Sherlock Canon References - "The Hounds of Baskerville" S2E2

Dear Readers,

This post concludes the list of Canonical References in BBC Sherlock episode “The Hounds of Baskerville”. 

Scripted by Mark Gatiss, this episode is based on the original novel: The Hound of the Baskervilles.  Here are the references to Arthur Conan Doyle's original stories:

1. Sherlock (Benedict Cumberbatch) deducing that Henry Knight (Russell Tovey) took the first morning train from Devon – Sherlock Holmes makes similar deductions about Helen Stoner in The Adventure of the Speckled Band. 

2. Sherlock's observation: “The girl, female handwriting is quite distinctive..” - Sherlock Holmes makes a deduction about masculine handwriting in The Adventure of the Cardboard Box, and about feminine handwriting in The Hound of the Baskervilles.

3. Sherlock's line: “Off to Devon with you.. have a cream tea on me” – This is a bit tenuous, but reminded me of this line spoken by Sherlock Holmes to his prospective client, Jabez Wilson in The Adventure of the Red-Headed League: “And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this advertisement had upon your fortunes.” 

4. Sherlock’s comments about John Watson (Martin Freeman): “Always rely on John to send me all the relevant data, as he never understands a word of it himself”–

In The Adventure of the Retired Colourman, Sherlock Holmes states: “You can thank Dr. Watson's observation for that, though he failed to draw the inference.”

In The Adventure of the Naval Treaty, Holmes remarks: “I have no doubt I can get details from Forbes. The authorities are excellent at amassing facts, though they do not always use them to advantage.”

5. Sherlock's angry reply to John: “I am a showoff. That’s what we do”. Later, Dr Stapleton (Amelia Bullmore) comments about Sherlock's choice of Mind Palace to John: “Why a palace instead of a house or a street”  – Sherlock Holmes states in The Adventure of the Naval Treaty: “I can’t resist a touch of the dramatic”

6. Sherlock's remark: “nicotine stains on your fingers...I know those” - Sherlock Holmes states in A Study in Scarlet: “Criminal cases are continually hinging upon that one point. A man is suspected of a crime months perhaps after it has been committed. His linen or clothes are examined, and brownish stains discovered upon them. Are they blood stains, or mud stains, or rust stains, or fruit stains, or what are they? That is a question which has puzzled many an expert, and why? Because there was no reliable test. Now we have the Sherlock Holmes' test, and there will no longer be any difficulty.”

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7. Sherlock tricks John into revealing where he hid the drug by pretending that he is sending Watson alone on the case - This is a reference to the plot point in the original novel, The Hounds of Baskerville, when Sherlock Holmes sends Dr John Watson alone to Dartmoor on the pretense of being busy on a case. Holmes' real intention was to travel to Dartmoor and work incognito on the case.

8. Sherlock's comment about his latest case: “Twenty year old disappearance... a monstrous hound? I wouldn’t miss this for the world” -

Sherlock Holmes states in The Adventure of the Red-Headed League: “I really wouldn't miss your case for the world.”

In A Study in Scarlet, Holmes remarks: “I would not have missed the investigation for anything.”

9. The bartender named Billy – Reference to Sherlock Holmes’ page from The Valley of Fear, The Problem of Thor Bridge and The Mazarin Stone.

10. Fletcher (Stephen Wight), the local Dartmoor tour guide – Reference to Bertram Fletcher Robinson, the journalist who collaborated with Arthur Conan Doyle on the original novel: The Hounds of the Baskerville.

11. Sherlock notices Fletcher being interested in racing from the Racing Post sticking out of his trouser pocket. Then Sherlock mentions about the bet of 50 quids to the latter in order to get information – In The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle, Sherlock Holmes deliberately loses a bet to gain valuable information from a salesman. He  explains his strategy to Dr John Watson: “When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of him, that man would not have given me such complete information as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a wager.”

12. After using Mycroft's ID to enter the Baskerville complex, Sherlock comments about his brother: “I’ve told you -  he practically is the British government.”

 - In The Adventure of the Bruce-Partington Plans, Sherlock Holmes explains about his brother to Dr John Watson: “You are right in thinking that he is under the British government. You would also be right in a sense if you said that occasionally he is the British government.”

