The series had started off brilliantly, faded a tad, and then ended the year in a blaze of glory with the last 4 hours of a 5 hour arc going back half the year. It was a 2 hour season finale this evening. The writing was definitely back, damn near wide release theater quality, and the superb casting of Natalie Dormer as Holmes' lover who he'd thought was dead was inspired.
Anyone wanting to see the "M" series together, they're #s 12 & 21-24.