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maryholmes94 · 3 months

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‘Sherlock’ Out Of Fandom. Essay №1

For several years I’ve been writing about ‘Sherlock’ and its actors, Sherlock Holmes and his various adaptations, and a couple of weeks ago I’ve decided: why not to write about it in English on Tumblr? As some of you pointed out, it is not that easy to find any analysis of this show, which is not johnlock-related (at least on the English-speaking websites). So I’ve decided to express my thinking in writing, hoping that it could be useful not just for me, but for somebody else. I have no idea how many essays I’m going to write, but I want to unite them under the title “‘Sherlock’ Out Of Fandom”. And by that I mean that I’m not going to give any attention to the theories and speculations which were based on the incorrect interpretation of the original source (which in this case is the ‘Sherlock’ TV-series itself). So I’m not going to talk about the so called “Johnlock Conspiracy”, or about “season 4 is not real” theories, or about any other fantasies this fandom is so full of. Furthermore – I’m not going to be involved in the discussions which are concerning such theories, so I warn you in advance: if you want to talk about ‘Sherlock’, please be kind enough to talk about the actual show. The show that was actually released on television and not on AO3 in some fics you like so much. That would be a different topic and I’m not interested in discussing it.

Since we established this simple but important rule, I think we can move to the first essay in this series, which is titled

Three things that make ‘Sherlock’ special

The viewers may like ‘Sherlock’ or hate it, but whatever their personal opinions on this show are, they can’t deny that it is indeed very special. And not just because of the unique place it occupies in the ‘multiverse’ of interpretations of the original stories written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. And even not because it helped to speed up the revolution that changed the whole TV industry and our perception of it. What makes ‘Sherlock’ really special is its authors’ innovative attitude towards the old narrative. It was a radical break from traditions, which, surprisingly, is still unnoticed – maybe because other subjects interest people more, but maybe because, however radical this break was, it looked so natural that people simply didn’t realize its significance.

This innovation is visible through the entire series, but there are three milestones, which are the fundament for the whole narrative and story-telling of ‘Sherlock’, so let’s have a look at each of them.

The analytical approach to the original material

The fans of Conan Doyle’s stories know that there are basically two ways of bringing them to the screen. The first one is the good old ‘filmization’ – or, to put it simpler, the film adaptation, when the creators take the original story and adapt it to the screen. That was the path taken by the famous ‘Granada’ TV-series, the Wilmer-Cushing series from the 1960s and the Soviet version from the 1980s. The second way is the good old ‘based on the characters created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’, when the creators write a new story and add here and there some ‘easter-eggs’ and references to the original source. The best examples here are Rathbone-Bruce movies from the 1940s, the Guy Ritchie’s movies, and all these young sherlock holmeses, extremely old sherlock holmeses, enola holmeses etc. Which way have Mark Gatiss and Steven Moffat chosen? Some may say – both, but the more correct answer would be – none. What they did is what every true scientist is doing when he or she needs to analyze their sources: they’ve read them all, they’ve singled out the essentials and they’ve drawn the balance – which at the end became the carcass of their story. So therefore each episode of their show is not just an adaptation of the original story, and not something new that they invented – it is a profound analysis of the Conan Doyle’s stories which is put under the lens of their own perception. And that makes ‘Sherlock’ not just an adaptation, but a philosophical research both of Sherlock Holmes as a cultural phenomenon and of the world Gatiss and Moffat – and their audience – are living in.

Which brings us to the second point.

2. ‘Sherlock’ tells the story of its own time

Again, the fans of Conan Doyle’s Holmes certainly read many books and articles about the famous writer and his attitude towards his creation, about the origins of his ideas, and about many other things, but what sometimes is overlooked is the fact that all the stories about Holmes written by Conan Doyle are a huge source of historical material. His stories present a chronic of his own time – yes, it has its flaws and it is far from complete, but nonetheless, if the reader wants to know something about the late Victorian and Edwardian era, Conan Doyle’s books are a rich source of knowledge on the subject. And ‘Sherlock’ is the first interpretation of it which is also a chronic of its time. Yes, there were other movies before that which were set in the contemporary era, but how much can a viewer find out about the 1940s from the Rathbone-Bruce movies? Yes, there was a war, and people wore certain clothes and travelled by trains, but who were these people? What a world they were living in? The information on this subject is scarce and hides behind the human drama and detective plots. ‘Sherlock’, on the other hand, is rooted in the time it speaks about – just like the original material it is based on. That’s why Conan Doyle’s stories were so popular, and that’s why ‘Sherlock’ is so popular too. People see in it the world that surrounds them, they know it and understand it, and understanding brings interest and a sense of belonging – the key to any TV-show’s success.