13. Watson using his rank as a Captain of the Fifth Northumberland Fusiliers to get inside the main building in the Baskerville complex – In A Study in Scarlet, Dr John Watson writes: “In the year 1878 I took my degree of Doctor of Medicine of the University of London, and proceeded to Netley to go through the course prescribed for surgeons in the army. Having completed my studies there, I was duly attached to the Fifth Northumberland Fusiliers as Assistant Surgeon.”

14. Sherlock repeatedly explains to Dr Frankland (Clive Mantle) that the hat was not his personal property - Excellent reference to the fact it was the illustrator Sidney Paget and not Arthur Conan Doyle who created the image of a deerstalker wearing Holmes

15. Dr Frankland refers to a specific blog post written by John Watson: “that one about the aluminium crutch” - Sherlock Holmes mentions to Dr John Watson about this case in The Adventure of the Musgrave Ritual: “But there are some pretty little problems among them. Here's the record of the Tarleton murders, and the case of Vamberry, the wine merchant, and the adventure of the old Russian woman, and the singular affair of the aluminium crutch, as well as a full account of Ricoletti of the club-foot, and his abominable wife.”

17. When Dr Frankland jokingly says that he would have to kill Sherlock, the latter replies: “That would be tremendously ambitious of you” – This reminded me of the original story: The Thor Bridge. When Sherlock Holmes refuses to take up the case of the millionaire Neil Gibson, his prospective client angrily threatens Holmes. The Bohemian detective responds with a smile: “So many have tried and yet here I am”.

18.  Sherlock's plan to solve the mystery is to deliberately provoke an attack on Henry Knight by taking him out on the moor. Sherlock optimistically predicts: “That should bring things to a head” – This reminded of a similar line spoken by Sherlock Holmes in The Adventure of the Red-Headed League: “And now it is time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an hour matters will come to a head.”

20. A visibly shaken Sherlock remarks to John at the inn: “Once you have rule out the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable must be true.” Later, Sherlock again remarks: “It is the simple process of elimination” -

In The Sign of the Four, Sherlock Holmes makes one of his most famous statements: “How often have I said to you that when you have eliminated the impossible whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth?”

22. Sherlock's remark to John: “We’re looking for a dog, yes, a great big dog, that’s your brilliant theory. Cherchez le chien. Good, excellent, yes, where shall we start?”. Later,  we see some French words flash across Sherlock's mind in the Mind Palace scene – 

Sherlock Holmes explains about his ancestry in The Adventure of the Greek Interpreter: “But, none the less, my turn that way is in my veins, and may have come with my grandmother, who was the sister of Vernet, the French artist.”

Sherlock Holmes also uses the word “recherché” in The Musgrave Ritual - “But there are some pretty little problems among them. Here's the record of the Tarleton murders, and the case of Vamberry, the wine merchant, and the adventure of the old Russian woman, and the singular affair of the aluminium crutch, as well as a full account of Ricoletti of the club-foot, and his abominable wife. And here—ah, now, this really is something a little recherché.”

23. Sherlock deduces about the financial state of one of the male customers at the inn: “He is hungry all right and not well off - you can tell that by the state of his cuffs and shoes.” -

In A Study in Scarlet, Sherlock Holmes writes: “By a man's finger nails, by his coat-sleeve, by his boot, by his trouser knees, by the callosities of his forefinger and thumb, by his expression, by his shirt cuffs—by each of these things a man's calling is plainly revealed. That all united should fail to enlighten the competent enquirer in any case is almost inconceivable.”

24. Sherlock's comment to John: “I don't have friends. I've just got one” –

In The Five Orange Pips, Dr Watson asks Sherlock Holmes if he is expecting a friend at the sound of the doorbell. Holmes replies: “Except you, I have none”.

In The Valley of Fear, Dr Watson writes about Sherlock Holmes: “Holmes was not prone to friendship, but he was tolerant of the big Scotchman, and smiled at the sight of him.” The big Scotchman in question is the Scotland Yard Inspector Alec MacDonald. 

25. John's comment about Sherlock' sense of humor: “Funny does not suit you. Stick to ice” – In The Adventure of the Mazarin Stone, Sherlock Holmes tells Dr John Watson that he expects to be murdered shortly. When Dr Watson replies that he must be joking, Holmes replies: “Even my limited sense of humor could evolve a better joke than that.”  

