tjs_whatnot (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
tjs_whatnot) wrote2013-10-19 07:03 pm
tjs_whatnot) wrote2013-10-19 07:03 pm
Literary Lads: Doctor John Watson
I am in NO WAY a Holmesian scholar! A fact, that I’m sure will become PAINFULLY obvious shortly.
To begin, I have to admit that I first met Dr. John Watson and his BFF properly through the first Richie movie. I had seen bits and pieces of Jeremy Brett’s version of Sherlock and (no offence and I’ve since seen the error of my ways) thought it was incredibly boring and had no interest.
Then I saw Robert Downey Jr. kick ass and Jude Law be incredibly loyal and bromantic when he wasn’t being snipey and irritated.
I was intrigued.
So I went about reading ALL the Sherlock Holmes stories and that was when I truly fell in love. But, here’s the thing. Arthur Conan Doyle’s stories are, in my opinion (please don’t kill me Sherlockians) flawed.
Some of it is a mark of the times they were written, some of it was due to the style in which they were written and some due to the fact that Doyle was finished writing them WAY before he actually stopped.
But what remains are two characters that despite all of that (and maybe also due to some of that) are so very mesmerizing and open to many, many different interpretations. And THAT is what I love about the books and why there, in my mind, can NEVER be enough different versions of Doctor John Watson and his BFF. They all bring a new insight into the characters and focus on different aspects.
So, lets take a look at the John Watsons Through History (Or at least the ones I’ve seen):
Arthur Conan Doyle:
Watson is the narrator of the story. He is sometimes unreliable because he’s so very terribly polite and properand so very much in love that there’s a lot of reading between the lines. Also, because he’s the narrator of a story where a lot of the action is relayed to him instead of experienced by him, he seems to downsize his own importance. And because sometimes he seems to be a plot device to "dumb down" the brilliance of Sherlock for the general reading public, it’s easy to see sometimes how he could have been portrayed as not intelligent or too interesting. But, those interpretations would be wrong. It overlooks all the things that we actually do know about him. He’s a DOCTOR, a SOLDIER and an ADVENTURER and can hold his own in a fight, just to name a few.
Granada Series:
I haven’t seen nearly ALL of these episodes. The ones I have seen, I’ve enjoyed. Coming up with the words why though, was proving difficult, until I found this description. It perfectly articulates what’s most thrilling about the series.
Plus, you can never go wrong with Bonus!Jude Law in a dress. ♥
House M.D.
Okay, I’ll be honest, THIS is the first introduction to Holmes and Watson I was ever introduced to. I just didn’t realize it at the time. Not until reading the series did it become BLATANTLY obvious that the show was a very A/U retelling of Sherlock Holmes and that the character of James Wilson was a rather great interpretation of John Watson. I mean, he’s a doctor and everything!
But, he’s also broken, falls in love easily, is INCREDIBLY co-dependent and enabling of his unbelievably fucked up (but brilliant) best friend. He is a very long suffering and is often irritated and deeply hurt by Gregory House. Sometimes I wished he had a bit more of a backbone when standing up for himself and against House, but in the end, I think there was tremendous character growth.
Sherlock Holmes and A Game of Shadows
First of all, one can NEVER go wrong with Jude Law. NEVER. Put a moustache on him, give him a bowler hat and a cane and GODDAMN you’ve hit the jackpot! It’s easy to see how Maryand Sherlock falls so hard. We also, in this interpretation, get to see Watson the gambler.
Because we meet him further along in his friendship with Sherlock, we can see him be less polite and more Old Married Couple-like with his flatmate. There are limits to the shit he will put up with from Sherlock, and even though he’d put his life on the line for him, he still won’t let him rouse him from his morning constitutional until he’s good and ready.
He’s bad ass and smart and knows exactly what he means to his friend and exactly what Sherlock means to him and tries to give what he can without losing himself in the process. Plus, as previously mentioned, he’s very, very pretty.
BBC Sherlock
Since this version was the first one I saw after I had all the canon read and absorbed and since I watched it almost immediately after reading it all, THIS is MY Doctor Watson. I just remember sitting there watching that first episode and from the moment you see him walking along with his cane and his very broken spirit and thought YES! This is EXACTLY how I imagined John Watson would be and I was hooked.
