Sherlock: Complete Series Two DVD/Blu-Ray Review (5/5)

A masterclass in television production, essential viewing for those who missed it first time round!
By the end of the first season of the modern reincarnation of Sherlock, it had become apparent to viewers that Steven Moffat, Steve Thompson and Mark Gatiss had stumbled onto something very special with the potential to go far on British television. If we needed any more proof of this, all we have to do is look to this fantastic sequel run, a superb showcase of how modern drama can captivate, terrify and surprise its onlookers constantly and a benchmark for all shows to come this year...
THE EPISODES
A SCANDAL IN BELGRAVIA (10/10)- From the hilarious yet creepy resolution to Season One's cliffhanger to Lara Pulver's beautiful portrayal of the Woman, Irene Adler, this is a masterful piece of television that moves from thrills to hilarity on a regular basis, yet sheds none of its narrative integrity in the process. The best ever opening to a season of drama? You know what, it could quite possibly be just that.
THE HOUNDS OF BASKERVILLE (9.5/10)- A very slight dip in quality here, made prominent only due to the linearity with which the plotline was carried out in comparison to the other two arc-heavy stories, Baskerville was nonetheless a haunting and impressive rendition of one of the best Sherlock Holmes stories ever penned by Arthur Conan-Doyle.
THE REICENBACH FALL (10/10)- As I said when I named this fantastic, breathtaking finale the Best Release of January 2012, this was truly Sherlock at its finest. Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman were both uplifting and heartbreaking with their portayals of Holmes and Watson, while Andrew Scott upped the stakes magnificently as the creepiest and worse still most logical version of Moriarty ever crafted in an adaptation of Conan-Doyle's work. If there's one episode of the run that will most certainly have everyone talking until Series Three, it's The Reichenbach Fall, not just due to its cliffhanger but also its sheer, unparalleled brilliance on every level!
THE EXTRAS
There's just one half-hour documentary offering, Sherlock: Uncovered, included on the two-disc DVD and Blu-Ray boxset, but to be honest it's a great, detailed look at the making of the new series and I'd love to see a Doctor Who Confidential-style version to regularly accompany each upcoming episode after their debut over on BBC3.
THE VERDICT
When the three episodes included on this set originally aired on BBC1, I took them to be nothing less than cinematic masterpieces gloriously rendered on the small screen. Nothing has changed as of now- yes, Baskerville is the weakest story of the bunch, but even then that's only by a small margin, and I still have no doubt it will remain one of the most memorable telly outings of the entire year. Don't come here if you've got the episodes safely taped and want tons of bonus features, but otherwise whether you saw this season or not, make sure to buy this DVD or Blu-Ray set!