The Game Will Be Afoot

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“Sherlock” season 4 finally has an air date.

PBS has hinted that “Sherlock”’s new season will be premiering in January 2017. While the BBC hasn’t announced anything official regarding the air date yet, PBS also showcases the series. However, the air date depends on Benedict Cumberbatch’s schedule. After all the man has been starring in films left and right, but he very much wants to continue with “Sherlock”.

Even Gatiss commented on PBS’ announcement, claiming that Moriarty’s reappearance will be life altering, if not huge for the series and its fans.

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So tell me, are you ready for “Sherlock”’s next season?

Sherlock and Pepper's Ghost

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WARNING: THIS ENTRY HAS SPOILERS FOR “THE ABOMINABLE BRIDE”. IF YOU HAVE NOT SEEN IT, PLEASE REFRAIN FROM READING THIS POST.

“Sherlock” released its Christmas special and while some people have a few bones to pick with it, others adored it. As for myself, I enjoyed the idea of seeing the initial Arthur Conan Doyle based Sherlock flash back and forth with the modern day Sherlock. It was a strange ending to be frank, but I believe it was the one section of the special where I heavily fangirled. No, no, not because of Moriarty in a wedding dress, but because of the Pepper’s Ghost trick.

The Pepper’s Ghost Trick was an illusion trick crafted in the Victorian era as a means of entertainment. However, the effect goes back to the 16^th century when a Neapolitan scientist, Giambattista della Porta first described the Pepper’s Ghost Trick as such:

“Let there be a chamber wherein no other light comes, unless by the door or window where the spectator looks in. Let the whole window or part of it be of glass, as we used to do to keep out the cold. But let one part be polished, that there may be a Looking-glass on bothe sides, whence the spectator must look in. For the rest do nothing. Let pictures be set over against this window, marble statues and suchlike. For what is without will seem to be within, and what is behind the spectator's back, he will think to be in the middle of the house, as far from the glass inward, as they stand from it outwardly, and clearly and certainly, that he will think he sees nothing but truth. But lest the skill should be known, let the part be made so where the ornament is, that the spectator may not see it, as above his head, that a pavement may come between above his head. And if an ingenious man do this, it is impossible that he should suppose that he is deceived” (Porta, 1658).

This description was later brought to life by Henry Dircks in 1862. Dircks had invented Dircksian Phantasmagoria wherein he created the Pepper’s Ghost trick. He attempted to sell his trick to theatres that rejected the offer because it would be too costly to rebuild the theatre to accommodate his idea. Later on, he was able to replicate his illusion with a booth at the Royal Polytechnic Institute of London where John Pepper saw it and was instantly spellbound. Pepper was able to reduce the complexity of Dircks’ idea so that it could easily be shown at theatres without a needed rebuild. Dircks signed all of his financial rights to Pepper who tried to give Dircks’ credit despite the ‘Pepper’ name sticking with the trick.

So why did I lose my head over this ancient illusion?

Because it’s a key feature in the Haunted Mansion.

Readers, I am a diehard Haunted Mansion fan and to see this effect used in “Sherlock” lifted my spirits.

For those of you who don’t know, the Haunted Mansion is a well-known ride in Disney parks, each having a varying theme save for Disneyland California Adventure (the original), Tokyosea, and Walt Disney World (the original’s duplicate). The Haunted Mansion opened its doors to the public in 1969 and utilized the trick in its iconic ballroom scene where “ghosts” twirl about on the floor. In actuality, they are nothing more than the result of Pepper’s Ghost Trick. Beneath the balcony there are a row of mirrors and light angled at a certain way. Alongside those mirrors are animatronics of spinning dancers whose image falls through the glass and appear as ethereal dancers. It’s a famous scene utilized in almost every Haunted Mansion (save for Mystic Manor) and to see it resurfaced in a show I adore is even more a reason to gush.

While Moffat probably didn’t include this trick as a nod to the Haunted Mansion, there’s a good chance he wrote it in because it was used during the Victorian era. It aided in solving the mystery despite Moriarty’s sudden abrupt appearance as the bride. Regardless, seeing the Pepper’s Ghost Trick utilized outside the Haunted Mansion and something I enjoy provided a wonderful moment of fangirling.

