Blog Post 2 Sherlock.

A modern interpretation of a classic book series, Sherlock is a modern BBC crime drama show that was released in 2010.The television show starts off by introducing John Watson. Viewers learn that he is struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder, after being in the Afghanistan War. The viewer is also exposed to multiple "suicide attempts" that have taken place around London. It's not till about 10 minutes into the show that Sherlock appears. With Sherlock's appearance, loud mystery music starts to play. Though Sherlock does not formally introduce himself till a couple minutes after John Watson comes in, the viewer already knows he is a really important character, by the music playing when he first appeared.

To help the viewer grasp the setting of the television show, cultural codes are utilized.  Since the show is based in London, most of the cast are often wearing a large overcoat with a scarf. Incorporating black taxis and a red phone booth are more examples of cultural codes. The use of cultural codes helps the viewer understand the location of the television show. Sherlock and Watson quickly become roommates as Sherlock shows him his place. A police detective comes to Sherlocks house to ask for help in regards to some suspicious suicides happening in the city and a new victim has just popped up. 

Once Sherlock starts investigating the mysterious suicides, his classic Sherlock Holmes character starts to appear. His use of multiple nicotine patches symbolizes his addiction to smoking. This is a great modern take to his classic smoke pipe he always has on him in the original novels. Viewers get to see his social detachment first hand when discussing one of the suicide victims who had a stillborn birth over ten years ago. Sherlock was at a complete loss to why the victim would still be missing her stillborn daughter after all these years. Once more clues start to unfold, Sherlock ends up getting into the cab with the suicide murderer. Going with no backup, Sherlock realizes he isn't in much danger since the cab driver has a toy gun. Like Sherlock, the murder looks at it as a game, giving the victim a shot of living, just as long as they took the right pill. Though the mystery is solved and Sherlock is in no danger, his need to be right nearly got the best of him as he contemplates taking the pill he chose. The pills symbolize the mystery Sherlock craves and must debunk. In the end, Watson finds where Sherlock is by tracking the victim's phone and shot the cab driver before Sherlock had a chance to take the pill.