This solid, powerful episode explains how Holmes survived his deadly encounter with Professor Moriarty at Reichenbach Falls while tying it in with a murder case. This was Conan Doyle's way of bringing back Holmes after popular demand. It is very slickly done and exciting with good directing, photography, and production values. Jeremy Brett returns in fine style as Holmes, and Edward Hardwicke makes his debut as Dr. Watson; that of an older, more thoughtful Watson in contrast to the younger, more playful David Burke. Particularly enjoyable was scene where Holmes' "ghost" appears to the startled Dr. Watson. In this scene, the immediate chemistry of Brett and Hardwicke in portraying the strong friendship of Holmes and Watson - is a delight for all Holmes fans to behold. The Return of Sherlock Holmes was a series that really succeeded in capturing shinning portrayals of Holmes and Watson that fans have come to appreciate and enjoy - right up to the present day. This is an important one in the canon not to be missed, and one that can be enjoyed again and again.
13 Reviews
The Final Problem resolved.
Sleepin_Dragon28 December 2018
After the shocking events at The Reichenbach Falls, Sherlock Holmes returns from the Dead in dranatic style, to once again work alongside his trusted Watson. The Empty House is a personal favourite of mine, it's a rich story, it's dramatic, and features several memorable scenes. Two great moments in particular, one which sees a confrontation between Holmes and the eventual killer, and the best of all, the arrival of Sherlock Holmes from the Dead.
It has real energy, Jeremy Brett is at his absolute best, he's bold, theatrical, and definitely at the top of his game. All supporting cast members are exceptional, Patrick Allen in particular was awesome as the smart, but devious Colonel Moran. I also really liked James Bree, who's Coroner had a great scene with Watson.
As a story, it's somewhat thin, but it does a superb job at reintroducing Holmes, it has some wonderful character play, and of course introduces the great Edward Hardwicke as Watson. A classic. 9/10
It has real energy, Jeremy Brett is at his absolute best, he's bold, theatrical, and definitely at the top of his game. All supporting cast members are exceptional, Patrick Allen in particular was awesome as the smart, but devious Colonel Moran. I also really liked James Bree, who's Coroner had a great scene with Watson.
As a story, it's somewhat thin, but it does a superb job at reintroducing Holmes, it has some wonderful character play, and of course introduces the great Edward Hardwicke as Watson. A classic. 9/10
The Empty House
Prismark104 April 2019
Dr Watson might have surmised that both Professor Moriarty and Sherlock Holmes met their deaths in Reichenbach Falls.
Three years later Holmes returns from the dead, Watson faints at the shock of seeing him. Holmes recounts the encounter he had with Moriarty, why he had to still lie low and the reason for his return.
Moriarty's men are still keeping watch in case Holmes does return. The death of The Honourable Ronald Adair is the reason he has come back.
Holmes believes the old shikaari, Colonel Sebastian Moran one of Moriarty's important associates is responsible for Adair's death and also aims to kill Holmes if he is out in the open.
Adair believed the Moran cheated in a game of cards. Holmes sets up a trap for the old shikaari, just like the ones Moran set up in India when he shot his tigers.
It is great to see the return of Holmes and the flashback to the previous episode. The central mystery is unfortunately thin. Brett gets to be in disguise which fools Watson.
The Return of Sherlock Holmes would see the characters of Holmes and Watson as older. Edward Hardwicke took over from David Burke who left the role to concentrate on theatre and spend more time with his young son.
Personally I preferred Burke's take on the role, he had a bit of swagger and some mischief.
Interestingly I found out from an interview by the producer June Wyndham-Davies that Edward Hardwicke spent time as a young man in Hollywood where his father Sir Cedrick Hardwicke was based. Edward met Nigel Bruce who would often pop round to their house. As a tribute Edward was determined to have a bit of Nigel Bruce in his performance as Dr Watson.
Three years later Holmes returns from the dead, Watson faints at the shock of seeing him. Holmes recounts the encounter he had with Moriarty, why he had to still lie low and the reason for his return.
