#me every time I start a new Holmes adaptation

[amberarmedheart]

In Defense of John Watson and the Importance of the Besotted Narrator

Every couple of years, the world as a collective likes to ruminate and come up with a new adaptation of the stories of Sherlock Holmes, every single new one promising to be either "The Ultimate Adaptation" or "Holmes for the New Era", there is no in-between. And it is understandable, this amazement and awe we hold for the beloved mysteries, they are classics for a reason.

And despite that, time and again I see creators of tv shows, pastiches, and movies, neglect the most important aspect in every single Sherlock Holmes' story: the immovable presence of John Watson. Some even going as far as turning Watson into a villain, a caricature of himself, or even erasing him completely from the narrative. "After all, the important one is Holmes, isn't he? He is the genius, and Watson is there just his biographer."

That is the capital omission to me when it comes to any of the adaptations, because it ignores the vital part that Watson plays in Holmes' life. Watson is the companion, he is the bridge between the "normal" world and the genius that is Holmes' deductive brain. He is, for a lack of a better descriptor, the translator between what jumps in judgement and reasoning Holmes' brilliant mind comes up with, and the layman's language.

There is a reason why we as readers come up with the idea that Holmes is smart beyond his quirks and his drug addiction, beyond his ignorance of anything and everything that in his opinion doesn't help him solve the cases that distract him from the boredom of normal life... and that reason is that John Watson is the person narrating the whole thing. We are not introduced to Holmes through an omnipresent, anonymous narrator which is the case with other books. We are thrown in the middle of a mystery from the start the same way that Watson is unexpectedly thrown in 221b.

What we think of Holmes, what we feel for him, it is all because Watson wishes us to experience. The stories themselves carry with them one of the best storytelling devices graciously blended into the narrative, which is the fact that Watson is an incredibly good writer, so much that the public gazes into the spotlight where Holmes is and in most cases ignores that the one shining it down is Watson himself.

Creators who like to ignore Watson and his function in the narrative tend to see Holmes as their own self-insert: a super smart man whose genius cannot compare with the mediocre world population and who can barely tolerate their stupidity, basically a gift to men from god and who has to be worshipped for it... When the reality is that every single thing we perceive from Holmes is because of how Watson sees him.

Watson is our unreliable narrator, his descriptions and impressions of Holmes are the ones that are weaved into the story; even goes as far as giving us a glimpse of Holmes' opinion about it through the way the consultant detective sometimes accuses Watson of adding too many embellishments to his narrations. If we see Holmes as an incredible genius, as someone whose intelligence is above the rest of the world, it is because Watson says so. With every passing story, we come across different characters that every once in a while whose first impression of Holmes has been influenced by what they themselves read in Watson's stories... All in all, the in-universe characters falling under the same influence we, as readers, are.

John Watson's love for Holmes is one of the main plot points in the story, we see its evolution the same way as one normally goes through different stages of falling in love. We see Watson's first infatuation, his interest in what makes Holmes what he is, first in a superficial way and later on with every new story. We see them have misunderstandings, which most of the time end up in a deeper appreciation of Holmes as a person.

All culminating in the incredible rendition of The Final Problem, which could easily be seen, without little effort, as Holmes' planning his own death. By what means we are never completely sure, to be honest, since we can only see it through Watson's deep grief. It is true that Arthur Conan Doyle's plans were to end Holmes' adventures with the short story, but even with the author's motivations being the main recourse behind its inception, there is no doubt when reading the story that the focus of the narrative is Holmes' spending his last moments with Watson.

The subsequent creation of The Empty House and further adventures after that, diluted partially the importance of the whole ordeal, but gave us a different insight of Holmes and Watson's relationship. Through that lens, we as readers witness the evolution of it, the toll that Holmes' fake death had in both his biographer and his own author, adding depth through the strain put by the facade.

E. W. Hornung made one of my favorite homages to Holmes and Watson through his stories of The Gentleman Thief, and put a greater emphasis on the strained relationship between the two characters after the fake death. He gave his besotted narrator another source of turmoil: the fact that while Raffles (our stand-in Holmes) was away living life and even having a romantic interest, Bunny (his Watson) ends up falling in disgrace after being sent to jail.

A.J. Raffles' stories lean on the importance of the unreliable, uselessly enamored narrator, to the point that Hornung didn't shy away from having Bunny refer to Raffles as handsome and attractive in many different instances. He understood how there is no Holmes without a Watson to appreciate him, how their dynamic is the fuel behind the success of the whole series.

And ultimately, that it is impossible to have a good story without a good storyteller.

[weeb-polls-with-pip]

Autistic Anime Boys Prelims - Propaganda Division - Group 6

Propaganda:

Kiriwo -

"Seems innocent at first and he's just a guy with a special interest in magic items, but watch out."

Arjuna -

"MASKING KING!!!!!! ok joke aside one of his biggest things is that he's super scared that if anyone gets too close to him they'll notice he's not perfect/has a 'secret darkness' (that's literally just a guy) and overall a lot of his storyline is a strong parallel for being neurodivergent and becoming more comfortable with accepting it. he's also super strict and hard on himself for any sort of failure that isn't in line with what's socially appropriate but at the same time he doesn't always have a good grasp on what that is which is how you get stuff like him blowing up a forest to try and impress someone. it also runs in his family bc his brother is autistic as hell too."

Sherlock -

"God, where do I start? I mean what Holmes adaptation, even if he's not the main character, would this be if he were not autistic coded? And our combo of autism and ADHD is absolute perfection, all tied up with a pretty, excitable face. Hit him with the crime hyperfixation and do not make him wear socks."

Apollo -

"Not canonically autistic but he has ZERO volume control plus he scripts/repeats stuff (“I’M FINE!!!”), sometimes mimics other people’s speech patterns (like replying “ja” to Klavier), sensitive to loud noises (stayed backstage at a concert cuz it was too loud) and bright lights (complained about the stage lights being too bright at the same concert + screamed when opening the hatch to the bright stage at magic show), and has been really into space since he was a kid, which could definitely be a hyperfixation (not to mention how he read every single one of Phoenix’s old case files back when he admired him). Plus he’s a little TOO normal, to the point where it circles back around to making him the odd one out, which is absolutely what masking feels like for me. Even when he tries to be fun and weird he gets strange looks/made fun of for not being weird in the right way. The list of autism symptoms is just a checklist for him at this point."

Heiji -

"90% of the cast in detective conan is autistic but heiji is the most autistic of them all."

Urara -

"Another alien who is so excited to dance with everyone that he does not understand that his intended purpose of inviting people to dance via water communication is brainwashing them into dancing and is causing extreme chaos. He nearly causes an apocalypse by being so excited about dancing but he apologizes and tries to make friends with Yuki at the end of the story. He is extremely soft spoken and try, finding it difficult to begin conversations and fidgeting."

