![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ink_splotchSo today is Sherlock Holmes' disappearance day, and in his honour, I've been re-reading parts of Canon on the bus over here - well, actually, I'd been re-reading parts of Canon, and then I discovered that it's the anniversary of Holmes' disappearance.
So! In honour of this, I am doing a full-out fangirl entry. It's cut for your convenience and to protect your flists.
Maybe it is necessary to excise human emotions and stereotypical relationships in order to do what needs to be done. Holmes' work puts him at great risk, which he agrees to take on. He is sort of like Bruce Wayne in that way. As Batman, he must fight alone. Holmes has Watson as a source of comfort and refuge from the life that he has made for himself. Yet he, and Bruce Wayne, are hesitant to let others become involved with their work for fear of injuring or losing said person or persons. It is a tough and lonely life for the Great Detectives of this world...
[...]
I think also that the absence of the usual dyads makes other relationships more weighted and significant. If Holmes had a wife, would Watson seem as important as he is? Would his status dwindle?
[...]
if Mrs. Holmes were there to provide for Holmes' basic needs for companionship, moral support, and the comforts of domesticity, then would Watson be reduced to "buddy"? Because Watson is not just a sidekick, but friend, confessor, companion, and (literal) domestic partner.
- Found here. Quotes from different commenters.
***
The Masterpiece Theatre's coffee-table book [for Jeeves & Wooster] puts it like this:
'Literature is full of blissfully contented male couples, joined together in companionship that no woman can put asunder. Sherlock had Watson, Hawkeye had Chingachgook, Don Quixote had Sancho, and Robinson Crusoe was the first person in history to say "Thank God It's Friday."'
***
Dorinda: So there's this thing. That I have noticed that I really really like. And I gave it kind of a name. First, we have the character-type of "the clam." Character with a lot of passion and sensitivity who keeps (or at least primarily *tries* to keep) it all bottled up and suppressed, for the greater good, for self-protection, for whatever.
[…]
![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
tzikeh Sherlock Holmes.
Dorinda Oooooooooh yeah.
marzilla Total clam.
Dorinda That line in that story when Watson gets shot and Holmes has a clameurism? Famous. The one about, you are not hurt, say you are not hurt, and then he turns to the bad guy and says if you had killed him BY GOD you would not leave this room alive. Swoon
- Found here
***
In his foreword to Bantam's "Sherlock Holmes: The Complete Novels and Stories," Loren Estleman called the relationship between Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson literature's warmest, most symbiotic and most timeless: rightfully so.
[...]
Jeremy Brett was the only actor who ever managed to perfectly portray Holmes's imperiousness, bitingly ironic sense of humor and apparently indestructible self-control without at the same time neglecting his genuine friendship towards Dr. Watson and the weaknesses hidden below a surface dominated by his overarching intellectual powers.
- from here.
***
I find it quite easy to believe that Holmes and Watson were 'in love' whether they had sex or not. Watson's libido insisted that he marry in order to satisfy it [so Holmes had less libido?], but even then his love for Holmes was such that he came when called and quickly moved back [into 221B Baker Street] with him when the marriage was over. Homosexual 'love' does not presupposed [sic] nor require homosexual 'sex' to be the same thing.
- from here.
All italics are mine; I will, when I return to Copenhagen, add two other comments from books I own: Strangers by Graham Robb, and The English by Jeremy Paxman.
The Adventure of Charles Augustus Milverton
An in-depth summary can be found here, the story can be found here.
Possibly the most touchy-feely Holmes adventure, it's also one of the most interesting. The plot is fascinating; it's not a traditional mystery, as all the facts are more-or-less known at the outset; Holmes hardly uses his detecting skills at all, instead opting for showcasing his stealth skills. It also allows a look at the morals and ethics of Holmes, always interesting - and we get a rather protective Watson.
Notable excerpts:
"This gentleman?" said he [Milverton], with a wave in my direction. "Is it discreet? Is it right?"
"Dr. Watson is my friend and partner."
Every time I read this in Canon, or it happens in the series, my mind automatically goes, "he too is Sherlock Holmes."
"You would not call me a marrying man, Watson?"
"No, indeed!"
Hee!
"It suits my purpose. Watson, I mean to burgle Milverton's house to-night."
[...]
"Well, I don't like it, but I suppose it must be," said I. "When do we start?"
"You are not coming."
"Then you are not going," said I. "I give you my word of honour- and I never broke it in my life- that I will take a cab straight to the police-station and give you away, unless you let me share this adventure with you."
"You can't help me."
"How do you know that? You can't tell what may happen. Anyway, my resolution is taken. Other people besides you have self-respect, and even reputations."
