Sherlock is one of the wittiest and most quotable shows in television history. So it’s with great difficulty that Hypable tries to narrow down the plethora of excellent dialogue and choose our top 10 favorite quotes!
We could easily just copy and paste all six scripts into this article and be confident that every word was of the highest quality. And although it would all be deliriously entertaining and a fantastic read, that’s plagiarism and is rightfully frowned upon by society. So instead, we’ve attempted to tackle the far more difficult task of selecting the ten best pieces of dialogue from the first two series. It’s tough, but far more concise and doesn’t breach any copyright laws. Better all round, then.
All of Sherlock’s deductions are exempt from the list. As witty, intelligent and impressive as they all are, they would easily fill all ten spots should they be included – and that’s not fair on anything else. Instead, we’re going to focus on the one-liners and snappy dialogue exchanges that add depth to the great detective’s story.
Please be aware that the quotes and analysis in this list contain an array of spoilers for both series one and two. If you haven’t watched Sherlock yet, close this page, catch up, and then come back. See you in nine hours.
Anyway, on with the list. The game is afoot!
10. Sherlock – “A Study In Pink”
“The name is Sherlock Holmes and the address is 221B Baker Street.” |
Iconic words in their own right, long before the idea of Sherlock had ever been discussed on a train to Cardiff, this simple sentence is our introduction to a world of mysteries, murder, and alleged homosexual undertones. With all the talk of texting and mobile phones, this simple sentence is a reminder that we’re watching a legendary character come to life in our world.
Benedict Cumberbatch delivers the line with such self-assurance that it sounds fresh, believable and genuine. The cocky wink is the cherry on top of a delightfully simple piece of dialogue that fans still find themselves reciting when nobody else is looking. We feel like Sherlock is talking to us – inviting the viewer to a flat on Baker Street that will become our home as much as it is his. John, get your coat.
9. John – “The Blind Banker”
Sherlock: “You took your time.” John: “Yeah, I didn’t get the shopping.” Sherlock: “What? Why not?” John: “Because I had a row… in the shop… with a chip and pin machine!” Sherlock: “You had a row with a machine?” John: “Sort of. It sat there and I shouted abuse at it.” |
Who hasn’t wanted to put their fist through a self-service checkout as it gloatingly sings about unexpected items in bagging areas? This little dialogue exchange is so hilarious because we can relate to it, and in a series of heightened reality (only the scene before, Sherlock was battling a samurai in their living room) it’s comforting to see something grounded – a reminder that John and Sherlock don’t just solve crimes together, they live together.
Despite all the talk of assassins and criminal organisations in “The Blind Banker”, writer Steve Thompson littered the script with polished gems of comedy gold. The petty bickering between Martin Freeman and Benedict Cumberbatch helps this exchange play out beautifully – an understated bit of dialogue that gives an insight into the duos’ relationship.
8. Sherlock – “A Study In Pink”
John: “A place like this must be expensive.” Sherlock: “Not really. I know the landlady, Mrs. Hudson. She owes me a favor. A few years back, her husband was sentenced to death in Florida. I was able to help out.” John: “You stopped her husband from being executed?” Sherlock: “Oh, no, I ensured it.” |
Our first glimpse at the ruthless and stone-hearted approach to his work that Sherlock takes so often (well, if you don’t count beating a corpse with a riding crop), this short conversation suggests a darker tone to the character of motherly Mrs. Hudson as well as the great detective. Here Sherlock is teeming with arrogance and complete lack of concern for effectively sentencing a man to death. We can only assume that the late Mr. Hudson did something so sickening that the consulting detective was determined to have him brought to justice. Mrs. Hudson’s former husband must have wronged her in some way; Sherlock gets very tetchy when his landlady is harmed by absolutely anyone (he will later throw a man out of his window several times as vengeance for kidnapping Mrs. H). Perhaps he isn’t as dedicated to the “side of the Angels” as Moriarty seems to think.
7. Sherlock – “A Study In Pink”
“Dear God. What is it like in your funny little brains? It must be so boring.” |
There’s Sherlock’s trademark arrogance and superiority complex again, in all of it’s glory. The first case that John and we as the audience puzzle over is that of the woman in pink, entirely baffling some of Scotland Yard’s finest detectives. Naturally, Sherlock makes light work of it. In less than a minute of studying the crime scene, the world’s only “consulting detective” can tell where the victim came from, what she does for a living and even that she had been unfaithful with a string of lovers.
But of course, he can’t aid the police without having a spiteful dig at them first. Police baiting is one of Sherlock’s favourite ways to pass the time, and this scathing insult is one of his finest. You certainly wouldn’t want to get into an argument with him, he would dismantle everything you had to say before revealing all of your darkest secrets.
6. DI Lestrade – “A Study In Pink”
John: “So why do you put up with him?” Lestrade: “Because I’m desperate, that’s why. Because Sherlock Holmes is a great man, and I think one day—if we’re very very lucky—he might even be a good one.” |
An incredibly profound line which has been engrained in our minds since we first heard it. Nobody could argue that Sherlock isn’t a wonderfully talented man with a great mind, but is he a good person? Perhaps what makes the BBC series stand above other adaptations is that it directly questions the super sleuth’s sanity and psychological motivations on a regular basis. Sargeant Donovan’s “One day we’ll be standing around a body and Sherlock Holmes will be the one who put it there” narrowly missed out on a place in this list, as did every other time Sherlock’s loyalties were called into question.
While he saves countless lives and brings many criminals to justice, Sherlock isn’t solving crimes for good. He’s solving them for his own entertainment.
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