Thank you for reading tonight’s entry. If you enjoyed it, feel free to comment, critique, share, and subscribe.

So tell me, what did you think of “The Abominable Bride”?

Are You Sherlocked?

Good afternoon everyone and welcome to The Magical Mystery Blog.

It was just announced this week that the Sherlock Christmas special will take place in London during the 1800s aka the Victorian era. It will have everyone from Sherlock clad in the time period’s garments and completing their modern day tasks in a time when advanced technology was not available.

My initial reaction to this was pure elation for the fact that we don’t have to wait three plus years for something pertaining to Sherlock.  What followed next was a question of how exactly the cast of Sherlock managed to be transported to the 1800s. Naturally, my inner fangirl led me to believe that Moffat and Gatniss were finally doing a Wholock episode, but was immediately shot down by the fact that Moffat said it would never work. Of course then I figured that everyone in this new Victorian!Sherlock era is an ancestor to their modern day personas which could very well work.

But like any other writer and fan, research is needed to obtain any answer.

Moffat and Gatniss claim that this ninety minute special will have nothing to do with the original Sherlock series. Rather, they are doing a tribute to when Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s work was initially written in this specific time period.

The writers also claim that this special will include something everyone doesn’t suspect about John and Sherlock. Many fans hope that this surprise will be John and Sherlock engaging in a homosexual relationship. So far there have been no hints as to what this shocker will be, but the writers have confirmed that they have brought their cast to tears with what they have in store.

There was also talk about season 4 of Sherlock.

While not much has been said, it has been rumored for a long time that Tom Hiddleston may join Sherlock in the series as one of the elder Holmes brothers.  In the new season, we’ll be seeing more of Sherlock’s family so naturally they would want someone as equally handsome as Sherlock to be his brother.

It’s also rumored that Irene Adler may return, but Janine and her friends are definitely returning. Apparently Sherlock likes Janine and knows he can rely on her for a social function should he ever need a date for one.  There’s also the inevitable truth that Mary will die sooner or later, just like Sir Arthur Conan Doyle wrote, but she won’t be dying in season 4.  Moriarty is also set to make a comeback, but to do what no one knows.

While there are no certain story lines or release dates as of yet, Sherlock season 4 will follow the 2015 Christmas special. There will also be many more seasons to come for Sherlock, with Benedict Cumberbatch wanting to pursue this series into old age.

Thanks for reading today’s entry. If you liked it, feel free to comment, share, and critique.

So tell me, what are you excited to see for Sherlock? 

What Does the Future Hold for Sherlock?

Good evening everyone and welcome to The Magical Mystery Blog.

Sherlock has come and gone and in its wake, it has left some of the best episodes ever to emerge from the series. With Mary pregnant, Moriarty’s abrupt return, and Sherlock reunited with John, the game will be afoot in the future. However, we might not have to wait long until another episode surfaces. A few days ago Martin Freeman (the famous John Watson and Bilbo Baggins) claimed that there might be a one-off special episode of the popular series.

Freeman has claimed that the idea is mouth watering, but they’re unsure of when they would film it due to Freeman and Cumberbatch’s other commitments. This special may or may not see the light of the television screen, but let’s hope it does. In other news regarding this fantastic series, Sherlock has started filming and will possibly debut in Fall 2016. Along with this season, another season has been confirmed for future production.

Prepare to keep your eyes peeled for any clue regarding this one-off special of Sherlock. Until then, let’s make deductions of what this possible tantalizing idea could be, and how it will fit in with the Sherlockian universe. As for myself I’m hoping one of two things: one, a Wholock crossover and two, an episode with a few answers regarding Moriarty’s return – for now, I guess that he is an android or the Moriarty at Reichenbach was a clone/stunt double.

What are your thoughts, fellow readers?

The Game is Afoot at the Sherlock Theme Park

Good evening everyone and welcome to The Magical Mystery Blog.

This past week the Internet exploded with word of a Sherlock Holmes theme park being built in Portsmouth, London. Portsmouth is where Sir Arthur Conan Doyle resided and created the beloved fictional characters and stories. Within this theme park, there will be rides and holograms of everything related to Sherlock Holmes.