With this Watson, we get to see not only the chronicler of Sherlock’s adventures, we get to see the Sherlock that Watson was too polite to show us on the page. And though this version of Sherlock is a bit different than I’d imagine him, Benedict Cumberbatch does a tremendous job of bringing him to life, and like I said, there can never be enough versions of these two characters in my opinion.
Also, with this version one of the only versions holding on to the premise that Watson is chronicling/blogging about Sherlock and their exploits, we get to see the ramifications of what it means to expose Sherlock and his methods to the public eye and attention. A subject that was used brilliantly in the last episode of Series 2.
Watching Watson change and grow in relation to this Sherlock has been fun to watch and I can NOT wait to see where it goes from here. COME BACK BBC SHERLOCK!!!
Elementary
Okay, I was just as leery as most about this show before it came on-air, but, like I've said (repeatedly) all interpretations have value and add something. I was really excited that Sherlock Holmes drug issues would be addressed and having Watson be a sober companion (which lets be honest, was one of Watson's functions in the books) was brilliant.
At first, I admit, I was a bit thrown off by just how far from canon this show strayed. But then a friend suggested I view it with the idea that it is "inspired" by Arthur Conan Doyle and that made all the difference.
Now? It is one of my favorite shows on the air currently and Joan Watson is nothing but perfection! I think one of the things that allows her to shine (not allows in the since of "gives permission" but more in the "cause and effect" sense) is that Jonny Lee Miller's interpretation of Sherlock (past the fashion sense and scruffiness) is pretty perfect itself. They have this way of interacting that is true to the canon, but almost takes it to the next level.
I know that a lot of people were not happy with the choice to make Watson a woman, thinking it was to make their relationship more hetero-normative and "non-icky" for the delicate sensibilities of the American viewing public. Now, having watched an entire season, this idea makes me laugh so hard. Firstly, as mentioned, HOUSE. You don't get a more bromantic Holmes/Watson dynamic than those two. Secondly, these two are the least romantic of ANY of the interpretations so far. As much as I love me some Johnlock, what I really like, and what I enjoyed from the original stories, is how easy it was to interpret Sherlock as asexual.
But wait, you say, this Sherlock is kinky as fuck and has had multiple sexual partners, including one that, you know, sort of fucked him up ROYALLY, how can that be?
IDK, he just is (in my mind). With the exception of Irene Adler, The Woman, all his sex life has been about gathering information and releasing tension. That is it. I can't see Watson fitting into his life in a sexual way and I really can't see her even wanting to... EVER.
But that's just me.
I love that she's smart, that she stands up for herself, that she has pain and is broken and hides it just as much as Sherlock does, but that they both, equally call each other on their shit. They both try and manipulate, they both try to ignore. Neither of them allows it.
Plus, her "Bitch, please" face is pricelessand her wardrobe is to die for and is a joy to watch.
But enough about my thoughts and interpretations (and I know I haven't even scratched the surface!) tell me what you think. How does John Watson in all his/her many facades speak to you? Have a favorite? I'm sure that you do. Tell me about him/her.
To begin, I have to admit that I first met Dr. John Watson and his BFF properly through the first Richie movie. I had seen bits and pieces of Jeremy Brett’s version of Sherlock and (no offence and I’ve since seen the error of my ways) thought it was incredibly boring and had no interest.
Then I saw Robert Downey Jr. kick ass and Jude Law be incredibly loyal and bromantic when he wasn’t being snipey and irritated.
I was intrigued.
So I went about reading ALL the Sherlock Holmes stories and that was when I truly fell in love. But, here’s the thing. Arthur Conan Doyle’s stories are, in my opinion (please don’t kill me Sherlockians) flawed.
Some of it is a mark of the times they were written, some of it was due to the style in which they were written and some due to the fact that Doyle was finished writing them WAY before he actually stopped.
But what remains are two characters that despite all of that (and maybe also due to some of that) are so very mesmerizing and open to many, many different interpretations. And THAT is what I love about the books and why there, in my mind, can NEVER be enough different versions of Doctor John Watson and his BFF. They all bring a new insight into the characters and focus on different aspects.
