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May 29, 2014 Web Exclusive By Hays Davis

As viewers of Sherlock may already be aware, the rumors of Sherlock Holmes’s (Benedict Cumberbatch) demise were greatly exaggerated-so to speak.

Season 3 plunges immediately into the means of the elaborate ruse that ended the previous season with the “death” of Holmes, and the possibilities of how he departed unscathed are intriguing, if not entirely confirmed. The buildup to his reappearance before a still-grieving Dr. Watson is driven to an amusingly nail-biting crescendo, and the raging emotions of joy and fury that hit Watson upon seeing his friend alive are perfectly realized in the face (and fists) of actor Martin Freeman.

Some of the greatest pleasures come when the focus turns toward Holmes’s prickly personality (with Cumberbatch as great as ever) and his relationships with figures that are becoming increasingly familiar and important to him. Seeing Holmes agonize over the preparation and delivery of a toast to the marriage of Watson and Mary Morstan (Amanda Abbington) is a priceless series highlight. And as we see some important character development take place, media magnate Charles Augustus Magnussen (Lars Mikkelsen) is introduced as one of the series’ most fascinatingly hideous villains.

Even for a period of startlingly great TV, the quality of this show’s combination of intrigue and entertainment practically leaves Sherlock as peerless as its titular detective. (www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b018ttws)

Author rating: 9/10