IHolmes

The World

The Earth has been thrown into an ice-age, reducing civilization to a semi-Victorian-like state. The majority of the world is covered in ice, but deserts, deep jungles and temperate areas still exist but in the wrong places. Buried human cities lay abandoned in decay. While the Animal Kingdom has regained control, there is still a constant threat of crime. This Planet of the Apes style world of talking, intelligent animals and mutant creatures is in perpetual turmoil and the Hyper-Sleuth Sherlock Holmes and his faithful companion Dr Watson are the only ones keeping evil at bay. Solving the unsolvable, stopping the unstoppable, demystifying the mysterious and taking constant coffee breaks, Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson are always on the case. Our duo lives in the former London Library buried beneath the ice. Holmes has absorbed the millions of volumes of human knowledge, and runs experiments, invents gadgets, and develops his keen, encyclopedic mind, while Watson practices dances moves, plays booking agent, babysitter, friend and documentarian.

Holmes and Watson are already world-famous, a source of frustration and sometimes advantage. Between, during and after cases they navigate roommate and personality issues. Whether trouble shows up on their doorstep, or a fresh mystery is detected on Holmes’s extensive network of surveillance, “No case is too big and No latte is too big to solve it.”

This world is all post-apocalyptic/sci-fi pulpiness, but the humor and style will be situational and observational. When Moriarty captures Holmes and Watson and ties them to a ballistic missile, they bicker about which of them has gotten them caught the most. Watson scream, “Elementary, what a load of crap!” as they blast off into the night.

Since man and his microchip civilization went on the fritz, technology is pieced from leftovers, so there will be a lot of references to technology from the 70’s-00’s. Parts that need the least energy have been retooled for new purposes - Coaches are horse-driven hollowed cars, but horses are teamsters, well organized and always picketing. Trains are trash-powered like Back to the Future’s Delorean, so two of the most powerful species are the Seagulls and Rats that control country-sized landfills. The only truly reliable mode of transportation is sail boating, so animal nations, just like in the Victorian age, are naval based. While criminals are always searching for the ultimate human relic in order to take over, they also cobble-tech together new weapons. Holmes and Watson will be attacked by a Gorilla with a CD slinging cannon, loaded with the most lethal ammo -Smooth Jazz.

There will also be many references to Sherlock Holmes lore, pop-culture, science fiction and post-apocalyptic tropes. As we will learn throughout the series, human pollution and radioactive fallout not only led to super intelligent animals, but mutant species too. Some will be animal hybrids like the Chameleon-Koala Bears, that can change appearance (never enough to get away), others will be Monster-like, such as the More-Octs, a society of giant eight-handed, subterranean, upright-walking, blind Octopuses - A tribute to HG Wells’ Morlocks and Matheson’s “I Am Legend”.

All the post-apocalyptic junk-rigging regularly pays off in thrilling, but funny, bursts of action, like a comical Mad Max style chase through the Great Sand Sea in solar powered, re-tooled bumper cars, which periodically stall because of a cloudy day.

Holmes and Watson will rarely be serious, they are Bert & Ernie, Larry & Jeff, Joey & Chandler, George & Jerry, as they navigate, but mostly stumble through adventures pointing out the peculiar and spectacular, always poking fun at society and sometimes actually solving cases.

Structure

Sherlock & Watson After Humans is a 13 episode per season series set in an apocalyptic, snow-covered wasteland, centuries after the fall of man. Over the course of each season, one giant case maybe solved or maybe not, depending on Holmes’s coffee supply and Moriarty’s tantrums. However, in every episode other mysteries are alluded to, or answered incidentally along the way, as Holmes and Watson run into suspects, artifacts and clues from previous cases. Holmes is also always referencing an infinite catalog of older cases, which we see as quick flashbacks and asides. Most importantly, each episode is driven by Holmes’s and Watson’s codependent friendship. Between Holmes’s caffeine addiction and mania and Watson’s good-natured realism, they are always observing, testing each others patience, marveling at discoveries, and saving each other’s butt.

Opening - Each episode begins with a pre-credit sequence of action, a la James Bond, the end or wrap-up of an otherwise unseen adventure. Sometimes it will be related to the overall show arc or season arc. More often than not it will be just an excuse for comedic action, whether it be Holmes and Watson in mid-chase or the duo having to escape some over-elaborate attempt on their lives.

During each episode, Holmes and Watson’s relationship and their peccadilloes will drive the plot. They will fight like the Odd-Couple, sympathize and nerd-out like Frasier and Niles Crane, and action-hero kick-butt like Batman and Robin.

Holmes will take every opportunity to break the fourth wall, to explain some relevant but funny scientific fact or some detail about some past villain or the plot. It will always occur at the wrong moment, such as during an attempt on their lives or a chase.

