The Second Stain is another great episode from an incredibly strong series. The story is full of intrigue, the performances are captivating, it's basically forty five minutes of blissful drama. Edward Hardwicke slotted seemlessly into the role of Watson, I'd never choose a favourite between him and Burke, but his character is so thoughtful and measured, the chemistry with Brett, just staggering.
So many wonderful scenes, my favourite being where Holmes gives the Prime Minister the cold shoulder, Harry Andrews is superb, but even he isn't a match for Brett, who genuinely is at the height of his brilliance. Sumptuous settings and costumes, terrific production values, and a beautiful, wonderful Patricia Hodge make The Second Stain a true classic. 9/10
So many wonderful scenes, my favourite being where Holmes gives the Prime Minister the cold shoulder, Harry Andrews is superb, but even he isn't a match for Brett, who genuinely is at the height of his brilliance. Sumptuous settings and costumes, terrific production values, and a beautiful, wonderful Patricia Hodge make The Second Stain a true classic. 9/10