tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7179127695106064318.post4828664723471161092..comments2024-01-03T11:02:45.549+05:30Comments on Buddy2Blogger : BBC Sherlock Season 1 Episode # 2 "The Blind Banker" - ReviewArunhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16498276962097853996noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7179127695106064318.post-87115153116384516142020-10-31T14:35:15.799+05:302020-10-31T14:35:15.799+05:30I guess the script writing is not as airtight as M...I guess the script writing is not as airtight as Moffat and Gatiss think it is. Another thing about this episode that has bugged me: When Sherlock and John are talking to Soo Lin Yao (Gemma Chan) and her brother arrives to kill her, the best thing that they could have done is to be with her. Or at least one of them could have been with her, while the other goes to stop her brother. Instead, both leave her alone and she ends up dead.<br /><br />Not a bright thing to do, but I guess Moffat and Gatiss did not care or that is what they thought would best serve the plot.<br /><br />Arun.Arunhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16498276962097853996noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7179127695106064318.post-23891155006642126092020-10-24T11:24:39.557+05:302020-10-24T11:24:39.557+05:30There are several things I didn't get: if the ...There are several things I didn't get: if the banker knew they were after the hairpin (because he knew the code) why didn't he take it back from his secretary?<br />Also, why did the gang kill him (and the other smuggler) so fast? When they're dead they surely won't get any closer to finding it... Killing someone you can get information from is not a very good strategy, as the gangleader pointed out herself when she caught Watson...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7179127695106064318.post-53217855154656842422013-12-26T07:03:02.808+05:302013-12-26T07:03:02.808+05:30Since Moffat and Gatiss seem to have a healthy wor...Since Moffat and Gatiss seem to have a healthy working relationship, I would agree with your theory about them improving each other's work.<br /><br />B2B.Arunhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16498276962097853996noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7179127695106064318.post-15288452920047608102013-12-26T07:01:06.931+05:302013-12-26T07:01:06.931+05:30Thanks for replying to Rick's comment.
I do t...Thanks for replying to Rick's comment.<br /><br />I do think that it would have been better if John had stayed by Soo Lin's side.<br /><br />I also feel that it definitely has its moments of fun, not only from a regular viewing perspective, but also from a Sherlockian one.<br /><br />B2B.Arunhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16498276962097853996noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7179127695106064318.post-77570821094291302372013-12-26T06:50:55.715+05:302013-12-26T06:50:55.715+05:30In the DVD commentary they mention that they filme...In the DVD commentary they mention that they filmed three first because the (rewritten) script for the first one wasn't ready yet. I guess it explains the absence of Mycroft in this one...he wasn't in the original pilot and I wouldn't be surprised if Moffat and Gatiss inspired each other while writing their respective scripts. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7179127695106064318.post-87351749049285469882013-12-26T06:47:45.137+05:302013-12-26T06:47:45.137+05:30Carrying a weapon is technically not allowed in Br...Carrying a weapon is technically not allowed in Britain at all, meaning that John's firearm is illegal. That's the reason why they only carry a weapon when they expect danger. <br /><br />The Blind Banker is, btw, the episode of the first season NOT written by Moffat or Gatiss...which might be another reason why it feels so different from all the other ones. The show is their brainchild, and it is certainly difficult to communicate their vision verbally. <br /><br />Either way, I think most fans would agree that this one is the odd one out of the series, for multiple reasons. I think it has its enjoyable moments. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7179127695106064318.post-89040432645830679282013-12-25T22:41:15.170+05:302013-12-25T22:41:15.170+05:30Thanks Rick.
B2B.Thanks Rick.<br /><br />B2B.Arunhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16498276962097853996noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7179127695106064318.post-16031287584911683212013-12-25T22:04:31.767+05:302013-12-25T22:04:31.767+05:30As someone who is coming to Sherlock late (and ext...As someone who is coming to Sherlock late (and extremely reluctantly given my difficulties w/Moffat & Gatiss), I was not impressed w/The Blind Banker as you were. The things I liked: the actual mistaken identity thread (at least there was a logic to it), and the interplay between Benny & Marty. <br /><br />The things I didn't like: the "dragon lady" stereotype, Watson veering towards Nigel Bruce territory (never could stand the 'dim Watson' imagery, such as when he shouts at the check-out machine), a story where I figured things out faster than Holmes (kept waiting for them to think 'Chinese circus') and questions of logic. If Soo Lin really was in danger, why would BOTH of them leave her unguarded AND neither carry a weapon?<br /><br />Not as good as A Study in Pink, and I hope The Great Game is better, otherwise I'll still be puzzled by the fanaticism Sherlock creates.Rickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16611922269342141654noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7179127695106064318.post-26742997132854070532013-12-25T03:01:31.142+05:302013-12-25T03:01:31.142+05:30Thanks Loveable Freak for stopping by.
