Secret Boyfriend of the Week: Benedict! Cumberbatch!

Well, hello, Sherlock. Nice to have you back.

It's been about a year since we saw you, but my goodness how I missed you. Life just didn't seem right without your tall, gangly frame and pinched face. Or your adorable hobbit sidekick/boyfriend. Not to mention your haughty attitude and ability to make anyone feel bad about themselves.

I guess I am just a sucker for a bad boy.

This past Sunday, PBS finally got around to airing the first episode of the new season of BBC's Sherlock. Sure, some people have already seen the new season through less savory means, but I guess I am just a goody gooody (or have an irrational fear of downloading a computer virus), and I prefer to wait until it legitimately airs. And it was sure worth the wait.

In his latest mystery, "A Scandal in Belgravia," Sherlock tries to "retrieve compromising photos of a minor royal held on the camera phone of Irene Adler, a ruthless and brilliant dominatrix who also trades in classified information extracted from her rich and powerful clients." (from Wiki). Irene is one of the few people who can keep up with Sherlock (though she has some help from a nefarious source), and the two spar both verbally and physically, mostly through dialogue crackling with sexual tension.

That's right. Sherlock Holmes has sexual tension with someone other than Watson. Hoyay fans, hold on to your hats.

There's always hope!

Benedict Cumberbatch is one of those rare people who you see and don't think "hubba hubba," but his charisma (and intelligence) cannot be denied. He just draws you in, and makes you drool. Like Irene Adler says, brainy is sexy.

And the best thing about his portrayal of Sherlock is that we are seeing him emotionally mature. He may still treat the people around him like insects, but when someone hurts Mrs. Hudson (with words or physically) Sherlock extracts swift retribution. And when he hurts the feelings of Molly Hooper, a morgue attendance with a long-standing crush on the sleuth, he actually apologizes.

Let me repeat: Sherlock APOLOGIZED for being an ass to someone. Progress.

Wait. What did he just say?

And then, of course, there are sparks between him and Adler. The latest incarnation of Sherlock has been almost shocking in his lack of sexuality, but like the Doctor (of Doctor Who), it seems a change is in the air and Sherlock may be utilizing not just his mind, but also his heart.

But let's not get too swept away.

In any event, we can't know what the future will hold for our favorite detective, but with a third season renewal over on the BBC, and record ratings for PBS, I think we can rest assured that this week's Secret Boyfriend won't be going away for long once Season 2 plays out. Until then, just enjoy the ride.