26. Sherlock's statement to Lestrade: “You are as brown as a nut” - In A Study in Scarlet, Stamford remarks to Dr John Watson: “You are as thin as a lath and as brown as a nut.”

27. Detective Inspector Lestrade (Rupert Graves) confirms to Sherlock that his first name is Greg - In The Adventure of the Cardboard Box, Lestrade signs his note (sent to Holmes) as G. Lestrade

28. Sherlock asks John to get information from Dr. Louise Mortimer (Sasha Behar) and also send him her picture. He later checks if John got anywhere with Louise – Arthur Conan Doyle has often written about Dr John Watson being a ladies man.

In The Sign of the Four, Dr Watson himself writes: “In an experience of women which extends over many nations and three separate continents....”

In The Adventure of the Retired Colorman, Sherlock Holmes remarks to Dr Watson: “With your natural advantages, Watson, every lady is your helper and accomplice...I can picture you whispering soft nothings with the young lady at the Blue Anchor, and receiving hard somethings in exchange.”

29. The final resolution of the mystery - The explanation for the mystery is a reference to the plot of The Adventure of the Devil’s Foot

30. Dr Stapleton explaining to John that the GFP gene from Aequorea Victoria, a species of jellyfish was used on the rabbits - This could be a possible reference to the original story: The Adventure of the Lion's Mane. In this story, the murderer is Lion's Mane Jellyfish (Cyanea capillata).

31. A drug induced Sherlock “sees” Frankland as Jim Moriarty (Andrew Scott). – Reference to the fact that the only person who ever created fear in Sherlock Holmes' mind is Professor Moriarty. As Sherlock Holmes mentions about Moriarty in The Final Problem: “My nerves are fairly proof, Watson, but I must confess to a start when I saw the very man who had been so much in my thoughts standing there on my thresh-hold.... The fact is that upon his entrance I had instantly recognized the extreme personal danger in which I lay.”

Readers are welcome to point out any references I might have missed.

Wishing Everyone a Very Happy and Prosperous New Year 2016!!!

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Image Source: BBC Wales, Hartswood Films, Masterpiece Theatre, Wikisource, Cumberbatchweb

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BBC Sherlock Canon References - "The Hounds of Baskerville" Season 2 Episode 2

Dear Readers,

It is time for a new post in my favorite series - Canonical References in BBC Sherlock episodes. 

Scripted by Mark Gatiss, this episode is based on the original story: The Hound of the Baskervilles.  Here are the references to Arthur Conan Doyle's original stories:

1. Sherlock makes his entrance at 221 B Baker Street with a harpoon and blood all over himself. A surprised John asks him: “You went on the Tube like that?” - In the original story, The Adventure of Black Peter, Dr Watson notes that Sherlock Holmes “strode into the room, his hat upon his head and a huge barbed-headed spear tucked like an umbrella under his arm.” Dr John Watson asks Holmes: “Good gracious, Holmes!....You don't mean to say that you have been walking about London with that thing?” 

2. In the next scene, at 221 B Baker Street, Sherlock is seen walking around impatiently, while holding the harpoon.  - Dr John Watson mentions in The Adventure of the Bruce-Partington Plans:  “..my comrade's impatient and active nature could endure this drab existence no longer. He paced restlessly about our sitting-room in a fever of suppressed energy, biting his nails, tapping the furniture, and chafing against inaction.”

3. Sherlock asks John: “Nothing?” referring to the newspapers that John is reading – In The Adventure of the Bruce-Partington Plans, Sherlock Holmes asks Dr John Watson: “Nothing of interest in the paper, Watson?” 

4. John replies to Sherlock's above question: “Military coup in Uganda....another photo of you with the (deerstalker)... Cabinet re-shuffle”. Sherlock responds: “Nothing of importance! Oh, God!” – In The Adventure of the Bruce-Partington Plans, Dr John Watson writes: “I was aware that by anything of interest, Holmes meant anything of criminal interest. There was the news of a revolution, of a possible war, and of an impending change of government; but these did not come within the horizon of my companion. I could see nothing recorded in the shape of crime which was not commonplace and futile. Holmes groaned and resumed his restless meanderings.”

