Sherlock S1-2

History: watched S1 ten years ago, S1E1 a few years ago, and now S1E2-3, S2, and enough of S3E1 to conquer the cliffhanger.

Sherlock strikes me as a really solid show. It's just great entertainment: a bit of humor, a bit of mystery, a bit of pathos, a bit of style, a bit of intellection. I like how analytical it is if you want it to be. I like how each episode is a puzzle. I like the two main characters. I like the British vibe. I like the outdated but somehow not icky style of the show. I don't remember thinking the aesthetics were old-fashioned when I saw it ten years ago, which suggests my expectations have been flowing along proportional to the mainstream. But as far as old-fashioned goes, Sherlock is cute and nostalgic, where most old-fashioned media is stale.

It doesn't strive to great heights like Game of Thrones, at least not yet. It's not phenomenal. But so far it's more consistent. It doesn't try to be the peak of entertainment, just really really solid entertainment.

I dismissed the books, after a little skim, 6-8 years ago, but now the show makes me want to go back. I've relaxed my standards since then; solid entertainment can woo me, because I think it can be good for me. Back then I resented escapism, and hence hardly read through anything; now I think enthusiastic escapism is an option, when the alternative is hardly reading through anything. If I really enjoy it, and it's at least decent artistic or intellectual or cultural fodder, it can be worthwhile. I'm more sympathetic to things I enjoy nowadays. I got older.