Would you recommend the original Conan Doyle stories of Sherlock Holmes to an Elementary fan?
Silly question, right? We're Sherlock Holmes fans, we recommend the Doyle stories to anyone.
But as season two of Elementary approaches, and I contemplate everything the first season gave us, imagining a new fan of Sherlock Holmes who has gotten all of his or her Holmes input from the CBS television show and what they might think when presented with the Canon of Olde, I have to wonder.
We all have our different paths to Sherlock Holmes. Movies, television, pastiches . . . and normally they share some common ground with Doyle's tales, making the transition not too bad. Victorian London, 221B Baker Street, the familiar characters -- all those await the fan of the Downey movies who makes the transition to Doyle. And even though BBC Sherlock is set in the modern day, reading A Study in Scarlet will seem fairly familiar after watching A Study in Pink. Afghanistan, pills, cabman. (What is it about BBC Sherlock that makes one want to use three one-word clues? Oh, yes. Teasers.)
But putting one's self in the place of a CBS Elementary fan who had no previous exposure to Sherlock Holmes . . . what are they going to find in the Doyle stories that reminds them of the TV show they've grown to love? Joan Watson is nowhere to be found. Ditto Clyde the turtle. Mrs. Hudson isn't nearly as bright or interesting. Likewise Inspector Gregson.
After making it through A Study in Scarlet, and the Mormon section that is a letdown for every first-timer, the get to the cocaine references of The Sign of the Four and go, "Ah, the addiction is starting! Now we're getting somewhere." And then, immediately after it comes, "A Scandal in Bohemia," and the introduction of the lovely Irene Adler. They get a glimmer of hope for the Sherlock Holmes they saw on CBS.
But the drug issue disappears from sight, as does Ms. Adler, and a bunch of stories later, this guy named Moriarty shows up. And he's not pretty and blonde at all. He's kind of a nerdy old dude.
If they make it through fifty-six stories, they'll get to see Sherlock Holmes keep bees. Along the way they'll get to see a guy named Moran who is nothing like their Moran, a Milverton who is almost a Victorian prequel to their Milverton, and . . . what? Papa Holmes never shows up at all, and of all the off-screen Elementary characters, he's the one I'd be going back to the source to see, were I a fan.
Perhaps the second season will give Elementary fans more of a reason to seek out the Canon to increase their appreciation for their favorite show, but right now? If I was to put myself in their place, I don't think I'd enjoy Doyle at all.
The ongoing investigation of Sherlock Holmes, reported from the Peoria, Illinois outpost of Baker Street's dirtiest half a dozen.
I think most E-fans with no previous knowledge of the canon must feel like strangers in a strange land and will most likely go, "WTF?!?"
ReplyDeleteBut, truth be told, I don't think that this show does for the canon what 'Sherlock' did, namely send its fans back to the roots.
Most E-fans seem to care more about having a show that panders to their political agendas than for canonicity. For them the canon-relationship between Holmes & Watson isn't half as important than the fact that one of the leads is now female and equal to Holmes (or even slightly superior). Because, of course, that's what world literature should be about: catering to our contemporary sensibilities.... (NOT).
Silke, with all due respect, that is simply nonsense. I have no clue, and doubt if you do, what the "political agenda" of "most E-fans" might be. You have, however, given a broad hint about your own. My agenda is to enjoy an really good television series with a new interpretation of Holmes, thank you very much.
DeleteAs for Brad's point, I have no qualms about recommending the canon to fellow Elementary fans. For all the complaining about it, there are plenty of canonical references in "Elementary," and it has done quite a job of taking a given canonical reference and taking off in a novel direction. It appears to me, from what I have seen, that Season 2 will have even more examples of this. And I am very pleased with a real television series, with 23 to 24 episodes a season, developing Holmes and Watson as well and as interestingly as they have.
Lucy Liu is simply great as Watson, has captured the essence of the relationship very well, and promises. In fact, as I have stated elsewhere, in my view the Watson are the very best elements of all three modern media incarnations of our heroes.
I am looking forward to another season of this very high quality, very well acted and produced, and innovatively written Sherlock Holmes series.