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5. A frustrated Sherlock Holmes starts looking around desperately for drug/artificial stimulant(s): “John, I need some. Get me some!” – In The Adventure of the Yellow Face, Dr John Watson writes about Sherlock Holmes: “Save for the occasional use of cocaine, he had no vices, and he only turned to the drug as a protest against the monotony of existence when cases were scanty and the papers uninteresting.”

6. Sherlock tries to bribe John into getting his some cocaine: “I will let you know next week’s lottery numbers” – Reference to Watson’s gambling habit as mentioned in this exchange from The Adventure of Shoscombe Old Place - Sherlock Holmes: “By the way, Watson, you know something of racing?” Dr Watson: “I ought to. I pay for it with about half my wound pension.”

7. Sherlock refers to his “secret supply” while searching his slippers – In The Adventure of the Musgrave Ritual, Dr Watson writes about Sherlock Holmes' habits: “...But with me there is a limit, and when I find a man who keeps his cigars in the coal-scuttle, his tobacco in the toe end of a Persian slipper... then I begin to give myself virtuous airs. ”

8. Mrs Hudson’s reaction to Sherlock’s (seemingly childish) fascination with the harpoon: “How about a nice cuppa? And perhaps you could put away your harpoon” – In A Study in Scarlet, when Stanford introduces Dr Watson to Sherlock Holmes, Holmes is working on a chemical experiment. Dr Watson writes about Holmes' enthusiasm about his discovery: “ "Ha! ha!" he cried, clapping his hands, and looking as delighted as a child with a new toy.”

9. Sherlock responds to Mrs Hudson: “I need something stronger than tea. Perhaps 7 percent stronger” – In The Sign of the Four, Dr Watson gets angry with Sherlock Holmes for using drugs and asks him whether he took morphine or cocaine on that particular day. Holmes responds: “It is cocaine,....a seven-per-cent solution.”

10. Sherlock’s deduction about Mrs Hudson’s recent activities by observing the flour on her sleeves and tiny foils on her thumbnail – In A Study in Scarlet, Sherlock Holmes explains about the Science of Deduction and Analysis: “By a man's finger nails, by his coat-sleeve, by his boot, by his trouser knees, by the callosities of his forefinger and thumb, by his expression, by his shirt cuffs—by each of these things a man's calling is plainly revealed.”

11. Sherlock correctly recognizes the perfume being worn by Mrs Hudson as “Casbah Nights” and advises her to read his blog on the identification of perfumes – Reference to this line from The Hound of the Baskervilles: “There are seventy-five perfumes, which it is very necessary that a criminal expert should be able to distinguish from each other, and cases have more than once within my own experience depended upon their prompt recognition.”

12. Sherlock's remark about his mind: “Mine’s like an engine, racing out out of control… A rocket, tearing itself to pieces trapped on the launch pad... I need a case!” – In The Adventure of Wisteria Lodge, Sherlock Holmes tells Watson: “My dear Watson, you know how bored I have been since we locked up Colonel Carruthers. My mind is like a racing engine, tearing itself to pieces because it is not connected up with the work for which it was built.”

13. John retorts: “You have just solved one! By harpooning a dead pig, apparently” - Reference to the plot of The Adventure of Black Peter in which Sherlock Holmes solves the mystery behind the murder of Captain Black Peter.

14. Sherlock expresses his anger and frustration at being asked by a prospective client to find her missing rabbit “Bluebell” – In The Adventure of the Copper Beeches, Sherlock Holmes complains to Dr Watson about a letter he receives from Violet Hunter:  “As to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my zero-point, I fancy.”

15. Sherlock switches off Henry's TV interview and asks Henry Knight to repeat the story. Sherlock's reason: “I prefer to do my own editing” – In the Canon, Sherlock Holmes often asks clients to repeat their case history to Holmes and Dr Watson, despite the availability of other sources of information.

In The Adventure of the Red-Headed League, Sherlock Holmes tells his client, Jabez Wilson: “I ask you not merely because my friend Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every possible detail from your lips”

In A Study in Scarlet, Sherlock Holmes makes a similar request to John Rance, the police constable. When John protests that he has already filed a police report, Holmes offers him a half-sovereign as an incentive and explains: “We thought that we should like to hear it all from your own lips...... Just let us hear it all in your own way as it occurred.”