Shu -

"speaking specifically about the first season but he was the "explains everything so the audience knows whats happening" guy. he was pretty antisocial (not sure if thats just how he was or if he lived alone [which was fucked up cause he was 11]) . im trying to think of more but my brain goes hghghhhggggh im just a big fan of him."

Vash -

"ain’t no way i’m the only one who’s submitted him. go look at the gif of him crawling in the dirt like a bug while he dodges bullets and get back to me."

Hyakkimaru -

"Due to a terrible curse he has lived his whole life without several body parts including his eyes and ears. Because of this he is often overstimulated and awkward in new situations (when he doesn't do what he does best, killing monsters and samurai with his sword arms) He can't say or express much, and often comes off as strange and creepy, but he is actually a cutie patootie full of emotions, has a big heart, a keen brain, endless inner strength and loves the people close to him! This adorable, cursed, demon slaying boy deserves everything!"

Kei -

"He has the tbh face. Also he canonically has sensory issues and gets sensory overload. He constantly wears earbuds. He has an extremely rigid sense of morality and considers himself a savior figure. He has a hard time relating to other people and is a bit awkward in his interactions."

[kajaono]

What we can learn from disputed Sherlock Holmes portrayals

After watching Asylum Sherlock Holmes (aka the one with the dinosaur) and The hound of the Baskervilles (the Christmas TV movie, 2002) recently I found out that both Sherlock Holmes portrayals get a lot of hate

And I can totally see why. Because both have a really odd take on Sherlock. Let me give you a short run through :

The hound of the Baskervilles - Richard Roxburgh as Sherlock Holmes

First - and the most obvious reason - his whole look. Blond hair?! BLOND?!

And when we see him after he is hiding in the moor for a few days to spy on Watson, he looks like this:

Unshaved, without a tie... I know what this look was supposed to be but honestly? He looks a guy i can meet in my neighboorhood... in 2024!

I know it is unfair to compare everything with Jeremy Brett but... This is how Brett!Holmes looked when Watsons finds him hiding in the moor

Also Richard Roxburghs' portrayal of Sherlock is kinda… flat. He fails to add anything new or valuable to the character. He is stiff, he is clever, he has a hard time connecting with people… but apart from that he isn’t Sherlock Holmes. He could be the leading detective in every random British afternoon tv show. As Sherlock? Hard pass. No wonder he got replaced in movie 2…

Asylum Sherlock Holmes - Ben Syder as Sherlock Holmes

Oh boy… where to start? This Sherlock is… he isn’t Sherlock. He is tiny, he is extremely affectionate, he dress casual but not in an eccentric way (like RDJ... I know they had no budget left after the CGI dinosaur... but come on! Give him a vest at least!)... and he is named Robert?! I know they had to save budget but you can not tell me there wasn’t a stiff looking tall black haired actor anywhere on London.

While both of them are absolutely mis-casted, they both had moments that stood out to me… and I think that should be featured more in other Sherlock Holmes adaptations.

Let us stay with Asylum Sherlock for a little longer.

What I really REALLY loved about this adaptation was how affectionate this Holmes is with his Watson. Yeah Holmes also plays his games with Watson, yeah he also behaves like an asshole occasionally and is the reason Watson nearly drops to death at the white cliffs of Dover. But the moment he sees that Watson is in real danger he is the first to jump to his rescue. I also like that he tiny. This is an interesting change. But to make that work his Watson has to be HUGE. Tall as a tree. Towering over his Holmes.

Like this here (second one)

art by @paperbagedhead (please tell me if i should remove it).

we can see a glimpse of it in the Sherlock Holmes adaptation "Gosick" but this the only one I can name... Give me more tiny Sherlock!

I also like the idea that Sherlock is only made-up name. I think they have that in Miss Sherlock as well... but much much better handled. Robert... honestly, who thought this was a good idea?!

And for The hound of the Baskervilles 2002 I like that Watson was allowed to set boundries and that Holmes was the one who had to be rescued at the end. (Do you know that this is the main reason people dislike his Sherlock? Because he had to be saved by Watson? People are weird... Thats such an AMAZING turn of events. More wounded Holmes who has to be rescued by his Watson... I am still thinking a lot about Asylum Holmes screaming in pain and begging Watson to not give him drugs after his leg got cut open...)

So in summary. The good input these adaptations gave us and that should be used more (imo):

Affectionate Holmes (with limitations and rules) but allow him to gently touch his Watson

Tiny Holmes

Sherlock as a made up name

Vunerable Holmes who has to be saved by his Watson

The moment Asylum Johnlock nearly kissed mhm... what?

[victorianitt]

"I feel safe in your arms"

Jim Moriarty/Sebastian Moran, fluff, comfort fic, au

*** Disclaimer - fanfiction translated to English by ChatGPT ***

Sebastian Moran had long since grown accustomed to James Moriarty's strange behavior. The sniper sometimes wondered if Jim suffered from some form of schizophrenia or split personality. His boss could be a criminal mastermind, a consulting criminal in one moment, and the next, he behaved like a child, desperately seeking a moment of closeness.

It was the same now—Jim nestled into his broad chest, wrapping his thin arms around him.

Sebastian set his laptop aside and hugged Moriarty back.

“Jim...?” he asked cautiously.

The smaller man mumbled something incoherent in response.

“Hey, Jim, what’s going on? Is it about that thing with Holmes? I told you he’s not interested in you.”

Moriarty sat up and looked at Moran.

“But he solved my puzzles. Why wasn’t he interested in playing my game?”

Sebastian sighed softly. Jim was still hung up on his encounter with Holmes. Sherlock had made it abundantly clear that he didn’t care about the game Moriarty had crafted but rather about saving the people Jim had used as pawns. Their meeting at the pool hadn’t gone as Moriarty had planned. The consulting detective had deduced Jim’s boredom and obsession with him with disdain. He promised that if Moriarty ever tried to pull him into another game, all Sherlock would do was focus on rescuing hostages, leaving the puzzles unsolved. Sebastian’s boss hadn’t taken it well. He sulked, ignored emails, refused new jobs, and if not for Moran, he probably wouldn’t have eaten at all.

Sebastian was grateful Jim had invited him to his apartment before his obsession with Holmes took over. In his current state, Jim might not have thought of him otherwise.

“Jim, you couldn’t have known. People aren’t always who we want them to be. Sometimes, we have to adapt.”

Moriarty sighed softly.

They lay in silence for a moment, crammed together on the small couch. Jim started tracing his finger along Sebastian’s jaw, watching his reactions.

“Will you tell me a story?” he asked, not breaking his gaze.

“What kind of story?” Sebastian replied, a bit surprised.

“I don’t know... something to cheer me up?”