Moriarty's men are still keeping watch in case Holmes does return. The death of The Honourable Ronald Adair is the reason he has come back.
Holmes believes the old shikaari, Colonel Sebastian Moran one of Moriarty's important associates is responsible for Adair's death and also aims to kill Holmes if he is out in the open.
Adair believed the Moran cheated in a game of cards. Holmes sets up a trap for the old shikaari, just like the ones Moran set up in India when he shot his tigers.
It is great to see the return of Holmes and the flashback to the previous episode. The central mystery is unfortunately thin. Brett gets to be in disguise which fools Watson.
The Return of Sherlock Holmes would see the characters of Holmes and Watson as older. Edward Hardwicke took over from David Burke who left the role to concentrate on theatre and spend more time with his young son.
Personally I preferred Burke's take on the role, he had a bit of swagger and some mischief.
Interestingly I found out from an interview by the producer June Wyndham-Davies that Edward Hardwicke spent time as a young man in Hollywood where his father Sir Cedrick Hardwicke was based. Edward met Nigel Bruce who would often pop round to their house. As a tribute Edward was determined to have a bit of Nigel Bruce in his performance as Dr Watson.
Strong episode
vitoscotti12 October 2020
After the monumentally classic "The Final Problem", "The Empty Room" wasn't a letdown. A fine story. A bit sluggish early. Then it kicks into high gear. I think David Burke is sorely missed. Edward Hardwicke is only ok. No real chemistry with he and Brett. David Burke was the perfect Watson. Hopefully Hardwicke's adaptation gets better. Watson is becoming a tad wiser in his sleuthing. Mrs. Hudson is marvelous in this episode.
Holmes is back with a bang
revans-583683 October 2015
Warning: Spoilers
After his apparent death at the Reichenbach falls, we finally discover that Holmes survived his battle with Moriarty and is back at Baker Street, but is being pursued by one of Moriarty's henchmen. Holmes lays a trap, using an empty house to trap Colonel Sebastian Moran. It's an excellent episode, one of my favourites in the collection, it's fast paced, intriguing, and also introduced the wonderful Edward Hardwicke as Watson, David Burke had decided to step down from the role. It has a very satisfying conclusion, my only minor gripe would have to be the fight between Holmes and Moran, when they break into the Empty House, dare I say there are a few moments of over acting.
Holmes is back as strong as ever!
TheLittleSongbird17 May 2012
I am a huge fan of the Granada Sherlock Holmes, and The Empty House is a strong return for a series that started with such promise and generally apart from a couple of disappointments later on was of consistent high quality. The Empty House follows on from one of the best and most special episodes of the entire series The Final Problem, the ending of which did leave room for a follow-up. While not quite as good, it is just as excellent an episode. There may be parts in the middle that feel as though the story is a little stretched, however the story overall is exciting and very clever. Three scenes stood out, the scene where Watson sees Holmes for the very first time since he was assumed dead, one of the most reflective and most moving beginnings of any of the adaptations of the series and especially the capture of the murderer, tense to start with and then a faithful and brilliantly delivered speech from Holmes(love the snarl). The production values are truly splendid, as is the typically hauntingly beautiful music, and the screenplay is of the usual thoughtful standard. Jeremy Brett is superb as always, and I do slightly prefer Edward Hardwicke's somewhat wiser and understated Watson to David Burke's. Patrick Allen is good as Moran, but Rosalie Williams and Colin Jeavons' supporting turns as Mrs Hudson and Lestrade fare best. All in all, a fine return for one of the most iconic detectives in fiction. 9/10 Bethany Cox
An Expression of Love and Respect
Hitchcoc7 February 2014
Sebastian Moran. Holmes returns in this episode. Arthur Conan Doyle, tired of the anger and threatening nature of his fans, decided to bring the deerstalker clad detective back for an encore. The best scene, for me, is when Holmes removes his disguise and faces Watson for the first time since his "death." Poor Watson (now played by Edward Hardwicke) is aghast. He thinks he has seen a ghost. The issue now is how the loyal biographer and companion is going to join his friend when he has, to some degree, been betrayed by him. There is not time for much discussion because now they have a serious task. His name is Sebastian Moran, who was second only to Moriarity in evil. With Moriarity dead, this man has set a hit on Holmes. While the methods become a bit far- fetched for the boys, imagine the joy of the late nineteenth century reader when their friendship is rekindled. The plotting is neat and the conclusion satisfying. Another nice debut episode to the next series.
