Sherlock was only given a three-episode run this year thanks to an uncertain BBC and Steven Moffat's other commitments (writing the Christmas Special and five episodes of Series 6 of Doctor Who is very time-consuming, you know!), which is heartbreaking when we examine the finale- The Great Game- an episode which puts to use all of the series' strengths (the chemistry between the leads; Sherlock's "science of deduction"; the tension and build-up to Moriarty's reveal; Mark Gatiss as Sherlock's brother e.t.c) and masks any weaknesses that might be present. The final 10 minutes in particular are some of the best television I've seen this year bar none (definitely on a par with, or perhaps better than (...?) the Series 5 Who finale!), completely enthralling with the powerful discussion between Holmes and Moriarty, and ending on a cliff-hanger which will easily force every viewer to hope with all their heart that a second season is commissioned for early 2011 so they can find out the story's conclusion as soon as possible. But of course, there are 80 other minutes of greatness here, and they work to the story's favour, providing Sherlock's darkest case yet as people are rigged to blow and the titular icon is forced to work out each mystery by Moriarty. I genuinely didn't expect one of these rigged victims to die, so that surprise twist also threw me hugely, adding to The Great Game's overall effect. While The Blind Banker dampened my enthusiasm towards this amazing drama, the finale has definitely got me applauding Moffatiss, and eagerly awaiting the DVD release (featuring the scrapped pilot episode) and thus the inevitable Series 2!
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