Revised Thesis: The detective genre has existed for over a century and remains popular

to contemporary audiences through televised adaptions; Sherlock, adapts classic conventions,

specifically, the complimentary conventions of the incompetent police force and the superior
mind of the protagonist detective, to appeal to modern audiences.
Revised Paragraph: The BBC crime-drama, Sherlock, is a present-day adaptation of the
Conan Doyle stories, and has been reviewed as, "complex and contemporary, with references to
a remembered past," by Nancy Smith, reviewer for The Wall Street Journal. These references
include the display of incompetent police, and Sherlock's incredible deduction abilities that have
been present since the Victorian era. In the first episode of the series titled "A Study in Pink,"
Sherlock, played by Benedict Cumberbatch, is invited by detective-inspector Lestrade to
examine a crime scene and give his expert opinion on the matter. At the twenty-four minute
mark Sherlock and his companion Watson, walk into the crime scene; a low-key lit room in a
decrepit, abandoned London flat. Already the dcor and lighting of mise-en-scene conveys to the
viewer the mystery and seriousness of the situation; just as the tone did in Conan Doyles
stories. In the room lies Jennifer Wilson, a woman dressed in pink, dead, with the word "Rache"
scratched on the floor above her left hand. As Sherlock approaches Jennifers body, the frame
switches to a low angle of framing; forcing the viewer to look up at him. This low angle is used
to make Sherlock look large and powerful in order to convey his superiority to the viewers.
Sherlock begins to examine Jennifer, and the frame switches between a shot of Sherlock, then a
reverse shot of Jennifers body, showing specifically what he is examining. Paired with
superimposition of text on Jennifers body, and the word Rache on the floor, the audience is
able to see what Sherlock is thinking as he is investigating in real-time. Prior to the modern
adaptation of Conan Doyles stories conventions, viewers were never able to see Sherlocks

abilities in real-time as audiences do now. While Sherlock is finishing his examination, forensics
expert Anderson appears at the doorway saying the word "rache" was German for revenge.
Sherlock sarcastically thanks him for his input, and precedes to slams the door in his face. An
amusing moment for audiences as Sherlock dismisses Andersons incompetent notion. Moments
later Sherlock gives his deduction that Jennifer Wilson had been kidnapped, and how he arrived
to his conclusion.