#to headcanon that holmes and watson are the same

[microwavablefork]

I think that, perhaps, I don’t exactly view Holmes and Watson in any sort of romantic relationship, but instead a close queer friendship. They do not have a romantic interest in one another, yet they’ll comfortably sleep in the same bed or be physically affectionate and cuddle with one another. They are each other’s worlds, though only platonically. Watson is able to love his wife while also holding a tender affection for Holmes, his best friend. (and vise versa… minus the wife for Holmes). They feel comfortable around one another to be ‘non-conforming’ in heterosexual terms, yet they would never persue anything further. Instead they find comfort in the fact only the other can understand their own affections, and just how much it means to them both.

Idk tho maybe that’s just me projecting my own experience in my own close friendships with same sex friends as an unlabeled queer person

[arttsuka]

The suspect got away, so sad 😞

I can't make him look not like Reigen help

(Ignore my terrible handwriting please and thank you)

[milksugarjams]

Sherlock Holmes 3

(part 2 of ?)

Of course Holmes has a big case lined up already. And of course Watson is dutifully ignoring him. He big mad.

"You would benefit from exercise, Watson. Look at Gladstone, lying there like a dying elephant. You two could be related."

"We both get plenty of exercise, Holmes."

"Debatable. Certainly not for the mind."

Watson stares out the window in front of his typewriter like it's a camera on The Office. You just know he wants to go, but he still big mad. "No."

"No?"

"No."

Holmes' eye twitches. He knocks a picture frame off a side table in passing, pretending it was an accident. The glass breaks.

Watson glares at the man, who's starting to look more like a pouting cat. "That is my mother-in-law."

"She's dead, and you never met her."

The kids are sitting in an armchair in Watson's office watching the proceedings. They're making notes. The eldest thinks this will all make up the next book.

Then Mary walks in, "Time for school, come on." The children sigh and say goodbye, following their mother out.

Watson raises an eyebrow at Holmes once they're alone. "Maybe you should go with them," he says, "since you insist on behaving like a child."

Holmes calmly narrows his eyes. The wheels are visibly turning in his head. What's he thinking?

[bedheaded-league]

Hello Sherlock Holmes fam!!! I have no Holmesian friends and I want to rectify that!!! Please follow me and say hi and I’ll follow you back and also say hi if you are also into Holmes and looking for friends.

A brief intro to me: I love ACD Canon, Granada, and the RDJ movies. I write fics for Sherlock Holmes and Our Flag Means Death, which you can read here. I dream of eventually writing a novel-length casefic, but I’ve never written a mystery before and it’s HARD, y’all. For now, I love writing fluff and hurt/comfort in particular (I’m a basic bitch, what can I say ¯\_(ツ)_/¯)

I love all of the different queer interpretations of Holmes, but my personal headcanons are that Holmes is gay/demisexual and Watson is bi. I also love diagnosing them with things (in my opinion, Holmes has autism, bipolar, and ADHD, and Watson has PTSD) and I love reading/writing work that addresses those things. And of course, these are only my headcanons, and I am always open to reading other peoples interpretations of the characters, because they belong to all of us. The only thing I can’t deal with is people who are like “Sherlock Holmes is a cishet man with no mental disorders because he’s NORMAL” like babe… I don’t think we’re reading the same books.

I also love other detective series like Poirot, Benoit Blanc, and Juno Steele. I’m in a lot of other fandoms, which I post about on my main blog @therosielord

Anyway, if you also love Holmes and want to be friends, feel free to introduce yourself and I’ll follow back!!! Please come yell with me about these detective boys!!!

[violetjedisylveon]

Grinning Shadow AU Fluffy Headcanon:

In this version of the 'Journey to the West', everyone believed that Macaque died and Wukong wanted to revive him, but Wukong accepts that Macaque is dead... (But the truth is Macaque was brainwashed!)

People have made many adaptions and reboot of Wukong's story, and in some of them Macaque is alive or gets revived, with Wukong and Macaque being BFFs...

There's even a story of Macaque being with Wukong, on the Journey to the West...

Some Wukong Fans theorize that Macaque is alive in canon, but he's the Jade Emperor's Prisoner... (They're not wrong!)

Despite everyone believing that Macaque is dead, many Wukong Fans love Macaque...

Macaque is touched by this... when people learn that Macaque is alive... the world goes insane, but in a fun way! 💖

oh that's fun!

In the original/oldest versions of Jttw, Macaque is said to have died in the havoc in heaven and the journey is also one of Wukong's grief as well as enlightenment.

But like with the real Jttw, people started writing what amounts to fanfic of it very soon after, and so later author's changed some things and played around with their relationship and Macaque's ultimate fate.

In modern times, people generally believe that Macaque died in that battle, but theorists, scholars and historians have their speculations of his true fate, since the ending that storyline in the book is odd and vague.

Macaque is a very popular character, he basically functions as second main character in the the first 7 or so chapters until he dies cause he's with Wukong from minute one. It tells of how bother were formed, how they met, the hijinks they got up together. In the book Macaque is constantly warning Wukong of his hubris, but he's the one who pays the ultimate price for it.

Modern adaptations and reimaginings play around a lot with his character, in the book he's the humbler, less brash and more satisfied with his current power level, so it's a fun dynamic to play with as someone who always wants more, and someone who's satisfied but still supportive of the other. Some have their relationship break off before the heaven attack and Macaque lives!

They also play around with their relationship to the point where some adaptations have a similar effect or read on their relationship as Granada Holmes does for Sherlock and Watson. My friend described it(Holmes and Watson) as something that if you're straight or homophobic, you won't pick up on, but if you're gay then you absolutely pick up on it, sort of a if you know you know kind of thing happens with them.

But other adaptions are just all but explicitly saying they're gay because there is a subtext in this version of the book in their interaction with each other.

Some scholars of Jttw do theorize that the real Six Eared Macaque is actually alive somewhere, probably the celestial realm, but there's no way to get proof of that cause Jade Emperor doesn't want people to know about his monkey, it's better if he's believed dead.

Either way Macaque lives on in the hearts and minds of mortals, it's a bittersweet thing for Wukong, he gets to see all these different versions of him have the same ending no matter what, and sometimes he sees better ones, stories where Macaque never dies. Those ones he holds onto tight.