3. As its title says, ‘Sherlock’ has only one main character

The third milestone of ‘Sherlock’ narrative seems at first sight to be more concrete, but it is closely tied to the other two. A long history of bringing to the screen the characters created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle accustomed the viewer to a certain paradigm. Sherlock Holmes is always accompanied by Dr. Watson, and sometimes (though in fact very rarely) they are joined by other characters, such as DI Lestrade and Mrs. Hudson (more often) and Mary Morsten or Mycroft Holmes (more rare). And here ‘Sherlock’ broke the tradition again: not only did Mark Gatiss and Steven Moffat give the supporting characters important roles, but at the same time they also made Sherlock Holmes a little bit lonelier than he already was by putting his personality at the center of their attention. In the end, it’s all about Sherlock and the circumstances which made him a man he is. Yes, his interactions with other characters are part and parcel of the story, but the fact that Dr. Watson doesn’t have the “exclusive access” to him anymore enriches the narrative and enables the writers to show all sorts of Sherlock’s personality. Suddenly he takes a whole number of roles nobody before thought him capable of taken: he is a son, he is a Godfather, he is the best man at the wedding, he is a close friend of Mary Morsten, a defender of Mrs. Hudson, a sarcastic, but caring younger brother and a tender forgiving older brother. And the main subject of the show is the moral and internal evolution of this extraordinary man. Sherlock Holmes written by Mark Gatiss and Steven Moffat and played by Benedict Cumberbatch is not a legend and not a monument: he is a man of flesh and blood, and it is his extraordinary inner world and not his deduction skills that makes him so unique – and special.

These are the three major things that in my opinion make ‘Sherlock’ a special adaptation of the original Arthur Conan Doyle’s stories. It presents an analytical take of the original source, it perfectly depicts its own time (and its main problems), and it brings Sherlock Holmes at the center of the narrative, making him not just a hero of his time, but a man who has a story all of us can understand, and some – even relate to. In the end, ‘Sherlock’ is not just another adaptation – ‘Sherlock’ is an original story everyone can take to heart without even knowing about its source.

@rey-jake-therapist - tagging you in case you find it interesting

#SherlockBBC #SherlockHolmes #MarkGatiss #StevenMoffat #SherlockMeta

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midwayzebra02 · 1 year

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¡POSIBLE NUEVA TEMPORADA! #StevenMoffat, creador y guionista de la serie #Sherlock, aseguró que comenzaría a escribir una nueva temporada únicamente si #BenedictCumberbatch y #MartinFreeman confirman su regreso como Sherlock Holmes y John Watson. La serie de la #BBC consta de 4 temporadas y un episodio especial, por años los fans han pedido su continuación DIGAN SI BENEDICT Y MARTIN 🤩 https://www.instagram.com/p/Cm-C80tOWI1/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#stevenmoffat #sherlock #benedictcumberbatch #martinfreeman #bbc

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marellagiovannelli · 1 year

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Coinvolgente e intelligente, fa riflettere e sorprende. Ieri ho visto "Inside Man" la nuova miniserie (4 episodi) thriller di Netflix, creata da Steven Moffat e diretta da Paul McGuigan di Netflix. È una metafora intrecciata e avvincente sul male che non conosce mezze misure: o è terribilmente stupido o è super intelligente, astuto e raffinato. Un cast eccezionale, da Stanley Tucci a David Tennant) e un incredibile incrocio di destini. #marellagiovannelli #insideman @stanleytucci @davidtennantpod #stanleytucci #davidtennant #netflix #stevenmoffat @patt_67 #paulmcguigan https://www.instagram.com/p/Ckfw88mtXrx/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#marellagiovannelli #insideman #stanleytucci #davidtennant #netflix #stevenmoffat #paulmcguigan

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wherever-i-look-blog · 2 years

