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As we all know, Sherlock Holmes is one of the most portrayed characters in fiction (and the most portrayed human character in fiction) so with such a large list of actors ranging from stage, film, audio and television, it stands to reason that each incarnation has his own take on Conan Doyle's iconic Consulting Detective. But lately, the most frequent incarnation we've seen in Sherlockian related media has been the anti-social, less emotional Sherlock popularized by the incarnation portrayed by Benedict Cumberbatch on BBC's Sherlock. While we had less emotional takes before like the iconic Basil Rathbone incarnation and Sherlock in Sir Conan Doyle's canon can be seen as somewhat anti-social, Cumberbatch takes it several steps further. For many modern viewers, Cumberbatch's take is seen as the definitive incarnation due to the fact Cumberbatch highlights the detective's anti-social and standoffish attitudes during cases as shown in the canon. The problem is that while a good performance, Cumberbatch's take on the character is an inaccurate over-exaggeration of Conan Doyle's character. The original Holmes of Doyle's canon wasn’t like that at all. In fact, Conan Doyle’s Holmes was shown to have compassionate and generous side: He received us in his quietly genial fashion, ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of brandy and water within his reach. “It is easy to see your experience has been no common one, Mr. Hatherley,” he said. “Pray, lie down there are make yourself absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant.” – “The Adventure of the Engineer’s Thumb” Holmes especially showed his compassionate side when with a frightened client: “Good-morning, madam,” said Holmes cheerily. “My name is Sherlock Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, before who you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the fire. Pray draw up to it and I shall order you a cup of hot coffee, for I observe that you are shivering.” “It is not cold which makes me shiver,” said the woman in a low voice, changing her seat as requested. “What, then?” “It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror.” She raised her veil as she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable state of agitation, her face all drawn and gray, with restless, frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot with premature gray, and her expression was weary and haggard. Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, all-comprehensive glances. “You must not fear,” he said soothingly, bending forward and patting her forearm. “We shall soon set matters right, I have no doubt.” – “The Adventure of the Speckled Band” Now, it’s true that Holmes isn’t always so polite, but he is rarely outright rude. The only people to whom Holmes is actually mean are those who don’t take him seriously or question his methods. He prefers to have a little fun at his detractors’ expense, though, rather than berate them openly. Here Holmes reveals the true culprit in the death of a shady horse trainer to the horse’s owner, who had been dismissive of Holmes’s work: "… You have done me a great service in recovering my horse,” [said Colonel Ross.] “You would do me a greater service still if you could lay your hands on the murderer of John Straker.” “I have done so,” said Holmes quietly. The colonel and I stared at him in amazement. “You have got him! Where is he, then?” “He is here.” “Here! Where?” “In my company at the present moment.” The colonel flushed angrily. “I quite recognize that I am under obligations to you, Mr. Holmes,” said he, “but I must regard what you have just said as either a very bad joke or an insult.” Sherlock Holmes laughed. “I assure I that have not associated you with the crime, Colonel,” said he. “The real murderer is standing immediately behind you.” He stepped past and laid his hand upon the glossy neck of the thoroughbred. “The horse!” cried both the colonel and myself. “Yes, the horse. And it may lessen his guilt if I say that it was done in self-defence, and that John Straker was a man who was entirely unworthy of your confidence.” – “Silver Blaze" Whatever else the literary Holmes may be, he is still a gentleman. People argue in defence of Cumberbatch's portrayal that it helped the character fit in modern times, I see it as doing a disservice to the original character. However, there is an opposite albeit less exposed extreme take on the character, the sentimental, compassionate Sherlock. While this take has been seen from time to time, Henry Cavill's portrayal of the character in Netflix's Enola Holmes seems to be the one that has given this take enough exposure and positive response from viewers that there are rumored interests of a Sherlock Holmes project starring Cavill's incarnation. Other than Cavill, the other prominent incarnation of this take is Christopher Plummer's incarnation in 1979's Murder by Decree, where during the investigations into the infamous real life Whitechapel murders, we see a more sentimental and compassionate Sherlock Holmes, who's almost driven to tears by the events and tragic fates of the women of Whitechapel. Another example of this take is the animated anthropomorphic dog incarnation developed by Hayao Miyazaki in the Italian-Japanese produced animated series, Sherlock Hound. The complete opposite of the Jerk Sherlock, the Nice-Guy Sherlock highlights the detective's more compassionate and sentimental side from the books, particularly in the Doyle stories published between 1923 and 1927. One of the reasons why we don't see this side of the detective compared to its opposite is because unlike the stories published between 1887 and 1922, the 1923-1927 stories are not in the public domain and any attempt to give Sherlock Holmes emotions is considered copyright infringement by the Conan Doyle estate, which lead to incidents like the lawsuit surrounding Enola Holmes. While as much as an inaccurate over-exaggeration, if I were given a choice between the two extremes, I personally prefer the "nice guy" Holmes to "complete jerk" Holmes.

Hello, I'm a German girl that really loves Sherlock. I have to do an essay on a topic I like and so I chose comparing the work of Doyle with the tv show "Sherlock". Now I need a heading for the whole thing, which motivates the reader to read it. It can be a question or a thesis or whatever it just has to sound interesting to the reader!

No, not ships as in boats, but ships as in 'relationships' which is a piece of terminology with which you'll be familiar if you've spent any time reading fan fiction, or if you are a follower of the cult of celebrity. There are probably quite a few people who aren't avid fanfic readers on this forum, which is why I'm posting this topic out here instead of in the The Mind Palace so it is more visible. If you aren't a fanfic reader or writer, you might not be aware that the quality of fanfic in general can vary greatly and some of it is absolutely dreadful, riddled with clichés and terribly out of character. Happily, I would say that the majority of fanfic based around Sherlock and related works (ACD universe, RDJ universe and others) seems to have escaped from the clutches of the rabid-in-a-bad-way element of fans and writers and on the whole is pretty darned good. Another thing of which a non-fanfic reading person would not be aware, is the relatively recent preponderance of 'ship' names. I say relatively recent as it's a phenomena that developed well after I first started reading and writing fanfic in the mid to late 90s and certainly didn't feature in any of my fandoms at that time. If you don't know, a ship name is a portmanteau name of 2 character names that are perceived to be in a relationship, usually romantic (though it doesn't have to be). There are loads (remember Brangelina? That sort of thing). The commonest in Sherlock are: Johnlock - John and Sherlock Mystrade - Mycroft and Lestrade Sherlstrade - Sherlock and Lestrade Johnstrade - John and Lestrade Mormor - Moriarty and Moran Molstrade - Molly Hooper and Lestrade So, and this is where I get to the whole point of the post, what do you lovely people think of the use of these names? I know there are many people who don't like the idea of male/male romantic pairings when it is something that is not in the original source material. That's fine (it's all fine), I am just interested in what you think of the use of the names, never mind what it might imply. Do you think it's cute, a way to feel like you're a member of a somewhat exclusive group or even just a handy shorthand reference? Are you really not bothered about the whole thing and wonder what the fuss is about? Do you not like it because you don't feel it is in keeping with the source material/characters? Do you think it's a horrible thing to impose on a bunch of characters with distinct and individual personalities, whether you believe they are in a relationship or not, because every person has a right to be known by their own individual name? Answers on a postcard, please, to... Well, actually, you could just add your thoughts to the topic or vote in the handy poll instead.

Hello guys! A Study in Scarlet is remarcable for two reasons: It is the very first Sherlock Holmes novel and sets the ground to all the following stories. And second, the plot is weird! I have started a blog to suggest classic novels to readers enthusiastics (please feel free to join :D ), and I would like to recommend A Study in Scarlet by the great Doyle. However I am afraid that people may not like the plot, therefore, not really feel motivated to read the rest of the Canon (what would be sad, because the Canon is awesome!). On another hand, all the other Sherlock Holmes' books are not the first one! And that is against the common sense to start by the middle. See the antagony? Please, help me with your insights about how to approach this problem! Thanks in advance

Well this looks interesting. I like the premise of this movie, and Sir Ian, well I just know he will be perfect, http://www.bbcamerica.com/anglophenia/2014/07/first-look-sir-ian-mckellen-mr-holmes/

"Our highest assurance of the goodness of Providence seems to me to rest in the flowers. All other things, our powers, our desires, our food, are all really necessary for our existence in the first instance. But this rose is an extra. Its smell and its colour are an embellishment of life, not a condition of it. It is only goodness which gives extras, and so I say again that we have much to hope from the flowers.” Hello friends, I haven't posted on here in a while and that is very naughty so I thought I would come back and start posting again. I had posted another thread previous talking about the Sherlock Holmes video games but didn't get one reply possibly because there just aren't people here who play the games and that's O.K. So I thought I would take it upon myself to play through one of the adventures and show it to you all, it maybe a video game but it is a Holmes story and we all like those. This topic may also get no replies but you have to try So the first game I have chosen is This was released in 2007 by Frogwares and features Holmes and Watson hot on the trail of a mystery where several people have been kidnapped, I thought I'd start with this one because it got pretty decent scores from the reviewers and I replayed it recently. Throughout it are different things to read that won't be on screen for long enough for people to actually read them (unless you are a super fast reader) but I will be posting shots of everything so you can read them when you like. Here is part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCc50MYPzt0

I was re-watching The Blind Banker a day or so ago and Sebastian says that he hasn't seen Sherlock for nearly 8 years since leaving Uni, now Sherlock only just moved into 221b the episode before, which we could say was a few weeks ago in the series. So where was he living before I wonder? With Mycroft?

http://bakerstreetbabes.tumblr.com/post/86740844910/gillette-to-brett-iv-registration-announcement Anyone going to get a chance to go to this? I believe it is held in Indiana in the USA. Mark Gatiss has been announced as a guest and I would love the opportunity to hear him talk about Sherlock Holmes. 'Wessex Press is pleased to announce another in its series of blockbuster Sherlockian conferences, FROM GILLETTE TO BRETT IV: BASIL, BENEDICT, AND BEYOND. Devoted to Sherlock Holmes on stage, screen, television, and radio.' Registrations open on Monday 26th May,

BBC Radio 4 are running 5 weeks of Sherlock on the radio http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01j9gzs

For those lucky enough to be in London or the UK or able to visit here is something to look forward to. http://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/sep/28/sherlock-holmes-story-museum-of-london-conan-doyle

Apparently this is the whole movie, it goes for just under 1 minute and Sherlock seems to be baffled. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmffCrlgY-c

I thought I would pass on the news that on this day in 1916 William Gillette made his film debut in Essanay's Sherlock, sadly it is a lost film. https://twitter.com/ChicagoNitrate/status/466933700651790338/photo/1

What is the most exciting imagination? I personally believe that talking straight to your favorite character is most exciting. Just Imagine that some how sherlock becomes real and you know all about him but world along with sherlock do not know about that. Only you know His tricks, his past, his weakness,his ability and even his future. And now you meet sherlock on morning on coffee table. Think of your favorite case and suppose you are in the middle of that. Just think...... you discuss a topic with him. And as you know almost everything about him and case, discussion will be just exciting to imagine. So i start this topic where you can write your questions and ideas which you-yourself discuss with great sherlock holmes. You try this with other fictional character also. So please.... Just give it a try............ :-)

Has anyone else watched these any of this TV Series? I picked up Volumes 1-3 a while back, for less than $AU2.00 ea. I've watched two episodes so far and Ronald Howard's Sherlock is a very jolly one indeed. I think they were actually produced in the USA and during the 1950's.

I'm posting this in the S3 section as the post to which I'll link further down the page has big honking spoilers for both episodes 1&2 of S3. Basically, this is a meta discussing John Watson's sexuality, his perception of it with regards to himself and society and how that differs from his perception and acceptance of others. It is well worth a read and quite thought provoking and addresses John's constant protestations of "I'm not gay!" in a way you might not have considered. It also touches on Mary and John's relationship both to each other, and with Sherlock. So, go read... The Case of John Watson's Sexuality on livejournal.

I have just found a competition to win some books all about Sherlock Holmes. I have entered and thought that some of you might also want to. The link is below. http://www.tlm-magaz...ock-holmes.html Fingers crossed that we win one! Judy x