Sometimes he wishes the og Jttw had been able to be more explicit with his relationship to Macaque, then he could have his daughters in the story as his daughters. It would have been painful to see them die again in every adaptation, but there could also have been stories of what never was, a happy tale for his family.

Jttw does have an equivalent to them, a pair of unnamed monkey demon cubs who have an oddly detailed death for being random unnamed characters. Scholars speculate about who they really are and the ones that are speculating "mates" as Wukong and Macaque's relationship speculate the monkey cubs either literally or symbolically represent children Wukong lost. They are painfully close to the truth.

Macaque is definitely surprised by how much people like him and just how popular he is, it's flattering after so long of such negative experiences to be perceived so positively.

People loose their minds finding out he was alive, and gay with Wukong, this whole time, so many scholars are finally vindicated.

This was a fun bit of fluff, especially since I am working on chapter 2 and oh boy I am setting Wukong up to get his heart absolutely destroyed, he's so happy and excited at the thought of getting to have his mate back, it's gonna be devastating.

I love it.

Thanks for asking!

Grinning Shadow AU Masterpost

[amypihcs]

So i'm dead.

@contact-guy's beautiful comic (i loved it, truly, it killed me.) and watching Hellsing with an offline friend of mine killed me THROUGHLY.

And since i fear i'm figuring out how Holmes and Watson's relationship will evolve into @contact-guy's comic serie i'll curse you with the HCs i made with my dear @i-dont-talk-for-days-on-end today talking about my future drawing of Watson with his loves, Holmes and Mary.

You can probably tell i'm emotionally devastated because my writing is more inconsistent than my usual.

So.

For me is very important that Mary gets treated well, since she exists in canon and is a fantastic woman. And i also love to think that she and Holmes are friends, after all they both love Watson.

My take is, Watson and Mary have kind of a façade marriage based on good friendship and comradeship but without love and generally without sex.

This could work in two ways, both of which are incredibly nice one:

Aroace Mary who needs some sort of social respectability coming from a marriage and got lucky enough to find a man as good and kind as Watson who is more than willing to help her to achieve it without endangering her

Lesbian or Bi Mary in a relationship with a girl, probably her ex employer, could be someone else, who still needs the respectability and stability coming from a marriage and is still lucky enough to find our favourite bisaster, Dr John H. Watson, who is also bisexual and in a relationship with a man and would benefit a lot from the cover of a respectable marriage.

The first one is rather easy to treat. Watson and Mary make good friends during Sign of Four, Holmes notices/guesses that Mary is acespec like him (my Headcanon for Holmes is that he is demigay) and when Watson proposes and she accepts they put immediately straight that it won't be a consummated marriage, ever.

The second one develops in the same way, and this makes so much more explainable the many times Mary is mentioned to be away visiting relatives in canon. Mary is with her partner, Watson is with his partner.

Now angst warning!

Sherlock Holmes looks very favorably upon Watson's marriage, he is in fact the one that pushes Watson into it, and for very good reasons.

Let's put sign of four in 1887, alright? Chances are high he was already pursuing Moriarty, or that he generally was realizing more and more the risk of dying on the job, well, Holmes is a smart man. And a clever, practical and caring one as well. he is a man who loves deeply and cares deeply and wants to always have his affairs in order.

Is it too much of a stretch to imagine that he realizes the higher and higher risk of SOMETHING BAD happening? I don't think so. And he knows that Watson could get caught in the crossfire and he wants of course to protect Watson and offer him some saving net.

He pushes Watson into this marriage that will not mean the end of their relationship but the creation of another meaningful relationship for his love, so that SHOULD I DIE he will have someone to help him weather the storm (would watson care, would he? nobody ever did, but WATSON. Watson cares for everyone... would watson care...). The marriage also means that he will go back into practice, and this is an economic safe net, something always good. Their relationship is of course carefully concealed but such a handsome, sociable, perfect man as Watson is staying unmarried and living with a bachelor friend might give rouse to suspects, marriage will give his incredible partner respectability, something Moriarty or anybody won't dare to attack without sure cards in his hands, and Holmes will make sure NOBODY has any such cards.

Holmes is no coward, but he's not stupid either. He knows his job is dangerous and it might lead to really bad things happening, so he is happy when Watson tells him Mary said yes. He is happy on the morning of the wedding, he is the man who ties Watson's tie and then kisses his lips. He tells his husband to go marry, enjoy his honeymoon and start his life with his wife. And then come back to him, to their rooms and their love. And they both will have tears in their eyes. Holmes will not be at the cerimony, nor will Mary's wife. But they will always support their partners.

Holmes OF COURSE will sulk for a bit, until Scandal in Bohemia. He did what was right, but he still feels lonely. And then Watson comes back. And they're together once more, they're in love and they can break the world apart. And then comes 1890. Watson is a bit more settled down, Holmes has his affairs in order, he can set to the work of his life. And then comes 1891.

Holmes is afraid.

They set fire to their rooms. Home is not safe anymore.

Reichenbach comes.

Holmes is not suicidal, he is terrified. And yet he will once more put Watson's happiness in front of his own. He will not put his husband in front of an impossible choice. He drafts a letter in his head. He leaves it under a silver cigarette case.

He can't imagine he will only see his husband three years later.

His plans worked and failed. But they're back together. Holmes will finally talk. There's a broken window in 221b Baker Street, they're both older, more tired. A bit sad at how things turned out. Mary is dead. Holmes couldn't have forseen that. And yet after some days, after a dinner. Watson will pat the empty spot on his left on the couch, he's still sitting in the center. He will hug Holmes close to his chest, they will remember the times all three of them hugged, Watson and his loves, Mary on the right, Holmes on the left. Holmes on the heart's side, Mary on the reason's side. They will cry. And remember. And be glad for what have been and look forward to what will be.

They're older, more sure of themselves. Watson's status as a widower is respectable enough, he murmurs in the dark. He will only be married to one man for the rest of his life. The following morning, Holmes presents Watson with a French gold coin, for his Watch chain. That will be their ring, their memento.

Years will pass, they will retire, they will always be together, because they never lived, so they can never die. Outside the rain pours and the cabs rattle in the streets.

And it is.

Always.

1895.

Okay, sorry for the immense rant, i have tears streaming down my face, my j'accuse is up in the first lines and it's also my thank you for getting the balls to write this rant on holmes, watson and mary.