16. Sherlock interrupts Henry when the latter is describing Dartmoor's beauty: “It is an amazing place. It is like nowhere else...It’s sort of black but beautiful.” Sherlock's response: “Hmm. Not interested, moving on.” – In The Adventure of the Retired Colorman, Sherlock Holmes sends Dr John Watson to collect information about Josiah Amberley. Dr Watson returns and explains about Josiah's house: “You know that particular quarter, the monotonous brick streets, the weary suburban highways. Right in the middle of them, a little island of ancient culture and comfort, lies this old home, surrounded by a high sun-baked wall mottled with lichens and topped with moss, the sort of wall...”. Holmes' angry response: “Cut out the poetry, Watson...I note that it was a high brick wall.” 

I will be listing the remaining nods in another post.

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BBC Sherlock "A Scandal in Belgravia" - Canonical References [Part II]

Dear Readers,

This post concludes the list of Canonical References in “A Scandal in Belgravia”. 

Scripted by Steven Moffat, it is based on the original story: A Scandal in Bohemia.  Here are the references to Arthur Conan Doyle's original stories:

1. John questions Sherlock: “You composing?” and he replies: “..helps me to think” - In the original story, The Adventure of the Red-Headed League: “I observe that there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is introspective, and I want to introspect.”.

2. John’s lack of knowledge about Sherlock’ personal life is reflected in the question he poses to Mrs Hudson: “Has he ever had any kind of relationship, a boyfriend, girlfriend…” - Dr John Watson mentions in The Adventure of the Greek Interpreter: “During my long and intimate acquaintance with Mr. Sherlock Holmes I had never heard him refer to his relations, and hardly ever to his own early life.”

3. John remarks about Sherlock: “He is Mr Punchline. He will outlive God trying to have the last word” – In The Adventure of the Red-headed League, when Dr Watson expresses his doubt about Sherlock's proposition, Holmes replies: “You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to be right.” 

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4. Sherlock deduces the presence of Irene Adler (Lara Pulver) based on her perfume – Sherlock Holmes states in The Hound of the Baskervilles: “There are seventy-five perfumes, which it is very necessary that a criminal expert should be able to distinguish from each other, and cases have more than once within my own experience depended upon their prompt recognition.”

5. Sherlock solves the cryptogram in 4 seconds – Sherlock Holmes remarks in The Valley of Fear: “Because there are many ciphers which I would read as easily as I do the apocrypha of the agony column: such crude devices amuse the intelligence without fatiguing it.”

6. Moriarty’s text to Mycroft: “Jumbo Jet. Dear me Mr Holmes, dear me” – Direct reference to this note sent by Professor Moriarty to Sherlock Holmes in The Valley of Fear: “Dear me, Mr. Holmes. Dear me!”

7. At 221 B Baker Street, Sherlock does not notice that Watson is gone and that Irene is now in the room – In A Study in Scarlet, Dr John Watson writes about Sherlock Holmes: “So engrossed was he with his occupation that he appeared to have forgotten our presence, for he chattered away to himself under his breath the whole time, keeping up a running fire of exclamations, groans, whistles, and little cries suggestive of encouragement and of hope.”

8. Sherlock remarks: “Coventry all over again. The wheel turns. Nothing is ever new” –

Sherlock Holmes mentions in The Valley of Fear: “The old wheel turns, and the same spoke comes up. It's all been done before, and will be again.”

In A Study in Scarlet, Holmes states: “There is nothing new under the sun. It has all been done before”

9. Sherlock's advice to Irene: “This is your heart and you should never let it rule your head” - Sherlock Holmes states in The Adventure of the Lion's Mane: “Women have seldom been an attraction to me, for my brain has always governed my heart, ....”

10. Mycroft’s observation about Sherlock: “My brother has the brain of a scientist or a philosopher, yet he elects to be a detective” – Dr John Watson writes about Holmes’ acting skills in A Scandal in Bohemia: “It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in crime.”

11. Sherlock remarks to John: “If it’s about the Leeds triple murder, It was the gardener. Nobody noticed the earring” – Possible reference to The Adventure of the Cardboard Box where earrings played a vital role in solving the mystery.

12. The initial case of the hiker killed by a single blow to the back of his head from a blunt instrument near a body of water - Reference to The Boscombe Valley Mystery in which one Charles McCarthy who was killed by repeated blows to the back of his head from a blunt weapon. His body was found beside the Boscombe pool. (Thanks to Anonymous commenter for pointing this out).

