Retracing the Steps of this Game - Ranking the Episodes of Sherlock

If there is one thing that humans do, it's make lists. We make lists for EVERYTHING. Anything where we can make case that something is better than another thing needs a list that affirms our belief and causes us outrage when it doesn't. Ranking things is almost like human nature. Why certainly I'd rank Filet Mignon higher than a burger served at a grimy burger joint, let's make a list that affirms that belief shall we? Regardless, put away my snide remarks and now focus on this. I am going to rank the episodes of Sherlock. Why exactly? Because I am acting on my human compulsion to make a list, that's why. Actually, in truth, I believe that since Season 3 has concluded, now is the time to make a list. Six episodes was a tad to small and now nine episodes is just one from being ten which makes this a pseudo-Top Ten despite lacking ten episodes. Either way, I digress, here's another grand list. Disclaimer, I absolutely love Sherlock as a show. I don't think any of these episodes are bad television. So if I say harsh things, keep in mind that I am judging each episode alongside it's companions.

9.) "The Blind Banker" (Season 1, Episode 2)

To be honest, I barely remember this happening

Alright, I'm going to spoil a part of this list for you. I had a hard time deciding which episode between this one and "The Hounds of Baskerville" was truly the lowest ranked episode of Sherlock. My reasoning for "The Blind Banker" to occupy this spot is because while I remember a great deal about "Baskerville", this episode in particular seems to be nearly missing from my memory (this includes having watched it this past weekend). What I do remember is a rather confusing case (even by Sherlock's wacky standards), lots of John and Sherlock ho yay, and nothing much really happening. There's an over the top, crossbow wielding villain who just seems a little out of place in this incarnation of Holmes. Keep in mind, there are no bad episodes of Sherlock. There's still plenty to enjoy in this episode, there's even a Chinese circus, but unfortunately it pales in comparison to the other eight which occupy this list.

8.) "The Hounds of Baskerville" (Season 2, Episode 2)

This fabulous pose turns out to be the highlight

A disturbing trend about Sherlock is that through it;s first two seasons, the middle episodes of it's three parts usually turned out to be of lesser quality. "The Blind Banker" and "The Hounds of Baskerville" both apply. This is another case in which Sherlock tried something new with mixed results. While in "The Blind Banker" it was melodrama, "Baskerville" attempts to be legitimately scary. Sherlock and John investigate a man who is haunted by what he calls "a giant hound".  The idea of Sherlock, a notorious and stubborn rational thinker, even somewhat believing in the existence of a giant hound is rather farfetched. However, this episode does produce Sherlock busting out the fabulous pose above so there's that. There's also some pretty phenomenal lines ("your name is Greg?") and watching John run around screaming while Sherlock watches from afar is pretty hysterial. Unfortunately, the whole product doesn't really match up.

7.) "The Empty Hearse" (Season 3, Episode 1)

This episode, much like this kiss, is really just fantasy/fanservice

Sherlock's return was extraordinarily entertaining. In fact, I don't think I have ever laughed harder watching an episode of Sherlock than I have for this one. Sherlock makes his grand return from the dead, there's plenty of scenes in which characters in the show try to figure out how he survived, John gets them kicked out of three public places (not to mention he's engaged), and generally the whole thing is a rather silly affair. However, it's in this case that this silliness turns out to be a weakness. The whole thing is just so farcical and silly, that despite it's entertainment value, lacks the depth and wit that the series made its trademark in the first two seasons. Rather, it's much more of a tribute episode for the fans, which given how long we had to wait for it, is almost fitting. It's wonderful, it sets the tone well for the season, but it just feels shallow.

6.) "A Study in Pink" (Season 1, Episode 1)

Introducing our resident sociopath

"A Study in Pink" is the definitive Sherlock episode. If you want to give anyone a good glimpse as to what the show is all about, this episode is certainly fitting. Here we find all of the quick wit, depth, and excellent plot that defines the series. Of course, this only makes sense given that this is the first episode but even so, it's remarkably enjoyable. As far as first episodes go, it's certainly something else. It introduces our protagonist beating a corpse with a riding crop, introduces us to the wonderful character of John Watson, and has the two meeting and interacting for the first time. Hell, Sherlock refers to a string of suicides as "Christmas" and almost joyfully places himself into the episode's brilliantly done climax. Yes, this episode showcases Sherlock Holmes in all his sociopathic glory (a high functioning one no less). "A Study in Pink" is certainly an underrated episode of Sherlock.

