Sherlock Holmes and Afghanistan
Lately I’ve been watching the BBC’s new “Sherlock” series, a reimagining of Sherlock Holmes set in 21st century London. At first I was quite dubious at the idea, but I am pleased to report that my doubts were misplaced. “Sherlock” is an excellent retelling of the Holmes mythos for the 21st century, and remains faithful to the stories without slavishly following the text line-for-line. Holmes is just as acerbic, brilliant, and weirdly chivalrous as in the stories (do not mess with Mrs. Hudson), but he is a master of using texting, webcams, computers, and other 21st century technologies as part of his deductive toolkit.
Though I was darkly amused that in the original 19th century stories, Dr. Watson is a wounded veteran of the war in Afghanistan, but reinvented for the 21st century…
…he is a wounded veteran of the war in Afghanistan.
History, it seems, does indeed go around in circles.
-JM
I read the “Study in Scarlet”ten years after I came home form war, and saw parts of myself and my friends in Doyle’s description of Watson after his discharge form the army. I have been a fan of the Sherlock Homes stories ever since. Watson is my favorite character, because like so many of us the carries his scars and makes a place for himself after his return to the world.
Yes. The 1930s Sherlock Holmes films always annoyed me, because they turned Watson into a buffoon.
And the guy who plays Sherlock will be the voice of Smaug in the new Hobbit movie (s)! Hopefully it will be as memorable as the animated version.
Speaking of Sherlock, what do you think of the Robert Downey Jr. version? I never saw the sequel yet, though I enjoyed the first. It was good, but I thought it lost it’s luster and started dragging in the final act.
And I think Martin Freeman (Watson) will be playing Bilbo.
I like the Robert Downey versions. They were really more action films than mysteries, but I thought it was a reasonable interpretation of the characters.
“And I think Martin Freeman (Watson) will be playing Bilbo.”
Oh yeah! I forgot Freeman was in that show. I think he will make a good Bilbo! I just hope the same can be said of Smaug.
“I just hope the same can be said of Smaug.”
I think Benedict Cumberbatch is doing Smaug’s voice – if he’s as good as Smaug as he is as Sherlock Holmes, it will be good!