For all I know, Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss used "The Hounds of Baskerville" to find out if an eerie and sombre atmosphere suited Sherlock - and, as it happens, the two and director Paul McGuigan succeeded in conjuring up some frights. The issues with this episode aren't in its style, however, but in Gatiss' script, to which he admits clichés (does the unknown friendly bloke showing up in the beginning always have to be the culprit?) instead of jokes or more than one individual trait for each of the newly introduced characters. Particularly Russell Tovey, portraying Sherlock's 'client' Henry, is badly off; his apparently not having paid the BBC licence fee leads him to be furnished with no more than alternately looking traumatised, screaming 'Oh God!', and threatening suicide.

Having vented all of these criticisms, a lot of positive attributes about "The Hounds of Baskerville" remain, first and foremost, how Gatiss and Moffat modified Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's 1902 novel to conform to this day and age, and how McGuigan realised it more chilling than anyone before him. As always, there's also some praise belonging to Sherlock's main acting cast, most of all Martin Freeman, who in this instalment proves to have performing flair outside the realms of comedy in a scene that sees him hiding in a cage. Along with the aforementioned suspense that surprisingly works, "The Hounds of Baskerville" are gripping 90 minutes despite being a second-rate Sherlock episode.

My detective scribblings: • "I can tell from the angle she wrote at that she was sat across from you." – Or, he just handed her the napkin and she turned it around. I believe that would have been possible, Sherlock. • There's a glaring lack of humour in this episode, but that one scene of Sherlock reacting to Henry's puffing on a cigarette by coming closer to him and inhaling the smoke just about makes up for all of that. • "If I wanted poetry, I'd read John's emails to his girlfriends, much funnier." – I was just about to complain about Henry's stilted way of talking, but apparently, Mark Gatiss knew what sort of dialogue he was giving him and hence came up with this amusing piece of self- deprecation. • "Thank you for smoking." – Cue Aaron Eckhart. • Let's not overuse the 'outwardly insignificant case being turned down but later transpiring to be connected to the main story' thing, shall we, Sherlock? • The ideal Christmas present for John would be "Behaviour in sinister places for dummies" and he could give "Noticing someone has left the group for dummies" to Sherlock and Henry as one. • Hopefully, Sherlock's 'mind palace' will be incorporated some time again because that looked fairly impressive in this episode. • So, you're telling me that for high-security intelligence, a major's password would be the six-letter sobriquet of a person with whom he has frequently had contact? "BULLS***" would have been a better choice, if you ask me. • Best line(s) of dialogue: it's far too much to type down here, but Sherlock proving his abilities on 'the sentimental widow and her son' in the restaurant right after having seen the hound for the first time was fairly fantastic.

Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson head down to Dartmoor to investigate the case of a young man who is convinced that his father was killed 20 years earlier by a giant, red-eyed hound. Furthermore, he has recently been confronted by the animal himself. Holmes is skeptical - the description given is not possible - but investigates anyway. Prime suspect - the local Army base, where scientists are performing genetic experiments on animals.

Quite dark and very intriguing. Tension-filled with a sinister undertone, there's hardly a dull moment in this episode.

Holmes shows some vulnerability for once - about the only other time we've seen it was in A Scandal in Balgravia and there it was for different reasons...

Quite enthralling from start to finish.

The Hounds of Baskerville-the name itself is enough to percuss a cold flutter down the spine as Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss returns with frightening, impressive, imposing, stupefying, astonishing, breathtaking, confounding and all-heads-bowing chirography of feasibly and arguably the best detective sleuth of all time. Portrayed a high- tech gizmo whizz-bang adventure, Benedict Cumberbatch emancipated his best so far. The script, which according to me is better than the original novel, presents us with enough astoundments, astonishments, unpredictable, abhorrent, frightful, heart-racing moments and mind shattering sequences that has left me with a bad hangover. Cleverly maneuvered in an extraordinarily fanatical and fervent way as Sherlock Holmes dashes through the dark side of the Moore with fear thumping through his heart and nerves..hats off to the creators and a big THANK YOU to them to present us with such a script and such blazingly plotted sequences.....the ending had an intense anxiety, apprehension and titillation in itself making us only wonder that the season finale is going to be even more destructive and mortiferous than all the previous ones.........

I was thoroughly disappointed to see " A Scandal in Belgravia". I did't get the intent of the story, what was the writer/director really planned to do by a disjoint and see-saw storyline and putting up some unnecessary humors/love elements. In that sense The Hounds of Baskerville is better to say the least. Though the ending seemed to be a bit poor. Nevertheless, I really enjoyed it; though the timing might have played a part; you know you are not supposed to see mysterious or horror shows in day time. I appreciate the picking up of a atypical story in compare to the previous ones. Both Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman are getting better as the episodes are progressing. Good job folks. You two get along great !

Let me begin by stating that I am a huge fan of both the Sherlock TV series as well as the Robert Downey movies. The first episode of the series was action packed, great suspense and AMAZING music effects, particularly in the cellphone unlocking scene, but "The Hounds of Baskerville" was a big let down, to say the least.