[i-dont-talk-for-days-on-end]

important subtext: Jeremy Brett smoked 60 cigarettes a day and went out of his way to break nonsmoking area rules to do it

Mr Brett what do you think you're confirming here

(I think this was about this post - sorry, my notifications don't work.)

Oh yes, absolutely! Another piece of important context is that Jeremy Brett left his first wife for a man, and was in a relationship with actor Gary Bond from 1969 to 1976.

Now, I do not think that you can necessarily say that because Jeremy was a queer man, he had to play a queer Holmes. But I am sure that -when he thought about whether or not he thought that Holmes was queer for himself - he came up with a better explanation than 'He and Watson couldn't kiss because of the smoking'. I mean, this man made up an elaborate headcanon about Holmes's childhood to understand how to play him. Personally, I think that he probably saw Holmes as too isolated and emotionally repressed to act on any feelings he might have had for anyone. He has this wonderful friendship with Watson who by some miracle (and lots of patience, I'm sure) just understands him, and who doesn't even marry in the Granada adaption. It is perfectly clear the are 'exclusive', in every way the viewer choses to interpret their relationship. They are together and they always will be. (Oh no, now I'm thinking of the Lost Beekeeping Footage again ...)

I also think that Jeremy often was uncomfortable because he felt Holmes and he were very different and he struggled to get him 'right', and at the same time that Holmes was coming too 'close' and took over too much of Jeremy. I think there is a possibility that Jeremy deliberately tried to separate his own experiences and feelings from what he believed Holmes to have experienced and felt.

When he made that reply about the pipe, I think it is relatively certain he came up with that on the spot. It is clear that he could not have said 'Yes, I think Holmes and Watson are gay' without causing a massive scandal which would not only have meant trouble for Granada, but also journalists digging through his private life. In that light, it was possibly even brave to say "I think it's unlikely" and "If it cheers the gays up I'm thrilled". I think it was possibly necessary to frame it as a joke, first by citing David's "Well, we're not" and then by coming up with that stuff about smoking.

But it does look a bit suspicious from a man who has been chainsmoking throughout the whole interview, I agree. ;)

[beekeaper]

Watson's adaptations through the adaptations:

First: I believe that all interpretations of the canon are valid, everyone can interpret a work based on what they understand and know. Conan Doyle never denied or confirmed anything, but he allowed us to do whatever we wanted with the characters.

For example, some people interpret H&W's relationship as romantic, others as fraternal, some interpret Holmes and Irene's relationship as romantic, and all of these theories (if I can call them theories) are valid, none are right and none are wrong. Everyone is free to interpret all of the characters' relationships in some way.

Establishing this, that each individual will interpret these characters in a certain way, my analysis is based mainly on the way I interpret these characters and how I understand them.

My entire analysis is based (in some) on the adaptations that I watched and the sample that I decide to use for this analysis is here.

Watson:

One of the biggest flaws in practically ALL adaptations is who Watson is and what his role in the story is. He is a narrator and biographer, has a medical degree, military training and battlefield experience. And most adaptations don't seem to know what to do with him. He is there to inflate Holmes' ego, and follow him around like a puppy dog obeying his master's orders.

As a teacher, my understanding of the psychology of intelligence (focused on education) is that there are multiple intelligences (Howard Gardner), people have different developments, and Holmes being intelligent does not make Watson less intelligent. People have different intelligences, Holmes is intelligent in several areas and in others he is not, and him not being intelligent in some areas does not make him less intelligent. And the same goes for Watson.

How can Watson be adapted as "less intelligent" if he is a trained doctor? It makes no sense.

(very long post)

Watson often seems to stand aside as an outside observer to appreciate Holmes, but many times he does have direct involvement in the story. For example, he is usually the one with the gun when it is needed (and I think Holmes has absolutely no control when he has a gun. STOP SHOOTING THE DOG, IT'S ALREADY DEAD!)

I like to think of Watson as an anthropologist, he likes to observe people and he has an intense curiosity about people. And his main subject of observation is Holmes himself. In the early years he observes Holmes, takes notes about him.

(excerpt from "Study in Scarlet")

As a scientist interested in his new discovery, Watson is fascinated by Holmes, and studies him. He learns Holmes's moods and routines, knows when Holmes needs his alone time, knows when Holmes is in a depressed mood and when he is not. He has studied Holmes closely and understands him like no other character could. And Watson's curiosity about other people is noted throughout the canon. (Not only is he curious about people, but Holmes is too) they love to hear criminals tell their whole story that led them to commit the crimes.

“Tell us all about how you decided to kill those men because of a treasure that you threw into the river” (H&W probably)

In The Hound of the Baskervilles we see how Watson pays attention to people, to the individuals he is living with at that moment, their reactions to certain situations and how these people relate to each other. And I believe that Watson's intelligence lies in how he understands people in their contexts, in a way that perhaps Holmes cannot understand. (I think the ending was more of a headcanon, sorry)

Still, I don't believe that Holmes is completely ignorant about people and society, he clearly deviates from the norms, despite his gentlemanly manners, Holmes is indeed eccentric, he is not very conventional with social norms, but he was never rude or disrespectful.

Including in relation to the misogyny that is sometimes mentioned in the adaptations. Holmes is a product of his time, he declares an aversion to women and believes that their criminal limitations go up to and only to crimes of passion. But he never disrespected his clients and always helped them in a kind manner. Example: The Lone Cyclist and The Adventure of the Veiled Lodger.

Illustration by Sidney Paget, short story “The Solitary Cyclist” (1904)

Another example is his treatment of Violet Hunter. Holmes respects her intelligence and abilities, letting her investigate her own situation with his help. Despite Watson's attempts as a cupid, and Holmes being funny, says that Violet is like a younger sister.

Holmes and Watson complement each other, they are opposites to each other. They may not have each other's intelligence and abilities, but they can make up for it with what each one can offer. An example is “The Blanched Soldier”, ignoring Holmes' accusation that Watson is selfish and “The good Watson had at that time deserted me for a wife”. Holmes recognizes Watson's absence, especially in this specific case that deals with something so "human", this young man just wants to be close to his dear friend again, whom he hasn't seen in a long time, and Holmes also misses Watson.

But sometimes the whole point is that as social beings that we are, Holmes just needs a friend, maybe there's nothing else behind it. Everyone needs friends. Holmes needs a friend, to sit in front of the fire enjoying each other's company or to walk arm in arm like two men who know each other intimately.