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The Time Traveler's Wife: Season 1/ Episode 2 – Recap/ Review (with Spoilers) | Prepare to cry as 28 Year Old Henry lets Clare in on a secret that she has been keeping from her for 14 years. | https://tinyurl.com/yyetqlt6

#TVSeries #BrianAltemus #DavidNutter #JohnStamberg #KateSiegel #StevenMoffat #TheTimeTravelersWife #TheTimeTravelersWifeSeason1

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tsnbrainrot · 6 months

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hi marie i hope youre well! im popping by to recommend a recent video essay called Doctor Who vs Women by verilybitchie as i know its always hatingstevenmoffat o'clock on this blog. i also had fun reading the comments of moffat simps admitting they cant actually argue against the points made in the video lmao

oh, anon you speak my language !! it IS always hating stevenmoffat o'clock on this blog and this is a rec that seems so aligned with my interests. i can wait to watch it!!!

people who defend moffat and claim he's a feminist are so funny to me like ?????????? you can just say you like his stuff; we all like stuff that's questionable. you don't have to twist yourself into a pretzel to say he's woke in order to justify you liking his era ffs. (but the worst is when people try to argue he did great on lgbt rep on dw. bitch WHERE ????? WHERE?? bi!clara ?? god, the bar is literally on the floor. rtd casting yasmin did more for lgbt+ rep/visibility than the entirety of moffat's era and the eps havent even aired yet.)

anyways, i'll get back to you/this post when i've watched the thing but i'm very excited.

#doctor who #about moi

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creativebookwormprice82 · 6 months

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New @bbcdoctorwho spooky Halloween theme edit background is of course the weeping angels 😇 The Eleventh Doctor & Amy Pond ❤️❤️➕🎀 #doctorwho #newwho #tardis #timelord #gallifrey #timeandspace #eleventhdoctor #mattsmith #bowtiesarecool #comealongpond #madmaninabluebox #riversong #amypond #karengillan #rorywilliams #claraoswald #stevenmoffat #bbcdoctorwho #drwho #drwhofandom #mattsmithisthedoctor #whovian #drwhofan #doctorwhomagazine #timeandchips #mattsmithdoctorwho #11thdoctor #weepingangels #myedit #drwhoedit

#doctor who #new who #eleventh doctor #matt smith #amy pond #karen gillan #bowties are cool #whovian

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comiccrusaders · 2 years

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#TVREVIEW: The Time Traveler’s Wife S1E6: “Episode Six” Writer: #StevenMoffat Director: #DavidNutter @Shadewing #SCORE: 4.5/5 http://ow.ly/NoL150JIvcn

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always-intothestars · 2 years

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So I did a thing here. Now it’c correct

#sherlockholmes #johnlock #johnwatson #sherlock #watson #sherlockbbc #holmes #moffat #stevenmoffat #markgatiss #gatiss #lgbt #marywatson #marymorstan #mycroftholmes #mycroft

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vettelmeisterr · 3 years

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It's kinda funny how John is so much more dangerous that Sherlock but everyone in ASIP is telling him to stay away cause one they will be standing around a body and Sherlock will be the one to put it there. Then at the end of the episode they all were standing around the cabbie's body and John was the one to put it there.

Bye.

#sherlock #bbc #sherlockbbc #johnlock #sherlockholmes #johnwatson #astudyinpink #markgatiss #stevenmoffat #moriarty #mollyhooper #greglestrade #benedictcumberbatch #martinfreeman

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thequietone0008 · 4 years

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Sherlolly at 10 years!!!! (WOOOHOOOO!!!!)

There arent words to describe what this fascinatingly amazing ship has meant to me for the last 10 years. I’ve truly never loved a ship more than I do Sherlolly and I never will!! Theres such a sense of loyalty and devotedness between their characters that makes their emotional connection a transcendant and eternal entity. Their relationship has gained a classical timelessness in the true sense of romantic enduring love. It hasnt flowered yet onscreen, but all the elements for its fruition are THERE.

And I’ve met such DEAR DEAR DEAR people through this ship, you’re all such amazingly talented individuals!! You’re kind and loyal and generous much as Molly is herself.

I ADORE being a Sherlollian and I ALWAYS ALWAYS WILL.

So again a Happy 10th to you all!!!!!!

