A New Sherlock for the 21st Century

The new PBS version of Sherlock Holmes is a must-see. The story has been updated to the 21st century, and two young actors have assumed the roles of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson. I was skeptical because I am a huge fan of Basil Rathbone and Jeremy Brett as the movie and TV actors playing Sherlock. I am also fond of the Victorian setting of the original stories, which were my son's bedtime readings until he got too old for me to read to him. The 21st century hasn't hurt the compelling stories and excellent performances though. Tune in to PBS 13 on Sundays at 9PM. The game is afoot!

Vocabulary

a must-see (n) -- a place, film, or exhibit that you should see
update (v) -- to bring up to date
assume (v) -- to take on
skeptical (adj) -- not believing
Victorian (adj) -- related to the time in which Queen Victoria was Queen of England (1837-1901)
compelling (adj) -- forceful, persuasive

"The game is afoot." -- a quote that is often said by Sherlock Holmes in the stories by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and that means that the investigation has begun

Exercise: Fill in the correct word in the blanks:
The love story of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert is ____________. A recent movie about their love was a ____________. It was great! At first, I was ___________ about the quality of the movie but went to see it anyway. It was nice to see ___________ costumes and furnishings. I have ___________ my knowledge of the time by doing some online research, so perhaps I will soon be able to __________ the role of an expert.

Grammar Point:
The present perfect tense is formed by using has/have + the past participle of the verb. Can you find two examples in the paragraph? How is this tense used? Write two sentences using the present perfect form of the verbs.

The Ride

The Ride

(A Poem for a Cured Workaholic)

He’s been on the ride

Fifteen years day and night,

From the mornings in the market keep

To the evenings at the garbage heap.

He does the books and pays the taxes,

Takes not a day off, nay he never relaxes.

He leaves nothing undone, nay not a lick,

Nor pities himself when he’s exhausted or sick.

His work ethic is fine, but his heart is not.

He’s been going through the moves like a rusty robot.

Life soars by in the flutter of a butterfly’s wing,

So his spirit wants the chance to dance and to sing.

Now he has to dismount this head-spinning carousel,

And take stock of himself and his life as well.

He longs to be with family, friends and the like,

But this ride has him zooming down hell’s turnpike.

It’s time that he needs, lest at night come the Thief

To hasten him away before he has breathed

As a free man the verdant pastures of home

And the beckoning breeze of wherever he may roam:

A sojourn in Greece on its dioptase shore,

A climb in Alba* on its lavender mounts,

A stroll in “Peter”* amid lilacs and White Nights,

And through Acadia’s forests a primeval hike.

So the ride must be done, the piper’s game won.

Tomorrow lies fast within his resolute grasp,

And the fifteen years gone during which he has shown

What a fine, daring rider he has been.

*Alba is another name for Scotland, and “Peter” is the Russian nickname for St. Petersburg.

Hope

Hope is a yellow sun,
Radiant and blinding,
With the taste of cheesecake
And the smell of vanilla.

Hope resounds like the peal of church bells
And children's singing.

Hope is a down comforter
Warming us against the winter's cold.

Hope roars like a lion
Driving away faintness of heart with its courage.