GENRE TRENDS | BACK TO CLASSICS
BACK TO CLASSICS | GENRE TRENDS
SLEEPY HOLLOW
SHERLOCK
In the CIS countries it was a very widespread situation at schools, when
a pupil forgot something and a severe teacher asked then about the head
of the pupil, whether it was forgotten too. Well, after such questions in
the childhood, it’s clear now why the stories about the Headless Horseman
are so popular across the population! Now, let’s look at the Sleepy Hollow:
after dying in the War of Independence, Ichabod Crane is resurrected and
turns up at the present time. He is going to team up with detective Abby
Mills in order to fight the Headless Horseman, who is terrorizing a small
town. Only the key characters follow the original Washington Irving’s
story in the series.
Here you can find the very Gothic fantasy, where the wildest mysticism
is entwined with modernity and the plot is absolutely deviating from the
literary source. But this is the rare case when all these absurdities engage
and enchant.
The first episodes gathered up to 10 mln viewers with 3.5 rating – and
that’s really good! During 2014 and 2015 Sleepy Hollow had numerous
nominations for different Awards.
Oh, that Sherlock, incredibly popular all over the world. This variation
of Sherlock Holmes is played by Cumberbatch – a nervous, but extremely
sharp freak with iPhone, who teams up with Doctor Watson, a veteran of
the war in Afghanistan, and pulls him into the world of private investigation.
At the moment ten episodes have been produced, with three-part series
airing in 2010, 2012, and 2014, and a special episode airing on January 1,
2016 (Victorian era special issue).
It should be noted that Sherlock has been nominated for numerous
awards including: BAFTAs, Emmys, and a Golden Globe, winning several
awards across a variety of categories.
Info: Started in 2010; 4 seasons (10 episodes x 90 minutes)
THE BIBLE
Info: 2013; 2 seasons (31 episodes x 60 minutes)
ELEMENTARY
Another noteworthy attempt to move the heroes of Conan Doyle to
the present world, this time in New York. Consultant of Scotland Yard,
neurotic Holmes, discharged from the clinic where he was treated for
drug addiction, settles in Brooklyn. His companion-nurse turned to be
Dr. Watson, the surgeon who has lost the license due to medical error.
They eventually begin to work together on the cases, and she becomes
Holmes’ apprentice. This series also shows Holmes’ basic conflict with his
immortal nemesis Moriarty (Natalie Dormer).
Before the series started, it was awaited with some criticism due to the
BBC’s modern adaptation Sherlock. Nevertheless, after the premiere, it
was picked up for a full season and later an extra two episodes. The second
season was even partly filmed in London. The series has since been well
received by critics, who have praised the performances, writing, and novel
approach to the source material. Debut season showed really good figures
– 13.4 mln viewers! Next seasons gathered less audience, but the series is
still strong.
Info: 2012; 3 seasons (49 episodes x 43 minutes)
38 | SEASON SCREEN TV REVIEW | ISSUE 5 FEBRUARY 2016
Info: 2013; 1 season
(10 episodes x 44 minutes)
Of course some Sherlock fans can be very disappointed with our
decision to put The Bible at the first place. But after all, Bible itself is
a keystone and ground basis for almost every literary work. So, you’re
welcome to watch an adaptation of the best-known stories of the Holy
Writ, from the Flood to the resurrection of Jesus, retold in the popular
language of brutal historical fantasy.
It is considered a religious hit from The History Channel, which, of
course, cleverly mimics the severe style of Game of Thrones and Spartacus,
but in fact remains a reverent illustration of the Bible. The series has been
so popular that some parts of the telecast, including unaired footage, have
been turned into a feature film about the life of Jesus titled Son of God.
The series received three Emmy Award nominations for best miniseries,
sound editing, and sound mixing on July 18, 2013. Besides, it won the
honor of Home Media Magazine’s Best Miniseries or TV Movie on Disc
for the year.
Critics’ reviews were totally mixed: from negative to positive (such
screen adaptations of strong masterpieces always cause controversy),
but the ratings were high. The miniseries gathered something about 13
mln viewers! The second episode showed some ratings slippage, but still
gathered 10.8 mln viewers, which means the top in all television for the
8–10 p.m. time period. The third installment on March 17, 2013, was once
again the No.1 show on all of Sunday night television with 10.9 mln total
viewers. In addition, the series gathered 4.2 mln adults 25–54 and 3.5 mln
adults 18–49. In total, with subsequent airings, The Bible has shown the
result of more than 100 mln cumulative views!
ISSUE 5 FEBRUARY 2016 | SEASON SCREEN TV REVIEW | 39