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Sherlock
S1.E3
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IMDbPro

The Great Game

  • Episode aired Nov 7, 2010
  • TV-14TV-14
  • 1h 29m
IMDb RATING
9.0/10
27K
YOUR RATING
Andrew Scott in Sherlock (2010)
  • Crime
  • Drama
  • Mystery
Mycroft needs Sherlock's help, but a remorseless criminal mastermind puts Sherlock on a distracting crime-solving spree via a series of hostage human bombs through which he speaks.Mycroft needs Sherlock's help, but a remorseless criminal mastermind puts Sherlock on a distracting crime-solving spree via a series of hostage human bombs through which he speaks.Mycroft needs Sherlock's help, but a remorseless criminal mastermind puts Sherlock on a distracting crime-solving spree via a series of hostage human bombs through which he speaks.
IMDb RATING
9.0/10
27K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Paul McGuigan
  • Writers
    • Mark Gatiss
    • Steven Moffat(created with)
    • Arthur Conan Doyle(based on the works of)
  • Stars
    • Benedict Cumberbatch
    • Martin Freeman
    • Rupert Graves
Top credits
  • Director
    • Paul McGuigan
  • Writers
    • Mark Gatiss
    • Steven Moffat(created with)
    • Arthur Conan Doyle(based on the works of)
  • Stars
    • Benedict Cumberbatch
    • Martin Freeman
    • Rupert Graves
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 29User reviews
    • 34Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Photos47

    Rupert Graves, Martin Freeman, and Benedict Cumberbatch in Sherlock (2010)
    Rupert Graves, Martin Freeman, and Benedict Cumberbatch in Sherlock (2010)
    Martin Freeman and Benedict Cumberbatch in Sherlock (2010)
    Andrew Scott in Sherlock (2010)
    Martin Freeman in Sherlock (2010)
    Martin Freeman in Sherlock (2010)
    Benedict Cumberbatch in Sherlock (2010)
    Andrew Scott in Sherlock (2010)
    Sherlock (2010)
    Sherlock (2010)
    Benedict Cumberbatch in Sherlock (2010)
    Sherlock (2010)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Benedict Cumberbatch
    Benedict Cumberbatch
    • Sherlock Holmesas Sherlock Holmes
    Martin Freeman
    Martin Freeman
    • Dr. John Watsonas Dr. John Watson
    Rupert Graves
    Rupert Graves
    • DI Lestradeas DI Lestrade
    Una Stubbs
    Una Stubbs
    • Mrs. Hudsonas Mrs. Hudson
    Zoe Telford
    Zoe Telford
    • Sarahas Sarah
    Louise Brealey
    Louise Brealey
    • Molly Hooperas Molly Hooper
    Andrew Scott
    Andrew Scott
    • Jim Moriartyas Jim Moriarty
    Vinette Robinson
    Vinette Robinson
    • Sgt Sally Donovanas Sgt Sally Donovan
    Matthew Needham
    Matthew Needham
    • Bezzaas Bezza
    Kemal Sylvester
    • Tube Guardas Tube Guard
    San Shella
    San Shella
    • Andrew Westas Andrew West
    Deborah Moore
    Deborah Moore
    • Crying Womanas Crying Woman
    Lauren Crace
    Lauren Crace
    • Lucyas Lucy
    Nicholas Gadd
    • Scared Manas Scared Man
    Caroline Trowbridge
    Caroline Trowbridge
    • Mrs Monkfordas Mrs Monkford
    Paul Albertson
    Paul Albertson
    • Mr Ewartas Mr Ewart
    Rita Davies
    Rita Davies
    • Blind Ladyas Blind Lady
    Di Botcher
    Di Botcher
    • Connie Princeas Connie Prince
    • Director
      • Paul McGuigan
    • Writers
      • Mark Gatiss
      • Steven Moffat(created with)
      • Arthur Conan Doyle(based on the works of)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The plot of this episode was inspired by the Holmes short story, "The Adventure of the Bruce-Partington Plans."
    • Goofs
      It's a common movie myth but firearms cannot be used to set off plastic explosives, which require an electric detonator to explode. It is also very unlikely that a semtex explosion could be mistaken for a gas mains explosion (by an expert), as they have entirely different profiles.
    • Quotes

      Dr. John Watson: There are lives at stake... Sherlock. Actual human li... Jus-just so I know, do you care about that at all?

      Sherlock Holmes: Will caring about them help save them?

      Dr. John Watson: Nope.

      Sherlock Holmes: Then I'll continue not to make that mistake.

      Dr. John Watson: And you find that easy, do you?

      Sherlock Holmes: Yes. Very. Is that news to you?

      Dr. John Watson: No. No.

      Sherlock Holmes: [pause] I've disappointed you.

      Dr. John Watson: That's good... that's a good deduction, yeah.

      Sherlock Holmes: Don't make people into heroes, John. Heroes don't exist, and if they did, I wouldn't be one of them.

    • Connections
      Featured in Timeshift: How to Be Sherlock Holmes: The Many Faces of a Master Detective (2014)
    • Soundtracks
      Opening Titles
      (uncredited)

      Written by David Arnold and Michael Price

    User reviews29

    Review
    Top review
    10/10
    I can't follow half of it, but couldn't care less, this is magical.
    The height of brilliance is how I'd describe The Great Game, it's a deeply complex and multi layered story, that on the surface is quite hard to follow, partly because the show is so energetic and pacey, that it moves from one conundrum to another. It all seems to make sense in the end during the first proper encounter between Holmes and Moriarty.

    It's eighty minutes of tantalising, gripping non stop energy, and ten minutes of the best TV viewing of all time, Cumberbatch and Freeman are excellent, both so impressive in their roles, but the magic comes from the full introduction of Andrew Scott, his characterisation of the normally sober Moriarty must rank as one of the best performances of all time. Scott is breathtakingly good in the role, drowning in charisma and personality, he played the definitive Moriarty, talk about elevating the show. That showdown scene was simply perfect.

    I loved it. 10/10
    helpful•12
    6
    • Sleepin_Dragon
    • Jul 31, 2018

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 7, 2010 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Language
      • English
    • Filming locations
      • 187 North Gower Street, Somers Town, London, England, UK
    • Production companies
      • Hartswood Films
      • BBC Wales
      • Masterpiece Theatre
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 29 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 16:9 HD

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