I agree th...Thanks Loveable Freak for stopping by.<br /><br />I agree that it does not live up to the high standards of "A Study in Pink". I also agree about Sarah being a very underused character. Zoe Telford was great in the role.<br /><br />Well, now we are getting Ms Morstan herself. I am looking forward to Amanda's version.<br /><br />B2B.<br /><br />Arunhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16498276962097853996noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7179127695106064318.post-80934791636699073542013-12-25T02:01:41.995+05:302013-12-25T02:01:41.995+05:30We certainly have different opinions on this one. ...We certainly have different opinions on this one. I didn't like this one because it felt, honestly, rather dull compared to its predecessor, "A Study in Pink". To me it's the most "filler-y" episode, and not in a good way. And because the more I think about the ridiculous mistaken identity plot point, the more irritated I become with it.<br /><br /> I kind of miss Sarah. I think her character was underused. But we're finally getting Mary Morstan this season, so I'm happy...Loveable Freakhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06264218184227889259noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7179127695106064318.post-9269877240456516472013-12-23T18:43:53.216+05:302013-12-23T18:43:53.216+05:30I believe the writers had the scripts completed fo...I believe the writers had the scripts completed for all 3 episodes before they started filming Season 1. They shot Ep # 3 first, followed by this one and then Ep # 1.<br /><br />As I said before, perfection is impossible for any mortal(s).<br /><br />B2B.Arunhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16498276962097853996noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7179127695106064318.post-10449906743762309282013-12-23T13:11:36.274+05:302013-12-23T13:11:36.274+05:30I put this episode down mostly to first season pai...I put this episode down mostly to first season pains....since the season was so short we tend to forget that at this point all shows are still figuring out what they want to be. TBB stick out in more than one way, because it goes in a little different direction, one, the makers later on decided to abandon. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7179127695106064318.post-7350047009528580512013-12-23T05:17:49.064+05:302013-12-23T05:17:49.064+05:30That is my point. It is normal to expect such clic...That is my point. It is normal to expect such cliched depiction in a brainless summer blockbuster (like Roland Emmerich's <i>2012</i> or Michael Bay's <i>Transformer</i> movies).<br /><br />But, one (atleast myself) would expect a more nuanced portrayal in a well written show like BBC <i>Sherlock</i>. Well, I guess nobody/nothing is perfect...<br /><br />B2B.Arunhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16498276962097853996noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7179127695106064318.post-76791014875797082622013-12-23T04:47:00.040+05:302013-12-23T04:47:00.040+05:30I guess...it's borderline for sure, but I thin...I guess...it's borderline for sure, but I think it is more that it reminds us of truly hateful portrayals than being hateful in itself, if you get my drift. I mean, if the criminals has been Russians, I guess nobody would complain about the portrayal - and that is always my measure for this kind of stuff. If I feel that it would be offensive no matter what group is portrayed, then it is really offensive. If it is only offensive if a special group is featured, then I start to wonder if it might be a reaction which has more to do with a history of this group being featured in a negative light than this one specific portrayal. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7179127695106064318.post-51975322588414508722013-12-22T20:50:57.082+05:302013-12-22T20:50:57.082+05:30I agree about the apartment being right opposite t...I agree about the apartment being right opposite the shop in Chinatown. As Holmes himself said in <i>The Adventure of the Beryl Coronet</i>: “We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary luck during this inquiry...” <br /><br />As for the cliched depiction - while Gemma Chan's Soo Lin Yao is definitely the silver lining in the cloud, I just felt that the episode was a bit harsh. Still loved the circus scene.<br /><br />B2B.Arunhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16498276962097853996noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7179127695106064318.post-42540763640830304452013-12-22T13:20:20.051+05:302013-12-22T13:20:20.051+05:30I have more a problem with the episode because unl...I have more a problem with the episode because unlike the others, it spends a lot of time showing scenes without Sherlock, and what is going on in the museum, long before Sherlock even knows about it. As a result, the audience is miles ahead of him most of the episode. Also, there are a few hard to buy leaps (isn't it convenient that the apartment is directly beside the shop?) and aren't those the stupidest villains ever? <br /><br />Concerning the supposedly stereotypical portrayal...I think a lot of the complains are plain nonsense. Like "the lucky cat is not Chinese". Well, it naturally isn't, but that doesn't change the fact that so called Chinese shops stock them for the tourists. I for my part was glad to see a Chinese woman who isn't a sex slave for once, one who managed to (initially) escape her life of poverty and later crime on her own, instead of being a victim stuffed in some container - I might be too forgiving towards the episode as a whole because of it. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com