As a ride junkie, I always loved to see what rides people come up with, how they work, and the experiences they offer. I imagine that they will use the original Sherlock as opposed to the modern Sherlock (Benedict Cumberbatch, Robert Downey Jr.) because the park is also paying tribute to Conan Doyle and the original works. Below are some ride ideas for the upcoming Sherlock theme park.

3) A Case of Identity

In the article I have linked above, it claims that the theme park will feature interactive and high quality activities. In A Case of Identity, Sherlock solves a rather simple, but elementary case of an engaged couple. I specifically chose this case because it’s not too easy or hard and it would fit the attraction I have in mind. I imagine that they would build this attraction as three places that tie together: Sherlock’s residence, Miss Sutherland and her fiance’s place, and the church. Within each place, guests can touch specific items that give them clues and information to solve the mystery. Once they’ve gathered all the clues, they could go to a secret room behind the church’s altar to see if their deductions were correct or not, and to hear how the case ended.

2) The Reichenbach Falls

Ah yes, the fall at Reichenbach – the one episode of Sherlock that broke many fans’ hearts, but the original story shattered many readers’ hearts as well. In the story of The Adventure of the Final Problem, Sherlock has decided to confront Moriarty once and for all. The guests would walk through an entry way consisting of scenes that look like Sherlock’s residence. As they roam about, Sherlock is heard explaining how dangerous Moriarty is and what he has done. The final room prior to the loading area would feature Moriarty and Sherlock animatronics conversing in a study, with their dialogue heard through hidden speakers. The loading area itself would look like a London study.

This would be a log flume ride with a very basic track mostly considering of turns, small drops, and uphill climbs. It would also highlight the important features of the story such as Sherlock explaining his plan to John and the guests, the three events that nearly kill Sherlock, the telegram that informs Sherlock Moriarty has escaped, and John being tricked by the letter. This ultimately builds up to the final drop, at the bottom of the lift hill John is panicking and worried about his friend. He calls for Sherlock and talks to himself through hidden speakers, hoping Sherlock is safe. As the car climbs higher, guests hear John’s concerns fade away, and they see Sherlock and Moriarty fighting.

The big drop itself represents Reichenbach Falls, which leads guests to an enclosed area where they see John reading a letter Sherlock left him. As they go through the area and to the loading station, they hear John’s voice reading the letter aloud over the speakers.

1) The Hound

Everyone is familiar with the famous Sherlock Holmes story, The Hound of the Baskervilles. In this tale, an attempted murder is inspired by a legendary, loathsome Hellhound. The Hound would be a wooden roller coaster and would have an enclosed entrance, featuring rooms with clues from the case, important and iconic conversations between the characters playing from hidden speakers, and at times, Sherlock’s violin playing a mysterious yet eerie tune. The rooms will be designed to be Sherlock’s residence and the Baskerville residence.

After walking through the rooms, guests will enter the main chamber: the foyer of the Baskerville residence where Watson, (a live actor) will explain to everyone that the Hound is loose and that they must follow Sherlock’s lead in order to be safe. After this, the gates will open, and guests will go to a loading area themed as a forest before the moor where the hound is. Sherlock’s dialogue will be playing over the speakers urging guests to stay close, be careful, and that the game is afoot side while owls hoot, crickets chirp, and a chilling howl is heard at times along with snarling.

The cars will have safety bars and its track will bear a similar resemblance to Disney’s Big Thunder Mountain, being an indoor/outdoor ride. Guests will go up the first hill as the forest is splayed around them, with animatronics of Sherlock and Watson talking about the hound. As guests reach the top of the hill, the hound appears before them howling at a luminous moon, and they drop down the first hill. They are taken through a series of curves, hills, and miniature drops while surrounded by a forest exterior.  At times, the hound appears with glowing eyes and gnashing teeth as well as Mr.Baskervilles who is seen running through the forest or hiding.

Once again the guests return to a dark enclosure where Sherlock and the hound are facing off. This entire section is another climb as the hound is heard snarling and growling at Holmes. Sherlock yells at Watson to find Mr.Baskerville and run. No sooner he gives this command, the cars drop from the hill and plummet into more curves, sudden drops, and swift turns. At last the ride ends with the hound defeated, Mr. Baskerville found, and everyone returning to the forest themed station.

What would you like to see at the Sherlock theme park? Feel free to comment and as always, feedback and followers are welcomed.