He is easily cast aside as the narrator, everything zeroing in on how Holmes thinks and acts, which puts Watson in a place of stupidity and surprise, neglecting his intelligence and strength.

(by @aregularirregular221b )

There is clearly a lack of understanding of who Watson is in the stories and his role. One of the most famous Watsons is Nigel Bruce's portrayal, and all other adaptations simply adapted that, perpetuating Watson's image as ignorant and stupid. This is when other adaptations want to be different and make a more active Watson, because they don't want to make him seem stupid, since most believe that the stupid Watson is the canon Watson. This has generated prejudice against Watson on the part of the actors, because they don't want to play the fool, the stupid sidekick who can't understand anything Holmes says.

Watson shows surprise not because he is stupid, but because he is FASCINATED, and this is what BBCSH does it right.

Despite the stereotype that Nigel Bruce's Watson perpetuates, his Watson is still intelligent in some episodes when it suits him, and even when he makes mistakes, Holmes doesn't care, at least I don't remember him ever mistreating Watson for getting in the way.

Rathbone Holmes cares so much for his silly Watson THAT HE LET MORIARTY GO. (Spoiler alert) Moriarty tells Holmes that he got Watson, Holmes lets Moriarty go for Watson's safety, and he desperately goes looking for Watson to find out that he was fine THE WHOLE TIME.

Rathbone, who plays Holmes, acts smart, but it’s significantly increased with the stupidity of Watson and Lestrade, making for more boring cases and long movies that only manage to get interesting when it’s just Holmes, usually in danger. There are no intellectual threats other than Moriarty, and it’s completely debatable if he even works, because Holmes gets himself into stupid, rash, and absolutely ridiculous situations, clearly proving that implied intelligence is very dependent on Watson’s character.

(by @aregularirregular221b )

In “Murder By Decree” (1979) with Christopher Plummer and James Mason, Mason only accepted the role if his Watson could be intelligent, his Watson has an active participation in the case, which draws sighs and loving eyes from Holmes.

And yes, he looks at Watson like that the entire film.

The 2000-2002 films starring Matt Frewer and Kenneth Welsh follow a similar approach, placing Watson more actively in the investigations. “Шерлок Холмс” (2013) tries again to change Watson’s approach. Here Watson demonstrates more of his military and medical side. He is the protagonist narrating the fictional story of a Holmes who does not exist, while the real Holmes he lives with, is completely different from the actual canon. Of course, adaptations such as “Granada Holmes” with David Burke and later Edward Hardwicke as Watson and “Soviet Holmes” with Witali Solomin, are some of the few adaptations that remain faithful to the canon (not 100%). These adaptations manage to get closer to the canon image of Watson. I like all three interpretations, but I think the Soviet version brings out Watson’s youthful softness and curiosity better than the Granada version. And “The Great Mouse Detective” deserves some consideration, its Watson is adorable, despite being silly and clumsy many times.

It is quite notable in the adaptations the position of Watson as practically useless in the plot where many times he really does nothing except be there surrounded by Holmes and to complete his image. You can even forget that Watson was there. Just a sidekick. 

If shown a picture of a deerstalker coupled with a pipe that had blue smoke curling up from the small cup where the tobacco rested, a majority of the population would easily shout, “Sherlock Holmes!” However, if they were shown a picture of the Afghan War and medical supplies, only a couple of people would raise their voices and reply, “Oh, John Watson!” As much as the beloved companion of Sherlock Holmes is seen and discussed, there is no doubt that he is overshadowed greatly by the detective himself, nor is there any surprise.

(by @aregularirregular221b )

In the 2001 film “A Case of Evil”, Watson works in the morgue, which seems like an attempt to bring Watson’s profession closer to Holmes’ and make Watson a more active part of the investigation, which is interesting, but this film is not that good. 

Other adaptations that I like their versions of Watson and that I can still see the image of a Watson similar to the canon are the two versions produced by Sherldon Reynolds, “Howard Holmes” (1954) with Howard Marion-Crawford as Watson and “Whitehead Holmes” (1980) with Donald Pickering. While in the first version Watson is almost paternal with a childish (bratt) and playful Holmes, having to make sure that his Holmes doesn't eat poison by mistake or end up provoking the police. While the 80s version has a more serious tone than the previous one, the H&W dynamic changes a bit too, Watson is serious (and very elegant btw) and at times is the person with the most knowledge in addition to developing his own investigative capabilities, even if he made a mistake and Holmes is not a secret criminal.

A good adaptation of Watson also needs a good adaptation of Holmes to make sense. Like the versions by Douglas Wilmer and Peter Cushing with their shared Watson by Nigel Stock, or another example, Thorley Walter was Watson to three different Holmeses, Cushing Holmes (in 1984) has a good Watson, but Christopher Lee (in 1990-1991) is a Watson who is almost irrelevant to the plot.)

I also can't help but not to mention Jude Law's Watson, he sometimes seems to be very angry or perhaps resentful of Holmes, he is a Watson with a more military posture, we see his medical skills and his attempts at deduction, which fit well with the dynamic with RDJ Holmes who is probably one of the most eccentric Holmeses and needs a more down-to-earth and firm Watson. (Am I the only one, or does anyone else also think that Jude Law is the closest I can imagine to the canon Watson in appearance.)

And we also have the interesting adaptation of “Sherlock Gnomes” that puts Watson in a position of injustice, he feels left out, and I honestly think it’s an interesting approach, a different plot than usual, and it’s always good to explore different stories with these characters. But again, Holmes would never do that, he would never leave Watson aside like in the movie and much less would he be so disrespectful to Watson. In the end he understands and apologizes, it’s sweet, but canon Holmes would never allow it to get to that situation.

Many adaptations fail in Holmes and Watson dynamic, where Watson is disposable, replaceable, and again, almost useless in the plot, and constantly disrespected for his intelligence in the story. And as an example of a bad adaptation of their dynamic, there’s Ian Hart’s Watson in the 2002 movie “The Hound of The Baskervilles”, he hates his Holmes.

As much is known that no adaptation has to be 100% faithful to the book, but it would be good to still see the original character in the adaptations. Many put "the spirit of the book", Doyle was a spiritualist and I don't think even he could see the spirit of the book in some adaptations.

