THE CRUNCH - A Little Deduction...

The game is afoot!
We are still a year away from the third series of BBC's Sherlock, but we already have some clues as to what the show's next season will entail; Rat, Wedding and Bow.
So I've been doing a little detective work of my own, trawling through the original Sir Arthur Conan Doyle stories, and this is my final report on the case.

Rat
This is probably the hardest of the three words to figure, as none of the original Sherlock Holmes stories include a Rat. Doyle uses dogs, snakes and even seaweed as murder weapons, but on no story does a rat bare any relevance.
Of course, there are a few obscure references. In The Adventure of the Sussex Vampire, Holmes refers to another case involving "the giant rat of Sumatra". Could this tangent be the source of the first episode?
Or, it could be possible that this will be a completely new story. In series 1 we had The Blind Banker, which wasn't linked to any particular short story or novel. Maybe we're going to see a return to this form. But this seems unlikely considering we know that the story will be based at least partly on The Adventure of the Empty House.
To be honest, I'm bluffing. This clue has got me completely stumped.

Wedding
Ah ha! This ones a bit easier. There are three main stories that stand out for weddings:
In A Case of Identity, a wedding is aborted at the last minute when the groom mysteriously disappears. In The Adventure of the Noble Bachelor it is the bride who disappears, this time after the ceremony. And in The Adventure of the Solitary Cyclist, a woman is nearly forced to make her vows.
While any of these could be the source for the second episode, I think there is a much more likely candidate.
Each series has had one episode based on one of Doyle's epic novels. Series 1 opened with A Study In Pink (An interpretation of A Study In Scarlet) and in Series 2 we were treated to The Hounds of Baskerville (inspired by The Hound of the Baskervilles). So, I'm hedging my bets on an adaptation of The Sign Of Four, the story in which Watson meets his future wife and becomes engaged.
Steven Moffat has said ever since the first series of Sherlock that he has wanted to explore Watson's marriage and his emigration from 221B. This theme has already been explored satirically and successfully by Guy Richie's film adaptation Sherlock Holmes 2: A Game Of Shadows, and could this have prompted the Moff to bring this story arc to his modern-day interpretation?

Bow
The obvious piece of Sherlock Holmes history that this points to is Doyle's penultimate short story collection, His Last Bow, at the end of which Holmes retires from detective-work all together. Moffat has already confirmed that this series will end in another cliff-hanger that will top the fall of Series 2. Maybe Holmes' retirement is linked to this cliff-hanger in some way.
His Last Bow is also the title of one of the short stories from this anthology. Unlike most of the other Sherlock Holmes stories, it is written in the 3rd person, and not from the point of view of John Watson. Bow is also unlike other Sherlock Holmes stories in that it is a spy story, and not a murder mystery. Could the season finale revolve around an espionage story more suited James Bond or Jason Bourne?

Those are my predictions for the next series of Sherlock. What do you guys make of the clues? Let us know in the comments.
Tom :)

TV GALLERY - Doctor Who Christmas Special 2012

Here's some new stills from this year's Christmas Special of Doctor Who, featuring pictures of new companion Jenna-Louise Coleman.

Who takes a festive return to the Victorian era.

Jenna-Louise Coleman. We know that her character doesn't originate from the Victorian era, so how did she get there? And where did she get the appropriate clothes?

The background looks a bit TARDIS-like, could it be she travelled with the Doctor there?

Matt Smith sporting a new suit.

And finally, the ever-sinister hooded man! Spooky!

Tom :)

TV NEWS - Lots of 'Who', and a Little Bit of 'Sherlock'

Lots of Who News!

Something Doctor Who is very good at is releasing lots and lots of trailers that all show the same thing. And we have another one for you, showing all the same scenes you've already seen from the first episode, Asylum of the Daleks. However, what this new trailer does have, and about time too, is a return to Murray Gold's theme I Am The Doctor, which was established in the soundtrack of series 5, and was used nowhere near enough in series 6.

Now forget about the Daleks briefly, because we also have photos from this year's Christmas special. You can see them in our gallery here.

And finally, we have a release date for the new series! Asylum of the Daleks will air on the 1st September. To view our full episode guide to the new series, click here.

And The BBC are releasing a mini online series of teasers leading up to the start every day see episode 1 here!

Sherlock Hints

Last year, Sherlock show-runners released the words "Adler, Hound and Reichenbach" as hints to what each episode could include. And they've done the same this year; "Rat, Wedding, Bow". It seems they're a bit more cryptic this time round, so I'll speculate in this weeks Crunch. Look out for it on Friday!

