The use of broad humour - wel, that dogs Holmes (pun intended!) through many productions from Nigel Bruce to the new film with Cohen.

I think since the production played Watson more as Doyle fashioned him the usual humour came from Sir Henry instead.

There IS a glaring omission in my review - and that is the downbeat ending.
Sir Henry can never be part of the culture he would wish to join -
and he is left to travel around the world on a boat instead.