The characters become so unrecognizable that changing their names wouldn't make a difference because it's not Holmes and it's not Watson. And that's my biggest problem with the CBS series Watson. Who is he? Where is Watson? The series manages to establish a good dynamic with a non-existent Holmes. Watson has no problem saying how much he misses Holmes and loves him, Mary even repeats several times how Watson preferred to leave her, his own wife, to be with Holmes, she even says "What you needed was in London".

CBW Watson seems to want to answer: “who Watson is without Holmes?”. And yet, it fails. (Or not, they need each other)

It seems that H&W has a good dynamic, but we don't know this Holmes and this Watson is unrecognizable. The movie “Empire of Corpses” (2015) suffers a bit from the same CBS Watson situation. I’m not sure if I see Watson there, but it’s an interesting story. Following Victor Frankenstein’s research, Watson wants to bring his brother back to life.

And then there’s the second problem with adaptations, which, in addition to considering Watson useless in the plot, there are several adaptations where Watson doesn’t exist, and even worse, they consider his participation in the story replaceable. Often placing random characters who fit the role of Watson. Watson becomes the mere narrator, our point of view, and this point of view can change depending on who is by Holmes’ side. (And I hate all the adaptations that do this.

Most of the adaptations that remove Watson are animations and episodes in other series that make references ONLY to Holmes and ignore Watson or make some joke about Watson being stupid. Watson is replaced by dogs, protagonists from other franchises (who often play a “Smarter than Watson” role), daughters, sisters, love interests, or even Moriarty).

Watson is either stupid or discarded.

Adaptations that follow this model: “Sherlock In Russia” (2020), “Sherlock and Daughter” (2025), “Sherlock Holmes in the 22nd Century” (1999), “Sherlock in the 23rd Century” (1988), “The Return of Sherlock Holmes” (1987), “Baker Street: Sherlock Holmes Returns" (1994), “Shirley Holmes” (1997), “Granada Young Sherlock: The Mystery of the Manor House” (1982).

In “Without a Clue” (my favorite movie), there is a unique approach. Here Watson is the real Sherlock Holmes, the stories he wrote are the cases he solved himself, and Holmes is a hired actor, this movie is a masterpiece. It is a good mix of Watson's personality with Holmes' skills and mannerisms, it is fascinating. And with a cast with Ben Kingsley and Michael Caine. I even consider it in a way a tribute(?) - to Conan Doyle, who often had his own intelligence doubted, to his very intelligent creation. People forget that HE is the one who writes everything.

And again, BBCSH in the crime scene creates a brand new image for Watson for the modern era, for those who don't know Martin Freeman had not read the books before the series and started with Nigel Bruce Watson. (It is written in the editions of the book where the actors and producers of BBCSH wrote introductions).

(honestly I am the worst person to talk about BBCSH nowadays, I haven't watched it since 2017 (if you know you know) and well, my relationship with BBC Sherlock is not good anymore)

The big problem here is their whole dynamic, Sherlock and John do not respect each other. Sherlock doesn't respect John's boundaries, he doesn't apologize for anything, and John often lets his anger get the better of him.

I don't think it's a good adaptation, transforming the relationship and H&W dynamics into something so violent. No other adaptation has even one scene where Holmes or Watson deliberately attack each other, not as a joke, not for a case. Not ever. John is probably the worst adaptation of Dr. Watson. And that's not just because of the events of season four. It's because of the whole thing. Their dynamic degrades as the series goes on, John doubts Sherlock's abilities and stops trusting him. Where is Watson's loyalty?

But it was fun.

I can't help but mention Sherlock & Co., this Watson is very unique, he's very modern (not a bad thing), I can imagine that Watson's reputation makes him seem like a very sociable character, and I find it interesting how they made Watson SO MODERN compared to Pod!Holmes who speaks very similar to the canon. It seems like they put canon Holmes with the most modern Watson in the world.

Other adaptations that need to be mentioned are Colin Blakely's Watson from “Private Life of Sherlock Holmes”, his role in the film is also silly and kind of stupid, he borders on ignorance and is one of the bad Watsons.

We also have Royce Pierreson Watson from “Netflix’s Irregulars” (2021), again they try a different approach, but here Watson actually takes on the role of Holmes, the H&W dynamic doesn't work well either, despite the explicit statement that Watson loves Holmes and has taken care of him for years, this Holmes clearly doesn't care that much about Watson. Another different dynamic is Takanori Iwata's Watson from “Sherlock Untold Stories”, he is a psychologist and actively participates in the investigations with his Holmes (Shishio), but again Watson is unrecognizable here.

I could even mention Wilson here, but his importance in the plot is limited to how House needs him.

And I left the one that impresses me the most for last. Is it faithful to the book? Far from it, but it manages to convey what other adaptations fail to do. Lucy Liu's Watson is as important to the series as Watson is in the book. She is the foundation. Unlike other adaptations that are always trying to overcome an image of Watson that doesn't exist, Elementary, even though it changes many aspects of Watson's story, manages to show the importance that Watson has, especially for Holmes. Elementary Watson is not an extension of Holmes, she has her own plot, but that doesn't make their dynamic so separate. They orbit each other (Holmes says so), even though they are independent of each other's plots, they complement each other. Watson demonstrates her intelligence and complements Holmes's and vice versa. Holmes teaches her his methods, and Watson is a detective just like Holmes, she is part of the investigative process. There is an equality between them. 

Of all the adaptations, of all the attempts to make Watson better than his original counterpart, to make him more relevant in the story under the false premise of doing justice for him. Elementary adapts the relationship between Holmes and Watson and their companionship in a beautiful and well-developed way over the course of seven seasons. Because Holmes and Watson are the heart of the story, they are the protagonists together, the books are about them and the people they help. And Elementary manages to synthesize this wonderfully. They respect and help each other. I just love them.

And just like in the book, where Holmes is willing to kill for Watson, and Watson is willing to commit a crime for a good cause alongside Holmes, where the displays of affection and how they care for each other are CLEAR in the book. And mainly the love they have for each other, regardless of whether you interpret this love as romantic, platonic, friendship or brotherly, Holmes and Watson love each other, and Elementary manages to convey this perfectly.

In conclusion, I think no adaptation has managed to make Watson as he in the canon, and we have so many Wastons that it is difficult to recognize him most of the time, and if he is not next to Holmes, we will not see him.