What do you think of the Sherlock clues? Let us know in the comments.

Tom :)

TV GALLERY - Doctor Who Series 7 Part 1

A few stills have been released from the first half of the next series of Doctor Who. But let's start with the recent teaser...

Now the stills, with our guesses as to which episode they're from...

Poster for Episode 1: Asylum of the Daleks

Asylum of the Daleks

Asylum of the Daleks

Asylum of the Daleks

Dinosaurs on a Spaceship

A Town Called Mercy

A Town Called Mercy

A Town Called Mercy

A Town Called Mercy

Dinosaurs on a Spaceship

Dinosaurs on a Spaceship

Dinosaurs on a Spaceship

Dinosaurs on a Spaceship

No idea which episode this ones from.

Who's looking forward to the new series of Doctor Who?

Kieron :O

TV GALLERY - Dexter Series 7

I don't follow Dexter, but I've heard alot of good things about it. Series 7 is only a few weeks away, and we have some stills and a new poster for you...

Tom :)

TV NEWS - "Dexter" Pictures, "Doctor Who" Creation Drama and New "Elementary" Promo

As you noticed yesterday, we're playing catch-up on a few weeks of news. Here's all we can gather on the last few weeks of TV.

New Dexter Pictures
Some stills have been released from the upcoming series of Dexter. A new teaser poster has also been released. To see all this in our latest gallery, click here.

Mark Gatiss Confirms Drama About Creation Of Doctor Who
Who and Sherlock writer Mark Gatiss has confirmed on twitter that he will be writing a one and a half hour long drama about the inception of Doctor Who for the shows 50th anniversary next year. The show will follow a recent drive in "making of" period dramas on the BBC after The Road to Coronation Street and Eric and Ernie.
For more on this story, click here.
Also in Who news, Richard E. Grant has been confirmed to play the villain in this year's Christmas special.
For more on this story, click here.

New Elementary Promo

Yes, that show that has come up with the really really original idea of modernising the Sherlock Holmes stories and has no intention of just cashing-in on a franchise whatsoever, has released a new promo. If you need something to take your anger out on, a suggested target is below.

And that's the news. Check back in on Thursday for film news and a long-awaited review of The Dark Knight Rises.

Tom :)

TV NEWS - New Dracula Series, "Merlin" Trailer, "Family Guy" In The UK, "Life On Mars" E-Books

Dracula On It's Way To Sky Living
After years of tepid supernaturals and non-existant facial expressions, The Twilight Saga is finally ending. So it's unsurprising that a new vampire series is moving in to take it's place, and it's in the form of a new adaptation of Bram Stoker's 1897 novel Dracula. Jonathan Rhys Meyers (The Tudors) is set to play the title role. We'll keep updating you when we learn more.

BBC Release Trailer For Series 5 Of Merlin

The new trailer for the upcoming series of Merlin has been shown on BBC channels. The trailer confirms that the series will return to BBC 1 this autumn.

To me, the trailer doesn't really look very interesting. The show is called Merlin, yet there seems to be more emphasis on Arthur and Gwen. Having said that, loving the Muse!

New Series Of Family Guy In UK

On Sunday, the first episode of the new series of the hit American comedy Family Guy was aired on BBC 3. If you missed the episode you can catch it on BBC iPlayer. If you didn't, tell us what you thought of it in the comments.

Life On Mars E-Books

Earlier this month, author Tom Graham announced that he would be writing four novels based on the hit 2005 TV series Life On Mars. The stories will feature the characters Sam Tyler and Gene Hunt, as played by John Simm and Philip Glenister in the original series, and will carry on where the final series left off. Maybe they will bridge the gap between Life On Mars and its sister series Ashes To Ashes?

For the official announcement, click here.

Misfits Series 4 Pictures

Channel 4 have released some promotional pictures for the new series of supernatural comedy-drama Misfits. Click here to have a look at our gallery.

There's all the TV news, see you next week.

Tom :)

TV GALLERY - Misfits Series 4 Promo Pictures

We love Misfits, and we're very excited about the new series. Have a look at some new pictures.