Sebastian pondered for a moment. Then he remembered how, as a child, his mother used to tell him stories from her own childhood. Maybe that would work?

“When I was a kid…” he began hesitantly, “I once found a dog. It was small and skinny, tied to a tree in the woods, left to die. If it weren’t for me, it probably would have. Luckily, during one of our mushroom-picking trips, my father and I heard barking. The dog was calling for help with its last strength. We untied it and brought it home. At first, my mother was against it, you know?” Sebastian smiled nostalgically, stroking Jim’s hair. “But later, she grew attached to it. The dog became her only companion when my father and I went on mountain trips. Dad loved those trips…”

Sebastian felt Jim stiffen beside him.

“Hey, Sebby…” Moriarty said softly. “You had a wonderful family, didn’t you?”

Sebastian chuckled quietly.

“Yeah, they were wonderful. My mom was a nurse, and my dad, like my granddad, was a soldier. He’s the reason I chose this career path.”

“They were? What happened to them?”

“They died in a car accident. It was entirely random, years after the war. Despite what I suspected for a long time, it wasn’t planned.”

Silence fell again, broken only by the sound of their breathing.

“What was the dog’s name?” Jim asked quietly.

Sebastian laughed, this time louder.

“His name was Queen.”

“Queen? Was it a female?”

“No, though we thought so at first. I named him after the band.”

Jim’s eyes lit up.

“I Want to Break Free?” he hummed inquisitively.

“I Want to Break Free,” Sebastian confirmed. “Didn’t think you were a fan. It’s a love song, after all, and you don’t strike me as the romantic type.”

“Excuse me! My bookshelf is graced with every Jane Austen novel!” Jim feigned indignation.

“Only because you stole them from Sherlock’s apartment,” the sniper shot back.

Jim giggled and snuggled into Moran’s chest.

“I like lying here with you, you know?”

“I... I like it too,” Sebastian replied, slightly embarrassed. “Back to the song—why do you like it?”

“The idea of a love you can’t escape…” Moriarty said quietly. “Even so, I’d like to fall in love like that someday.”

“Wouldn’t you be afraid the person you love might use you?”

Jim flashed a predatory smile.

“Me?”

Sebastian laughed and looked at his boss, grinning.

“Alright, fair point. But I didn’t expect you to be such a romantic.”

“Maybe deep down, I am. Jane Austen, remember?”

“I’d have to see you actually reading her to believe it.”

“Maybe you will... someday,” Jim said, giving Sebastian a tender smile.

They lay together, pressed close on the small couch, smiling warmly at each other. But eventually, their moment of peace had to end. Moriarty sat up and stretched with a sigh.

“Hey, Sebby... will you make me some sandwiches? Please?”

“Got your appetite back all of a sudden?”

“Maaaybe…” Jim teased, enjoying a bit of banter with his sniper.

Sebastian rolled his eyes but got up and headed to the kitchen to make sandwiches.

As he spread butter, the sound of I Want to Break Free filled the apartment. Sebastian smiled widely. He picked up the plate of sandwiches and returned to the living room.

The sight made him burst out laughing—Jim was dancing, raising his arms with every repetition of the chorus. He spun around, facing Sebastian with a mischievous grin, then pirouetted straight into him. Sebastian barely managed to save the sandwiches.

“Hey, Jim! You almost knocked over the sandwiches!” he scolded, though he wasn’t really angry. In fact, he was glad to see his boss smiling again.

Jim grinned, his face close to Sebastian’s chest.

“Sebby...?”

“Yeah, Jim?”

“With you, I wouldn’t be afraid. I wouldn’t fear being used.”

Sebastian froze for a moment, then wrapped his arms around Jim.

“I wouldn’t be afraid either, Jim. I wouldn’t,” he murmured, his face buried in Moriarty’s hair.

Jim tilted his head up, prompting Sebastian to meet his gaze.

“Hey, Seb? Sometimes I feel like kissing you. And you know what?” He paused. “I’ve just decided… I’m going to do it.”

And he did.

Their lips met, and Sebastian closed his eyes, his hands tightening on Jim’s back.

They kissed for what felt like forever, until they were both out of breath. Moriarty stood on tiptoes, clutching Sebastian’s shoulders, pressing as much of himself against him as possible.

When they finally pulled apart, they were both flushed and breathing heavily.

“I feel safe with you, Seb. Safe in your arms. Safe when you hold me, when you’re here.”

Sebastian smiled at the smaller man.

“I know, Jim. And I’m glad you feel safe with me. I feel happy protecting you. It’s my job, after all.” They both chuckled softly.

They stood there, in the middle of the living room, with I Want to Break Free playing in the background, holding each other tightly. Time seemed to stand still.

Eventually, though, Sebastian let Jim go, fed him the sandwiches, and felt a happiness he hadn’t known before. Later that evening, when he came out of the shower and found Jim on the couch with Pride and Prejudice in hand, he wasn’t even surprised. He simply smiled and walked over.

“So it really is Jane Austen. One more step, and I might believe in your inner romantic.”

“You haven’t already?” Jim quipped. “I’ve been trying so hard…”

“Maybe a little. Throw a ball, and we’ll talk.”

Moriarty’s eyes sparkled mischievously, and Sebastian knew he’d regret those words. Jim Moriarty hosting a ball? It couldn’t happen.

Right?!

[livvyofthelake]

bethhhhh unfortunately I have literally nothing to say about percy jackson but tell me about your new project <33 are you trying to watch literally Every sherlock adaptation because that would be insane... also only vaguely relevant but you would loveeee murder most unladylike I'm so serious....

noooo Every would be crazy i’m not doing that let’s be serious. you could hold a gun to my head and i still wouldn’t want to watch a guy ritchie movie starring robert downey jr. but there are a few older movies i’ve found in the years i’ve been pondering and researching that might be good. yes actual years. haven’t wanted to watch any sherlock holmes adaptations because i know probably 90% of them are bad. especially considering what the popular one is that does NOT bode well for anything else!! but i needed to watch something eventually before 2026. as you should well know something big is happening that year i’ve been like. doomsday prepping for since like 2018. with a big pickup in pace in 2022. i think secrets of blackthorn hall created an Urgency i maybe didn’t need thanks for ruining my life cassie 😐 anyway. yeah we’ve got some films on the docket. nothing popular. and as everyone knows i’m never going to watch the bbc show unless i’m having a serious mental health episode in which case you should get me committed to an old timey asylum where they give me a lobotomy. naturally. that’s what i think should happen to all fans of that show btw <3 no offense.