With all due respect, it is not. I doubt your background knowledge on this matter.
DeleteFor years there has been a very vocal minority accusing Steven Moffat and his shows of misogyny, racism, ageism and any other -ism under the sun. And when CBS decided to do their very own updated Sherlock Holmes show they did their research.
They could not very well actually copy Sherlock's format, although I don't think they were too afraid of Hartwoods' threats of a law suit. But it wouldn't have gone over well with the fans.
In developing Elementary they ticked practically every item on that aforementioned minority's checklist: no misogyny - Watson is a woman, no racism - Watson is Asian, lots of gender and race diversity - Det. Ball and Sherlock's sober sponsor are African American, Mrs Hudson is transsexual, Moriarty is female etc.
Do you honestly think that's a coincidence? Now, I don't say that's a bad thing at all, but I do stipulate that it's just superficial because it's just a marketing device and has nothing whatsoever to do with CBS' or its executives' creeds, as nothing in their vitae shows any engagement in that direction before Elementary.
So, with all due respect, praising Elementary for all its adherence to political correctness is like buying organic food from Monsanto.
You mean like making a hint to the Problem of Thor Bridge in connection to a visit to a crypt when there isn't a crypt anywhere in the story? The Elementary writers don't even get their references right! (the visit to the crypt happens, but in the Shoscombe Old Place).
DeleteIn a way, Lucy Liu is as far removed from Watson as Nigel Bruce is. He was always way too stupid for the character. She errs in the other direction. The point of Watson was never that he could keep up with Holmes deductions, as a stand-in for the reader he was supposed to have a "normal" intelligence, while Sherlock was the genius. Watson had other qualities which made him an equal to Holmes. Like his ability to deal with dangerous situations due to his past in the army. Which is exactly the aspect the removed in Elementary.
Well said, anonymouse! Watson was the great man's friend and biographer, not his apprentice and/or competitor. I don't think they ever contemplated a "Holmes & Watson PIs, Inc.", a direction in which Elementary seems to stumble.
DeleteSilke, no one has "praised" Elementary for "political correctness." Where did you get such an idea? That is a laughable reach.
DeleteI just like "Elementary" for what it is, an entertaining show with a new twist on Sherlock Holmes. And I think anyone with any history whatsoever in the Sherlockian world will be happy to vouch for my "background knowledge" over yours any day of the week.
And I repeat that your blanket statement about the political views of "most E-fans" is absolute nonsense that you have no way of knowing. By all means, criticize the program on its merits; that's the fun of the Sherlockian world. But trying to make some kind of judgment about the political views of a few million viewer makes you look very foolish. And it is indeed nonsense.
All well said Bill.
DeleteYou're not getting out much, are you?
DeleteThis is just ONE of many articles on the subject:
http://nerdophiles.com/2013/07/05/why-even-as-bbc-sherlock-fans-elementary-has-become-our-favorite/
I don't doubt your background knowledge on Sherlockiana as of ye olden days - but you're clearly not up to date with developments in TV fandom.
Bravo for the comment Silke. Also I want to add that as a Asian woman I find the idea of Lucy Liu playing Dr. Watson highly offensive. Its like someone hiring a white men to play Confucius. I think both instances are insulting to the characters. Also I don't see any resemblance at all between Lucy Liu and the Dr. Watson I know of in Doyle's original stories with gender and race being the least of their differences. Returning to the race issues, I want to say that I don't understand why CBS thinks that changing the race and sex of the character automatically make their story good and innovative. Does turning Elizabeth from Pride and Prejudice into a black man automatically make that adaption "very high quality, very well acted and produced, and innovative" adaptation? I would like someone to explain why CBS had to change the race and gender of Dr. Watson instead of leaving it as it is cause I just don't get it.
DeleteThank you, Anonymous. I don't get it either.
DeleteI mean there was a general outcry by a big portion of the Star Trek fandom joined by a lot of social justice bloggers because Khan was played by a white guy when he's apparently supposed to be Indian. But the other way round, if a male white role is turned into a female Asian it's suddenly a great step forward?
I'm not saying that there shouldn't be as much diversity in casting as makes sense given the percentages in actual population, but I personally like the classics staying as they are.