Click here to read the first part of Canonical references.

Feel free to point out any references I might have missed out.

Click here to read all my posts about BBC Sherlock.

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Image Sources: BBC Wales, Hartswood Films, Masterpiece Theatre

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BBC Sherlock Canonical References in Season 2 Episode # 1 "A Scandal in Belgravia"

Dear Readers,

After a significant gap, we return for another post about the Canonical References in BBC Sherlock. 

Scripted by Steven Moffat, “A Scandal in Belgravia” is based on the original story: A Scandal in Bohemia.  Here are the references to Arthur Conan Doyle's original stories:

1. John is seen typing about a case involving a pleasure cruise – In The Adventure of the Sussex Vampire, Sherlock Holmes mentions to Dr John Watson: “Matilda Briggs was not the name of a young woman, Watson,” said Holmes in a reminiscent voice. “It was a ship which is associated with the giant rat of Sumatra, a story for which the world is not yet prepared…”.

2. John Watson is seen typing the details for a case titled “The Geek Interpreter” - Reference to the Canonical Story: The Adventure of the Greek Interpreter.

3. John Watson is seen typing the details for a case titled “The Speckled Blonde” - Reference to the Canonical Story: The Adventure of the Speckled Band.

4. When Sherlock asks John not to mention the unsolved ones on his blog, John replies: “People want to know you are human” – Reference to this line spoken by Dr John Watson in The Sign of the Four: “There is something positively inhuman in you at times.”

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5. John points out to Sherlock about the success of his blog and advises him: “This is your living, Sherlock. Not 240 different types of tobacco ash” – This is a bit far-fetched, but this reminded me of the advice given by Trevor Sr. to Sherlock Holmes about being a detective in The Adventure of the Gloria Scott: “I don't know how you manage this, Mr. Holmes, but it seems to me that all the detectives of fact and of fancy would be children in your hands. That's you line of life, sir, and you may take the word of a man who has seen something of the world.”

6. Sherlock asks John if he is going to title their latest case as “Belly Button Murders”. John replies: “The Navel Treatment” and Sherlock groans audibly –

Sherlock Holmes writes about Dr Watson's writing style in The Adventure of the Blanched Soldier: “..since I have often had occasion to point out to him how superficial are his own accounts and to accuse him of pandering to popular taste instead of confining himself rigidly to facts and figures.”

Sherlock Holmes tells Dr John Watson in The Adventure of the Abbey Grange: “Your fatal habit of looking at everything from the point of view of a story instead of as a scientific exercise has ruined what might have been an instructive and even classical series of demonstrations. You slur over work of the utmost finesse and delicacy, in order to dwell upon sensational details which may excite, but cannot possibly instruct, the reader.” 

7. Mrs Hudson (Una Stubbs) discovers some severed thumbs in the fridge –

Dr John Watson writes about Mrs Hudson in The Adventure of the Dying Detective: “Mrs. Hudson, the landlady of Sherlock Holmes, was a long-suffering woman.”
Possible reference to the Canonical story, The Adventure of the Engineer's Thumb in which Victor Hatherley, the titular hydraulic engineer has his thumb severed by Colonel Lysander Stark.

8. A highly palpitating client faints in front of Mrs Hudson – In the Canon, many clients are exhausted by the time they arrive at 221 B Baker Street. Holmes/Dr Watson have to revive their strength, sometimes with the help of brandy. Examples - Thorneycroft Huxtable in The Adventure of the Priory School and Alexander Holder in The Adventure of the Beryl Coronet.

9. Sherlock instructs his prospective client: “Tell us from the start. Don’t be boring” – Sherlock Holmes comments about the nature of Lord Robert St. Simon's impending visit in The Adventure of the Noble Bachelor: “This looks like one of those unwelcome social summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie.”

10. Sherlock questions the DI Carter (Danny Webb) as to why his suspect would call the police and consult a detective, if he had really committed the murder successfully without an eyewitness. Carter replies: “He is trying to be clever. It’s over confidence.” – In The Adventure of the Retired Colorman, Sherlock Holmes explains the reasons for Josiah Amberley hiring his services, even though he has murdered his wife and Dr Ray Ernest: “He felt so clever and so sure of himself that he imagined no one could touch him. He could say to any suspicious neighbour, "Look at the steps I have taken. I have consulted not only the police but even Sherlock Holmes."”.