Holmes and Watson are again a team.
kfo949425 October 2013
This episode did have a small mystery of its own but the main story of this tale is the return of Sherlock Holmes that was presumed dead by the hands of Doctor Moriarty. It has been three years and Doctor Watson has been carrying on without his friend and the writings that he so loved. Watson is now working for the police and is helping out in a death of a respectable man on the outside of London. When all of the sudden he gets a visit by an old man bearing books to sale.
The old man turns out to be Sherlock Holmes which has been living 'The life of Riley' for the last few years. And without ruining anymore, Sherlock will go into detail about the reasons he kept away from the public eye and the reasons he has for returning after these many years.
Not only do we get the narration provided by Jeremy Brett's character but the entire matter will also be tied into the mystery of the death that Watson is involved. And it will be the incredible Sherlock Holmes that will again provide guidance to the police to bring this case to a close.
We can look forward to many more tales and many more arrests all due to the fact of the return of Sherlock Holmes.
The old man turns out to be Sherlock Holmes which has been living 'The life of Riley' for the last few years. And without ruining anymore, Sherlock will go into detail about the reasons he kept away from the public eye and the reasons he has for returning after these many years.
Not only do we get the narration provided by Jeremy Brett's character but the entire matter will also be tied into the mystery of the death that Watson is involved. And it will be the incredible Sherlock Holmes that will again provide guidance to the police to bring this case to a close.
We can look forward to many more tales and many more arrests all due to the fact of the return of Sherlock Holmes.
He's Baaaack!!!!
standardmetal8 June 2018
This is Conan Doyle's ingenious way of bringing back Sherlock Holmes "from the dead" due to public pressure after the scene where both he and his arch-enemy Professor Moriarty are swept hand in hand in mortal combat over the Reichenbach Falls in "The Final Problem".
Interestingly enough, when the "resurrected" Holmes reveals himself to his landlady Mrs. Hudson (Rosalie Williams, as usual), she has her hysterics but Watson himself faints dead away. Holmes' reaction is "I had no idea you'd be so affected." Well duh! Showing that even Sherlock could be dense at times.
With Edward Hardwick taking over for David Burke as Dr. Watson, I find that he is, in my opinion, a livelier Watson than Burke and I much prefer him.
Very interesting as well as rather touching.
Interestingly enough, when the "resurrected" Holmes reveals himself to his landlady Mrs. Hudson (Rosalie Williams, as usual), she has her hysterics but Watson himself faints dead away. Holmes' reaction is "I had no idea you'd be so affected." Well duh! Showing that even Sherlock could be dense at times.
With Edward Hardwick taking over for David Burke as Dr. Watson, I find that he is, in my opinion, a livelier Watson than Burke and I much prefer him.
Very interesting as well as rather touching.
The Flashy Return of Holmes, and The Introduction of The New Watson
suicidea9 June 2021
The return of Sherlock Holmes was a long-awaited literary phenomenon in its day, and the TV adaptation doesn't disappoint.
Three years after the deadly confrontation with Professor Moriarty which took both their lives, Holmes is now living in his dear friend's memories only, who still reminisces of their days together. Watson is now a police consultant, having moved from Apartment 221B. When a curious case leads him and Inspector Lestrade to a dead end, suddenly a long-lost name from the past appears to give a helping hand.