Also, how is Watson changed into a failed female surgeon who is dependent on SH for her very room and board a success for feminism?
I think I have seen around ten articles which argue that Elementary is good because it supposedly promotes gender equality (with one female in an all male cast?) and doesn't have the racism fail "Sherlock" supposedly has (I guess I dreamt the awful Asian sex-slave episode). Especially people who think that Elementary is "better" like to argue based on those aspects.
DeleteAnd as a female, I find it highly offensive that a female Watson isn't allowed to be an army doctor, that she basically screwed up her own life and that it is somehow okay when Holmes wrecks her car or makes deductions about her vagina.
Brilliant. May I use some of this (credited, of course) in an upcoming presentation I'm giving in November?
ReplyDeleteFeel free, JM. Wait a minute . . . those initials . . . why didn't I see this before? Elementary was warning us!
DeleteWhat's really scary is that my full initials are...JLM...
Delete(Thanks for letting me plagiarize...er..."quote" you.)
Whenever you wax intellectual on "Elementary", I am always reminded of those melancholy moments Holmes has in the Canon and image how he would view you: "God help us!" said Holmes, after a long silence. "Why does Fate play such tricks with poor helpless worms? I never hear of such a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say: There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes." Your hate--and that is your word, the word you use most often when describing your "feels' on "Elementary"--is best summed: "Pathetic and futile. But is not all life pathetic and futile? Is not his story a microcosm of the whole? We reach. We grasp. And what is left in our hands at the end? A shadow. Or worse than a shadow - misery." Oddly, you seem to revel in that misery that "Elementary" brings you. Maybe contemplating a damaged and ordinary Sherlock Holmes television program makes you feel superior? Those who know you see that sharp humor. I see the tears of a clown.
ReplyDeleteQuite an imagination you've got there! I can see how it would enhance the Elementary viewing experience. I'd say more, but it takes time to put on this Pagliacci make-up every morning.
Delete"Oddly, you seem to revel in that misery that "Elementary" brings you. Maybe contemplating a damaged and ordinary Sherlock Holmes television program makes you feel superior?"
DeleteYou make no sense. If Brad would be made feeling superior by watching Elementary, why would that make him miserable? With me feelings of superiority are mostly happy ones. Quite happy at the moment, btw.
Well said, personally I hope that Elementary will go off the air SOON! After it disappears perhaps they can make room for a more faithful adaption to the original canon with male Holmes and Watson in London!
ReplyDeleteHow many who saw the Universal film version of Holmes with Basil Rathbone fighting Nazis bothered to go back to ACD? Some did but many did not. Is that then a reason to dislike any film or TV version? Unless the director goes for complete Canonical fidelity, as in the early Granada series, there will be a gap. Take any novel or comic hero and compare it to the film version. We can only hope that some find there way to the actual words printed (or I guess electrons). But in keeping with the big tent and trying not to be a elite devotee, it is ok if they only know the screen version.
ReplyDeleteIt's fine if they keep to their DVD box set and never read the Canon. They might have problems relating to the folks at a regular scion society meeting if they don't speak Doyle, though. I'm trying to see things from their POV, though, so watch the profanities! (Those E.D. words, of course!)
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteThere is a reason why the Basil Rathbone fanbase is split. Some only like the first two movies, which were still set in the right era and true to canon. Other accept the later movies, but the opinion about them vary. Let me tell you that the three in which he fights Nazi tend to be NOT on the top of the list of the best Basil Rathbone movies, for a very good reason. Plus, this was in the 1940s, the audience had a different standard. We expect more by now.
DeleteI am a 24 year old woman who does not see how it is being a Elite Devotee if you want people viewing a so called "Sherlock Holmes" show to turn to the original canon. I didn't read the canon either until BBC Sherlock and decided to read further on this interesting duo. I don't know what CBS will be sacrificing by turning out a more faithful version of the canon on their cable network? Lawsuit or political incorrectness or just their fear of not being able to twist canon to fit their own needs? Also if you are being snobby for wanting people watching a show to turn to the original written material then I fear for the future of literacy.
ReplyDelete