'Sherlock' season 4 episode 1 review: Watson & Holmes return with a powerful new story

New Year's Day (or the early morning of January 2, if you are in my time zone) brought us the first episode of season four of Sherlock. It covered all the bases— the motormouth deductions, show-off Sherlock, John Watson being another piece on the mantle, an appearance by Jim Moriarty, flying texts on the screen, a shocking death, and Sherlock being outsmarted by another woman.

The episode sees very little of Martin Freeman as Dr. John Watson. But there is one scene in particular that might make him a contender for BAFTA awards yet again. Looking at Benedict Cumberbatch, one needs to try to shake off the image of him as Doctor Strange. The walk and the manner in which Cumberbatch carries himself feels like Marvel Universe has still left its mark.

Written by Mark Gatiss, who also plays Sherlock's elder brother Mycroft, 'The Six Thatchers' is the episode in which we see Sherlock come back in the game. The universe picks up after 'His Last Vow'. So, 'The Abominable Bride' never happened. 

The episode draws (and if my speculations turn out to be right then the entire season, all three episodes) inspiration from the story written by American novelist John O'Hara, Appointment in Samara. 

Nobody knows how Moriarty is taunting everyone from beyond the grave. But the one thing Sherlock knows is that he is the target and a target has to wait. So, while the sleuth waits for his villain to make a move, he might as well solve ALL the cases that come his way. Apart from Lestrade and Mycroft, now Interpol too needs his help just like a regular Joe being cheated on. The Watsons, now proud parents of baby Rosamund, are Holmes' little helpers. Mary more so than John. 

Then comes along a case which involves tracking (literally tracking, with the help of a dog) how and why six clay busts of Margaret Thatcher are linked with deaths of people. Peeling the onion brings danger at the doorsteps of the Watsons. The case reveals Mary's past as government agent and shows that their marriage too was on rocky roads. Sherlock, having made a vow to keep them safe, gets involved further, only to be outsmarted by an unexpected enemy hiding in plain sight. Things end badly for Mary, John, and Sherlock. The Watsons fall apart, Sherlock is left alone to be the dark knight of London, probably on his way to Samara, and we are led into the second episode 'The Lying Detective' when Mycroft utters the second clue the showrunners gave— 'Sherrinford'.

Creators of Sherlock gave the reins of the show to a female director Rachel Talalay (The Flash, Supergirl, Supernatural). Kudos to that. 'The Six Thatchers' delivers the dark times Steven Moffat earlier promised for Sherlock Holmes, but it lacks the pace and sleekness of 'The Great Game' from season one. Sure, Sherlock is solving one case after another because playing Moriarty's games is what he loves, but when the episode brings in the Mary angle of the story, there is a chance viewers will reach for their smartphones to check the latest notification.

Benedict Cumberbatch slips under the skin of Sherlock Holmes. The fast-paced dialogue delivery, smart deductions, texting, avoiding emotions (well, at first) give you the feels a fan must be longing for because there are only so many episodes to devour during hiatus. Cumberbatch on screen is always a delight. The problem arises when he is outsmarted. Twice! How can Sherlock Holmes be the smartest detective in the world when he is defeated by other people? It's not Jim Moriarty, it's not Culverton Smith. At least, not yet. It's Mary Watson, and the villain he eventually catches in the episode. At the cost of being read as a sexist comment, I must ask, aren't the showrunners undermining the smarts of Irene Adler, The Woman Sherlock admires for her brains when they show him outsmarted again and again by Mary Watson? The same Mary Watson who eventually turns to Sherlock for help, reminding him again and again about the vow he has made to save the Watsons. Make up your mind. Either Sherlock is the brightest brain in the room or he is not. He might have learned to make peace with his human side (what with babysitting for the Watsons) but he still has puzzles to solve.

Martin Freeman is best when he is being all cutesy with a little daisy stuck on his head or finally letting out all his frustration with a scream that starts out as muffled but then pierces the heart of Sherlock Holmes. Freeman's nuanced acting gives you feels (*heart eyes emoji*). Be it a small, amusing smile towards a lady on the bus, or confused blinks when John realises there is more to Mary's past or the wretched look he gives Sherlock at the London Aquarium. This is I must tell you a big relief after watching his talent wasted in Crackle's original series Start Up. 'The Six Thatchers' marks the departure of Dr. John Watson as the sounding rock of Sherlock Holmes. Sherlock managed to win him back after 'The Reichenbach Fall.' It shall be fun to see what will melt John's heart to let Sherlock in again. If the cat really has nine lives. 

There is still no hope for Johnlockers. We shall stick to fan fiction. Should be interesting to see the new crop after the shocking death of a character in the episode.

The weakest link of the episode could be Amanda Abbington and Sacha Dhawan. None of them look like trained assassins and fail to convince us. Abbington shines as a mother, as a woman trying to restore the balance in her relationship with her husband after bringing it back from the verge of collapsing. That awkwardness before the trust is restored is done well. A thought about the split between Martin Freeman and Amanda Abbington does come to mind when we see the drama unfold. It mucks up when the same awkwardness trickles down to the parts in which she is this freelance mercenary. Dhawan is just not convincing as an assassin.

No doubt there was much hype about the show. 'The Six Thatchers' tries to give you the Sherlock you've been waiting for. It's not in the same category as 'The Blind Banker,' but it's nowhere close to 'A Scandal in Belgravia' either. 

Things that made me happy about the return of the show are Benedict Cumberbatch, Martin Freeman, Mycroft assuming he has any control over Sherlock, story by Mark Gatiss, music by David Arnold and Michael Price and cinematography by Stuart Biddlecombe. (Do look out for two scenes— 1. Where one half of Cumberbatch's face morphs into Margaret Thatcher's clay bust, and 2. Where Martin Freeman lets out that scream in London Aquarium. The shadows on Freeman's face make it more haunting.)

One does not want to miss the episode for there is more to come.