Honorable mentions to Ian Fleming's Watson, who is almost the damsel in distress to Arthur Wontner's Holmes, to Watson from “Dr. Watson and the Darkwater Hall Mystery” (1974) who solves a case alone and takes advantage of his reputation on three continents, and lastly, and which everyone should watch, I will not give spoilers, “Shekhar Home” (2024), probably one of the most unexpected stories for Watson.

Extra: Why do most adaptations place Watson SO much older than Holmes? Watson is between two years younger than Holmes or at most three years older than Holmes. John Hamish Watson has a reputation on three continents, WATSON IS THE HOT ONE, NOT HOLMES.

BE KIND when responding.

Special thanks to @aregularirregular221b for letting me read and quote her essay, it was inspiring, and helped me finally finish writing my own essay!

_____________

Personal sources:

Giant List of Sherlock Holmes Adaptations

Sampling Watson Adaptations

H&W actors

References:

Sherlock Holmes Canon

Conan Doyle Encyclopedia

[victimsofyaoipoll]

Round 3

Propaganda Under Cut

Joan Watson

How were BBC Sherlock shippers so rancid about a WOMAN who wasnt even in the SAME SHOW?????

Martin Freeman of BBC Sherlock insulted Elementary and specifically Lucy Liu in the press. He straight up called Lucy Liu a "dog" in an interview APPARENTLY as a joke, because calling female actors ugly is hilarious. Benedict Cumberbatch was more measured about it, but he still said he was cynical about Elementary because it would lose the "male friendship" dynamic, which of course Johnlock shippers used against Joan Watson fans. Even the lead BBC Sherlock actors got in on the yaoi victimization of Joan Watson... 😔

she wasn't even in the same SHOW as the yaoi I've been convinced she deserves to win the entire poll. I was a Johnlocker but I did watch the first season of Elementary and it was fine????? It was totally okay????? Especially in hindsight given how hard Sherlock season four flopped. Also Lucy Liu is a queen and deserved zero vitriol for *checks notes* playing a character???? A fucking fictional character???????? Oh my god we were all SO mean to this show and we (or at least I) thought it was like The Good Fight™️, like we were defending BBC Sherlock against copyright infringement and straightwashing and Jonny Lee Miller's bizarre scarf, (it wasn't a good scarf I do stand by that) but then Elementary didn't make Holmes and Watson a couple either???? And also it didn't insult its audience constantly etc etc we've all seen the Hbomberguy Sherlock is Garbage video. This is really long sorry hashtag justice for Joan Watson

Nyota Uhura

She's Spock's canon partner in AOS, and I get it because they're not a great couple, but she gets villianized in fic so much. They constantly make her an asshole (which totally has nothing to do with her being black /sarcasm) and abusive just for the crime of dating a man headcanoned as gay. And I mean, I think Spock is gay and her being a love interest was unnecessary but still! She's cool!

Oh my god so in the Star Trek reboot she’s Spock’s girlfriend and the fandom has no idea what to do with her??? Like she is ALWAYS either such a bitch or like the mom friend? And there is so much more to her character than that? But they always break down her character AND find a quick and easy way to break up her and Spock. I’m not even mad at that but at least treat their relationship with some weight instead of just being like ‘it never mattered’. People can love multiple people throughout the course of their lives. You know that right? Just because you loved someone before doesn’t make your new love any less special. And even headcanoning Spock as gay… you realize he doesn’t need to be attracted to Uhura for their relationship to have mattered, right? Even if he confused friendship for romantic attraction, him feeling such strong friendship and openly expressing it is so monumental for him!!! 

she's dating Spock, who people ship with Kirk, so fans have decided that it's horrible writing and "really, they're just defending her, the movies turned her into just a love interests," which is not at all true. The movies do so much more for her to the point that the fans who have only seen the movies think that the main characters are Kirk, Spock, and Uhura instead of the Kirk, Spock, McCoy of the original series. Also having a black women being shown as being desired and loved in mainstream media, particularly by one of the most popular characters of all time, is a good thing, not making her "just a love interest"

[a-forbidden-detective]

Hello, can I ask, what do you think are Ron and Toto’s greatest personality strengths and weaknesses? Why? What do you love about their dynamic? What are your favorite RonToto (canon) moments? What are your favorite headcanons of them? Do you have any fav ships (from any fandom) that the dyanamic remind you of their ship? Sorry if I ask too much....

Heyaaaa!

Thank you so much for dropping by and I love these questions.

Ron

Strengths: the fact that he is a genius and resembles his ancestor. He is loyal friend and relies on Toto so much.

Flaws: That reliance on Toto so much. It will break him if Toto leaves him. Also he’s quick to be angry. Mood swings

Toto

Strengths: His resilience, his ambition of being a truly capable investigator, his determination, his dedication

Flaws: saying things without filter, lack of confidence, he gets to be rattled easily that Ron reminds him of taking his time in order to make a proper deduction.

Now that we have the anime version of the plateau Auberge arc ending, one of the most poignant and at the same time ridiculous criticisms I have read is that Toto, as a police investigator, seems to have lacking in self-preservation. This reminds me of one of @tamikayosa former asks. Is Toto so depressed to think about dying with Ron?

There’s something romantic about it in some ways. He knew that at this moment there was nothing he could do anymore. They were trapped with every possible exit hindering their way. What to do? He and Ron gave up. He did what he could. He saved the others.

On the other hand, I wouldn’t begrudge him for coming back for Ron. He was full of gratitude to this man who had given him more credit and affection than any people in his life combined. Ron gave him that chance to be good in his work. Maybe that’s the Japanese side of him. His work completes him. And Ron has become part of it. So when they seated alone surrounded with the crackling sound of fire and destruction, at the brink of death, it was an honour to die with Ron. Because if Ron died, not only his conscience would disturb him but also he didn’t want to miss the chance to be with him at the last hour of their lives. In short, Toto fell hard for Ron. That’s the only possible explanation.

RonToto moments? Do I need the caps or the screen shots?

The moment Toto said he’d support Ron no matter what. Ron was taken aback bc it was the first time a human being offered him some helping hand. It was the moment Ron took a look at him, perhaps intrigued who this person was. Toto didn’t look bad and what counted then was the case. Then they found out they had one thing in common. This love of cases. And to help people.

