Fans will need to put on their thinking caps to sort this one out. The latest trailer for "Sherlock" season 4 may be brief---47 seconds to be exact---but it brings to mind all kinds of scenarios and more questions than answers.
Everyone who knows Sherlock Holmes (Benedict Cumberbatch) is perfectly aware of how he shrugs off sentimentality and exudes a dispassionate demeanor at all times. They can attest to how ominous it sounded coming from him when he uttered "I love you" at the very end of this teaser trailer from the most awaited season of all of "Sherlock."
Trailer #2 of "Sherlock" season 4 is only more confirmation of the sinister atmosphere that will pervade the show when it finally comes around. Dark times are coming indeed, inevitably rushing to meet our favorite detective and his friends: a burning building, John Watson (Martin Freeman) in a pool of water inside what appears to be a large, deep, and dark underground well, the long faces on Molly (Louise Brealey), Mrs. Hudson (Una Stubbs), and Mary Watson (Amanda Abbington). Is there any doubt how forbidding it will be?
Cumberbatch himself and Freeman (who plays Doctor John Watson) have said so in earlier interviews. Even Steven Moffat, the writer-producer of the series, has referred to the upcoming "Sherlock" season 4 as putting the show's characters---and its audience as well, no doubt---"through the mill." He added that the latest helpings of the show will be "more of an emotional upheaval" and as a whole, this season will be "a tougher series."
Then there's the line "What's the very worst thing you can do to your very best friends?" And Culverton Smith (Toby Jones), described as Sherlock's "worst nightmare," appears to propose that the latter "Tell them your darkest secret."
To which Sherlock seems to be replying with the three puzzling words that seem to be out of context, the way the trailer was put together. The mystery is beyond most, if not all, who are following the clues dropped for "Sherlock" season 4. It's something only the foremost Baker Street detective can unravel. Good thing there's only 18 more days until the first episode airs.
"The Six Thatchers," the title of the first episode of "Sherlock" season 4, will air January 1, 2017, on BBC1 in the United Kingdom and PBS in the United States. "The Lying Detective," which is possibly the season's take on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's "The Adventure of the Dying Detective," is the title of the second episode and will feature Jones as Smith. The final episode called "The Final Problem" and will be featured 9 PM on January 15 only in 350 cinemas all over the UK and Ireland.
