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”

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”

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”

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”

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”

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.

5. Moriarty – “The Great Game”

It’s amazing to consider how big an impression Moriarty had on viewers in “The Great Game”, especially when you remember he only had about five minutes of screen time in the whole first series. A lot of that is down to the spectacular performance by Andrew Scott, breathing fresh life into a character that had become clichéd and dull from countless rip-offs. What makes the character so memorable is the camp, almost playful manner of the most dangerous man in London – but we are never allowed to forget the sinister undertones constantly bubbling away under the flamboyant façade.

This is the first time we really see Moriarty lose it, and Scott’s characterisation matched with Mark Gatiss’ incredible writing makes this exchange intensely disturbing.

4. Sherlock/John – “A Scandal In Belgravia”

While the fast paced deductions and heated debates may be the most memorable parts of Sherlock and John’s relationship, it’s the quiet, light-hearted exchanges that really gives the friendship depth and makes the chemistry believable.

Finding themselves in Buckingham Palace (John escorted by helicopter and Sherlock with nothing but a sheet to cover his modesty), the detective and his blogger are already in an amusingly bizarre situation. However, this piece of dialogue is the highlight of the scene (unless you count Sherlock’s sheet falling down) and sets up the petty bickering between the Holmes brothers in suitably hilarious style.

The childish giggling rounds it all of beautifully, showing a more human side to both the leads.

3. Sherlock – “The Hounds Of Baskerville”

This adorable little gem is significant because it’s the first time we hear the titular character confess that he considers John a friend. It was obvious all along of course, but to hear the cold-hearted socio-path say it out loud makes it all the more poignant and touching.

After seeing what could only be a demonic hound, a shell-shocked Sherlock furiously tells John that he doesn’t have “friends”. The latter is understandably furious, which leads to some priceless grovelling culminating in this awkward confession. While Sherlock proves he has more than one friend in “The Reichenbach Fall” this admission is by far the most significant, and probably the only display of affection we will ever see from him.

2. John – “The Reichenbach Fall”

If Sherlock’s apparent death didn’t leave you in floods of tears, then John’s graveside goodbye to his best friend would have you clutching for the Kleenex.

Martin Freeman is at his very best here, his understated performance alluding to the crushed shell of man that John has become. The millitary salute that follows this beautiful speech is just as memorable as the words themselves, as the former army doctor gives Sherlock an honourable farewell.

The full effect of his goodbye may be cheapened slightly when it’s revealed that the great detective is watching under the cover of a nearby tree, but that doesn’t detract from the raw emotion. In that moment, we believed Sherlock was dead. And we felt just as broken as John.

1. Molly – “The Reichenbach Fall”

Molly is one of the highlights of a compelling series, and her shining moment is our favourite quote from the show so far. Louise Brealey excels in the role every time she’s on screen, but here she outdoes herself. It’s one of the few instances that the beloved character says more than one sentence – her unrequited love usually restricts conversation to a mumbled “yes” or the occasional awkward joke.

Here though, her concern for Sherlock outweighs the low self-esteem and she asks a haunting question. Sherlock may never appear to notice Molly, but she sees his sorrow whenever John isn’t looking. It’s this observation that leads to the smartest man in the world asking for Molly’s help. And though we don’t yet know what she does to aid him, Molly proves her loyalty and cements her place as our favourite Sherlock character.

What do you think of our list? Did we miss one of your favourites? Chime in and join the discussion!

Images – BBC/Hartswood Films