The onsen scene without a doubt.

Ron telling him that if he’d lost the table tennis match Toto would be his slave all his life. What a vague and bold statement to be with Toto forever.

After the Solitary Island arc, Toto has refused to stay away from Ron. And that goes on until the cruise ship arc where Toto goes wherever Ron goes. It is canon.

Head canons?

I have several. If you search for #head canons, you’ll find them.

Fave ships from any other fandoms?

Oh my god, you are digging deep! 😝

The mother of them all is of course the Sherlock Holmes and John Watson from Sir ACD, Sherlock BBC and the Granada Holmes.

Lately, I find out that the partnership of Yukiya and Wakamiya from “Yatagarasu: The Raven Does Not Choose Its Master” works like SH and JW in their universe. Lord Natsuka as Mycroft Holmes.

Many of my ships from the other fandoms have always been a duo. There’s only one that probably isn’t and that is “Undead Girl Murder Farce.” JW is split between Tsugaru and Shizuku. Whereas Aya Rindo is the Sherlock Holmes.

Apologies for the very late reply. I didn’t forget the ask. I was thinking and searching for the words. Thank you so much. 😊

PS: I might add more in the future as soon as I remember them.

[darkwitch1999]

🔎🕵🏾‍♂️Sneak Peek: Sherlock Nino🕵🏾‍♂️🔎

Couldn't resist sharing these scenes from my upcoming headcanon "How Marc Got The Coffee". This first one starts off with Nino and Nathaniel discussing interrogating Marc to find out his "supplier".

Nathaniel: (shoots Nino an incredulous look) “Supplier��? Really, Nino?

Nino: (defensively) Hey, technically caffeine is considered a drug! I looked it up!

Nathaniel: (crosses his arms) Not an illegal one. Hence why I feel like you are treating Marc like a dangerous criminal.

Nino: Oh come on, Nath! The last thing I want to do is treat Marc like a criminal! 

Nathaniel: (raises an eyebrow) Then what’s with the Sherlock Holmes cosplay?

Nino: Because we’re trying to solve a mystery and I thought it would fit the aesthetic! (sighs and pinches the bridge of his nose).

Later during interrogation.......

Marc: Nath, why is Nino dressed as Sherlock Holmes?

Nathaniel: (sighs heavily and pinches the bridge of his nose) I have asked the same question, Marc. 

Marc: Wait, does that mean you are supposed to be Watson?

Nathaniel: (shakes his head and glances annoyed at Nino) No, apparently I’m supposed to be “good cop”.

Marc: (tilts his tired head in confusion) Wait…(yawns)...I’m confused….(points to Nathaniel) If you’re “good cop”...(points to Nino) and you’re “Sherlock Holmes”....then who’s “bad cop”...or…what’s even going on here? What are you guys even doing?

Nathaniel: (smirks) Actually, Nino’s supposed to be the “bad cop”. The Sherlock Holmes cosplay is just Nino doing his own thing.

Marc: (gives Nino an incredulous look) You do realize your “Sherlock Holmes” cosplay doesn’t make any sense if you guys are doing “Good Cop, Bad Cop”, right? I mean, for one thing, Sherlock Holmes was far too intelligent and dignified to resort to such a cliche interrogation tactic that wasn’t even developed during his time! Not to mention that Sherlock Holmes didn’t even work for the British Police! Yes, they did work together on a few cases, specifically with Inspectors Lestrade and Gregson the most, but still-...

Nino: (slams his hand hard on the desk, startling Marc with a jump) That’s enough out of you! Nathaniel and I are the ones asking the questions here, Anciel!

Marc: (rolls his eyes) And I thought Jean was over dramatic...

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@nerd-chocolate @artzychic27 @imsparky2002 @andromeda612 @princessbutterflysposts @yourlocalwanderingghost

[bedheaded-league]

I find it so hard to believe that Holmes would really let Watson believe he was dead for 3 years because even though he often doesn’t understand how his actions affect others emotionally, he’s definitely smart/empathetic enough to understand how much that would hurt Watson. And I also think he trusts Watson too much to believe that he couldn’t keep the secret of Holmes being alive.

My personal headcanon is that after Reichenbach, Holmes found a way to let Watson know that he was still alive, that he wouldn’t be back for some time, and that Watson needed to keep up the lie that Holmes was dead in order to keep them both safe. Which is honestly just as deliciously angsty to me as the idea that Watson actually thought he was dead for 3 years.

Imagine 3 years of Watson having to grieve a man he knew was still alive. His loved ones comforting him and him not being able to tell them that the reason he suffering so much wasn’t because he knew Holmes was dead, but because he spent every day worrying about his safety. Knowing that the love of his life is out there facing danger without him there to protect him, and meanwhile all he can do is wait breathlessly until the next time Holmes can manage to send him a message to let him know he’s okay. Knowing that at any moment, Holmes might be dying somewhere, and he might never know where or when or how.

Maybe he told Mary, because honestly I get the impression that she’s incredibly good at keeping secrets. Maybe it just came out one night while she was holding him after he broke down sobbing in their sitting room. I think she’d be angry at Holmes at first for causing her husband so much pain, but after Watson explains the whole story, she’d understand. The next time he got a coded note from one of the irregulars with an update from Holmes, he immediately runs to tell her. She’s so relieved to see such happiness on his face, even if it secretly breaks her heart. But it’s alright, in the end. She’s always known that Watson’s heart had never truly belonged to her. Their marriage is practical, almost fraternal, and that’s okay. What they have together is enough. She hopes that one day she can meet someone that she’ll love with the same ferocity that Watson loves Holmes, and she knows that if that day comes, her husband will be more than understanding.

And then Mary gets sick. It’s clear that she’s going to die. And all she can think about is how cruel it is that the two people Watson loves most should be taken from him.

“That man of yours had better come back to you soon,” she says in the weak voice of someone in their final days. “If he doesn’t, I swear that my ghost shall haunt him until he drags himself back to London and apologizes to you in person.”

Startled, Watson laughs. Mary smiles. It’s the first laugh she’s heard from him in weeks.

And then Mary dies, and the one person that Watson could have leaned on for support as he grieved is still lost. And now there is no one else who knows that Holmes is alive, or that Watson spends every waking hour waiting for him.

