Archive: Sherlock: a triumph of British television

Tonight saw the return of the BBC's modern take on Sherlock Holmes in A Scandal in Belgravia, and it proved to be as excellent as before.

The initial decision to update the stories of Arthur Conan Doyle's famous private detective were always a risk when the original three episodes aired in 2010. Nevertheless they all proved to be a hit, not least thanks to the brains behind the venture of Mark Gatiss and Doctor Who head honcho Steve Moffat, as well as the on screen genius of Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman.

This latest episode combined the successes of the first series with extra brilliance and some wonderful moments between Holmes and Watson. The writing and delivery were spot on, as was the pacing of the whole story.

Credit is also due to Lara Pulver's performance as the intelligent and seductive Irene Adler and Andrew Scott's cameo as Moriarty. I look forward to seeing more of his role as the series progresses over the remaining two episodes. And who would have thought the Bee Gees could stop a potential double homicide?

Next week we see one of the most beloved Holmes tales updated in The Hound of the Baskervilles.