Finally watched the unaired pilot on the DVDs

[starrylizard]

Wow, now that was a much more coherent plot. I never understood why the whole cab thing was so obvious to the audience, but Sherlock missed it. Now I can see they just messed about with their plot that bit too much.

I also finally get where the whole asexual thing is coming from in fandom. I mean I understoof that he could be someone who isn't into sex and could easily fit that category, but there was never anything specifically said in the final version. I wonder why they took it out. In fact that whole scene in the restaurant made so much more sense and was so much more uncomfortable with the conversation...and getting the restaurant owner to throw him out was beau-ti-ful! Haha! Awesome. BC does a fabulous drunk impression.

I am glad they added in the drugs bust (better introducing Lestrade and his team) and brought Mycroft into the story in the new version, but why did they mess with the plot so much? I guess we'll never know, but I'm glad I finally watched this version too. Together they make a whole for me.

Anyhow, just random thoughts. I'm sure there have been loads of discussion posts on this, but I've avoided spoiling myself until I could watch it. Feel free to fill me in. :)

Comments

[lavvyan.livejournal.com]

I haven't read any of the discussions, but I think the characterisation of John may have been an issue. He came across as far more BAMF to the point of being callous in the pilot - which I liked, actually, especially as they had him more obviously smart, but I guess it would've left the viewer with either a slightly anti-social genius detective or a somewhat detached just-returned-home soldier as identification figures.

Then they overcompensated by dumbing down the plot too much in their effort to make John more approachable. That's my theory, and I'm sticking to it. ;)

[starrylizard.livejournal.com]

It's not a bad theory. What's BAMF again?

[lavvyan.livejournal.com]

Badass mofo. Ahem.

[starrylizard.livejournal.com]

Really!? lol. I don't think I even knew that. Ha! I like it!

[smuffster.livejournal.com]

Completely agree. The pilot felt much more coherent and didn't fash about so much. Straight and to the point, but yes, Mycroft and the extra Lestrade stuff was great. When we watched the first episode we felt like it dragged a bit at the end, but after watching the pilot you realise it's just padding.

[starrylizard.livejournal.com]

I've now introduced Sherlock to two other people and both of them cried "It's the taxi driver, you dolt!" when I did when I first watched it. From that point on it felt slow as you waited for Sherlock to catch up.

Watching the pilot made me realise they just made a bit of an error in their re-jigging of the plot there. Kinda restored my faith a bit. Between the two, it's perfect, because I really like some of the humour they added and I even appreciate them humanising Sherlock a little more with those same moments. He's still a sociopath, but he's a little more lovable for some of the added bits. :)

I wish they'd kept drunk and drugged Sherlock though.

I will now stop rambling. Seeing both has made me happy though.

Also, what did you think of the difference in music between the two? Just curious.

[smuffster.livejournal.com]

For me the drugged Sherlock at the end was the best part about the pilot. Sherlock not realising it was the taxi driver right off was annoying, but the idea that he would just follow the taxi driver like that and play his little game was stupid. Drugging him made way more sense.

I've only seen the pilot once and that was a few weeks after watching the first episode. Will have to watch them both again and let you know what I think.