Sherlock, season 3, episode 3, review FACTS: 21 things you didn't know about Sherlock Into this set up Moffat threw true romance (Watson's forgiveness of Mary for her previous life); Sherlock being a crack addict; Sherlock getting a girlfriend; Sherlock being shot; Sherlock dying then coming back to life; Sherlock killing someone else - properly and like he meant it - and Moriarty. It was like Christmas for Sherlock fans. Indeed, Christmas was in there too. The episode belted along, was neatly structured, and boasted not just the one jaw-dropping surprise (outlined above) but a couple more narrative broadsides. The third series of Sherlock has been event TV. Its lead actors are now at the top of their game. Together, Benedict Cumberbatch (statesman-like, hypnotic) and Martin Freeman (humble, deeply sympathetic) prove that charisma can come in very different forms. The programme has also managed to spin a storyline out across 24 months, with just a couple of episodes at either end to hold the tension. The mystery of how Holmes had faked his own death had viewers on tenterhooks two years ago; the fans feverishly concocting theories ever since. In acknowledgement of the hysteria, the makers delivered not one but three explanations in the New Year's Day episode. The entertaining, post-modern nods to the outside world continued in the second episode with its conceit of showing us Martin Freeman, as Watson, marrying his real-life partner, Amanda Abbington (to whom he isn't married). We've also had Sherlock's parents played by Cumberbatch's actual mother and father. Some carp that all these in-jokes are a distraction, that the show is just too pleased with itself. I don't think it stops the carpers watching, since the show's ratings have been around an enormous nine million an episode. Perhaps the programme has indeed become a little vain, rather a show-off. But then it would only be aping its central protagonist, and, despite his personality flaws, aren't we all a little in love with Sherlock Holmes right now?