The plot trope of someone who believes he’s Sherlock Holmes has
been employed with greater or lesser success dozens of times over the decades.
One of the best such forays was They
Might be Giants, reportedly the great John Bennett Shaw’s favorite movie.
My new favorite exploration of this theme is “A Study in Sherlock,”
episode 4 of Season 6 of “The Murdoch Mysteries” from the Canadian Broadcasting
Corp. It was first broadcast on Jan. 28, 2013.
Several strengths make the episode memorable, starting with the
fact that the script writer actually created a good plot, not just a gimmick.
The individual who thinks he’s Holmes has a psychological reason for his
delusion that fits perfectly into the mystery, which involves a hidden treasure
with a Holmes connection.
The story takes place around 1900, during the period when Sherlock Holmes
was believed dead at the hands of Moriarty. When David Kingsley, AKA Holmes,
explains that away in the presence of a visiting Arthur Conan Doyle (not very
convincingly portrayed with shaggy hair and an unDoylean beard), the British
author sees away to bring Holmes back from the dead. He even steals the name of
a very real Col. Sebastian Moran, who is a character in the show.
Murdoch finally breaks through the madman’s delusion by playing to
it. He appeals to that old Sherlockian maxim: “When you have eliminated the
impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.” The improbable
truth that Kingsley is forced to believe is that he’s not Sherlock Holmes!
It’s a great episode in a first-rate series. Season 7 brings “The
Return of Sherlock Holmes” – but I’m not there yet!
On Acorn "A Study in Sherlock" shows up as episode 4 of season 6.
ReplyDeleteI've made the correction. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteA well written story for this character and the performance by Andrew Gower is impeccable. His return in the later episode is most welcome.
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