Sherlock week continues as we show you 10 moments of series 3 that you missed out on if you don’t read the Sherlock Holmes novels.
Back in December, we brought you 10 Sherlock references you missed because you don’t read the books, sharing the answers to references like Vatican Cameos and Mycroft’s diet. Since then, the world has been treated to the emotional rollercoaster of series 3 – and plenty more cheeky nods to canon that non-book readers probably didn’t understand.
Well, we here at Hypable think you should be reading the books. To show you what you’re missing out on, we’ve compiled a list of 10 nods to canon from the show’s third series. If you haven’t read Arthur Conan Doyle’s original stories, this will hopefully explain a few of those references that have always puzzled you, and encourage you to run to the library and grab the source material to help pass the excruciating wait for series 4.
“‘I have not introduced you yet,’ said Holmes. ‘This, gentlemen, is Colonel Sebastian Moran, once of Her Majesty’s Indian Army, and the best heavy game shot that our Eastern Empire has ever produced. I believe I am correct, Colonel, in saying that your bag of tigers still remains unrivalled?'”
– Arthur Conan Doyle, “The Empty House”
However, when it was announced we’d instead get Charles Augustus Magnussen as the great detective’s latest adversary, we thought the Moran dream was over. And in a sense it was – as “The Empty Hearse” focused instead on an underground terrorism plot not entirely unlike V for Vendetta. But writer Mark Gatiss still left in a nod to the episode’s namesake story. The corrupt politician behind the deadly scheme is known as Lord Moran.
It would be nice if we could see the book version of the character, as his aggressive skill with a gun and ruthless quest for revenge would be an exciting dynamic to put Sherlock in – all the brains and deductive skills in the world can’t save you from a speeding bullet.
“There’s an east wind coming all the same, such a wind as never blew on England yet. It will be cold and bitter, Watson, and a good many of us may wither before its blast. But it’s God’s own wind none the less and a cleaner, better stronger land will lie in the sunshine when the storm has cleared.”
– Arthur Conan Doyle, “His Last Bow”
Interpreted as British propaganda due to it’s setting just before the First World War and patriotic themes, the adventure is a spy story rather than murder mystery. Though the series finale doesn’t actually feature international conflict, this small reference to the last Sherlock Holmes story is an effective and atmospheric quote.
“Unfortunately, no. I confess that I am surprised and disappointed. I expected something definite by this time. Wiggins has just been up to report. He says that no trace can be found of the launch. It is a provoking check, for every hour is of importance.”
– Arthur Conan Doyle, “The Sign of Four”
In the original stories, Wiggins is the ringleader of the Baker Street Irregulars and Sherlock’s first point of contact with his underground information network. He may have been found in a drug den, but the grown up street urchin can certainly hold his own when it comes to the powers of deduction.
It’s just a shame that his exit was a bit abrupt, as we’d certainly like to have seen more of the character. Hopefully, he’ll be back in series 4 to lead the homeless network in the true spirit of the novels.
“‘Well, sir, if it isn’t too great a liberty, I am a neighbour of yours, for you’ll find my little bookshop at the corner of Church Street, and very happy to see you, I am sure. Maybe you collect yourself, sir. Here’s BRITISH BIRDS, and CATULLUS, and THE HOLY WAR — a bargain, every one of them. With five volumes you could just fill that gap on that second shelf. It looks untidy, does it not, sir?'”
– Arthur Conan Doyle, “The Empty House”
Though the series had Sherlock reveal his survival to John at a fancy restaurant, in the Conan Doyle equivalent of the story, he instead poses as a book collector. And he offers some of his tomes to Watson, namely books on bird-watching in Britain, Catullus and The Holy War – a direct parallel to the seedy DVDs on tree worship, British “birds” and nuns taking part in a kinky Holy War.
It was a nice touch from Mark Gatiss, and allows book readers to experience some of the suspense and tension that comes with not knowing what’s going to happen next.
“It was the monkey, not the professor, whom Roy attacked, just as it was the monkey who teased Roy.”
– Arthur Conan Doyle, “The Creeping Man”
This Conan Doyle adventure bares more than a passing resemblance to Jekyll and Hyde, in which Professor Presbury drinks a potion to try and regain his youth – but he instead starts to develop ape like abilities. Sure, it’s one of the stranger Holmes adventures, so this is probably as close as we’ll ever get to seeing the adventure on screen, but it was a fitting and amusing homage to the underrated mystery nonetheless.
On page 2:
A philanthropist, facial hair, and a case of identity.
Page 2: ‘Sherlock’ series 3 – 10 moments you missed because you don’t read the books
“No, I’m quite sure. I checked. Excuse me. Does, ah, does yours rub off too?”
– Mark Gatiss, “The Empty Hearse”
You see, nearly (though not quite) every depiction of Doctor Watson on film, television, page, or picture shows him with a moustache. In fact, pre-Sherlock, it was probably as synonymous with Watson as the deerstalker was with Holmes. Nowadays, a man with upper-lip hair is a strange sight so Martin Freeman probably couldn’t pull it off with real credibility. However, the show’s handling of this short appearance was a nice way of acknowledging the character’s heritage (just as they did with Sherlock’s ear hat the series before and beyond).
We’re glad it’s gone though.
“It was only a joke at first,” groaned our visitor. “We never thought that she would have been so carried away.”
– Arthur Conan Doyle, “A Case of Identity”
This little mystery is lifted straight from “A Case of Identity,” in which Mary Sutherland’s stepfather literally disguises himself as a bachelor and agrees to marry her – all to secure some inheritance money. In the books, Sherlock solves the mystery after reading a typewritten letter from the impostor. However, he chooses not to tell his client: claiming “she wouldn’t believe me.”
“I assure you that the most winning woman I ever knew was hanged for poisoning three little children for their insurance-money and the most repellent man of my acquaintance is a philanthropist…”
– Arthur Conan Doyle, “The Sign of Four”
The line itself is a reversal of the original (above), where Holmes calls a philanthropist “most repellent” and describes a woman executed for poisoning three children as “the most winning woman I ever knew.” It’s a subtle reference, and one that even escaped many books fans on first broadcast. Thankfully, those more gifted in deduction sniffed out the homage for the rest of us.
“Of course it is! One mention of Baskerville and he sends down my handler to, to spy on me incognito. Is that why you’re calling yourself Greg?”
– Mark Gatiss, “The Hounds of Baskerville”
Greg has been re-christened by the great detective many times over the years, and nearly made our last list of book references. It secured it’s place in this post because of the writer’s continued commitment to the joke. Graham, Gavin and Goldilocks will never get old!
“That was how I earned the Agra treasure, and you talk to me of justice because I cannot bear to feel that I have paid this price only that another may enjoy it!”
– Arthur Conan Doyle, The Sign of Four
And the name of this treasure itself is used st a crucial moment in the plot of “His Last Bow.” In the novel, Mary seeks the Agra Treasure. In the television series, A.G.R.A. are the initials written on the memory stick containing her former identity as an assassin. As for what the initials stand for, well, that’s another mystery in itself.
We hope you’ve enjoyed this list, and who knows? Maybe you’ll be inspired to pick up the books to help you through the excruciating and currently undisclosed wait for Sherlock series 4. If you’ve already read them, you should by now be feeling suitably smug – and please feel free to mention any nods to canon we didn’t include.
Find more great articles like this one at our ‘Sherlock’ celebration.