So, lets take a look at the John Watsons Through History (Or at least the ones I’ve seen):
Arthur Conan Doyle:
Watson is the narrator of the story. He is sometimes unreliable because he’s so very terribly polite and proper
Granada Series:
I haven’t seen nearly ALL of these episodes. The ones I have seen, I’ve enjoyed. Coming up with the words why though, was proving difficult, until I found this description. It perfectly articulates what’s most thrilling about the series.
Doctor John Watson was elevated from the bumbling comic relief character familiar to generations, and instead was rightfully reinstated as Conan Doyle's original vision from the canon. Brave, resourceful, intelligent and dependable to the end, the restoration of Watson's rightful character only served to enhance the brilliance of Holmes by underlining how his deductive methods granted him an insight above and beyond even as educated and intelligent a foil as his friend the good Doctor.
Another potent element well served by this fresh approach to the central characters was the revitalisation of the complex core relationship between detective and doctor. With the character of Watson now being given as much care and attention as that of Holmes himself, their mutually inter-dependant friendship once again became the rightful lynch-pin upon which the viewers identification with the series and its aloof central character, came to rest. Watson (and by extension the viewers) needed the excitement and adventure to which Holmes provided the key, whilst Holmes needed Watson to provide the element of viewer empathy which his character was ill-equipped to provide. (Along with that other all important task, giving Holmes the opportunity of explaining the finer details of the plot to the viewers in a way which neither demeaned their intelligence, or simplified the lateral brilliance of his crucial plot enlightening deductions). From Television Heaven
Plus, you can never go wrong with Bonus!Jude Law in a dress. ♥
House M.D.
Okay, I’ll be honest, THIS is the first introduction to Holmes and Watson I was ever introduced to. I just didn’t realize it at the time. Not until reading the series did it become BLATANTLY obvious that the show was a very A/U retelling of Sherlock Holmes and that the character of James Wilson was a rather great interpretation of John Watson. I mean, he’s a doctor and everything!
But, he’s also broken, falls in love easily, is INCREDIBLY co-dependent and enabling of his unbelievably fucked up (but brilliant) best friend. He is a very long suffering and is often irritated and deeply hurt by Gregory House. Sometimes I wished he had a bit more of a backbone when standing up for himself and against House, but in the end, I think there was tremendous character growth.
Sherlock Holmes and A Game of Shadows
First of all, one can NEVER go wrong with Jude Law. NEVER. Put a moustache on him, give him a bowler hat and a cane and GODDAMN you’ve hit the jackpot! It’s easy to see how Mary
Because we meet him further along in his friendship with Sherlock, we can see him be less polite and more Old Married Couple-like with his flatmate. There are limits to the shit he will put up with from Sherlock, and even though he’d put his life on the line for him, he still won’t let him rouse him from his morning constitutional until he’s good and ready.
He’s bad ass and smart and knows exactly what he means to his friend and exactly what Sherlock means to him and tries to give what he can without losing himself in the process. Plus, as previously mentioned, he’s very, very pretty.
BBC Sherlock
Since this version was the first one I saw after I had all the canon read and absorbed and since I watched it almost immediately after reading it all, THIS is MY Doctor Watson. I just remember sitting there watching that first episode and from the moment you see him walking along with his cane and his very broken spirit and thought YES! This is EXACTLY how I imagined John Watson would be and I was hooked.
With this Watson, we get to see not only the chronicler of Sherlock’s adventures, we get to see the Sherlock that Watson was too polite to show us on the page. And though this version of Sherlock is a bit different than I’d imagine him, Benedict Cumberbatch does a tremendous job of bringing him to life, and like I said, there can never be enough versions of these two characters in my opinion.
Also, with this version one of the only versions holding on to the premise that Watson is chronicling/blogging about Sherlock and their exploits, we get to see the ramifications of what it means to expose Sherlock and his methods to the public eye and attention. A subject that was used brilliantly in the last episode of Series 2.
Watching Watson change and grow in relation to this Sherlock has been fun to watch and I can NOT wait to see where it goes from here. COME BACK BBC SHERLOCK!!!
