Wednesday, March 31, 2010

The Red Headed League

We watched the old Granada episode of the Sherlock Holmes adventure The Red Headed League. We've been watching this series for old times' sake. For a sinister affair masterminded by none other than Moriarty, this one is also a truly flawless comic masterpiece. My favourite quote:

Sherlock Holmes: Now I begin to think my reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I am so candid. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico.'
Dr. John Watson: [explaining this to the clueless Mr. Wilson] Everything becomes commonplace by explanation.
Sherlock Holmes: Watson, that is a very loose translation!

[The phjrase by Tacitus could be translated "we have great notions of everything unknown"]

This link gives the numerous repartees in this superb episode:

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