Parents' Guide to

Sherlock Holmes in the 22nd Century

By Sarah L. Thomson, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 8+

Sherlock Holmes battles crime in the future.

TV WB Kids' Animation 1999
Sherlock Holmes in the 22nd Century Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

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What's the Story?

Sherlock Holmes has been brought back to life in the 22nd century to track down a clone of his old nemesis, Professor Moriarty. Coping admirably with a high-tech world, he solves crimes with all his old skill and flair, helped out by a new gang of Baker Street Irregulars (now street-smart punks and hackers rather than London urchins) and an updated Watson (actually a robot programmed with Watson's knowledge and personality). Inspector Lestrade is back too, now a tough female police officer who calls Holmes in for help on her difficult cases (like a "vampire" who sucks data out of computers) but has trouble handling his independent methods.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say Not yet rated
Kids say (2):

This odd show is a combination of high-tech computer wizardry and Sherlock's trademark methods of observation, logical analysis, and elaborate explanations of the mystery at the end. Despite the potential for some interesting effects when combining a Victorian detective with a cyberpunk setting, the show mostly relies on clichés, both Holmesian and sci-fi, and has little new to offer. But the mysteries are intriguing enough to catch a viewer's attention, and it's fun to watch Holmes explain it all at the end with his customary panache. Not wildly exciting or dreadfully dull, this is entertaining enough to fill up a half-hour but nothing to write home (or Holmes?) about.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the appeal of classic detective stories like Arthur Conan Doyle's, and discuss what's distinctive about Sherlock Holmes and his trademark methods of observation and analysis.

TV Details

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