Without going into spoilers, let me inform you beforehand that this episode is completely different from Doyle's masterpiece. Different motives, different settings, even the protagonist's name has been changed. Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss did a good job with the modern day version, but made it over the top. Also, Cumberbatch's great punchlines didn't pack quite a punch, and some of the scenes were outright unrealistic. The story was pretty bland as well, and coincidences were more. Plus, the recurring gay references have started to get on my nerves by now.

Just hope that the duo comes back with all guns blazing in the final episode of the second season, because I, for one, am greatly looking forward to it

The Pilot was a really good piece of tv, but This one "The Hounds of Baskerville" is a Masterpiece ! Brilliant to said the least. The first masterpiece episode in this very Solid show. For the first time I could see the same quality than an X files episode, everything that make a show great was in this episode. Just watch it , its so good. Also the most Funny episode, the relation Holmes Watson was so entertaining in this one 10/10.

Not nearly as ingenious as "A scandal in Belgravia", but nevertheless a refreshing adaptation of Conan Doyle's "The hound of the Baskervilles". The episode kicked off with its usual degree of intrigue and tension, maintained over the majority of the episode. Cumberbatch's portrayal of the enigmatic Sherlock Holmes was excellent as always, sharp but quirky. Moffat's storyline was a little overboard but he still managed to maintain its intoxicating appeal and keep it beyond the realms of impossibility.

However, the director appeared to have gotten a bit too carried away with his attempts at building suspense while the story conclusion left me feeling a bit cheated. No spoilers, to me, the episode was a solid 8-9 out of 10.

Found this episode far more captivating than any other so far. The plot was flawless and action at every turn, brilliant. Many others felt as though the episode was dry and unintentionally humourless, but I feel as though it's the best possible modern representation of the famous "hounds of Baskerville" the original book was almost renowned for. Only improvement I feel would be if there were more deaths/ injuries, as it would've definitely enhanced the horror theme, as I felt as though the characters were under no real threat the entire time, and that there was far too much "plot armour" ensuring the characters weren't harmed, however coincidentally.

I dont think I have ever seen anything that Benedict has been in. He is incredible in this series. If he is this good of an actor I will have to start watching more of his films. He is such a delight to watch. Where to start.

Firstly he is visually stunning to look at. He has a kind face even though he doesn't act kind most of the time. He delivers his lines to perfection, cadence, tone and all. And I have to add, he is hilarious!!!

Of course his relationship with Watson is great and feels very natural. Ying and Yang if you will. I love the ambiguous nature of his sexuality. Also love how he explains his observations. They always make so much sense. Also love how him and Watson are always thought to be a couple.

I'm still watching this episode but I'm sure it will be smashing!!

I haven't enjoyed a series as much as I have enjoyed watching this one in a long time. This makes Vera and others seem....tedious.

This episode is the best depiction I have seen of tactics used in Gangstalking. Getting a target into a suggestive state and exploit implanted fears through the use of light and speaker (sound) harassment. While the episode depicts the use of drugs, the same level of suggestibility can be induced through extreme sleep deprivation.

Gangstalking and Gaslighting are alive and well today and need to be exposed for the grotesque abuses they are. While virtually every conceivable individual law is broken in these harassment campaigns - the underlying psyche of an abuser and the prolonged period of assault needs to make these crimes take special consideration under the law.

One day this system of abuse will be exposed and the perpetrators brought to justice. I just hope it's in my day.

Good to see these themes exposed even if it does get the Hollywood treatment.

When a nobleman is threatened by a family curse on his newly inherited estate, detective Holmes is hired to investigate ; as Sherlock (Benedith Cumberbath) and John (Martin Freeman) investigate the ghosts of a young man who has been seeing monstrous hounds out in the woods . This is one of the best version that still can be called a classic novel by Arthur Conan Doyle ; in which Holmes and Watson are called to save Sir Henry Knight Baskerville from a curse that has plagued his family for centuries . Correct rendition of the most famous mystery novel written by Arthur Conan Doyle with an awesome Benedict Cumberbath as Sherlock and not very faithful to the source material . All England there is no district more dismal than that vast expense of primitive wasteland , the moor of Dartmoor in Devonshire . Holmes and Watson are contracted by a heir who has returned to his mansion to take his place at the family seat following the death of his father . As Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson investigate the legend of a supernatural , devilish hound, a beast that may be stalking a young heir on the fog-shrouded moorland that makes up his estate . Sir Charles died of cardiac exhaustion and his son Henry Knight believes he was frightened to death . There appears to be a curse on the family dating back when Sir Baskerville was supposedly killed on the moor by a huge hound . Holmes dismisses the supernatural elements of the case but there are a sufficient number of odd events to pique his interest . As Holmes investigates the mystery of a supernatural hound threatening the life of a Dartmoor owner . Holmes soon realizes that someone is making sure the legend becomes real . Later on , Holmes and Watson find a military research facility . Using his brother Mycroft's (Mark Gatiss , also writer and executive producer) identity card, both of whom gain access to the facility .