Also sometimes, our duo will pause for the audience. Watson will ask us, “Do you know what will happen next? Do you know who the criminal is? Has Holmes figured out who stole the six hundred pounds of radioactive fish? Holmes and I will take a coffee break while you figure it out.” During this thirty seconds, Holmes and Watson will snack and quietly discuss something unrelated. If they are in the middle of action, even the villains will have to pause. They can be annoyed at the “time-out.” Holmes, or a villain, can try to use the time to try escape. They can be scolded by characters and the audience, “Hey, it’s time out.” Holmes can take the time to fix something trivial that had been bothering him in the scene. Ultimately the break will be utilized to do something funny.

Also, each episode will have a musical number and cameo from an up and coming/popular musical artist. Not only will they will be a minor character in the episode, such as a victim or witness, but at the end of each episode they will perform one of their songs, animated as character animal versions of the artist or band. The “performance” will be introduced by Holmes or Watson, ALA Muppet Show and SNL - “Ladies and gentlemen, Andrew Bird” Andrew, would also have been seen as a bird earlier in the show.

Holmes

Holmes is just like the iconic character we all know and love, only simian and perpetually caffeinated. His monkey mind never stops thinking, obsessing, talking, picking, moving or solving problems. Blurting out solutions to previous cases while in the middle of another, he’s all asides and rabbit-holes, straightening crooked decorations, correcting grammar, and often educating straight to viewers. Unable to control his manic-brain, Holmes gets the duo into considerable trouble in every episode.

An obsessive personality, where everything lies in being correct, Holmes’s advantage is his vast-intellect, cultured from the shelves of the London Library. He knows dozens of languages, he knows quantum physics, he knows martial arts, and he knows macramé. Holmes has little patience for anything but the biggest of challenges. Stagnancy depresses him and only coffee keeps him from sinking into epic funks in between cases. Alas, when the game is afoot, he’s wholly unstoppable, and Watson can barely keep up.

Watson

Watson is the duo’s ballast, providing the empathy, civility, and sensitivity Holmes lacks. Just like an otter, he’s consistently spirited and maintains an optimistic, can-do attitude, particularly when a pastry, donut, or jelly-filled treat is a reward.

Like the rest of the world, Watson is fascinated by Holmes’s singular skills, documenting their adventures and finding it addictively entertaining.

If Watson has a fault, it is his temper and his quick frustration when Holmes gets them into dangerous situations. Watson also serves as Holmes’s translator, when the monkey is in full caffeine mode and is being rude or making no sense to the laymen. Only Watson can unlock Holmes when he is knotted up with the complexities of a case. Watson is effectively Holmes’s conscience and parental guide, steering him and his skills in the right direction, when Holmes gets off track. Watson’s is invaluable, because without him Holmes is a runaway brain-train of unfocused energy.

A Naval veteran, a boxing champ, an award-winning dancer and a licensed veterinarian, he’s always ready to help and grumble about the journey.

Moriarty

Moriarty is a polar bear who suffers from a crippling superiority complex and a obsession with besting Holmes and exposing him as an inferior intellect. When no one else is naming him the source of all evil in the post-human world, he is first to remind us. Plotting from his evil lair, the Great Pyramids, now submerged in the sea, Moriarty sends out tendrils of mostly inept, but elaborate criminal schemes across the world while amassing great fortune and never-enough power. Moriarty is an arrogant blowhard in ceaseless need of reassurance and compliments. His ego is only matched by his a deadly temperament, resulting in an on-going shortage of henchmen because of his penchant for explosive punishment. All life should and will answer to him or the world must be without life. He cheats at chess, plays a mean piano, is a terrible and fragile artist, collects vintage lunchboxes, but most of all he’s an a**hole.

Hoskins

Hoskins is Moriarty’s acting lieutenant. Gruff, grouchy and Scottish, some think she’s the true evil mastermind. Hoskins is definitely not a sidekick and not to be underestimated because of her diminutive size (And don’t EVER call her “cute.”) Many a henchman has disappeared after calling her…just don’t say it. Often disagreeing with Moriarty’s drawn out theatrics and obsession with Holmes, Hoskins is nevertheless always capable to carry out the most dangerous parts of any scheme.

The Others

Every week there will be new and exciting characters that need mysteries solved and new villains perpetrating the crimes. Only Holmes and Watson will know who is friend and who is foe. Some will be the evolving and rotating cast of Moriarty's minions such as the Donkeys of Doom, an army of africanus asinus with enough fire power to conquer the world, but lacking the brain power to find their way out of Moriarty's lair.

