‘Sherlock & Daughter’ Review: David Thewlis Is a Perfect Fit in The CW’s Modestly Amusing Spin on a Classic Franchise

by

Among the many things the world could use more of (peace, love, and practical thinking), it’s hard to make a case for another Sherlock Holmes remake being particularly essential. The iconic detective seems to be reinterpreted quite frequently, with a fresh take on his story emerging just a few months ago in the form of the contemporary medical drama Watson, distinct from the older, contemporaneous medical drama House that also features the Holmesian universe.

Next up, we have “Sherlock & Daughter” from The CW, a show that plays with the traditional mythology in its very title. As a mystery, it’s not particularly groundbreaking; the early episodes lack the satisfying ‘ah-ha!’ moment of pieces fitting together cleverly. However, the drama created by Brendan Foley is held up by a number of endearing performances, particularly David Thewlis who brings the character of Sherlock to life once more, making it enjoyable to reacquaint ourselves with this legendary detective.

In the storyline, Blu Hunt portrays Amelia Rojas, a young Native American woman who has come from California following her late mother Lucia’s (Savonna Spracklin) instructions. She believes that Sherlock, the renowned detective, is not only known for his worldwide investigations but also her biological father. To Sherlock, however, Amelia is just another person making a claim about their family lineage. He has no desire to be a parent and finds little utility in a maid like Amelia who struggles even with simple tasks such as boiling an egg to his liking.

Despite the absence of Dr. Watson and Mrs. Hudson for several weeks, Sherlock is compelled to seek help due to his ongoing predicament. With ominous forces prohibiting him from solving crimes after his friend’s disappearance and the appearance of crimson threads at crime scenes as a sinister warning, Sherlock finds a trustworthy ally in Amelia. As a humble servant, she can navigate areas he cannot enter, allowing him to secretly work on cases while pretending to be idle. In return, Amelia learns the necessary skills from him with the hope that one day she might use them to solve her mother’s murder or convince Sherlock to take up that case first.

Although the syndicate clearly demonstrates brutality, as hinted by a woman’s severed finger found, later identified as a murder victim, and its expansive influence across the globe, as one of their terrified accomplices put it, “they embody the very industrialization of crime”, the series Sherlock & Daughter doesn’t manage to create much suspense. The individual cases, such as the apparent kidnapping of a teenage heiress (Clara, played by Gia Hunter), lack complexity and finesse, and the overarching plot linking them together relies heavily on our emotional connection with characters we’ve only briefly encountered (such as Lucia, in flashbacks) or haven’t met at all (characters like Mrs. Hudson and Dr. Watson).

In the process, adding visual elements such as captions detailing Sherlock’s instructions to Amelia or simple sketches of common London scenery, aimed at enhancing the storyline, instead give an impression of being low-budget and unsure – as if the show feels it needs these additional elements to keep viewers engaged because they might struggle with the relatively straightforward plotlines.

It’s fortunate that the cast ultimately comes together effectively. By the final episode sent to critics, the series Sherlock & Daughter has started to gather a compact yet impactful group of secondary characters. Standout performances include Dougray Scott’s witty deliveries, expressive acting, and intriguing rapport with Sherlock as Moriarty; his entrance in the third episode significantly boosts the series’ overall enjoyment factor. Additionally, Fiona Glascott is entertaining as Lady Violet, an old friend of Sherlock’s who educates young ladies to fit into British high society, and unofficially critiques everyone. (She sniffs disdainfully about Americans, “I’ve met some who are almost fiery in their passion.”)

Moriarty and Violet are so entertaining that the show “Sherlock & Daughter” might risk being overshadowed by them. Sherlock and Daughter, on the other hand, seem more predictable with their characterizations. He’s a typical, prickly, fastidious, often rude private investigator, much like many other portrayals of Sherlock. She, unfortunately, seems to be a compilation of tired female character stereotypes, such as the one where she’s initially shown defeating a would-be mugger in an alleyway.

However, Thewlis seamlessly transitions into the character of the gruff private investigator, leaving one surprised he hasn’t played this role before. He brings a human touch, infusing humor, sadness, and fear into his portrayal. It is worth noting that although Thewlis did appear in Enola Holmes 2, it was as a police superintendent rather than the more renowned older brother of the heroine. On the other hand, Hunt’s performance is less organic for the 19th-century setting due to her animated personality that occasionally feels too contemporary. Yet, she manages to be bright and endearing enough to make you wish to spend time with Amelia regardless of the era.

The British reserve of his personality and her vibrant American spirit create an appealing duo, becoming particularly endearing when they develop a hesitant yet undeniable affection towards each other. This newfound emotion prompts him to express himself with unusual vulnerability, such as admitting, “I find it peculiar how your well-being has come to occupy my thoughts.” Admittedly, this isn’t the most daring declaration or dramatic change for a character we are already acquainted with. However, it adds enough charm to make this new addition to the ever-growing Sherlock universe feel cozy and familiar rather than repetitive.

Read More

2025-04-16 00:24