but yeah i did start with young sherlock holmes because i had a feeling it couldn’t get worse than that and i think/hope i was right because wowie that was a crap movie! nowhere to go but up! unless. 😐 yeah it was a major L for women in a way not even reading the sign of the four was. which if you’ve read the sign of the four you’ll know is saying something. sorry for hating the sign of the four. it’s entirely possible the book would have been better to me had i not listened to a bad audiobook for half of it (narrator was INSUFFERABLEEEEE).

also no enola doesn’t count to me as a sherlock holmes adaptation she’s literally built different these things are not even connected to me other than that guy is there. but it’s sort of like. when cole sprouse is an insufferable freak in something that’s not riverdale and you’re like hey that’s jughead! it’s like that. sort of. not really

also i checked and my library doesn’t even have murder most unladylike… next time i’m in a drought of books for little girls though i WILL be hitting up thriftbooks to maybe buy them…. me and books for little girls are like THIS 🤞 fr

[daywalkers-fic]

12. why the 1880s?

something about this decade really sings to me. I find in particular, nearing the end of the nineteenth century, so much was happening on around the world in terms of arts, politics, technology, colonization. world events and global news don’t personally reach the day-to-day lives of the everyday folk, but they are an important part in gauging what life, thought, and society was about—what things were important then and now?

basically for myself, reminding me of notable things that occured during the 1880s—some thematic, some of relevance to context and characters, and the rest just ?? interesting and/or wild?

cocaine is a hot new cure for everything and anything. perscribed, sold in foods and more. heroine introduced as a lesser-addictive substitute for morphine…

lots of developments in fields of psychology; many experiments and happenings; Freud starts his work 1886.

1880-1914 had +twenty million immigrants to the United States: Germany, Ireland, England, China had the most arrivals.

William Dorsey Swann, the first self-proclaimed drag queen, organizes a series of drag balls in Washington, D.C. 1880-1890s.

Jack the Ripper claims his “first” victim in 1888 White Chapel, London. big scare.

Sherlock Holmes first appears in Arthur Conan Doyle’s A Study In Scarlet as part of the British magazine’s Beeton’s Christmas Annual in 1887.

Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson is published in 1886. Gothic fiction, drawing from emerging fields of science and psychology. & Treasure Island was published earlier in 1883 by him too!

Mark Twain drops The Prince and the Pauper (1881), Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (1884), A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court (1889).

Bel-Ami, Guy de Maupassant’s second novel is published in 1885. about a man who seduces and manipulates high society French women in the French colonies for power and wealth. MOVIE WAS ADAPTED IN 2012 STARTING ROBERT PATTINSON LOL

western European art movements very romantic and swirly and pretty: Monet, Debussy xoxo.

meanwhile, African American ragtime music becomes the “pop” music across the pond here.

North Dakota (1889), South Dakota (1889), Montana (1889), Washington (1889) become states.

train segregation laws flag beginning of Jim Crow; Civil Rights Movement of 1875 voided, making discrimination in private is not illegal, and prohibiting state intervention to personal or commercial segregation. l*nching continues throughout the south. slavery may be over on paper, but indentured labour is legal.

1882 infamous O.K Corral gunfight.

Gold Rush continues, all over the world—South Africa, to British Columbia, to California, to Argentina, to Russia-China borders.

centuries of American “Indian” wars continue.

American Dawes Act of 1887 granted American government authorization to regulate indigenous lands, including creating and assigning and enforcing reservations.

Sitting Bull’s 1883 speech of the atrocities experienced at the hands of white American settler colonists.

Canadian Pacific Railway 1881-1885. foreign labourers were hired to do a lot of heavy, dangerous, unwanted work. in America, more than 100,000km of tracks were laid by majority Chinese, Irish, Scandinavian workers.

America’s Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 and Canada’s Chinese Immigration Act of 1885 was officiated, enforcing law of a Head Tax to be paid for every Chinese person entering North America. over the course of the next couple of decades, the fee of $1,500 was doubled to $5,000 was increased 500% to $25,000 in today’s currency—per person. this had devastating and lasting impacts on generations and societies of Chinese living both overseas and already in North America. propaganda at this time created many racist myths that persist today: there are too many Asians, they are taking our jobs, (the men) are gross and effeminate and a threat to (white) women, they shady and scheming people. these were the first and only major federal legislation to explicitly suspend immigration for a specific nationality in American and Canadian history. (I study Asian Canadian history, I can go on about this all day)

Tong Wars (1883-1913) had Chinatown gangs and factions in violent street wars across America, San Fransisco to New York.

large, targeted, and repeated anti-Jewish rioting (pogorm) and antisemitism rampant throughout Imperial Russia, 1881-1882 had more than two hundred anti-Jewish events alone. Jews continue to be racialized and othered.

fuck ton of colonization happening in Africa and the Middle East, Southeast Asia. Berlin conference 1884-1885 literally chopped up Africa to distribute to European powers.

Irish nationalist efforts to push forth Home Rule bill of sovereignty is defeated in British Parliament. Irish are not “white”, they are “othered” in Europe and in Americas.

use of photographic film pioneered by George Eastman, who started manufacturing film. his first camera (Kodak) was ready for sale in 1888.

Thomas Edison gets lit in New York 1883 with first electrical power station. next several year sees major cities being lit up with street lamps and public lighting with the science and works of a Nikolas Tesla (1886-1893).

hell of a lot more inventions in the works and patents being claimed. Hertz and radiowaves, Bell for telephone services.

“Between the years of 1850–1900, women were placed in mental institutions for behaving in ways the male society did not agree with”

way too much history to cram, obviously. here are some keywords for further research oki

prison industry / spiritualism / opium epidemic / irregular and uneven “modernizations” in rural vs. urban areas / class and poverty gaps / morality scares, checks, comparisons, gaps / new businesses and gadgets, products, tech to help with anything / fascination of the (colonial) Other; side shows, “freak shows” and other human zoos

[hergan416]

Why do I love Moriarty the Patriot?

It's not just like...compelling story. Sure it has compelling story, but ultimately it is a Sherlock Holmes adaptation. Surely I would have gotten into I dunno, Elementary when my mom was super into it when I was a teen, or the old BBC show my ex's grandparents had on at their house all the time (that more or less followed ACD canon). Maybe even ACD's books...which I like but am languishing on reading even after getting into MTP). So why this one?

Admittedly, I am the kind of person who is much more interested in animated works than live action, so I'm a little biased towards the format of an anime (and then finding the manga for more context after I love it). That's definitely a me thing.

But why did I start to hyperfixate on it? How did it become my fandom?

Gonna have some heavy topics and spoilers now.

It's relating to every single character as human. It's the way the relationships are so real and easy to imagine. It's the main character...who basically tries to commit suicide around the same age that I tried to commit suicide, failing, then having to learn to live with himself.

