SDCC 2015: Nerd HQ’s ‘Sherlock’ Panel Was A Total Blast!
It was the second day of Comic-Con, and the first panel of the morning for Zachary Levi’s Nerd HQ. Fans anxiously lined up at the New Children’s Museum in San Diego to see the Sherlock panel, which would feature writer Steven Moffat, producer Sue Vertue and actor Rupert Graves (DI Lestrade). Attendees were first treated to a short new clip of the show, which garnered screams for Benedict Cumberbatch (Sherlock Holmes) as he took to the screen, and chuckles as interactions between Watson (Martin Freeman) and Mrs. Hudson (Una Stubbs) took place. After the clip, the three panelists then came out and were introduced by Levi.
Fans asked the panelists questions, such as the thoughts between Moriarty and Sherlock’s mind palace, as well as similarities and differences between Sherlock and Moffat’s other show Doctor Who. Another audience member asked how one is able to fake a hand and trigger and shot to the mouth (in reference to the show’s season two finale where Moriarty performs the exact scene). Audience and panelists erupted into laughter as Moffat finally said, “It’s utterly unfakeable.”
Rupert was asked what his favorite and most difficult scenes were to film, and he answered that, aside from when Lestrade first sees Sherlock, he thoroughly just enjoys his lines on the show. He then added that it was a treat to finally act in a scene with long time friend Una Stubbs (Mrs. Hudson). Another audience member cited being a fan of married couple Moffat and Vertue and asked how much of the real life couple was in the characters Susan and Steve from Coupling? Sue noted that a lot of it is based on truth. The three were then asked if they were more of a Sherlock or Watson, to which Moffat answered Watson, claiming that he wasn’t nearly as intelligent as Sherlock. Rupert reported he wasn’t even intelligent enough to be Watson, he’s just Lestrade, while Sue confidently cited she was definitely Sherlock. Moffat then added he can confirm his wife is the closest thing to a genius sociopath while chuckling.
More questions were asked such as what is Lestrade’s ideal date? And how has the relationship between Sherlock and Lestrade changed over time? Moffat gave insight to his thoughts and intentions behind what he wanted the viewer to feel in season three’s finale His Last Vow, saying he just wanted people to watch and want more of the series. Other such questions included if there were any plans to include more family members into the series (with Steve and Sue’s son Louis Oliver making a cameo as a young Sherlock in the episode His Last Vow)? How does Moffat decide what Sherlock stories to focus on? Does Moffat know where the end of each episode is going? Rupert delivered his characters infamous line “You bastard” upon a fan’s request. Additionally asked was will the “other one” make an appearance? Do any stories written with intentions for Sherlock end up showing up on Doctor Who and vice versa? And how does this show’s Lestrade stand out from previous depictions of the character?
Moffat and Vertue talked about the writing and dialogue of the series as well as the comedy of the show. The relationship between Sherlock and Mycroft was also discussed and how the latter is the smarter brother. The panelists answered what has surprised and delighted them from the fans in response to the show, which included a large female fan base and the fan fiction and art that is created. They talked about whether or not it is difficult to get back into shooting and writing since the series is so spaced out, and how much supporting character involvement in the show is decided for each episode. The development of a character over time and what the best man and maid of honor speeches were like at each panelist’s wedding were also topics of discussion. The panel closed with a fan asking Moffat whether or not he would make a cameo on Sherlock as the character Moffatt since they share the same name? Moffat responded, “I’m really shit at acting” and would not fit in very well.
Though fans have to wait quite a bit to see a new Sherlock episode, this Nerd HQs panel seemed to hold them over despite the absence of the main stars.
Sherlock’s fourth season is expected to return to BBC America sometime in 2017 with rumors of a Christmas special later this year.
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