Nathan Stewart-Jarrett, Karla Crome, Nathan McMullen and Joe Gilgun

TV NEWS - Emmy Award Nominations and Red Dwarf X Trailer

British TV In Emmy Nominations
Alot of British shows have made the cut in the Emmys. Here's our round-up:
ITV's Downton Abbey has recieved 5 nominations:
 - Outstanding Lead Actress In A Drama Series (Michelle Dockery)
 - Outstanding Lead Actor In A Drama Series (Hugh Bonneville)
 - Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Drama Series (Maggie Smith and Joanna Froggatt)
 - Outstanding Director For A Drama Series (Brian Percival)
 - Outstanding Writing For A Drama Series (Julian Fellowes)

Channel 4's Shameless has recieved 1 nomination:
 - Outstanding Guest Actress In A Drama Series (Joan Cusack)

BBC's Luther has recieved 4 nominations:
 - Outstanding Miniseries Or Movie
 - Outstanding Lead Actor In A Miniseries Or Movie (Idris Elba)
 - Outstanding Directing For A Miniseries, Movie Or A Dramatic Special (Sam Miller)
 - Outstanding Writing For A Miniseries, Movie Or A Dramatic Special (Neil Cross)

BBC's Sherlock has recieved 5 nominations:
 - Outstanding Miniseries Or Movie (A Scandal In Belgravia)
 - Outstanding Lead Actor In A Miniseries Or Movie (Benedict Cumberbatch)
 - Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Miniseries Or Movie (Martin Freeman)
 - Outstanding Directing For A Miniseries, Movie Or A Dramatic Special (Paul McGuigan)
 - Outstanding Writing For A Miniseries, Movie Or A Dramatic Special (Steven Moffat)

BBC's The Hour recieved 1 nomination:
 - Outstanding Writing For A Miniseries, Movie Or A Dramatic Special (Abi Morgan)

What are your predictions/hopes? Let us know in the comments
For the full list of nominations, click here.

Trailer For Red Dwarf X
A trailer has been released for the new series of the hit comedy Red Dwarf.

This series (which will be tenth series of Red Dwarf) will be aired on Dave. Looking forward to it? Let us know in the comments...

That's all for this week. No games news tomorrow, but we will have film news on Thursday, as well as a review of The Amazing Spider-Man. See you then...

Tom :)

TV Review - Primeval Series 5 Episode 4 (Spoiler-free)

Previous Episode     Next Episode

Created by: Adrian Hodges and Tim Haines
Directed by: Robert Quinn
Written by:  Helen Raynor
Starring: Ciaran McMenamin, Andrew-Lee Potts, Hannah Spearritt, Ben Mansfield, Ruth Kearney, Ruth Bradley, Alexander Siddig 
Genre: Sci-Fi
Air Date: 14th June 2011 (Watch), 7th July 2012 (ITV)

This episode had good potential as the idea of a swarm and a man made anomaly was something new. However it got a bit cheesy as the queen was massively over sized and really, they can dig through reinforced concrete in seconds. Philip the added threat of Philip blowing everyone and abby going to save her pet at the last minuet hummm. This made for some cheesy lines. And Gamma rays are light so move at the speed of light you stupid TV effects people not like 10 mph!!

Also half way though the episode I started thinking this whole cast is way to attractive what is up with this !! Now this hasn't detracted from the acting to much but does leave the atmosphere and feelings down a little. 

Now it did build suspense quite nicely and was possibly a scarier and darker episode, ish, which I liked although when i'm thinking to myself just die you useless model this kind of detracts from the mood.

3/10

Kieron :O

TV NEWS - Doctor Who, Sherlock and The Walking Dead (Spoilers)

The Walking Dead Season 3
The series will be 19 episodes long and feature some new characters.
Danai Gurira's character, Michonne, has been described as "...awesome. She's sexy. She's a badass." by Laurie Holden and Danai herself as "really impressive, and she brings the character to life." by Gale Anne Hurd.
David Morrissey has said that "...people are going to be blown away" by his new character, The Governor. Glen Mazzara also said"...he thinks he's the Messiah." 
Actor Chandler Riggs said that his character Carl was "...growing up. He's definitely not a kid anymore ... He's more of a solder, more part of the group."
And producer David Alpert promised that "We're going to kill so many people ... people that you care about and love".
A new clip was put online but has now been removed due to copy write but there is a picture seen above.


Doctor Who

Mark Gattis is writing a victorian-set episode for after christmas and the guest actors and some screen shots have been revieled! It is the ninth episode and it is called The Crimson Horror. See the updated episode guide here.


Dame Diana Rigg is playing Mrs Gillyflower, a woman with a dark secret known to the inhabitants of Sweetville as "the Ice Lady", who does something dastardly to new companion Clara that the Doctor (aided by a couple of old friends) has to reverse. These old friends appear to be Madame Vastra and Sontaran Strax.


