from-the-desk-of-john-watson

[from-the-desk-of-john-watson]

I feel like The Six Napoleons is one of the best Granada episodes, and part of why is, of course, That Scene.

By which of course I mean this one:

All genius, but of course, even more specifically, the bit starting at about 5:52. You know the scene I mean, and if you don't by all means watch it!

Honestly, it's an in-a-nutshell demonstration of the greatness of both canon and the Granada adaptation.

Here's the scene from the book:

“Well,” said Lestrade, “I’ve seen you handle a good many cases, Mr. Holmes, but I don’t know that I ever knew a more workmanlike one than that. We’re not jealous of you at Scotland Yard. No, sir, we are very proud of you, and if you come down to-morrow there’s not a man, from the oldest inspector to the youngest constable, who wouldn’t be glad to shake you by the hand.” “Thank you!” said Holmes. “Thank you!” and as he turned away it seemed to me that he was more nearly moved by the softer human emotions than I had ever seen him. A moment later he was the cold and practical thinker once more. “Put the pearl in the safe, Watson,” said he, “and get out the papers of the Conk-Singleton forgery case. Goodbye, Lestrade. If any little problem comes your way I shall be happy, if I can, to give you a hint or two as to its solution.”

And here's the dialogue from the show:

Lestrade: I’ve seen you handle a good many cases in my time, but I don’t know that I ever knew a more workmanlike one than this. We’re not jealous of you, you know, at Scotland Yard. No, sir, we are proud of you, and if you come down to-morrow there’s not a man, from the oldest inspector to the youngest constable, who wouldn’t be glad to shake you by the hand. Holmes: Thank you! Thank you! Would you get down the Conk-Singleton forgery case please, Watson? Goodbye, Lestrade. If any little problem comes your way I shall be happy, if I can, to give you a hint or two as to its solution.

Not many differences! ACD knew what he was doing- he knew how to write a good yarn, he knew how to write good characters, and he knew how to write a good interaction. Granada wasn't filmed in canon order, so we don't get to see the progression of Holmes's relationship with Lestrade per se, but after a number of excellent, more "foiled again!" type Holmes-Lestrade interactions since A Study in Scarlet, ACD decided to do something cool and different here and pulled it off beautifully.

And when the director and writer of this Granada episode put this one together, they decided that the relationship between Holmes and Lestrade should be a focal point in this episode, and not only did they barely need to change a dang thing in the ending to do it, what small things they did change were all beautifully in the service of the tone of the original ending, taking advantage of the brilliant material they had to work with. I was just relistening to the excellent episode of the Jeremy Brett Sherlock Holmes Podcast discussing The Six Napoleons, and one of them points out that one of the few text changes is removing the word "very"- going from "we are very proud of you" to "we are proud of you." And it works so well- it accentuates the contrast with the previous suggested notion that they would otherwise be jealous, between what Holmes might have expected to hear (and, indeed, perhaps expected to WANT to hear) and the actuality, and how much more meaningful it turns out that is to Holmes.

The creators here- and I of course include the actors, as both Colin Jeavons and Jeremy Brett act the fuck out of this- are so smart with how they pull this off. They know that what they have on the page is gold, but they also know how they can buff it up for a stronger shine. They know that Brett will absolutely eat up all of ACD's stage directions about his response, he knows the character inside and out at this stage, so let's keep the scene the way it is and, instead, build the rest of the episode around setting up this scene in such a way that it will have maximum impact as written.

There is one thing that is added- and that's the handshake at the end, that Holmes offers to Lestrade. We don't know what happens after Holmes's final words in the story, but in the episode, the physical acting continues telling the story only implied in the text of the short story- Lestrade is a bit thrown by Holmes's reversion back to his old, casually cutting self, but rolls with it, only for Holmes to extend his hand to him. Lestrade seems, even, slightly surprised- this is, perhaps, Holmes's rare gesture of pride in him.

[from-the-desk-of-john-watson]

I drew these a while ago... I think both of these books have similar appeal to me in that they are both about friends having fun together :) (mind the murders etc. but...) Just two best friends hanging out :))

[from-the-desk-of-john-watson]

[from-the-desk-of-john-watson]

Do you think we're friends in every universe?

(Music is We'll Meet Again by Vera Lynn)

[from-the-desk-of-john-watson]

genuinely hysterical shit. "oh i didn't notice" said the noticer. you gay bitch

[from-the-desk-of-john-watson]

I made a new doll (Sherlock Holmes)

↓more pictures down here

(including cursed bald Sherlock)↓

His hands

This is his back

A few more pictures of his face from different angles

Ah yes making dolls includes wonderful moments like having cursed bald Sherlock sitting next to you on a shelf

look at his shoes (I made them out of leather)

And close ups of his clothes (they are entirely hand sewn and I'm really proud of them)

[from-the-desk-of-john-watson]

Decided to draw one of my favorite moments in The Hound of the Baskervilles as Sherlock Hound...

[from-the-desk-of-john-watson]

Finally getting to share my biggest art project yet!

The art exhibit yesterday was absolutely lovely, the amount of support and kind words was genuinely unbelievable! Thank you to everybody who supported me and followed my journey while making this massive project!

[from-the-desk-of-john-watson]

I'm sorry.

CONTENT WARNING: References to death and drug use

Song: Sonya Alone by Brittain Ashford

Contains Spoilers from The Final Problem and The Empty House

[from-the-desk-of-john-watson]

IT MIGHT BE HAPPENING.

[from-the-desk-of-john-watson]

not to be insane about Them again but I was just thinking that actually... Watson doesn't know all that much about Holmes, or at least, that's how it comes across in the text. He doesn't know about Holmes's past or his family life. And (as far as we know) he doesn't pry. He just kind of accepts it.

He obviously wants to know though. It's obvious in his excitement when Holmes tells him about a past case, or takes him to meet Mycroft. But Watson is the perfect example of Minding Your Own Buisness. He doesn't ask because he knows his questions wouldn't be welcome with someone like Holmes. I honestly think thats why Holmes takes to him like he never has with anyone before. Watson lets Holmes have his privacy and doesn't judge him for it.

And it shows that you can love, trust and admire someone completely without knowing absolutely everything about them. They make me insane, your honour.

[from-the-desk-of-john-watson]

finally posting my handknit snoopylock sweater for sherlock holmes’s 171st birthday!

[from-the-desk-of-john-watson]

‘tis the day, etc etc

[from-the-desk-of-john-watson]

Holmes brain 24/7

[from-the-desk-of-john-watson]

fell asleep working

[from-the-desk-of-john-watson]

"It is indeed, a fearful place. The torrent, swollen by the melting snow, plunges into a tremendous abyss, from which the spray rolls up like the smoke from a burning house. The shaft into which the river hurls itself is a immense chasm, lined by glistening coal-black rock, and narrowing into a creaming, boiling pit of incalculable depth, which brims over and shoots the stream onward over its jagged lip. The long sweep of green water roaring forever down, and the thick flickering curtain of spray hissing forever upward, turn a man giddy with their constant whirl and clamor."

THE FINAL PROBLEM - part 7 of many - part 1 - part 2 - part 3 - part 4 - part 5 - part 6. Another scene I've had written in some form for months. Getting close now...

This is in the Watson's Sketchbook series!

[from-the-desk-of-john-watson]

watson: what a tragedy.

*looks at the victims face*

watson: damn, he's so ugly, he must've had it coming