MovieChat Forums > The Case-Book of Sherlock Holmes (1991) Discussion > The Illustrious Client (1991)

The Illustrious Client (1991)

posted 15 years ago by flan99
10 replies | jump to latest

Damned fine episode.

Excellent acting all around.

Holmes had a rough time indeed.

[–] ftgplus4 15 years ago

Improves on the original story in at least one respect: Watson gets to show off a little of the knowledge Holmes had him learn. It seems Watson is more insightful (not to mention a better actor) in the Granada series than in the stories.

The casting and writing for the Kitty character doesn't seem quite right, though. She seems way too delicate and feminine. The Kitty of the story was bitter and careworn, and certainly wouldn't have been all "I just CAN'T!" about the Baron's book.

[–] Troll_Dahl 10 years ago

I found myself especially liking Kim Thompson (Kitty) in the episode. She did prove to be a strong woman at the last and Holmes' empathy towards her during the moment you mention is notable coming from him.

Om Shanti

[–] aliquis_anonymum 15 years ago

Who was the client?

Holmes says that it was an old friend, or something.

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The advantage of the emotions is that they lead us astray...

[–] 15 years ago

[deleted]

[–] exatera 14 years ago

Why did he have a personal interest in this case?

[–] fanaticita 14 years ago

I wondered the same thing! Who WAS the Illustrious Client?? The Prince of Wales? I'm wondering what his interest in the case was also. . .

[–] nicoledesapio 13 years ago

This is a SUPERB episode, without a doubt my favorite from the CASEBOOK. Watson posing as the antiques collector is unforgettable! "Marks on the Hung Wu? That's a vexed question." It's great how the episode uses music from DON GIOVANNI by Mozart -- this really ties in with the story.

RIP Edward Hardwicke.

[–] nikolas-moore 12 years ago

OMG Edward Hardwicke is dead? I wouldn't have known without the post, even though that was 9 months ago! So many of the principal characters' actors have died prematurely - Holmes, Moriarty and Moran being the other ones. That leaves only David Burke.

According to Wikipedia it is strongly hinted that the client is King Edward.

[–] Pharaoh-in-de-Nile 12 years ago

"That leaves only David Burke."

...and Colin Jeavons. Lestrade is almost as important as Holmes, Watson and Mrs. Hudson.

"The game's afoot!"

[–] Troll_Dahl 10 years ago

Yes, to the Don Giovanni! I've been exploring opera lately and it is one of the most musically beautiful and engaging I've come to yet. For those not in the know, Mozart's opera is based on the Don Juan legends about an unscrupulous womanizer who keeps a book chronicling his conquests and gets his comeuppance big time. Sound familiar? I was coming here to mention this somewhere, because someone put in the goofs section that Gruner listening to that record was anachronistic. Such a recording would supposedly not haven been made at the time at which the episode is meant to take place, my counterpoint being that I'm perfectly okay with a bit of literary license since it's perfect for that moment for the reason that you point out.

Om Shanti