While I was able to temporarily satiate seeing Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman reunite via THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG, my excitement for the impending third season of the BBC series SHERLOCK is reaching a fever pitch. With images and trailers released for the upcoming trifecta of episodes that air in the UK beginning January 1, 2014, we here in North America will be forced to wait until PBS airs the episodes three weeks later. With just a few weeks until they hit, the plot synopses for for the season have been revaled.
Until now we have been assuming what the stories will be about based on the teaser trailers and the titles of each episode, but now we get a pretty detailed idea of where Holmes and Watson will be heading.
“In episode one of this new series, two years after the devastating effects of The Reichenbach Fall, Dr John Watson has got on with his life. New horizons, romance and a comforting domestic future beckon. But, with London under threat of a huge terrorist attack, Sherlock Holmes is about to rise from the grave with all the theatricality that comes so naturally to him. It’s what his best friend wanted more than anything, but for John Watson it might well be a case of ‘be careful what you wish for’! If Sherlock thinks everything will be just as he left it though, he’s in for a very big surprise.”
“In episode two of this new series, Sherlock faces his biggest challenge of all – delivering a Best Man’s speech on John’s wedding day! But all isn’t quite as it seems. Mortal danger stalks the reception – and someone might not make it to the happy couple’s first dance. Sherlock must thank the bridesmaids, solve the case and stop a killer!”
“In the final episode of this new series, written by Steven Moffat, a case of stolen letters leads Sherlock Holmes into a long conflict with Charles Augustus Magnussen, the Napoleon of blackmail, and the one man he truly hates. But how do you tackle a foe who knows the personal weakness of every person of importance in the Western world?”
I am even more excited now after reading those to know that the season will essentially revolve around Sherlock’s return, Watson’s wedding, and the duo returning to their work investigating crime. Cumberbatch and Freeman fully inhabit their roles in such a way that makes me wish each season were more than three episodes, but I will take what I can get. Stay tuned for more!
SHERLOCK premieres January 1, 2014 in the UK and January 19th, 2014 on PBS.