A noteworthy episode simply for having two Watsons (David Burke appears shortly in the flashback scenes) but there's a lot more to it. Burke and Hardwicke were quite different in their interpretations of Dr. Watson, but they were equally wonderful. They each had their superior points, and I really can't choose one over the other. Burke's Watson was more of a man of action, quicker in his ways, you could still see the former soldier in him. Hardwicke's Watson is older, more experienced in Holmes' methods and has a melancholy about him, he acts more like a lifelong friend than a business partner. His affection for Holmes is felt strongly.
The episode has a warm air of reminiscence and nostalgia, with the usual Holmes mannerisms and deductions. Also must be noted an appearance by Patrick Allen as Colonel Sebastian Moran. With that face and presence, it's beyond me how he didn't become a household name. According to the imdb he has 158 acting roles under his belt, but I still feel he should have been more famous.
Mrs. Hudson's final toast to Holmes is a great ending to a great episode.
Three years after the deadly confrontation with Professor Moriarty which took both their lives, Holmes is now living in his dear friend's memories only, who still reminisces of their days together. Watson is now a police consultant, having moved from Apartment 221B. When a curious case leads him and Inspector Lestrade to a dead end, suddenly a long-lost name from the past appears to give a helping hand.
A noteworthy episode simply for having two Watsons (David Burke appears shortly in the flashback scenes) but there's a lot more to it. Burke and Hardwicke were quite different in their interpretations of Dr. Watson, but they were equally wonderful. They each had their superior points, and I really can't choose one over the other. Burke's Watson was more of a man of action, quicker in his ways, you could still see the former soldier in him. Hardwicke's Watson is older, more experienced in Holmes' methods and has a melancholy about him, he acts more like a lifelong friend than a business partner. His affection for Holmes is felt strongly.
The episode has a warm air of reminiscence and nostalgia, with the usual Holmes mannerisms and deductions. Also must be noted an appearance by Patrick Allen as Colonel Sebastian Moran. With that face and presence, it's beyond me how he didn't become a household name. According to the imdb he has 158 acting roles under his belt, but I still feel he should have been more famous.
Mrs. Hudson's final toast to Holmes is a great ending to a great episode.
Epic Episode
rmax30482328 July 2012
Warning: Spoilers
Well, Conan-Doyle tried his damnedest to put an end to his creation, Sherlock Holmes. The writer felt that his cash cow had served his purpose. Doyle was ready for more ambitious literary projects, but the public must be served and they were outraged that Holmes should have died in the last story. An interim novella didn't solve the problem. The masses wanted their hero BACK.
And back he comes in "The Empty House." It turns out that Holmes escaped Moriarty at the Reichenbach Falls, although Moriarty himself took a nose dive. Here, after his reappearance, Holmes describes to Watson how he faked his own death and clambered away to safety, with the intention of having the underworld think he was gone for good. That secrecy business all seems rather moot when we find out that at least one member of Moriarty's criminal underworld took a few pot shots at Holmes as he got away.
Let me put it this way. Why was it so necessary that, for two solid years, Watson and Mrs. Hudson should think Holmes had fallen down the falls when, in fact, the underworld already knew he was alive and kicking? No matter. Conan-Doyle had to get him back into circulation and this somewhat clumsy story got the job done. Here, Holmes and Watson capture the murderous Number Two man in Moriarty's gang. They trap him into shooting a deadly air rifle at a silhouette of Holmes from an empty house across Baker Street. The silhouette is only a bust, moved slightly every fifteen minutes by the complicit Mrs. Hudson. Otherwise it doesn't move. The silhouette looks exactly like what it is -- a wax bust of Sherlock Holmes. This Colonel Moran doesn't deserve to be Number Two, or maybe he does.
The story gets Holmes back before the public and introduces Edward Hardwicke as a new Watson. The performances are fine, as usual. It's hard to recognize Eric Portman under his Moriarty make up, but then the make up in this series was always outstanding.
However, the stories suffered a slow decline in quality after this. At times they seemed like self parodies. Holmes lost many of his quirks over time, just as Conan-Doyle lost his enthusiasm. The author must have gritted his teeth as he forced himself to produce one story after another. And no more cocaine for poor Holmes. As one observer put it, "If you ask me, he was never the same man."