5.) "The Great Game" (Season 1, Episode 3)

A fitting introduction for a fantastic villain

If "A Study in Pink" was the perfect introductions for Sherlock and Watson, then "The Great Game" serves to introduce Sherlock's greatest adversary, Jim Moriarty. Moriarty was a name that had been teased through the show's first two episodes before finally rushing to the forefront in this episode. The entire episode turns out to be a "game" between Moriarty and Sherlock, with the former revealing himself during the episodes climax. Moriarty turns out to be worth a wait, a giggling and twisted version of Sherlock. The show seems to cast Moriarty as what Sherlock could become if he decided to use his talents for crime rather than for good. The episode itself moves at a quick clip with Moriarty putting Sherlock through his paces. However, rather than cringe at the sadistic tone that the game takes, Sherlock revels in it, loving the fact that there is someone who can match his wit. However, Sherlock vastly underestimates Moriarty's resolve in the game which proves fatal for some of his victims. Then, there's the cliffhanger of the episode which sent Sherlock fandom into blind rage (but not for the last time). All around, a star episode.

4.) "The Sign of Three" (Season 3, Episode 2)

"Let's play a game, let's play MURDER"

I'll admit, "The Sign of Three" definitely isn't your prototypical Sherlock episode and it lacks the dramatic punch of "The Great Game" which makes it's appearance so high on this list somewhat interesting. However, for what "The Sign of Three" lacks in drama it makes up for it with crafty storytelling and character development. John and Mary are finally getting married and Sherlock is giving the best man speech. The premise of the episode would seem more fitting for a sitcom rather than a show like Sherlock. For a while, the episode seems to play out that way, Sherlock's speech is utterly hilarious and offensive and yet it comes all the way back around into something really touching. The episode's story plays out in a similar way as Sherlock recounts two cases in which he and John were never able to solve. Like Sherlock's speech, these anecdotes seem rather random and gives the impression that the episode lacks focus. Over the course of his speech however, Sherlock puts two and two together as he weaves the cases together and solves them both at the wedding. "The Sign of Three" can be a little confusing but like Sherlock's best man speech, it comes together beautifully at the end.

3.) "His Last Vow" (Season 3, Episode 3)

 

The first two episodes of Season 3 got some stick from fans who felt that it deviated a little too much from the traditional Sherlock formula. "His Last Vow" however, was able to turn that criticism into a strength. Starting with our introduction to the new villain, Charles Augustus Magnussen, who was a cool and calculating menace rather than the giggling madness of Moriarty. Kudos goes to Lars Mikkelson, who's performance becomes the defining piece of a masterfully done episode. Like most of Season 3, there's a large focus on character development, especially that Mary Watson, and yet it manages to turn Sherlock's hunt to take down Magnussen into something exhilarating. From the moment Sherlock enters Magnussen's mansion in the episode's climax, each following event is jaw dropping. A dark, complex, and sometimes heartwarming episode brought the series back to it's roots and reminded the fans that Sherlock hadn't lost it's way (a ludicrous claim in itself if you ask me). 

2.) "A Scandal in Belgravia" (Season 2, Episode 1)

The one villain Sherlock can't defeat.

Now we start getting to the best of the best, when an already brilliant show manages to elevate itself to another level. That was the feeling with "A Scandal in Belgravia". Not only was Irene Adler brilliantly done by Lara Pulver, but the masterfully crafted story, which involves Sherlock going up against an enemy that he's not entirely sure how to combat, is something to savor. From Adler's initial introduction, to her confronting Shrelock entirely in the nude, to the episode's brilliant climax, "A Scandal in Belgravia" took the show to new heights. For one, we got some depth to Sherlock's character, proving that he's not entirely a sociopath even if he doesn't understand love. Not to mention a hilarious Christmas party involving all the characters. If "A Study in Pink" laid out the initial blueprint for how a Sherlock episode should be done, "A Scandal in Belgravia" redefined it and improved it. It elevated the depth of the show, it's humor, and expanded on Sherlock's human element without it feeling forced or tacky. A prime example of Gatiss and Moffat's brilliance.

1.) "The Reichenbach Fall" (Season 2, Episode 3)

The Final Problem, that of which one survives...

This is that episode, the best of the best, Sherlock's magnum opus. When Moriarty stated his intention to burn Sherlock in "The Great Game", we never could have understood what he exactly meant by that. Moriarty's master plan to destroy Sherlock's reputation and everything he holds dear is utterly terrifying. The episode feels as if it's thrown us into an alternate universe in which everything has turned on Sherlock. It's disorienting, it's creepy, and, like I said before, completely and utterly terrifying. Moriarty gets a major amount of screentime and manages to top all of his performances before then. Whether it's gleefully dancing while attempting to steal the Crown Jewels, sitting down to have a cup of tea with Sherlock, or telling us the story of Sherlock's fall as if it's a children's book. There's a reason why Moriarty is my favorite villain and such a beloved figure among Sherlock fans. This episode is of course known more for it's absolutely insane ending which sparked two years of impatient waiting by Sherlock fans and wild mass guessing as to how exactly he survived. The final showdown between the two rivals is jawdropping and the final scene on the rooftop is undeniably thrilling. This is the definitive episode of Sherlock, the one that will always be known as the show at it's peak. Sherlock will continue to be a great show, the episodes will continue to be great, but "The Reichenbach Fall" will remain the show's best.