Holmes had looked annoyed, but his brow cleared, and he clapped me on the shoulder.
"Well, well, my dear fellow, be it so. We have shared this same room for some years, and it would be amusing if we ended by sharing the same cell.[...]"
I love this exchange. Partly it's Watson's protectiveness, partly it's the fact that Holmes' agrees to let Watson come - that he *lets* Watson protect him, and accept that element of their friendship.
He seized my hand in the darkness and led me swiftly past banks of shrubs which brushed against our faces. Holmes had remarkable powers, carefully cultivated, of seeing in the dark. Still holding my hand in one of his, he opened a door[...].
***
I touched Holmes on the arm, and he turned his masked face in that direction.
***
"I don't like it," he whispered, putting his lips to my very ear. (emphasis mine)
***
From the pressure of Holmes's shoulder against mine, I knew that he was sharing my observations.
***
I felt Holmes's hand steal into mine and give me a reassuring shake, as if to say that the situation was within his powers, and that he was easy in his mind.
***
I was about to spring out, when I felt Holmes's cold, strong grasp upon my wrist. I understood the whole argument of that firm, restraining grip[...].
There's a lot of touching going on in this story. A lot of handholding too. Particularly as Sherlock does not come off as a touchy-feely type when he's not investigating something.
The Adventure of the Dying Detective
Note: I've yet to see the Granada version of this. In fact, I read it for the first time today. And I need to see the Granada version, like, now, so I can compare.
An in-depth plot summary can be found here, the entire text of the story can be found here.
Again, this story does not focus on Holmes' detecting skills - in fact, most of the mystery is left completely unexplained, as is the motivation for the murder of Victor Savage. However, it does have wonderful Holmes/Watson scenes - and it supports my hypothesis about Watson leaving his own feelings very much out of his stories. Which is partly why I want to see the Granada version; in other episodes (EMPT is the obvious example), they fill in Watson's feelings very well.
Notable excerpts:
"Stand back! Stand right back!" said he with the sharp imperiousness which I had associated only with moments of crisis. "If you approach me, Watson, I shall order you out of the house."
"But why?"
"Because it is my desire. Is that not enough?"
Holmes is so very aware of his power over Watson.
"It's for your own sake, Watson," he croaked.
"For my sake?"
"I know what is the matter with me. It is a coolie disease from Sumatra -- a thing that the Dutch know more about than we, though they have made little of it up to date. One thing only is certain. It is infallibly deadly, and it is horribly contagious."
He spoke now with a feverish energy, the long hands twitching and jerking as he motioned me away.
"Contagious by touch, Watson -- that's it, by touch. Keep your distance and all is well."
"Good heavens, Holmes! Do you suppose that such a consideration weighs with me for an instant? It would not affect me in the case of a stranger. Do you imagine it would prevent me from doing my duty to so old a friend?"
Watson has no regard for his own health, safety or sanity when it comes to Holmes - we see this again in DEVI. Also, even though in this case Holmes is faking his illness and won't let Watson approach because Watson will discover the deception, it's still telling that Watson doesn't see this as uncharacteristic of Holmes.
I have so deep a respect for the extraordinary qualities of Holmes that I have always deferred to his wishes, even when I least understood them. But now all my professional instincts were aroused. Let him be my master elsewhere, I at least was his in a sick room.
Oh Watson!
In the midst of these was a small black and white ivory box with a sliding lid. It was a neat little thing, and I had stretched out my hand to examine it more closely when -- It was a dreadful cry that he gave -- a yell which might have been heard down the street. My skin went cold and my hair bristled at that horrible scream. As I turned I caught a glimpse of a convulsed face and frantic eyes. I stood paralyzed, with the little box in my hand.
"Put it down! Down, this instant, Watson -- this instant, I say!" His head sank back upon the pillow and he gave a deep sigh of relief as I replaced the box upon the mantelpiece.
The box contains a poisoned booby-trap. The protectiveness very much goes both ways.
I give Holmes's remarks as a consecutive whole and will not attempt to indicate how they were interrupted by gaspings for breath and those clutchings of his hands which indicated the pain from which he was suffering. His appearance had changed for the worse during the few hours that I had been with him. Those hectic spots were more pronounced, the eyes shone more brightly out of darker hollows, and a cold sweat glimmered upon his brow. He still retained, however, the jaunty gallantry of his speech. To the last gasp he would always be the master.
Such implied *pain*!
Don't forget, Watson. You won't fail me. You never did fail me.
Damn straight!
"I must wait and hear his opinion, Holmes."