And back he comes in "The Empty House." It turns out that Holmes escaped Moriarty at the Reichenbach Falls, although Moriarty himself took a nose dive. Here, after his reappearance, Holmes describes to Watson how he faked his own death and clambered away to safety, with the intention of having the underworld think he was gone for good. That secrecy business all seems rather moot when we find out that at least one member of Moriarty's criminal underworld took a few pot shots at Holmes as he got away.
Let me put it this way. Why was it so necessary that, for two solid years, Watson and Mrs. Hudson should think Holmes had fallen down the falls when, in fact, the underworld already knew he was alive and kicking? No matter. Conan-Doyle had to get him back into circulation and this somewhat clumsy story got the job done. Here, Holmes and Watson capture the murderous Number Two man in Moriarty's gang. They trap him into shooting a deadly air rifle at a silhouette of Holmes from an empty house across Baker Street. The silhouette is only a bust, moved slightly every fifteen minutes by the complicit Mrs. Hudson. Otherwise it doesn't move. The silhouette looks exactly like what it is -- a wax bust of Sherlock Holmes. This Colonel Moran doesn't deserve to be Number Two, or maybe he does.
The story gets Holmes back before the public and introduces Edward Hardwicke as a new Watson. The performances are fine, as usual. It's hard to recognize Eric Portman under his Moriarty make up, but then the make up in this series was always outstanding.
However, the stories suffered a slow decline in quality after this. At times they seemed like self parodies. Holmes lost many of his quirks over time, just as Conan-Doyle lost his enthusiasm. The author must have gritted his teeth as he forced himself to produce one story after another. And no more cocaine for poor Holmes. As one observer put it, "If you ask me, he was never the same man."
An excellent way to bring back Holmes!!!
Russ611 May 2006
When the Adventures of Sherlock Holmes finished because Sherlock had come to his demise at the hands of the infamous Moriarty a massive gap was left! How good was it to see Sherlock alive and returning in this series with the first episode 'Empty House' in which he has to beat Moriarty's right hand man who has a mission to finish off Holmes for good this time! Thankfully, for all of us who enjoy Jeremy Brett's portrayal, Holmes uses all his skill (with Watson's aid of course) to beat this henchman.
Sherlock Holmes will live forever in all of us that will never let him die!
Sherlock Holmes will live forever in all of us that will never let him die!
Back and in top form
grantss30 November 2022
It is three years since Sherlock Holmes appeared to meet his death at the Reichenbach Falls. Dr Watson is working as a police surgeon when Holmes appears, perfectly alive! After explaining how he survived, Holmes and Watson set out to capture the man out to kill Holmes, the only follower of Moriarty who knows that Holmes is still alive.
A great, and welcome, continuation of the Sherlock Holmes saga. More backstory of how Holmes is still alive and what he has been doing for the last three years than new developments but interesting all the same. Catching the man who is after Holmes is also quite interesting and ties in with case Lestrade is working on.
Unfortunately, due to the backstory taking up much of the episode, there is very little time left to develop the investigation of the case - its solving does feel a bit rushed and conjecture-, rather than evidence-, based.
The other negative is that even after the case is solved there is a fair amount of backstory being filled in by Holmes - it dampens the climax of the episode.
Interesting to see that in the new series David Burke is replaced by Edward Hardwicke in the role of Dr Watson.
A great, and welcome, continuation of the Sherlock Holmes saga. More backstory of how Holmes is still alive and what he has been doing for the last three years than new developments but interesting all the same. Catching the man who is after Holmes is also quite interesting and ties in with case Lestrade is working on.
Unfortunately, due to the backstory taking up much of the episode, there is very little time left to develop the investigation of the case - its solving does feel a bit rushed and conjecture-, rather than evidence-, based.
The other negative is that even after the case is solved there is a fair amount of backstory being filled in by Holmes - it dampens the climax of the episode.
Interesting to see that in the new series David Burke is replaced by Edward Hardwicke in the role of Dr Watson.
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