It's about the struggle to relate to people, to communicate, even for brilliant people who are very close (Will and Al and Louis), even for brilliant people who want to be (Sherlock and Liam), even for people who at first glance don't all seem to be neurodivergent (Sherlock and Watson). It's about how no friendship or familial relationship, no matter how deep the ties go, is perfect. It's about found family and blood ties and being true to oneself.

It's about good and evil and what those terms even mean. It's about the inherent worth of humanity. Nobles not finding all people to be people. Louis lives because William has been acknowledging his worth and thinks Holmes can provide that for William. But in the end, Louis and William both find their own worth for themselves. Louis pushes forward and really starts to shine in his new role. He's so good at what he does. He's so comfortable. He's a leader, not a servant. He is the new head of the family.

William too, learns a lot from having to live with just himself to look after (and maybe Sherlock). But he's not enmeshed with Sherlock the way he was with his brothers. He's learning to live as his own person, to become himself. Not an actor on a stage, not someone he is expected to be, to be vulnerable, to not know the answers. Because when you are smart like that...you're supposed to know all the answers. Even now.

It's beautiful. The Final Problem isn't enough. The first part ends with a brief description of how things happen after a three year time skip. Its about healing. And not healing. And struggling to move forward anyway.

How could I NOT love it?

[ashesforart]

🎞️🎙️🕰️🎨

Hello!! Once again, I am terribly sorry it took me forever to answer this ask.

🎞️ - GREAT question, oh gosh. I want to say Three Garridebs? I always did like that one, plus there's that fun little scene where Watson gets hurt and Holmes loses his shit. Given how well S&Co. handled the gunshot + general commotion scene in Noble Bachelor part 2, I think they could really knock Three Garridebs out of the park but maybe that's just me.

🎙️- HIGH BLOODY FIVE WATSON gets me every time. Honestly and truly if I'm having a bad day then all I have to do is listen to Sherlock say that in his really enthusiastic voice just like he did on the pod and I instantly get this goofy smile on my face. It's just too endearing. Although runner up is in Retired Colourman part 2 (I think?) when John breaks the fourth wall physically and metaphorically lmao-- great wordplay imo.

🕰️ - Back in January 2024! So just a few months ago. I was a BBC Sherlock fan prior to this and was honestly nervous about venturing into other Sherlock Holmes adaptions, but it was such a great decision to start listening to S&Co. But anyways I also moved back in January and now have a longer (and more frequent) bus + train route than I did before so I needed something new to listen to during!!

🎨 - Hmmm... it might be better to attempt drawing this at some point. Honestly I really love the fandom's headcanon that Sherlock is a person of colour and I totally agree with it. I know John has said on his Twitter that Sherlock doesn't have much hair, but I can't help it, I just imagine him as a fairly tall guy with a full head of dark hair-- I do think that S&Co. Sherlock has straight hair too. As for John, imagine like Fix-It Felix from Wreck-It Ralph but with a scraggly blondish beard and a *very slightly* stockier build. Interestingly enough, I don't currently really have any strong opinions on Mariana's appearance (just because I change my mind about what she looks like every episode) except for that she has these adorable freckles on her face, especially the bridge of her nose.

[sorrel-scribbles]

So since Sherlock Holmes is apparently in the public domain today (tumblr trending told me), I've got to make a post about it, and by that I mean I'm going to ramble about Enola Holmes for a hot second.

(500+ words of analysis below the break)

I am not a big Sherlock Holmes person. I don't keep up with every single adaptation. I've read a couple of the books and watched Enola Holmes, and before Enola Holmes 2, I was never a Johnlock person. Aroace Sherlock is something that's very important to me, so I don't seek out adaptations where he and Watson are implied to or do feel something for each other. It's just wasn't my cup of tea, but I didn't care if it was other people's. I just wanted a Sherlock who didn't need romance (and I still do tbh, but that's not what this post is about). That's part of the reason I watched Enola Holmes (1) and loved it. Besides Enola herself and the story (both of which I absolutely adore), we get a Sherlock who's got only his two siblings and is doing just fine (yes he needs friends, but you get the point-).

Then I watched Enola Holmes 2.

A big part of the lesson Enola learns in this movie is that she can be independent and hold her own, but it's also ok to ask for help when you need it, and to let other people in (both literally and emotionally). Some of this involves Sherlock and Edith, but mainly, it's about Tewkesbury. It's about the fact that having a person to lean on and a man who you love doesn't take away your agency or your sense of self. Enola learns this, and everything is all sparkles and sunshine for her post-case...and then they introduce Watson. The whole time I was watching the movie, I interpreted the hints being dropped about Watson to be teasers for the next movie that will hopefully be made, but then he shows up at the end of this one.

Intentionally or not, they've created a narrative parallel. There are little hints dropped throughout the movie about Enola's feelings for Tewkesbury. She's suppressing them, hard, but you can still tell. The movie also focuses on Enola and Sherlock's relationship, and how similar they actually are, to the point where Sherlock invites her to be his case-solving partner. They also tease the introduction of Watson, who anybody who knows anything about Sherlock Holmes should know is his closest ally. The movie also clearly establishes that Sherlock hasn't learned Enola's lessons yet. He still needs to find his person, and unlike the first movie, this is a role his family can't fulfill for him. Enola herself recognizes this and sets him up with Watson as a new roommate. And where does she go while all this is happening? On a date with Tewkesbury!

Call me crazy, but they're basically saying "Tewkesbury is to Enola what Watson is to Sherlock."

That sure looks to me like something romantic is being implied.

And no, this isn't me saying "Enola Holmes 3 WILL have canon Johnlock," (because, to be honest, I doubt it, and I don't want to start discourse) I'm just pointing out the narrative parallel they've established lends itself well, and that I'm not biased in pointing it out because I'm not a Johnlock shipper. I would actually like to see an "our platonic connection is just as important as your romantic one" storyline, because that's the type of Sherlock Holmes media I connect with, but they have set themselves up for a Johnlock storyline here, and I would love to see that come to pass as well.

(Enola herself should, of course, remain the main focus of the movies. Ultimately, it's about her and about women and about the Holmes family and I wouldn't want it any other way.)

[quill-of-thoth]

Letters From Watson, Catching Up

The Musgrave Ritual part 3: fun bits! - I didn’t point it out in the last part, but I love how Musgrave immediately catches on to the scavenger hunt and starts helping. Especially because he knows the ins and outs of the house.

- Obviously there is immediately a corpse. And a crime scene reconstruction. I do like that Holmes admits that he has no idea whether it was an accident or on purpose that Brunton was trapped in the treasure chamber: contrary to many pastiches and modern adaptations he does not always have, or need, every single fact of the case.  - Also, the treasure. The absolute lack of fabulousness of the treasure! I admit that the first time I read this story with not a lot of historical knowledge (my known English monarchs skipped from allegedly King Arthur to Queen Elizabeth to Queen Victoria) the shabby condition of the artifacts made me think they were much more than two hundred odd years old. As an adult who has been to two archaeology digs I appreciate the realism: important things are seldom shiny! Granted, my best two finds were a left-handed pot sherd and a shred of china.  - On the subject of archaeology: every aspect of this discovery is a disaster and it makes me itch. First you remove the artifacts from their context with zero documentation, then you chuck them into a lake. Zero of ten stars all around. 

