I just said this in the tags of another post, but now I'm thinking about it so I'm going to say it here with my full chest.
"Young Sherlock" is genuinely my favorite modern Sherlock Holmes adaptation.
I don't know if I'd say it's objectively the best or that I think everyone would enjoy it. Rather the opposite, I think it's probably someone you either love or hate just based on personal taste.
But it's my favorite specifically because it feels the most like a love letter to the original books and short stories.
I watched it with my mother, who has not read any of the source material while I have read it all. We both enjoyed it. We both could spot the classic Holmes (and detective fiction in general) references that show up in every adaptation: the deerstalker, the bookshelf hiding a secret tunnel, the violin, the "once you've eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth," etc.
But every single step of the way there were little things that absolutely did not have to be there that really sold me on the impression that this was a passion project.
It was all the little references that went completely over my mom's head (but that were woven in so naturally she had no idea they were references until I said so). The way every end credits song was clearly chosen to say something specific and wasn't afraid to jump genre or time period to do it. Whether it was a medieval folk song or Johnny Cash, each choice was clearly so intentional.
It was the costumes that were better made than any I have seen in period dramas in years. Same for props. The beauty of the filming locations and sets. It was how despite most of them having limited prior experience, the actors in the main cast put their whole hearts and souls into those performances.
Most importantly, however, "Young Sherlock" really feels like it gets Sherlock Holmes the character in a way I don't feel was managed by BBC Sherlock, Elementary, Enola Holmes, or even Guy Ritchie's movies.
This series doesn't fall into the common trap of making Sherlock cold and unempathetic nor does it go too far in the opposite direction, as Henry Cavil's version did (imo). The writers clearly recognized the original versions affinity for helping those screwed by those with power over them, always particularly evident with young women (The Speckled Band is the first I think of). This show's creators see and show us the kindness at the heart of why Doyle's Sherlock can't help himself when it comes to those who genuinely need it (I remember multiple occasions of the original comforting someone who was afraid or offering refreshments to those who were exhausted). We are shown that same willingness to bend or break rules for what's right, it to our himself in physical danger for the same ends (think of every time Doyle's version asks Watson to bring his pistol somewhere, just in case). We also see that sometimes his pride or his societal privilege get in the way of him making the right call at first (the original Irene Adler comes to mind). And from the very start of the show, we see a propensity for mischief that seems perfectly in line with what I'd expect from the younger version of someone who liked to tease his friends (or intentionally embarrass his antagonists) as much as Doyle's Sherlock does.
In the most complementary way possible, it felt like fanfiction. Accurate in the ways that mattered most. Pushing accuracy and characterization in areas where the source material was vague enough to give plausible deniability. It felt like someone taking Doyle's abandoned dolls and sandbox and inviting us to play along with them.