This is an excellent and thrilling film with dark elements in classic style and freely based on the splendid novel by Arthur Conan Doyle . It's a genuine ripping yarn with much suspense , moody intrigue and blending modern elements such as technology , mobile phone , internet , cloning , genetic engineering , military conspiracy , among others . This is an exciting TV film ; this is due to the plot of the novel, a mixture of intrigue and suspense that adapts very easily to film language , which is not usual with classic detective stories . It's distinguished by its cast with Benedict's Sherlock and Freeman's Watson ably playing off each other . Benedict as Holmes plays in a clever , stubborn , and impetuous manner . Martin Freeman plays as Watson as an intelligent and serious doctor , he's the perfect counterpoint to Holmes . The film gets mystery , tension , thrills , detective action and packs an exciting deal of outstanding surprises with great lots of fun despite to be a known story . It manages to keep the viewer entertained and expectant due to suggested hints , red herrings , terror elements and the murky atmosphere that transmit marshy landscapes where the plot unfolds , in which cinematography is dark and murky . In this case we are dealing with a film in magnificent visual style, and follows slightly reliable the plot of the novel, capturing the gloomy atmosphere quite well . Benedict Cumberbath's magnificent interpretation , he plays as Holmes as a wise , obstinate , broody sleuth . Benedict takes on the character emphasizing the role's cynical humor as well as his sometimes insufferable intelligence . He is gorgeous transmitting characteristic coolness , irony and obstinacy . His acting is the best and similarly to Jeremy Brett , Peter Cushing for TV or Nicol Williamson (Seven-per-cent-solution) or Christopher Plummer (Murder by decree) for cinema . Martin Freeman ably backs him up as Watson in this version that not very closely follows the Conan Doyle story . While not entirely passive, Watson's original role was mostly as an observer of Holmes and the chronicler of his cases . In the flick appears the usual of the Arthur Conan Doyle's novels : Mrs. Hudson (Una Stubbs) , DI Lestrade (Rupert Graves) , Mycroft Holmes (Mark Gatiss) and Jim Moriarty (Andrew Scott)

The movie has a creepy atmosphere specially when is developed on the moors where lives the fearful giant beast ; besides the 221 Baker Street's house is well designed . Thrilling and intriguing musical score by David Arnold . Colorful cinematography full of shades and lights by Fabian Wagner that fits well with the inherent requirements of the story . This atmospheric motion picture was well produced by Steven Moffat and professionally directed by Paul Mcguigan, who also directed other episodes as A Scandal in Belgravia (2012) , The Great Game (2010) and A Study in Pink (2010) . This is a film for lovers of the wonderful adventures of this pair of detectives .

Other versions about this story are the following : Classic and black and white version ¨Hound of the Baskervilles¨ (1939) by Sidney Landfield with Basil Rathbone , Nigel Bruce , and Richard Greene , ¨Hammer House of Horror¨ rendition (1959) by the great Terence Fisher with Peter Cushing , Andre Morell and Christopher Lee ; 1977 spoof adaptation by Paul Morrissey with Dudley Moore and Denholm Elliott ; 1983 recounting by Douglas Hickox with Ian Richardson , Donald Churchill and Martin Shaw ; 2000 unpteeth rendition by Rodney Gibbons with Matt Frewer , Kenneth Welsh and Jason London , English adaptation (1983) by Douglas Hickox with Ian Richardson as Holmes and Donald Churchill as Watson and TV rendition with Jeremy Brett and Edward Hardwicke directed by Peter Hammond and BBC take on with Peter Cushing and Nigel Stock .

Another entertaining outing for Benedict Cumberbatch as the modern incarnation of the great detective Sherlock Holmes taking on probably the most famous Conan-Doyle story of them all, "The Hound of The Bakervilles" in a tale of military skullduggery in genetics. That said, the tale did lack, for me, a little in suspense, with only a years-old death at its heart and an otherwise shortage of real drama or suspense.

The plot too seemed contrived and far-fetched and I'd go further and say that the special effects in conveying the terrifying beast were somewhat wanting too. There were the now obligatory jokey nods back to the source novels, in particular an amusing scene referring to the literary Holmes' cocaine addiction, with some good dialogue too, especially when Holmes has to apologise to Watson for saying he didn't have any friends.

Otherwise, the depiction of the great detective's computer-quick deduction skills was skilfully done, but on the whole this episode seemed a little underwritten with an over-emphasis on coincidence.

One neat casting touch for Robin Hood buffs was the appearance in the cast of the two most recent TV Little Johns Gordon Kennedy from the more recent Jonas Armstrong version and the older Clive Mantle from the 1980's "Robin of Sherwood".

This episode was just horror. Nothing was very interesting or intriguing. The story, the eternal war between Sherlock and Moriarty, does not go forward. I hoped that from the time Moriarty finally showed up this show would take off but it seems that there is more to wait.

This episode is very loosely based on the book "The Hound of the Baskervilles". It also benefits from not including the clownish Moriarty among the characters.