- Honestly, thousands of stolen artifacts filling the British museum and things that actually belong there thrown away in a pond. I have a grudge against Victorian era archaeologists that only starts with Heinrich Schliemann. - It’s currently VERY hard to quickly google information about Queen Elizabeth 1 or King Charles 1 and get answers, so I’m not going to do a deep dive (tonight) on whether this “ancient crown of the kings of England” (which didn’t exactly make me think that Charles 1 wasn’t some time in the 10th century) directly contradicts any knowledge of actual Elizabethan and immediately post-Elizabethan crowns. Hey British royal family, could you make it easier on historians and pick a new name, ever?

[redrobin-detective]

Got any good book recommendations? Any genre, any character, anything?

Been saving this to give it a good answer!

So my favorite author is Stephen King bc he writes the most intensely real characters I've ever seen and I always enjoy his writing style even if some of his stories are meh. I'd start with Different Seasons novella collection but ONLY read first story Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption (which obviously is the Shawshank movie) and third story the Body (which became the movie Stand by Me). The other two are garbage. If you like those books then please! Feel free to read his other longer stories, the og horrors (Carrie, the Shining and Salem's Lot). Other good horror is Misery, The Dead Zone and the Shining sequel Doctor Sleep. IT and the Stand are looooong stories but oh so worth it. The Mr Mercedes trilogy (but especially the first one) is a fun detective series. The Green Mile movie and book makes me cry every time. I could keep going but I've gone on enough about King.

Ken Follet originally wrote spy thrillers but found his true passion when he dropped a 1000 page mid-evil epic, Pillars of the Earth, and has been writing historical fiction ever since. Despite how lengthy all the books are, I consume them every time there's a new one. I think my fastest record was 4 days! The Pillars quadrilogy covers from the dark ages (The Evening and the Morning) to the Elizabethan era (Column of Fire) and golly its so good. If 14th century England isn't your jam try his Century trilogy covering various families around the world from WWI (Fall of Giants), WWII (Winter of the World) and Cold War/modern (Edge of Eternity).

Eric Larson also does really good nonfiction but written in a very compelling manner. Devil in the White City and Dead Wake are my favs of his!

I loooooove mysteries too! I could name dozens of classic mystery authors but I know that's not everyone's jam. Anthony Horowitz's House of Silk was a delicious Holmes adaption that felt juts like Conan Doyle. For more modern The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle was a trippy Doctor who esque murder mystery. The Night Circus is not my usual jam being very magic-y but oh I love the language and get pulled in every time. What can't be said about Good Omens that hasn't been said before? I do also love the classics, King Lear, Pride and Prejudice, Gone with the Wind, As I Lay Dying.

Thats all I can think of off the top of my head but I have loads of classic murder mysteries I can also recc that I'd need to go to my bookshelf for lol.

[dathen]

Wow, you know Ace Attorney too? I just started playing the first trilogy this year and I really enjoy it. It's quickly becoming my new special interest!

Absolutely!! It’s a long-time love for me, one of those fixations that just tears its head every now and then without warning. It was also the first fandom I started getting aro and ace headcanons for, so it means a lot to me on that level on top of the fantastic found family and fun gameplay and batshit plots~

If you’re just starting out, make sure to check out The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles, which is a bizarre but wonderful period piece crossover with Sherlock Holmes stories (one of those “not loyal but loving” adaptions)

[ytrairom]

Sherlock MBTI analysis

Disclaimer: I’m not a professional when it comes to psychology, I’m also not planning to become one. I researched a lot on MBTI types, read about other people’s thoughts and experiences with their type and also read a lot of character analysis, not only for BBC Sherlock but also for other shows. I also included the cognitive functions that are the base of the MBTI types. I respect other opinions. That being said let’s dive into this analysis :>

Sherlock Holmes – INTP the Logician

Since Sherlock is the main character of the show, we have a lot of material to analyze and giving him a MBTI type was therefore easier than for side characters.

Sherlock is clearly an introverted person; I doubt anyone would object to that. He doesn’t like interacting with people and prefers to do things alone. If he would take the personality test himself, he’d probably get a relatively high score in introversion, above 90% I’d say. He doesn’t get his energy from interacting with people.

Moving on to the next letter, the N which stands for Intuition. I’ve seen some people arguing that he is in fact a sensor (an ISTP) but I’m quite sure he’s an Intuitive. He is able to completely ignore his surroundings, he was talking to John for hours without noticing that John wasn’t even there. Typically, sensors are very aware of their surroundings and find it difficult to ignore what is happening around them. Sensors live in the present while Intuitives live more in the future. Intuitves are also people who tend to see possibilities while sensors like to rely on experience. The reason why people confuse Sherlock for a sensor is because Sherlock is very detail oriented when inspecting a crime scene and when he wants to be he is very aware of his surroundings and notices every small detail. However, Sherlock always notices the big picture. INTPs also like to think through a lot of ideas, they spend a lot of time thinking while ISTPs always start doing things. Sherlock’s mind palace and how he uses it is extremely untypical for an ISTP or a sensor in general but fits an INTP very well. Also INTPs are better at longterm planning than ISTPs and Sherlock is actually good at planning things if he wants to.

Sherlock prefers thinking over feeling, I’ve never seen anyone type him as a feeler. Sherlock makes his decisions based on logic. That doesn’t mean that he is coldhearted or devoid of emotions and empathy, he just prefers to do things based on logic not on feelings.

Sherlock is also more perceiving that judging, I don’t see why anyone would type him as a judger. In the original ACD books he may an INTJ (which I don’t know because I didn't of them, shame on me) but definitely not in the BBC adaption. He doesn’t follow any routines, is always open to new things and goes through life and his cases how it seems right in the situation. That doesn’t mean he is unable to stick to plans, we have seen him making plans and following through with them, it just doesn’t seem to be his preferred way of doing things. He can adapt to unforeseen circumstances and find a solution in the moment. He is also a risk taker. Maybe this is a bit of a stereotype, but Judgers tend to be more organized with their belongings and living space. Sherlock however can work in the greatest chaos and doesn’t even mind it, I sometimes think he works better in a little chaos.

Cognitive functions: Ti-Ne-Si-Fe (These come from the 4 letters his MBTI consists of. You possess 4 cognitive functions: 2 introverted ones and 2 extraverted ones. All of these are developed differently, your primary function is your most developed one and your inferior function your most underdeveloped one.)