Dame Diana Riggs's daughter, Rachael Stirling, is playing her daughter! She has been seen on set wearing prosthetics for a burnt face! Whats that about, Ice lady and fire daughter ?

Madame Vastra

Sontaran Strax

For those of you who don't know Dame Diana Rigg is best known for her 60's roles in On Her Majesty's Secret Service and the UK TV show The Avengers and Rachael Striling was in Snow White and the Huntsman.


Sweetville's match factory, which goes by the name of Brightwell and Hyman, is a place regarded suspiciously by the locals, and will play a part in the episode's story.


But wait there is more!!!


Also in this episode has the guest actors Catrin Stewart, David Warner, Liam Cunningham and Brendan Patricks like OMG (no i don't recognise the names either).


Okay so the girl to the left is Catrin Stewart. She played that girl in Misfits that could turn things to ice and then blew her self up by having sex with Nathans long lost brother! (what I told you it had spoilers). And this episode has an Ice Lady too! But more importantly she was the girl that was with Madame Vastra in A Good Man Goes to War half way throught the last series of doctor who!


David Warner is older and been in all the high geekness movies from Tron to Star Trek. 


Liam Cunningham is a main character from Game of Thrones and has been in loads of stuff! Apparently he has been teased to include the words "meat", "klaxon" and "Vienna".


Brendan Patricks is the guy to the right. He is from Downton Abbey.




More Pictures?:

Loving the new hat Matt! and whats with the tweed waist cote and bow tie...

What really? More Who News!
Yerp. However it is about a different episode.

The writer of Luther and Spooks, Neil Cross, is writing his first episode for Doctor Who. Not much is known about it but we know it will star Jessica Raine (seen right) and Dougray Scott (seen left). These pictures are not from Doctor Who. (Your a goon if you thought they were)


Jessica is from Call The Midwife and The Woman in Black.

Dougray is from Mission: Impossible II and Desperate Housewives.


And yes I used their first name not the conventional second name, get over it.

Sherlock and Sky
Sky Living will be playing host to the US show Elementary in the UK this autumn. We have been told that Jonny Lee Miller plays Holmes as an ex-pat Brit with a history of drug abuse whose father employs Lucy Liu’s live-in assistant Dr Watson to aid his recovery. Romantic complications, we’re told, ensue. 
Really Romantic complications, Shelock can't have romantic complications!! and a history of drug abuse, isn't he suppose to be a hero, a role model, what is up with this america? >:O Nice to know sky have the same idea and put it on an inconspicuous channel!

:Enter Enraged Rant Here:

In case your interested Sky have also bought Vegas and The Following which will be on Sky Atlantic and DC Comics adoption Arrow which will be on Sky1.

They Arrow looks like a rip off of hawk eye (well he came first but still), but a good one. The Following look like a aright horror thing ! Trailers Bellow (second Arrow trailer here, for more information click here). Vegas looks terrible.

Benedict Cumberbatch, everyone's favourite modem Sherlock, has a guest role in the US show The Simpsons! You may have heard of it. This will add to his roles in The Hobbit and Star Trek later this year. We think he will not however be playing Sherlock but an unknown and unconfirmed character. Benedict said:
"I was at a meeting in the same place The Simpsons is recorded and heard there was a part going in an episode. I said 'I hate to muscle in here guys but could I record it?' Next thing, I'm standing in a room with all those famous voices; Bart, Marge, Homer, Lisa."


And Finally, if a slip of the tongue courtesy of Dredd’s Karl Urba is correct then it is sort of confirmed that Benedict will be playing Gary Mitchell, a villain from the original series of Star Trek in the new Star Trek sequel. (Yes I know this is movie news but it fits better here!) Mitchell was a member of the Starfleet Academy who was exposed to a magnetic storm aboard the SS Valiant, leaving him with godlike telekinetic powers and a decidedly nasty temper. 


And that's all, sorry about all the spoilers
Kieron :O

TV NEWS - Merlin and Inbetweeners news

Merlin
Merlin will air on the 29th of September when there will be 13 new episodes!

The Inbetweeners
The Inbetweeners are going to america for an American version of the film. Shh i know it isn't really tv news.
And in the TV series remake a new picture has been released. And yes it looks terrible and very American. The fact that the guy on the left is holding a yellow car door, they are just using the same scripts as the originals. As the Americans don't like this kind of comedy, which is why they canceled Skins because it pictures teenagers doing "unrealistic things" and picturing them in a bad way.

And thats it
Kieron :P