The Holocene Mass Exinction Event

I just listened to the last Sherlock Holmes story on BBC7 -- The Retired Colourman. In print, it hasn't that much to recommend it, but the Coules adaptation was one of the best episodes; funny, interesting, and incredibly poignant. If you care at all about Sherlock Holmes then you must listen to this episode!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbc7/listenagain/thursday

It seemed as if The Lion's Mane, which aired a few days before, was just as good, but I haven't got the chance to listen to it properly as yet.

Also: I now have ALL 56 short story episodes RECORDED. Oh yes!! Now for the BBC to air the two hour novel adaptations... and of course Coules' own original Further Adventures (oh please do it BBC you know you want to).

The Boscombe Valley Mystery

Watson: The strains of such an existence had not escaped the attention of Mary, my wife, whose habit of drawing conclusions from small details was sometimes disconcertingly familiar.

Mary: Well, John, what does Mr. Holmes have to say?
Watson: How on earth did you know this was from Holmes?
Mary: A telegram from a patient would have had you rushing from the room at once -- and there's a distinctly nostalgic look in your eyes... shall you go?
Watson: Good lord, you're doing it again!
Mary: Oh, John, stop it, you're sounding like one of your own stories.

Holmes: I see you're blending into the country setting Lestrade -- those leather leggings are extremely fetching.

Watson: [incredulous] You got him bail.
Holmes: It was the logical thing to do.
Watson: You weren't, of course, motivated by their feelings for each other.
Holmes: Oh really, doctor.

Watson: Holmes and Lestrade, at each other's throats. I don't know which one is the worst.
Mary: I think I could probably guess.
Watson: [laughs] I think you probably could.
Mary: Come along now, or your homecoming meal will be spoiled. ...John?
Watson: Oh, I'm sorry. I was just thinking about Holmes... buried away on his own. Do you think we should invite him to dinner sometime?
Mary: Would he come?
Watson: No... probably not. [sighs] Oh well.

Red-Headed League... ah...

Watson has an absolutely beautiful monologue about half-way through the episode, when he and Holmes go to the Sarasate concert. It starts off with the actual text from the story (already good) and then branches off to musings about Holmes' character... Michael Williams' delivery, his voice, his kindness... gah.

( Watson! )

And the end scene...

THANK YOU BBC7.

BBC7, you know I've always loved you; since the moment I first set eyes upon you, in fact. Though your colour sense is atrocious, I can put up with it because you are so good at heart, and because you are always trying to think of ways to help people. When you came out with that Listen Again feature I knew I was with the right radio station. And now you have reaffirmed my faith in you.

Because you have started playing The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes again. Oh, the terrible beauty.

People on my friends-list may now be groaning slightly, as they know this means that there shall be many entries about scenes, dialogue and the perfectness of Merrison, Williams and Coules, but let them groan! They don't understand what we have together! They don't understand how much I am looking forward to listening to A Scandal in Bohemia tomorrow at lunch. I don't even think I understand how much I'm looking forward to it!

In any case, thanks for starting at the beginning, thanks for starting today (even though I won't be able to listen until tomorrow), and thanks for just being the coolest, BBC7. You are a many splendoured thing.


http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbc7/listenagain/
Adventures is starts today (Thursday), and will be playing weekdays at 1.00 pm GMT (this means 8.00 am EST), repeated at 5.00 am the next morning (that means midnight EST). But that doesn't matter with Listen Again! cesario, I am pointing at YOU, to make sure that you make a note of this!


*does a happy dance*

I don't know if I can ever properly describe the bizarre feeling one has after hearing Holmes say:

"Nothing missing in my toolbox, I can tell ya. -- Wanna have a look?"

Also, you have to enjoy the tone in which Milverton says to Watson, "Now, be good enough to join your...partner, by the door." after their attempt at waylaying the slimy little blackmailer goes awry.

( If you want to find out what 'thrills' Watson, click here, kids )

Holmes: "My next call was on the admirable Mrs. Hudson."
Watson: [incredulous] "With no warning? You just walked up and rang the doorbell?"
Holmes: "Ah... yes, I'm afraid I did. And in answer to your next question: Violent Hysterics."
Watson: "She, ah, *ahem*, she didn't faint, then?"
Holmes: "She does have remarkable self-control. For a woman."

Lestrade: [warmly] "It's been a pleasure to work with you again, Mr. Holmes."
Holmes: "Thank you Lestrade. Somewhat to my surprise I have to say that the pleasure has been mutual."

Holmes: *chuckles softly*
Watson: "Holmes?"
Holmes: "I was just recalling the first time we stood here together.
Watson: "Yes, the well-remembered door."
Holmes: "A Scandal in Bohemia."
Watson: "I thought you didn't bother with 'worthless rubbish'."
Holmes: [softly] "Mm. Quite right, quite right."

Caroline Addleton: "Do you -- do you need me to be... in the room with you?"
Holmes: "No, no please wait somewhere else. If I have any questions I'll come and find you."
Caroline: "Thank you." [leaves]
Watson [appreciative]: "That was good of you."
Holmes [dismissively]:"I simply didn't want her disturbing the evidence."

Holmes: "My friend, it's your lot in life to admire women. Mine is to distrust them -- on sight."
Watson: "You miss so much, you know."

HOLY LORD, The Abergavenny Murder was amazing! It's just Holmes and Watson, in Baker STreet, theorising for 45 minutes, and it is magnificent. Well, there is the man who bursts in and dies in the sitting room at the beginning... but that's what prompts all the brilliance! And these are just a few out of many great examples right here:

Holmes: Help me turn him over.
Watson: Ah, do you think we should?
Holmes: Well there's precious little more to be told from a view of his back.
Watson: But shouldn't we leave him exactly where he fell for the police to see?
Holmes: The police? They'll look at him and make their one stunning deduction: "Blimey, Guvernor, he's snuffed it", and then they'll cart the unfortunate gentlemen away. We could stip him naked, wash the body, anoint him with stawberry jam, and then cut off his head, and your average Scotland Yarder would scarcely even notice!

Holmes: Now I want you to drip wax across the back of our client's left hand.
Watson: May I ask why?
Holmes: Well of course you may, but I'd hate to spoil the suspense.

Holmes: Would you mind putting [the candle] back?
Watson: Yes, my pleasure. I always enjoy looking at the decor in your bedroom.
Holmes. Hm. Really?


http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/arts/afternoonplay.shtml

Just listened to "The Yellow Face" -- one of the best parts being when Holmes is *enthusiastically* telling Watson his (completely erroneous) theories about the case, and looks over to find Watson asleep. Heh.

Tomorrow: "The Stock-Broker's Clerk"