Sherlock series 4: Episode 1 and 2 titles and what they might mean

20:40 • 26.09.16

Sherlock's characteristically quizzical air has left fans utterly in the dark when it comes to what may befall Benedict Cumberbatch's legendary detective.


The San Diego Comic-Con trailer saw Sherlock look uncharacteristically shaken, amidst a looming threat which may (or may not be) the return of Moriarty; meanwhile, the show's stars have teased the season to be the "darkest" of the entire series. 


A few morsels of information which will inevitably be poured over on the release of the first two episode titles of season 4; initially as part of UK fan event Sherlocked, before appearing on BBC One's Twitter feed.


Episode 1 will be titled “The Six Thatchers”, with Episode 2 coming with the equally mysterious, 'The Lying Detective'. Continuing with the show's consistent bowing to Arthur Conan Doyle's original tales; the titles appear to be based on the “The Adventure of the Six Napoleons” and “The Adventure of the Dying Detective”.


“Six Napoleons' sees Holmes investigate a murder connected to a series of mysterious breakages of busts of Napoleon, with the Thatcher part of the title presumably connecting to former prime minister Margaret Thatcher; other than that there's not much to uncover here. 


 “The Dying Detective”, however, sees Holmes convince Watson and co. that he's dying of a rare disease in order to entrap a certain Mr. Culverton Smith into confessing to his nephew's murder;Toby Jones has already been revealed to be playing Culverton Smith, meaning the episode will presumably see his introduction and follow some sort of spin on the classic tale.