 The producers found it difficult to coordinate the schedules of the principal players and Moffat and Gatiss for a second series . Cumberbatch and Freeman both worked on the 2012 film The Hobbit : An Unexpected Journey , and Moffat continued as Doctor Who 's showrunner and head writer . In response to the time pressure , The Guardian asserted , the series " features reworkings of three of Conan Doyle 's most recognised tales " . Gatiss says that there had been an argument for producing these tales over three years , but Moffat explained that they rejected " deferred pleasure " . The relationship between Holmes and Watson developed during the second series , with Watson being less amazed by Sherlock 's deductive abilities ; Watson acted as the primary detective in the second episode , " The Hounds of Baskerville " . The cast and production team were more confident during the second series ' production following the positive audience and critical reaction to the first series . 