Elementary
Okay, I was just as leery as most about this show before it came on-air, but, like I've said (repeatedly) all interpretations have value and add something. I was really excited that Sherlock Holmes drug issues would be addressed and having Watson be a sober companion (which lets be honest, was one of Watson's functions in the books) was brilliant.
At first, I admit, I was a bit thrown off by just how far from canon this show strayed. But then a friend suggested I view it with the idea that it is "inspired" by Arthur Conan Doyle and that made all the difference.
Now? It is one of my favorite shows on the air currently and Joan Watson is nothing but perfection! I think one of the things that allows her to shine (not allows in the since of "gives permission" but more in the "cause and effect" sense) is that Jonny Lee Miller's interpretation of Sherlock (past the fashion sense and scruffiness) is pretty perfect itself. They have this way of interacting that is true to the canon, but almost takes it to the next level.
I know that a lot of people were not happy with the choice to make Watson a woman, thinking it was to make their relationship more hetero-normative and "non-icky" for the delicate sensibilities of the American viewing public. Now, having watched an entire season, this idea makes me laugh so hard. Firstly, as mentioned, HOUSE. You don't get a more bromantic Holmes/Watson dynamic than those two. Secondly, these two are the least romantic of ANY of the interpretations so far. As much as I love me some Johnlock, what I really like, and what I enjoyed from the original stories, is how easy it was to interpret Sherlock as asexual.
But wait, you say, this Sherlock is kinky as fuck and has had multiple sexual partners, including one that, you know, sort of fucked him up ROYALLY, how can that be?
IDK, he just is (in my mind). With the exception of Irene Adler, The Woman, all his sex life has been about gathering information and releasing tension. That is it. I can't see Watson fitting into his life in a sexual way and I really can't see her even wanting to... EVER.
But that's just me.
I love that she's smart, that she stands up for herself, that she has pain and is broken and hides it just as much as Sherlock does, but that they both, equally call each other on their shit. They both try and manipulate, they both try to ignore. Neither of them allows it.
Plus, her "Bitch, please" face is priceless
But enough about my thoughts and interpretations (and I know I haven't even scratched the surface!) tell me what you think. How does John Watson in all his/her many facades speak to you? Have a favorite? I'm sure that you do. Tell me about him/her.
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I'm a bit of a canon purist, so for me, it's Jeremy Brett and his Watsons all the way. But I do enjoy seeing the other interpretations
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I have such a hard time articulating just what about the original ACD stories I love so much, but for me it's all about character. These two. The rest: the cases, the criminals, victims, lovers, sibling and whatnot, are all flittering and mangled and hurt to think about too closely. And yet there are those who do and while I am in awe of them, I could never be one who picks apart cases, who create entire inner lives for secondary characters--which is one of my favorite things to do in other canons. ;)
Yes, nothing will touch the Granada series for attention to canon detail and NAILING it every time. There will never be another Brett. ♥ But that's okay, he gave us SO MUCH!
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Thank you so much for participating! The carnival is now live here:
http://lisal825.livejournal.com/66270.html
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And thanks for organizing this!
♥
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(also: forever waiting for sherlock season 3)
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SEASON THREEEEEEE! WHERE ARE YOU?!?!?!
I would really like it before it looks like this:
:))))
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I'd never seen that House/Holmes connection before. Yes, of course. It makes absolute sense now.
I read some of the books when I was younger and found the prose a bit too dry, also the detective brilliance not as brilliant as it was made out to be (mostly because detective writers following in ACD's footsteps were forced to be more and more inventive in competition with each other and the master). However, from Richie's first movie, I've been hooked on the Watson/Holmes dynamic. BBC Sherlock just added to that, and is obsessingly good. My love of that should have got me over my resistance to Elementary, which I've only heard good things about. However: Watson is my barrier. Either female or American I could have pushed myself past, but both is still too great a fence for me to leap. I'm sure I'll get there.
What an intelligent post! A great read as always with everything you write (I read & loved the D for Drama, and the Dr W post but haven't commented on either I'm afraid).
You only missed out one of my favourite Watsons: