Meta: Irene Adler is not a loser

[Carol the Dabbler]

Oh! You mean there are scenes in that episode that aren't needed to tell the story and were only shown to give men a thrill? ....

 

There's one thing to be said for this version. She did cause a stir among the audience, a small "scandal" in the world of TV and it's viewers. That's not easy to do these days!

 

"Give men a thrill" is merely a specific detail.  You're closer to what I meant with your "scandal" comment (and yes, they managed that brilliantly!).

 

Most of today's movies and television seem to be offering a jaded audience the equivalent of fast food -- geared for maximum initial impact.  Sherlock derives its excitement from being inherently suspenseful, rather than from being frenetically faster and louder.  "Scandal" strikes me as wandering uncomfortably close to "pandering" territory, so I'm disappointed by it.

 

As for watching any Sherlock episode with young children, ... I think the show would be way too scary and dark and violent for small kids in general and I don't believe it was made with that audience in mind at all.

 

I agree as regards tiny tots.  But there comes an age where the kids can handle a moderate amount of scary and violent, but their parents don't feel comfortable watching anything sexy with them.  (My late father would have loved Sherlock, but I suspect he'd have been horribly embarrassed by watching "Scandal" with me even in my adult years.)  Maybe it's an American thing or a generational thing, but in any case, I feel the need to take it into account when recommending a show or a movie to friends.

 

I do agree with you that this Irene has little in common with the original Miss Adler ... And if you really liked the woman in "A Scandal in Bohemia", no wonder you feel irritated by this version of her.

 

That too!

[T.o.b.y]

 

 Most of today's movies and television seem to be offering a jaded audience the equivalent of fast food -- geared for maximum initial impact.  Sherlock derives its excitement from being inherently suspenseful, rather than from being frenetically faster and louder.  "Scandal" strikes me as wandering uncomfortably close to "pandering" territory, so I'm disappointed by it.

 

That is a very good observation. It's actually far from my favorite episode, either, and here you have explained to me why. It's just too close to run-of-the-mill action films with slow motion fighting of gun-wielding CIA killers, laugh-out-loud humor using a series of highly improbable situations and a dramatic (un-)love story into the bargain. I remember watching it with my mom and she just said "oh, come on, this is silly".

 

There are many good scenes, of course, some really great dialogue and the whole "flight 007" case with the showdown on the plane is very much to my liking, as is Irene herself. But "A Scandal in Belgravia" is certainly the burger in the "Sherlock" feast. If the show decides to follow it's tradition (and I am kind of apprehensive due to the "more epicness, more tears" comment by the composer of the score), it will certainly lose in quality what it might gain in viewing numbers.

 

As for the question of what is worse to be exposed to at an early age, sex or violence, that would be worth a discussion on it's own. I think it is disturbing that parents would feel comfortable with letting the same children watch people being killed who are not supposed to see a naked body in their opinion, or think about the possibility of somebody selling sexual favors. I think that is a product of my having grown up "over here". The European (or at least the German) attitude tends to be different than the average American one on this subject (although it actually is ridiculous to speak of an "average American" anything as the country is so huge and so diverse).

[Bakerstreet Irregular]

And when it comes to have a conversation on sexual matters in America, we can be quite hypocritical about it all.

[Caya]

*gg* There was (or even is, I really don't know) an online game named Age of Conan, which was rumored to have three versions of the gaming client:

 

a] US version, that one censored the nudity (the nipples, iirc)

b] German version, that one censored the violence (the blood mostly)

c] Rest of the EU version, uncensored

 

Or as the inimitable Scott Jennings described it (paraphrasing here, it's been a while):

 

a] No sex, but we're down with the violence.

b] No blood, but sex is okay

c] We're a bunch of Eurodegenerates, we can take everything

 

So even while generalizations are generally (ha!) dumb, there seem to be some basic differences in how we view our entertainment.

[Carol the Dabbler]

"A Scandal in Belgravia" is certainly the burger in the "Sherlock" feast. If the show decides to follow it's tradition (and I am kind of apprehensive due to the "more epicness, more tears" comment by the composer of the score), it will certainly lose in quality what it might gain in viewing numbers.

 

Good heavens, you've given me something else to keep me awake nights! 

 

I think it is disturbing that parents would feel comfortable with letting the same children watch people being killed who are not supposed to see a naked body....

 

Not exactly.  I think those parents would be horrified if their children saw someone actually being killed (though that sort of thing does show up on the news now and then).  What they're seeing in a tv show is someone pretending to be dead, and most kids understand that there's a difference.  A naked body, on the other hand is a real naked body (despite any legal quibbling over nipples, etc.).

 

There's obviously a cultural difference, though.

 

*gg* There was (or even is, I really don't know) an online game named Age of Conan, which was rumored to have three versions of the gaming client:

 

a] US version, that one censored the nudity (the nipples, iirc)

b] German version, that one censored the violence (the blood mostly)

c] Rest of the EU version, uncensored

 

In that case, I'd sure prefer the German version of Elementary!

 

[T.o.b.y]

 

Not exactly.  I think those parents would be horrified if their children saw someone actually being killed (though that sort of thing does show up on the news now and then).  What they're seeing in a tv show is someone pretending to be dead, and most kids understand that there's a difference.  A naked body, on the other hand is a real naked body (despite any legal quibbling over nipples, etc.).

 

Yes, but Irene isn't a real SM sex worker... And TV sex is just as make-believe as TV violence. I get your point, though, Carol, and will stop trying to outlive god for the last word, now.

[cumberholmes]

She is a very clever woman who fell at her own game... however, I wonder what he feels about her? 1-after all, he saved her

 

 

2- she appeared in his head (His Last Vow)

 

 

Edited January 22, 2014 by Caya
Spoiler-tags! Not everyone's seen s3 yet

[Ruthyone]

A manipulitive woman......

 

[soopy452000]

She is by all means but respected by SH.

[Carol the Dabbler]

Hello, soopy452000 -- welcome to Sherlock Forum!    Thanks for jumping right in with your comments!

 

[Ruthyone]

Hello Soapy452000 - enjoy the   forum  

[Bakerstreet Irregular]

Welcome to the Sherlock Forum, soopy452000!

[soopy452000]

Hello, soopy452000 -- welcome to Sherlock Forum!    Thanks for jumping right in with your comments!

 

 

Hello Soapy452000 - enjoy the   forum  

 

 

Welcome to the Sherlock Forum, soopy452000!

 

Thank you very much mates for that warm welcome!

 

All the very best to you all! 

Cheers!

SHERLOCKED!

[Ruthyone]

I think Sherlock saved Irene's life because he admired her and she owes him something if their paths ever cross again...........