The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes

The Musgrave Ritual

Season 3, Episode 3, Aired 7/23/86

Episode Summary

Holmes and Watson are staying with Reginald Musgrave, the head of an ancient Sussex family, when his butler, Brunton, suddenly disappears. Brunton (something of a ladykiller and a highly educated man) had been taking an interest in an ancient family tradition called 'the Musgrave Ritual', which centres on a Carolingian riddle. And then a second member of the household vanishes, equally suddenly.

The old riddle proves to be the key to tracing the butler's body and finding the treasure the dead man was after - the crown jewels lost in the English Civil War. And as so often, it's a case of 'cherchez la femme'.

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Cast & Crew

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Jeremy Brett

Sherlock Holmes
Edward Hardwicke

Dr Watson
Teresa Banham

Janet Tregallis

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This is a perfect example of why the show is important.

9.6

"Superb"

By geoellis2, May 30, 2006 Report Abuse

Having read every Sherlock Holmes story, i was not expecting much from this episode. In the book, Holmes is recanting the story to Watson over a few glasses of wine, and the events take place some twenty years past. It was, in fact, Holmes's third case ever. Here, however, the story is retold in the present tense, with Watson accompanying Holmes throughout. What was a rather dull offering in the Canon, becomes a riveting installment here, providing us with alternative ideas about Sherlock Holmes' powers and Watson's energy. At the climax, we are shown what became of Rachel, the missing maid, and it fits perfectly into the story, yet in the original we are left wondering what might have happened. Again, the producers have done the Master justice, and at the same time, given us viewers a brilliant take on a classic story.moreless

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Notes
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- This episode is based on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's story The Musgrave Ritual, which first appeared in The Strand magazine in May, 1893. Edit
- Click here to read the original story. Edit
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