Primary function: Introverted thinking. He constantly keeps is mind open to new information and concepts that help him understand the world. He uses Ti to solve problems and quickly understands complex ideas.

Auxiliary function: Extraverted Intuition. He sees possibilities everywhere. He uses Ne to experiment with what could be and find new innovative ideas. He likes to learn about multiple possibilities and gets restless when the environment doesn’t promote experimentation.

Tertiary function: Introverted Sensing. He recalls logical concepts and ideas quickly. He stores and effectively recalls past information when needed.

Inferior function (underdeveloped function): Extraverted feeling. He feels strongly for other people but is unsure how to express feelings for them. He prefers to rely on logic and facts though. He can be very emotional under stress.

When giving someone an MBTI type I always consider the cognitive functions and in this case, they made me fairly sure of my decision because to me Sherlock is an Ne-Si user not a Se-Ni user or a Te user.

[askaceattorney]

Dear Dawsongfg,

Chief Mod Edgeworth: 

I did most of the costumes, but I will also give credit to Co-Mod for creating the sprites for Mia’s, the Skye Sisters’, and others I’m not remembering. The rest of the sprites I did.

Dear Ladynoirthebest23,

Chief Mod Edgeworth: Nope. We’ve pretty much shown all of them. In fact, I was literally making new sprites for the new letters to characters I felt their names could have a costume to go with them. I’m glad you love them regardless.

(Referenced Link)

Dear Spookylampwinneroperator,

Chief Mod Edgeworth: 

Erm... the link is broken I’m afraid.

Dear charicla,

Chief Mod Edgeworth: 

Thank you very much. I always try to make every Holiday feel something special on this blog. I’m also grateful for the other mods for helping out. 

Co-Mod: Thanks a bunch!  And to you and yours as well!  🎄  (I just recently learned the Start + . technique for adding emojis to anything in Windows.  😄)

(Referenced Letter)

Dear Anonymous,

Chief Mod Edgeworth: Don’t worry, we ALL know what you meant. 

Dear Ladynoirthebest23,

Chief Mod Edgeworth: That would be the Robert Donny Jr. adaptation. Game of Shadows was especially good. I especially love how it goes into Sherlock’s mind and shows how he plans all of his fights and the outcomes of it. 

It also has the only adaptation of Sherlock Holmes where John Watson finds out right away that Sherlock wasn’t dead in its movie adaptation of The Final Choice. I really hope they make a third movie, because I would love to see Sherlock’s return and Robert Donny Jr. returning back.

Co-Mod: Same goes for me.  From what I can remember from seeing it a few years ago, both movies were quite the thrill in terms of story buildup and action.  To be fair, I haven’t read any of the books, but topping the kind of writing and acting in those films is top-notch.

Dear Dawsongfg,

Chief Mod Edgeworth: 

You seriously need to place the link to the previous letter because I have no idea what you’re talking about. My memory isn’t good enough to remember any specific letter you sent me like what? When was this sent?

November 1st at 10:15 PM. 

What? I did say we know the date and time all letters are sent.

Dear Neuroticsurgicalclinicdirector,

Chief Mod Edgeworth: That’s interesting. All I really did with Dr. Grey’s costume was put his sprite on grayscale.

Dear Skibot99,

Chief Mod Edgeworth: It’s talking about the old mods like Modot, Modthorne and so on. I will fix this. It may be partly my fault because there were a few times when Tumblr decided to get rid of all the links and I had to fix it at least two times. It was frustrating to say the least.

Dear Dawsongfg,

Chief Mod Edgeworth: I suppose, but those can often confuse me because I don’t play chess and only know the basics of it. Using correspondence chess or any chess boards where you have to solve riddles in letters is not something I would recommend if only because I’m likely to make mistakes. I’m good at roleplaying as characters in letters, not chess.

Dear Dawsongfg,

Chief Mod Edgeworth: I honestly find it interesting when a villain isn’t your typical twirly-mustached villain. I love it when villains are smart and competent in their craft. It makes them so much more interesting.

(These three videos)

Dear Dawsongfg,

Chief Mod Edgeworth: It’s good. I really like the different versions of the soundtrack.

Co-Mod: Yeah, I’m just gonna cut to chase...

That was some amazing work!  I’ve made some things in DAWs before, so I know how tedious it can be.

(Referenced Letter)

Dear Dawsongfg,

Chief Mod Edgeworth: I’m assuming the link you were referring to was a letter from another set of mod letters, because I don’t see anything in this batch that matches up with what this letter is talking about. 

I have done letters where multiple versions of a character answer it, but it’s all one at a time. Rarely do I have multiple characters answer it and, when they do, it’s often during what we mods call “breaking canon for the lolz” where we break our own rules of how letters are answered because it’d be funny. One such example is having Athena answer a letter mocking her angrily by having her be so angry that she creates an explosion or sends Vikings to attack. However, even with “breaking canon for the lolz,” it has to make sense within context. It can’t be random. I don’t do random comedy anyhow.

- The Mods

[starseedfxofficial]

