Hot Trends: Sherlock - The Empty Hearse

Yes, that does mean spoilers... Josh Wilding breaks down the big questions from the first episode of series three of Sherlock





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It's been a little under two years since we saw Sherlock Holmes fake his death in The Reichenbach Fall, but the agonising 717 day wait finally came to an end with the superb The Empty Hearse.

As both Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman find fame in Hollywood with movies like Star Trek Into Darkness and The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, it's a relief that the series has returned at all, even if it is only for another three episodes.

With no more Moriarty in the picture, this opening instalment of Sherlock teased a new foe for the Baker Street detective and explained just how and why the titular character vanished from London for two years... or did it? Where's Sherlock been?

Quite a long coffee break that, Sherly

We quickly learn that Sherlock's name was cleared after his apparent death and that he spent his time away dismantling Moriarty's terrorist network.

Before that however, we're treated to a lengthy explanation as to how Sherlock faked his death. This scenario is not only ridiculously hard to believe, but even features Derren Brown!

Just as you begin to think that the series has done a Homeland and is heading in far sillier direction moving forward, it's revealed that this is simply a theory of Anderson's, the detective who so enthusiastically helped discredit Sherlock.

The unhinged copper feels guilty for his role in Moriarty's plan and now runs a group - called 'The Empty Hearse' - which comes up with conspiracy theories about how Sherlock may have faked his death.

It's sort of like a real life online forum, and when all is finally revealed (though we're still not entirely sure it is...), it's perhaps a comment by writer Mark Gatiss on the inevitable complaints and theories which will litter message boards for the next few weeks.

Not everyone will be satisfied, but in this world, it works! As Sherlock himself says: "Everyone's a critic."



Why does Sherlock return?

When his brother Mycroft tells Sherlock about an underground terrorist cell planning an attack on London, the detective returns home and we're then shown the reactions of all the supporting characters to his "resurrection".

John - who is preparing to propose to Mary Morstan - arguably has the most entertaining response in a montage which takes us from one physical attack on Sherlock by Watson to the next.

It's clear that they miss each other, with John's humdrum job as a GP leaving him unsatisfied and Sherlock using Molly as a temporary replacement, all the while hearing his former partner's voice in his head.

Just as Watson is preparing to reunite with Holmes, he's kidnapped, and what follows is a thrilling motorbike chase through London. It's truly edge of your seat television, and seeing a drugged Watson trapped inside a Guy Fawkes bonfire display which is about to be set alight (struggling to scream due to the effects of the drugs) makes for uncomfortable viewing.

However, as a result, the duo are now reunited and set out to solve a new case: the destruction of Parliament on November 5th!

We saw London destroyed on screen numerous times in 2013, but the chilling sight of that iconic London location being blown up tops all of them.



What's next for Sherlock?

After tracking the bomb to a subway car, it appears as if this might be the end for Sherlock and Watson as the former is unable to defuse the bomb... until it's revealed that he simply used the off switch and just wanted to find out how John felt about him.

Throughout the episode, there's plenty of the kind of moments we've come to love about this series, both with certain visual and stylistic cues, although it still feels surprisingly new and viewer friendly.

There are some interesting new wrinkles added to the Sherlock Holmes mythos - his parents! - as well as some genuinely very funny moments for fans (Molly's fiancée).



Would you have him as your best man?

Of course, the biggest tease we get is the identity of the villain who orchestrated the bomb beneath Parliament and John's kidnapping. In the closing few minutes, we catch a brief glimpse of Lars Mikkelsen's Charles Augustus Magnussen, a classic Arthur Conan Doyle creation and master blackmailer.

What does he have in store for the Detective? That's a conversation for another day, but for now: "The holiday is over. Back to Baker Street, Sherlock Holmes..."