Others will be regulars like L.E.S.T.R.A.D, the pile of archaic computers that the Ministry of Defense uses to make difficult decisions for them. Miraculously, it is self-powered and sentient. Holmes hates the reliance on the computing relic, which was unreliable even when it was state of the art. Equating it with a leaky magic eight ball, Holmes is constantly inconvenienced by the beige plastic monolith’s arbitrary solutions and answers that are treated as gospel by an otherwise functioning government.

Episodes

Bohemian Rhapsody - Episode 1

The Were-Hares of Bohemia (Mutant Rabbits) arrive in London where their soon-to-be married Prince solicits Holmes’s expertise to find their missing Crown Jewels, essential to the upcoming wedding. Holmes and Watson quickly put the pieces together, but Scotland Yard beats them to an arrest with a tip from Scotland Yard’s computer L.E.S.T.R.A.D.E. Holmes refuses to be beaten by a computer, convinced the ancient device has a virus. As our duo hunts down the real culprit, Watson receives a brand new shipment of vintage vinyl and throws a series of extended loud dance parties, interfering with Holmes’s ability to focus. The icing on the cake is when Holmes proves the computer wrong. It was actually Moriarty who stole the jewels, but Holmes is the only one with the know-how to cure L.E.S.T.R.A.D.E., despite his hatred for machine he calls "A broken Magic 8 Ball". Finally, the extended negotiations between the duo though-out the episode results in two-dance-party per—month max concession from Holmes. Special Musical Guest - Alabama Shakes who also cameo as the wrongfully accused Crown Jewel Thieves.

Blood is Thicker Than Venom - Episode 3

A band of Marauding Mountain Mummies have been devastating the local ski-business in the French Mini-Alps. Just before they set off for France, Holmes’s brother Micrest shows up on the anniversary of their Mother’s death. Both hyper-intelligent Monkeys begin competing to solve the complicated and dangerous case. However, the loss of their mother eventually devolves both into blubbery dysfunctional children, so Watson is forced to keep the investigation on course. Holmes’s and Micrest’s constant rivalry and Watson’s aggravation with Holmes being a total slob at home come, yeild constant asides and lots of name calling. Special Musical Guest - Orgone, who also cameos as the Maurading Mountain Mummies.

An All Out in the Outback - Episode 5

A war for control of Marsu-Land (former Australia) breaks out. While trying to mediate, Holmes and Watson are framed by a devious interloper and imprisoned on Van Demon's Land (Tasmania). Holmes earns the respect of a pugilistic kangaroo convict who then helps Watson and Holmes plan an escape. Once they escape Holmes is determined to clear their name and expose the arms manufacturer responsible for encouraging the war. It all climaxes when Holmes and Watson have to crash a royal performance at the Wombi-Opera House in disguise as the opening act. In the comedic subplot, Watson’s appetite is put to the absolute test by imprisonment and their escape into the outback. Special Musical Guest - Andrew Bird, who also cameos as KookaBurra bird who gives Holmes and Watson a key ingredient to escape prison.

Straight No Chaser - Episode 8

Watson coaxes Holmes into a twelve-step program to deal with his all-consuming caffeine addiction. While in the hospital, Holmes has to deal with a Cuckoo’s Nest full of wierdos, talking about their feelings. Watson is left on his own to address perhaps the duo’s most prestigious case for The Queen. What starts out well, soon goes awry as Watson falls into Moriarty’s trap to take advantage of the separated duo. Holmes immediately bails on his version of hell, talking about his feelings and addiction all day long, to save his friend, but must deal with a trio of tag-long patients who now worship Holmes as their spiritual guru. Special Musical Guest - Michael Kiwanuka, who also cameos as a Sloth Bear, one of the tag-along patients from the Twelve step program.

Friends Above All Else - Episode 10 - Cliffhanger

Moriarty is presumed dead after a climatic battle with Holmes and the boredom of no-crime, begins to drive Holmes mad. Watson tries to spark Holmes’s detective urges first with unexciting cases, including a reappearance of Watson’s mostly forced arch-nemesis Waldo, a DJ hipster who Watson is jealous of, but eventually it comes to trying out hobbies, like bee keeping, low-carb cooking, painting, and even crossword puzzles. Holmes quickly masters or becomes bored with each, unable to get over his obsession that Moriarty must still be alive. Holmes ignores Watson’s pleas and sets out to the bear’s ice lair under the Great Pyramids. Eventually, the distinguished detective fails to return. As word spreads and certainty solidifies of Holmes’s death, Watson must deal with the fact that his best friend, the greatest detective the world has ever known, just might be dead. Special Musical Guest - DJ Qbert, who also cameos as Waldo, a Badger and Watson's forced arch-nemesis.

Sherlock & Watson After Humans

Sherlock & Watson After Humans

Design

Design by Sergio Pablos

Design by Sunshine Studios