Streeters vs. demons – review of the series “Ferajna z Baker Street”

A gang of orphans to the rescue

At the very beginning of the series, we get to know the title “gang”. This gang of four orphans live in nineteenth-century London and try to survive overnight among the city’s poor. It is this group of street people who are the main characters of the series, Dr. Watson and Sherlock Holmes are only supporting characters. The gang consists of: Bea, Jessie, Billy and Spike. Each of them has a completely different character, and Jessie also has a specific power that allows her to enter the minds of others.

The plot of the production is based on a series of paranormal events that haunt London. The well-known doctor Watson asks our characters for help in solving one of the cases. As it turns out, this will only be the beginning of a more complex plot. An intrigue that could destroy the entire world.

London how alive?

I love the reconstruction of old London in Ferajna z Baker Street. Dirty, muddy streets contrast with the interiors of the palaces where one of the main characters lives. The atmosphere of the series is clearly based on the Sherlock movies starring Robert Downey Junior. This is evidenced by the boxing fight scene already in the first episode, almost straight out of the aforementioned production. The Netflix political correctness that made us show London in the nineteenth century as a place full of different skin colors is a bit striking. It might not make such a difference in the streets, but the royal chambers, where half of the British nobility are dark-skinned, seem a bit unrealistic.

Realistically, but only a bit

One can also immediately mention the cruel lack of realism that crept into the show in scenes that just happen to add to the story of probability. Of course, the whole story is fantastic, full of living dead, demons, demoniacs, etc. However, the moment when Bea almost attacks the marshal of the royal court and does not have to take into account any consequences of this behavior seems greatly exaggerated and completely unnecessary. If the show so emphasizes the social differences between the poor and the aristocracy, why bend reality at times like this?

The above-mentioned upper spheres also get a bit “bizarre” portrayal. The ballroom in the salons seems to be a sequence straight from Interview with the Vampire. Bizarre costumes, narcotic dances, sexualization of behavior in a public place. Really, I had to think for a moment if I was still watching the same – generally good – youth series.

It only gets better for a while

From about episode three, there is a breakthrough in The Baker Street Frenzy . It looks more or less as if the creators suddenly discovered an idea for a production that was lacking in previous, rather colorless, episodes. Suddenly, viewers get scenes clearly inspired by Agatha Christie’s crime novels. A house cut off from the world, suspicious company and a series of murders. But who is killing? A wonderful atmosphere of being surrounded by a cruel cult theme. One of the best series episodes I’ve seen recently, and it’s just the beginning of Ferajna’s streak . Episode number four is surprisingly brutal, it can even be described as “gore”.

In the fifth episode, we finally meet the famous Sherlock Holmes. The creation of this character differs from the patterns known to us so far. Netflix’s Sherlock is drunk, addicted to drugs, and struggling to find his former self. Nevertheless, viewers receive scenes from old cases that the detective was solving with Watson. Long-haired Holmes, with an earring in the ear, somewhat resembling a pirate? I was skeptical at first, but Henry Lloyd-Hughes did his best.

Modern music in a historic setting

However, I must criticize the musical choices of the creators of Ferajna from Baker Street . Most of the soundtrack does not match the atmosphere of the series, it tries to be youthful. Adding rap to the scenery of nineteenth-century London somehow bothers me …

Also according to the descriptions, the series is to be a production aimed at young people. However, it is full of references to sex, indiscreet jokes, pictorial violence and motifs straight from horror movies. Demonic nun twisting the necks of her faithful does not seem to me something that I would like to watch at the age that the creators call “youth” …

The series is addictive, but there is a lot of Netflix here

The story of Ferajna of Baker Street is really interesting. At one point, it’s so addictive that it’s hard to stop yourself from watching all the episodes in one go. Victorian London, full of Netflix’s original library of political correctness, beats the eyes a bit, especially if someone wants to accurately reflect historical realities. However, this does not prevent the reception of a plot full of magic, psychology, monsters and puzzles to be solved. Finally, it is worth mentioning that our compatriot, Weronika Tofilska, is responsible for directing some episodes of the series!