"Of course you must. But I have reasons to suppose that this opinion would be very much more frank and valuable if he imagines that we are alone. There is just room behind the head of my bed, Watson."
"My dear Holmes!"
"I fear there is no alternative, Watson. The room does not lend itself to concealment, which is as well, as it is the less likely to arouse suspicion. But just there, Watson, I fancy that it could be done." Suddenly he sat up with a rigid intentness upon his haggard face. "There are the wheels, Watson. Quick, man, if you love me! And don't budge, whatever happens -- whatever happens, do you hear? Don't speak! Don't move! Just listen with all your ears."
This is the first of three times in Canon where love or allusions to Holmes' heart are used to describe their relationship (the other being the wonderful scene from 3GAR, and in DEVI).
The Adventure of the Devil's Foot
Note: Some of the dodgiest, most eighties footage ever in the Granada adaption of this, but it's very much worth it, just to see Holmes *clutching* at Watson. Not to mention the handling of Holmes' cocaine usage.
An in-depth plot summary can be found here, the entire text of the story can be found here.
Detecting! And a very poorly Holmes, a protective Watson and a very, very interesting and rather complex mystery. It's one of my favourite, subtext or no, but there still is some very interesting Holmes and Watson interaction.
Notable excerpt:
'Oh, you will see it out, will you? I thought I knew my Watson.'
...
I tried to scream and was vaguely aware of some hoarse croak which was my own voice, but distant and detached from myself. At the same moment, in some effort of escape, I broke through that cloud of despair and had a glimpse of Holmes's face, white, rigid and drawn with horror--the very look which I had seen upon the features of the dea. It was that vision which gave me an instant of sanity and of strength. I sashed from my chair, threw my arms round Holmes, and together we lurched through the door, and an instant afterwards had thrown ourselves down upon the grass plot and were lying side by side, conscious only of the glorious sunshine which was bursting its way through the hellish cloud of terror which had girt us in. Slowly it rose from our souls like the mists from a landscape until peace and reason had returned, and we were sitting upon the grass, wiping our clammy foreheads, and looking with apprehension at each other to mark the last traces of that terrific experience which we had undergone.
'Upon my word, Watson!' said Holmes at last with an unsteady voice, 'I owe you both my thanks and an apology. It was an unjustifiable experiment even for one's self, and doubly so for a friend. I am really very sorry.'
'You know,' I answered with some emotion, for I had never seen so much of Holmes's heart before, 'that it is my greatest joy and privilege to help you.'
No notes. Just text.
The Adventure of the Three Garridebs
Note: Tragically, Brett was too ill to film this, and is subsituted by Mycroft in the adaption.
An in-depth plot summary can be found here, the entire text of the story can be found here.
Notable excerpt:
(*The* quote)
"Well, well!" said he coolly as he scrambled to the surface. "I guess you have been one too many for me, Mr. Holmes. Saw through my game, I suppose, and played me for a sucker from the first. Well, sir, I hand it to you; you have me beat and --"
In an instant he had whisked out a revolver from his breast and had fired two shots. I felt a sudden hot sear as if a red-hot iron had been pressed to my thigh. There was a crash as Holmes's pistol came down on the man's head. I had a vision of him sprawling upon the floor with blood running down his face while Holmes rummaged him for weapons. Then my friend's wiry arms were round me, and he was leading me to a chair.
"You're not hurt, Watson? For God's sake, say that you are not hurt!"
It was worth a wound -- it was worth many wounds -- to know the depth of loyalty and love which lay behind that cold mask. The clear, hard eyes were dimmed for a moment, and the firm lips were shaking. For the one and only time I caught a glimpse of a great heart as well as of a great brain. All my years of humble but single-minded service culminated in that moment of revelation.
"It's nothing, Holmes. It's a mere scratch."
He had ripped up my trousers with his pocket-knife.
"You are right," he cried with an immense sigh of relief. "It is quite superficial." His face set like flint as he glared at our prisoner, who was sitting up with a dazed face. "By the Lord, it is as well for you. If you had killed Watson, you would not have got out of this room alive. [...]"
Just. God. Holmes! Watson! God.
Happy Riechenbach day!
This really is mostly for my own amusement and benefit - if I don't write these things down, I forget them or lose them!
So! In honour of this, I am doing a full-out fangirl entry. It's cut for your convenience and to protect your flists.
Maybe it is necessary to excise human emotions and stereotypical relationships in order to do what needs to be done. Holmes' work puts him at great risk, which he agrees to take on. He is sort of like Bruce Wayne in that way. As Batman, he must fight alone. Holmes has Watson as a source of comfort and refuge from the life that he has made for himself. Yet he, and Bruce Wayne, are hesitant to let others become involved with their work for fear of injuring or losing said person or persons. It is a tough and lonely life for the Great Detectives of this world...
