“Did you miss me?” Such a simple phrase and yet one that many of us will remember and associate with Sherlock for a very long time. And the answer is yes. We did. Series 3 had been eagerly awaited for two years, many of us searching the web for theories and ideas to understand the cliffhanger at the end of the last series. Now, two years and three episodes later, we are standing at the precipice of another one.

The return of this season’s Sherlock has brought in new viewers and has broken the record previously set by Downtown Abbey for the biggest “catch up” viewing audience. We are hooked, that much is undeniable. ‘The Sign of Three’ left us a little disappointed, but we should have had more faith in the production team over at the BBC. Of course, they would never let us down – they came back even stronger for the finale (to which more than 10 million of us tuned in to watch, not including the figures of those still to watch it on iPlayer).

Now I don’t want to spoil it for anyone still yet to catch up, but let me just tell you, it’s good. The return of someone unexpected instantly became a sensation and one of the top subjects trending on Twitter and someone’s true identity is revealed.  The BBC know exactly what to do to keep us on the edge of our seats and they do it perfectly throughout the entire episode, with plots and twists that you never see coming. Nothing other than praise can be given to Sherlock creators Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss for the construction, not only for the episode, but the entire series. Whilst it dipped and was found wanting (though this rarely was the case), it came back with a vengeance on the 12th January and proved that it was worthy of our loyalty and fanaticism.

In a word? Spectacular. Astounding. Unbeatable. Genius.

Pick whatever word you like, chances are it will apply. But good news Sherlock fans, we may not be kept in suspense for as long as last time. The writers already have ideas for a fourth and fifth season and are hoping to bring Sherlock back to our screens by Christmas, dependent on the schedules of leads Martin Freeman and Benedict Cumberbatch. Fingers crossed, if timetables allow, shooting may actually resume in spring!  So brush up on those theories now because we could be reunited with Sherlock, Watson and the truth much sooner than you think.