So this is not going to be near as elegant as what Allie wrote, because I do not possess this thing called "an attention span" and also because every time I try to get all elegant and pretty about this show without careful consideration, I end up sounding fangirl-y and vaguely creepy.

Anyways, onwards.

I really love the cinematography in this show, because there are shots that look like actual still-photograph artwork. It's really lovely. On that note, the emphasis they put on modern day London--and melding it with more old-fashioned elements like the wallpaper at 221B--is really lovely.

As a costumer, I really love the work that was put into the costumes. They really speak to character, which is important especially in this episode ("Pink!") I love Sherlock's coat just because it's so atypical of the mental image, but it fits his character perfectly. The same for John.

Another really interesting thing is the on-screen text. It's an unusual technique, and it takes some getting used to, but I think it works. The creators said they didn't want to bog the show down with shots of cell phones, so it's a good solution. It has also become a pretty iconic thing about the show.

Like Allie said, there's not much new to state about the acting. It's really top-notch. Martin Freeman won a BAFTA for his performance, and it's not hard to see why. We've finally got a version of Watson who isn't a caricature. It's lovely. I also love Benedict's performance. It's subtle and effective and, as Allie said, he strikes a fine balance between being an arrogant little snot and being confused by the rest of the world. It's interesting to see such a young actor play Sherlock, and to be willing to play it in such a volatile manner. I also love Rupert Graves as Lestrade (definitely my favorite portrayal of the character ever) and Mark Gatiss as Mycroft Holmes.

I really like how the story is laid out, and how we get to see important story elements such as the riding crop and "rache" put forth in a new way. It's also interesting to see an actual adaptation of this story. Most people are afraid to touch it as a result of Arthur Conan Doyle's portrayal of Mormons.

My other favorite thing about this show is what they're allowed to do. This show gives an opportunity for an actual, in-story discussion of Sherlock's sexuality and his relationship with John, along with dealing with concepts like mental illness and other things that have become less taboo over the years. It's sort of meta, allowing the characters that kind of free reign, and it's really fascinating.

The plot is well done and actually manages a nice twist at the end, revealing the true identity of Sherlock's "arch enemy." Its a beautifully done introduction, and it fills out the universe nicely. It has also left many of my friends going "Sherlock Holmes has a brother?" Yes. Yes he does.

In a way, I think that might be the short-coming of the episode. It's entertaining to non-Sherlockians as well, but the show does tend to get a little twisted into its own meta. There are a lot of very subtle in-jokes that fall flat without a previous knowledge of the stories, or of the time on-set. While it's lovely having writers who are huge fans of the source material, I see how it might be a tiny bit tedious trying to follow some of the in-jokes. Still, that doesn't really mess with the story itself, it's just a thought.

I'll probably post more as I come to it.