I do think the part about him fainting when Holmes comes back is true, though. Not from shock, but from pure relief.

Anyway I can’t stop thinking about this sooooo I guess I’m gonna have to write a fic about it. Goddamnit.

[p5x-theories]

The Joker and Luce convo definitely shows Luce as a perceptive person. Maybe he could be kinda based on Sherlock Holmes since he was also a professional actor before he took up being a consulting detective (and later bee keeper).

I agree Luce is perceptive, but I really don't get the impression he's meant to be based on Sherlock Holmes in any way, especially since I didn't interpret the line "The stage lost a fine actor … when [Holmes] became a specialist in crime" (quote taken from Wikipedia, since I was there double-checking that I didn't forget anything) to mean he ever was an actor, only that Watson believed Holmes would have made a good actor if he didn't go into detective work.

Either way, that aside, there's really nothing at all to connect Luce to Sherlock Holmes, and that's really not the vibe I get from him in any aspect of his personality or situation- he doesn't even seem analytical of other people in the same way that Holmes is, he just happens to pay attention to people for the purpose of improving his own acting. To each their own headcanon, though, of course!

[imaricyeah12]

Heyy

This is like an introduction post btw

hi this is my first blog thing and i may just post whenever idk

I'm very new here and I'm still learning about Tumblr and it's features stuff.. please don't yell at me when idk certain stuff of Tumblr's features and stuff :'3

I may also not come here very frequently because in terms of social media frequency, I'm mostly on YouTube. Check me out there! It's ×Imaric×

Link: https://youtube.com/@imaricyeah12

About me:

Name's Ima or Imaric (<- "Imaric" is simply my entire name shortened for fun lol)]

they/she

malayali!! >:3 I'm from Kerala, India 🇮🇳

I'm 14 years old

April 15 🎉

Can draw and make very poorly made animations

VERY clumsy and very much easily emotional :')

English isn't my first language nor my mother's tongue so I'm sorry if I make any English mistakes heheh ;w;

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hyperfixations (order of most intrested onwards): Inanimate Insanity, Sherlock Holmes,

current fandoms I'm partaking frequently: OSC, Sherlock Holmes, KinitoPet, ENA, MLP:FIM, Steven Universe

Things i just happened to know VEEERY little or more about (this category is there just to simply let you know): Sewerslvt, Sky:CoTl, MLP:FiM, Genshin Impact, TAWOG, Ace Attorney, Azumanga Daioh, Henry Stickmin, Lemon Demon, Ezekiel (the music artist), Rebzyyx, TV Girl, Wayside School, Happy Meat Farms, EAS Scenarios

PLEASE talk about this stuff it's always in my mind and I want to ramble about it with you: MePad ii (and/or any other meeples), Sheriarty (Sherlock Holmes x Jim Moriarty) or Johnlock (Sherlock Holmes x John Watson, specifically the ones based on the books or the granada adaptation)

LIKE PLEASE REVEAL YOUR HEADCANONS AND IDEAS ABOUT THEM PLEASE RAMBLE ABOUT IT WITH ME. MEPAD IS LIKE MY BLORBO AND I LOVE HIM PLSSSS AAAAGG

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☝️

THOSE CATEGORIES ARE LIKE.. NOT EXACTLY THE SAME THEY HAVE LIKE DIFFERENT PURPOSE STUFF

Yeah and anyways

Congrats if you came this far

If you like it here, I'm glad to know that!! Enjoy your stay here!

Imaric, signin' out!! 💖💕

(That's my Sona btw)

:3

[kkangkkangie]

HPHM Character Headcanons for my Orwell Chess story

I just made MC and Jacob the Holmes family b/c let's be honest Sherlock would 10/10 go missing in his pursuit for the Cursed Vaults.

Mycroft Holmes

certified eldest, eldest. he acc attended during the Marauders Era where he was a prefect of the Slytherin House when Snape and Lucia entered

brilliant wizen, but his professors somehow never caught on to his lazy attitude. the one student who doesn't study but gets perfect grades.

but he's in Slytherin for a reason. his ambition is to live the laziest life he can but with every privilege. acts as a sort of foil to Vincent Phantomhive, who's in the same year.

he became the unofficial parent to Lucia Moriarty with Francis Phantomhive b/c he'd be damned if the most interesting gossip went missing.

he's a natural occlumens somehow. Lucia suspects it has something to do with his super high intelligence as one needs to be able to navigate their victim's memories well to be a good legilimens.

Sherlock Holmes

he's reckless (as Jacob is within the game), but he's not careless/arrogant. every plan for the Cursed Vaults was made meticulously with his brilliance

he too is a genius like his brother and family. a natural inclination for Potions and Charms. but he's not skilled in the Mental Arts. In fact, he became good at deductions b/c he lacks in Legilimency.

has several journals that detail how to create spells like him, but no one ever really reads them b/c they're so dense. the only ever person who read them was William Moriarty (Lucia's younger brother) & he's the only person to do so

the only Ravenclaw within his siblings. he doesn't care for position or fame—he wants to know magic. it's the reason why he gets along with Lucia so much. she created magic from ancient runes and practically gave him a whole new project.

best friend is still John Watson, a fellow Gryffindor, and Molly Hooper, one yr younger Hufflepuff. They're one of the only inter-house friendship at the time surprisingly.

Violet "Viola" Holmes

the MC of HPHM & Slytherin (despite knowing that we're supposed to follow in our older brother's house).

the most magically gifted within the family, but the least intelligent (which means nothing b/c Sherlock and Mycroft is not the norm). but her brothers didn't really care about that. in fact, they were more interested in magic.

she actually resembles Sherlock more than Mycroft, which she proceeds to deny every single time like siblings do. the resemblance gets worse when she puts her hair into a ponytail like he did

her magical education was stunted b/c of Sherlock's disappearance & her parents stopped encouraging magical experiments and such, which is why she's not as up-to-date at Hogwarts.

She's actually closer in age with the Phantomhive twins as they're four years apart. she became a mentor/older sister to them (they're legally related to each other b/c Lucia was adopted into the Phantomhive family and her brothers was 'married' into the Holmes family—quite complicated).

[skyriderwednesday]

So while my headcanon that Watson is? 3-4? years older than Holmes is mostly based on vibes, it also creates a nice bit of poetry where upon his return, Holmes is the same age as Watson was when he 'died' (37).