11. Sherlock's observation that his client has “the right sleeve of an Internet porn addict”. Later, he deduces that he is being summoned to Buckingham Palace by observing the finger nails, boots and other details of Mycroft's agent - Sherlock Holmes writes in A Study in Scarlet: “By a man's finger nails, by his coat-sleeve, by his boot, by his trouser knees, by the callosities of his forefinger and thumb, by his expression, by his shirt cuffs—by each of these things a man's calling is plainly revealed. That all united should fail to enlighten the competent enquirer in any case is almost inconceivable.”

12. Sherlock deduces that his client has “the breathing pattern of an untreated heart condition” - In The Adventure of the Norwood Builder, Sherlock Holmes deduces that John Hector McFarlane is an asthmatic by observing his breathing.

13. Harry, the Equerry (Andrew Havill) makes the statement: “Client is illustrious in the extreme.” – Reference to the title of the Canonical Story: The Adventure of the Illustrious Client.

14. Sherlock refuses to take the case without knowing the identify of his client by stating: “I am used to mystery at one end of my cases. Both ends is too much work.” - In The Adventure of the Illustrious Client, Sherlock Holmes states to Colonel Sir James Damery: “I am accustomed to have mystery at one end of my cases, but to have it at both ends is too confusing. I fear, Sir James, that I must decline to act.”
 
15. Harry mentions that his employer enjoys John's blog and in particular the story of “The Aluminium Crutch” – In The Adventure of the Musgrave Ritual, Sherlock Holmes brings out the large tin box and explains its contents to Dr Watson: “Here's the record of the Tarleton murders, and the case of Vamberry, the wine merchant, and the adventure of the old Russian woman, and the singular affair of the aluminum crutch, as well as a full account of Ricoletti of the club-foot, and his abominable wife.”

16. Sherlock explains to John about getting prepared for their meeting with Irene Adler (Lara Pulver): “I am going into battle, John. I need the right armor” – In The Sign of the Four, Sherlock Holmes explains about the importance of disguises to Scotland Yard Inspector, Athelney Jones: “You see, a good many of the criminal classes begin to know me,—especially since our friend here took to publishing some of my cases: so I can only go on the war-path under some simple disguise like this..”.

17. Sherlock’s first words with Irene Adler: “Ms Adler, I presume” – This reminded me of A Study in Scarlet, in which Sherlock Holmes’ first words with Dr John Watson are “You have been in Afghanistan, I perceive”.

18. Sherlock explains to Irene Adler: “Noises are important. Noises can tell you everything” – In The Adventure of the Three Gables, Sherlock Holmes deduces that Susan is overhearing his conversation by listening. He explains: “I have been listening to her for the last five minutes, but did not wish to interrupt your most interesting narrative. Just a little wheezy, Susan, are you not? You breathe too heavily for that kind of work.”

19. Sherlock utters “Vatican cameos” just as he starts to fight the agents at Irene's place – In The Hound of the Baskervilles, Sherlock Holmes mentions as being “exceedingly preoccupied by that little affair of the Vatican cameos”.

20. Sherlock Holmes uses “The Process of Elimination” to guess the name of Watson’s current girlfriend, Jeanette (Oona Chaplin). – Hilarious reference to Sherlock Holmes’ classic quote from The Sign of the Four: “How often have I said to you that when you have eliminated the impossible whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth?”

21. At 221 B Baker Street, Molly Hooper (Louise Brealey) remarks about Sherlock complaining about John’s absence – Sherlock Holmes writes in The Adventure of the Blanched Soldier: “The good Watson had at that time deserted me for a wife, the only selfish action which I can recall in our association. I was alone.”

22. Irene Adler fakes her death by passing off a dead body with a “bashed in head” as her own corpse - Possible reference to the plot of The Valley of Fear. In this novel, John Douglas/Birdy Edwards kills Ted Baldwin by bashing his head in with a hammer and then tries to get away by using Ted’s dead body as his own. 

I will be posting the rest of the references in the next post.

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Image Sources: BBC Wales, Hartswood Films, Masterpiece Theatre

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