#bbcsherlock #s5 #SherlockHolmes #ACD #MollyHooper #Sherlolly #louisebrealey #benedict cumberbatch #ILY #MarkGatiss #StevenMoffat #SueVertue #BBC #ArthurConanDoyle

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gyllenswiftcevanslipa · 3 years

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POV : You were wronged by these men

Bonus :

Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely, Avengers: Endgame Screenplay Writers

I don't like them.

Me @ Them :

Video from What Happens in Vegas : https://youtu.be/xBithOSdf6o

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maryholmes94 · 1 month

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Rewatched 'The Final Problem'. Of course it's not a detective story and not even a thriller - it is more a philosophical parable, a mythical search of one's identity which could be an end, but is in reality just a beginning of Sherlock's journey. It is the only episode of the show that keeps the viewer in suspense until the very end and has a perfect hommage to every permanent character and actor. Benjamin Caron's direction crowns the story perfectly, and the real stars of the night are of course Benedict Cumberbatch, Sian Brooke and Mark Gatiss. I've probably said it before but I say it again: it doesn't matter if Martin Freeman doesn't want to return - let's rename the show 'Holmes' and have a four and a half hours long celebration of the three most prominent British actors of our time (two of whom are so undeservingly less famous than the other). But no, I probably talk to much. Don't mind me. I only add that I can't imagine Mycroft and Eurus without the wonderful voices of Valery Storozhik (Валерий Сторожик) and Irina Kireeva (Ирина Киреева), who did a voice acting for Mark Gatiss and Sian Brooke in the Russian version of the series, and also give a link to the video where I play 'Who You Really Are' on piano (recently @rey-jake-therapist asked me about my talents - consider it one of them ;) )

youtube

#SherlockBBC #SherlockSeason4 #TheFinalProblem #StevenMoffat #MarkGatiss #BenedictCumberbatch #SianBrooke #MycroftHolmes #SherlockHolmes #EurusHolmes #Youtube

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ferociousgoldxbich · 3 years

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DRACULA: Devil Thorns (on Wattpad) https://www.wattpad.com/story/254391464-dracula-devil-thorns?utm_source=web&utm_medium=tumblr&utm_content=share_myworks&wp_uname=SkwriterCldr&wp_originator=Y1MBWWxOu4bJEHxBfuCqW1k1SVsMrlJVlt1Irtyjlqcz1SyzA3DNuRRrijlmJF8kiL0Q5u9byTKpx04eZ45%2F%2BZa%2B27tb77FEVKIaHNDSAzjqpaVZpMZ0Y3lcat1GqFGb I woke up with major pain in my head. I believe it is what I recall to be a headache? I opened my eyes slowly, only to find that I am in the bedroom..... Not my bedroom. "Bună ziua dragoste" a voice echoed from the very far corner of the room. A slim silhouette was standing there with her back facing me, looking out of the window. "Who are you?" I said, barely recognizing the woman standing there. She turned to me smiling, and I almost choked on my non-existing breath. "Elisabeta..? This can't be real! I must be dreaming." I Whispered in utter shock.....

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thebluegangsta · 4 years

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Things that are Pretty are always kept behind glass...

Sketch made by me.

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wherever-i-look-blog · 2 years

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The Time Traveler's Wife: Season 1/ Episode 1 [Premiere] – Recap/ Review | Could you have loved someone your entire life, based on who they become once they are 36? | https://tinyurl.com/yxolaf2m

#TVSeries #DavidNutter #Drama #EverleighMcDonell #Fantasy #HBO #JasonDavid #Romance #RoseLeslie #StevenMoffat #TheTimeTravelersWife #TheTimeTravelersWifeSeason1 #TheoJames #YoungAdult

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mssam80 · 4 years

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My #tuesdaynight ritual: #sherlock and #whitetea. #italiangirl #geekgirl #nerdygirl #spike #sherlockholmes #2x02 #thehoundofbaskerville #bbc #bbcone #stevenmoffat #markgatiss #moftiss #sherlocked #sherlockian #sherlockianforlife #mood #tuesdaymood #sherlockmood #tvseries #telefilmaddicted #tvseriesaddicted #cup #cupoftea #instalike #instadaily #instapic #instaphoto https://www.instagram.com/p/B8KR-2hIGYR/?igshid=11dnvp0xn4kfz

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