Decoding EURCAD with Genetic Algorithms: The Secret to Smarter Trades Cracking the Code: How Genetic Algorithms Can Decode EURCAD's Hidden Patterns Let’s face it: trading the EURCAD isn’t exactly like picking low-hanging fruit. It’s more like trying to guess the secret ingredient in grandma’s lasagna—complex, frustrating, and downright maddening at times. But what if I told you there’s a way to transform that frustration into something resembling a cheat code? Enter genetic algorithms (GAs), the unsung heroes of predictive modeling in Forex trading. Before you roll your eyes and think, “Great, another buzzword,” let me assure you, this isn’t just jargon. It’s a game-changer—like discovering a 90% off sale on your favorite trading tool. Why Most Traders Miss the Mark on EURCAD Let’s start with some brutal honesty: EURCAD isn’t the flashy pair that gets all the love. It’s like the indie band of currency pairs—low-profile but loaded with potential. Most traders approach it with the same old strategies they use for EURUSD or GBPJPY. Spoiler alert: that’s like trying to win Formula 1 with a go-kart. Here’s where genetic algorithms enter the picture. Unlike traditional indicators, which rely on predefined formulas, GAs evolve. They’re inspired by natural selection—yes, the Darwinian kind. By simulating a survival-of-the-fittest scenario, they fine-tune strategies that adapt to EURCAD’s quirky movements. Think of them as the Sherlock Holmes of Forex—solving mysteries others overlook. The Genetic Algorithm Playbook: A Step-by-Step Breakdown - Define the Problem (AKA, What’s the Mystery?) Every genetic algorithm starts with a clear goal. For EURCAD, this might be optimizing a strategy that predicts price reversals based on historical data. Think of it as your algorithm’s "New Year’s resolution." - Generate the Population (AKA, Assemble the Team) GAs create an initial set of random solutions. Imagine a bunch of rookies trying to crack the EURCAD code. Some will be terrible; others will show promise. - Fitness Evaluation (AKA, Who’s Got What It Takes?) Each solution gets evaluated based on its “fitness”—how well it predicts price movements or minimizes losses. Only the strong survive. (Yes, it’s brutal, but so is the market.) - Crossover and Mutation (AKA, Time for a Makeover) The best solutions mix and match their strengths, creating offspring that (hopefully) outperform their parents. A bit of randomness gets added through mutation, ensuring the algorithm doesn’t get stuck in a rut. - Repeat (AKA, Practice Makes Perfect) This process repeats for several generations until the algorithm uncovers a strategy that works consistently. It’s like training for a marathon—only with fewer blisters. The Real Magic: Applying GAs to EURCAD EURCAD has its quirks: the influence of European economic policies, Canadian oil dependency, and unpredictable cross-currency correlations. Here’s how GAs turn these challenges into opportunities: - Identifying Hidden Patterns: GAs analyze mountains of historical data to uncover patterns no human could spot. For example, they might detect a subtle relationship between crude oil prices and EURCAD’s movement. - Adapting to Changing Conditions: Unlike static strategies, GAs evolve. When EURCAD’s behavior shifts (say, due to a new ECB policy), the algorithm adjusts itself. - Optimizing Entry and Exit Points: GAs fine-tune parameters like stop-loss levels and take-profit targets, ensuring you’re not leaving money on the table. Case Study: How GAs Outperformed Traditional Indicators A 2023 study by the Journal of Financial Algorithms compared a genetic algorithm-based trading strategy for EURCAD against classic indicators like the RSI and MACD. The results? The GA strategy outperformed by a whopping 28% in terms of risk-adjusted returns. Why? Because it adapted to market changes in real-time, while traditional indicators lagged behind like a bad internet connection. Common Pitfalls (And How to Avoid Them) Even with GAs, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. Here are some common mistakes traders make and how to sidestep them: - Overfitting: Creating a strategy that works great on historical data but flops in live markets. Tip: Always test on out-of-sample data. - Ignoring Fundamentals: While GAs excel at technical analysis, ignoring fundamental factors (like a surprise interest rate hike) can be disastrous. Combine GA insights with a solid understanding of the macro environment. - Overcomplicating the Algorithm: Sometimes, less is more. Focus on simplicity to avoid computational inefficiencies. Elite Tactics: How to Turbocharge Your GA Strategy - Use Hybrid Models: Combine genetic algorithms with other machine learning techniques like neural networks for even better predictions. - Leverage Cloud Computing: Speed up the computational process by running your GA on platforms like AWS or Google Cloud. - Integrate Sentiment Analysis: Feed your algorithm data from news sentiment to predict major market moves. Is This the Secret Sauce for EURCAD? Genetic algorithms aren’t just another tool; they’re a paradigm shift. They bring adaptability, precision, and an uncanny ability to decode EURCAD’s mysteries. While no strategy is foolproof, incorporating GAs into your trading arsenal could be the competitive edge you need. And if all else fails? At least you’ll have a killer conversation starter at your next trading meetup: “Did you know genetic algorithms can outsmart the EURCAD market?” —————– Image Credits: Cover image at the top is AI-generated Read the full article

[kneelbeforeclefairy]

I am sitting here thinking about going BACK into a fandom. Most fandoms wax and wane but they're always kind of there. You always like them to some extent, it just changes how much Fannish behavior you do. Some you really move on from. Some stick with you and become a LIFESTYLE even if they're not always in the forefront. (I call these Base Fandoms. Mine is Les Mis. )

But I think there is a Fandom Danger Zone I call Back Into Hell. It's when you liked the thing, maybe were in the fandom for a while, but you eventually moved on and didn't think about it for like. Years.it probably wasn't even your BIGGEST THING at the time. Just something you were into for a while.

And one day. Something snaps in your head and you go. Huh. The Thing. I miss The Thing. I should like....revisit it. Especially if there's been new content since you left The Thing.

Cause every time that has happened with me it has been a HIT BY A BUS level of brain rot and derailing my life.

Vampire Chronicles. Read the books up to Vampire Armand in high school. Was DEFINITELY weird about Claudia. Eventually moved on after a while. Almost fifteen years later get a random craving for Tale of the Body Theif. Reread entire series, plus the new ones, drag friends into hell, cosplay Lestat, create the Blog, have vampire themed birthday party and am now working on my dress for my SECOND Anne Rice Ball.

Hunger Games . Haven't thought about it since college other than occasionally saying "I volunteer as tribute" or something, like every other millennial. Hear about songbirds and snakes, just sorta check it out. Now have reread entire books, watched movies, dragged friends into hell @bestnoncannonship has had her brain rewritten by haymitch and is projecting all her Rural Trauma (we call it Twelve Bullshit) onto him, and now planning Effie's Ruffle Dress of Doom.

Sherlock Motherfucking Holmes. Read most of the series during college when BBC Sherlock was big. Enjoyed it. @bestnoncannonship was WAY into Sherlock. It was a base fandom from when she was a kid. Need something low-key to listen to at work when things are slow, why not listen to audiobooks of Sherlock Holmes? Wind up starting to watch as many adaptations as we can, cosplaying Holmes and Watson, have Sherlock Holmes themed murder mystery birthday party for Ann, give WHOLE ASS PANEL at flame con about why Sherlock is gay and acd knew DAMN WELL what he was doing, and now I know WAY more about Victorian gay men than I ever needed to know.

American Girl dolls. I had Molly as a kid, but wasn't really into her. I did have a Bitty Baby I adored, and a HUGE collection of clothes. Read a lot of the books, definitely credited it partially with making me a history person. But eventually grew out of it. somehow starting seeing American girl stuff on Tumblr. Check in. Now I have a brand new Rebecca and a GROWING collection of clothes. Ann has a Samantha and her clothes. We do doll photo shoots. Drag friends into hell (noticing a pattern here?) Now my mom has a Julie, another friend has a new Molly and a new Caroline, her partner is literally CUSTOMIZING dolls and it up to date on all the new releases. other friend dug up his Addy, and found out he had a rare girl of today ,two more dug up their Kirstens, and at some point we're having an American Girl party.

At this rate the next SLAM is gonna be like Doctor Who or something, though i really doubt this Second RTD Era can stand up to the first one. Also I think when it comes down to it I'm more of a Classic Who bitch. But there always MORE classic Who to watch.

Anyway. Beware the Return. The first time in a fandom is a visit. The second time that shit moves into your brain full time and you can check out any time you want but it will never leave.