[...]
I think also that the absence of the usual dyads makes other relationships more weighted and significant. If Holmes had a wife, would Watson seem as important as he is? Would his status dwindle?
[...]
if Mrs. Holmes were there to provide for Holmes' basic needs for companionship, moral support, and the comforts of domesticity, then would Watson be reduced to "buddy"? Because Watson is not just a sidekick, but friend, confessor, companion, and (literal) domestic partner.
- Found here. Quotes from different commenters.
***
The Masterpiece Theatre's coffee-table book [for Jeeves & Wooster] puts it like this:
'Literature is full of blissfully contented male couples, joined together in companionship that no woman can put asunder. Sherlock had Watson, Hawkeye had Chingachgook, Don Quixote had Sancho, and Robinson Crusoe was the first person in history to say "Thank God It's Friday."'
***
Dorinda: So there's this thing. That I have noticed that I really really like. And I gave it kind of a name. First, we have the character-type of "the clam." Character with a lot of passion and sensitivity who keeps (or at least primarily *tries* to keep) it all bottled up and suppressed, for the greater good, for self-protection, for whatever.
[…]
tzikeh Sherlock Holmes.Dorinda Oooooooooh yeah.
marzilla Total clam.Dorinda That line in that story when Watson gets shot and Holmes has a clameurism? Famous. The one about, you are not hurt, say you are not hurt, and then he turns to the bad guy and says if you had killed him BY GOD you would not leave this room alive. Swoon
- Found here
***
In his foreword to Bantam's "Sherlock Holmes: The Complete Novels and Stories," Loren Estleman called the relationship between Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson literature's warmest, most symbiotic and most timeless: rightfully so.
[...]
Jeremy Brett was the only actor who ever managed to perfectly portray Holmes's imperiousness, bitingly ironic sense of humor and apparently indestructible self-control without at the same time neglecting his genuine friendship towards Dr. Watson and the weaknesses hidden below a surface dominated by his overarching intellectual powers.
- from here.
***
I find it quite easy to believe that Holmes and Watson were 'in love' whether they had sex or not. Watson's libido insisted that he marry in order to satisfy it [so Holmes had less libido?], but even then his love for Holmes was such that he came when called and quickly moved back [into 221B Baker Street] with him when the marriage was over. Homosexual 'love' does not presupposed [sic] nor require homosexual 'sex' to be the same thing.
- from here.
All italics are mine; I will, when I return to Copenhagen, add two other comments from books I own: Strangers by Graham Robb, and The English by Jeremy Paxman.
The Adventure of Charles Augustus Milverton
An in-depth summary can be found here, the story can be found here.
Possibly the most touchy-feely Holmes adventure, it's also one of the most interesting. The plot is fascinating; it's not a traditional mystery, as all the facts are more-or-less known at the outset; Holmes hardly uses his detecting skills at all, instead opting for showcasing his stealth skills. It also allows a look at the morals and ethics of Holmes, always interesting - and we get a rather protective Watson.
Notable excerpts:
"This gentleman?" said he [Milverton], with a wave in my direction. "Is it discreet? Is it right?"
"Dr. Watson is my friend and partner."
Every time I read this in Canon, or it happens in the series, my mind automatically goes, "he too is Sherlock Holmes."
"You would not call me a marrying man, Watson?"
"No, indeed!"
Hee!
"It suits my purpose. Watson, I mean to burgle Milverton's house to-night."
[...]
"Well, I don't like it, but I suppose it must be," said I. "When do we start?"
"You are not coming."
"Then you are not going," said I. "I give you my word of honour- and I never broke it in my life- that I will take a cab straight to the police-station and give you away, unless you let me share this adventure with you."
"You can't help me."
"How do you know that? You can't tell what may happen. Anyway, my resolution is taken. Other people besides you have self-respect, and even reputations."
Holmes had looked annoyed, but his brow cleared, and he clapped me on the shoulder.
"Well, well, my dear fellow, be it so. We have shared this same room for some years, and it would be amusing if we ended by sharing the same cell.[...]"
I love this exchange. Partly it's Watson's protectiveness, partly it's the fact that Holmes' agrees to let Watson come - that he *lets* Watson protect him, and accept that element of their friendship.
He seized my hand in the darkness and led me swiftly past banks of shrubs which brushed against our faces. Holmes had remarkable powers, carefully cultivated, of seeing in the dark. Still holding my hand in one of his, he opened a door[...].
***
I touched Holmes on the arm, and he turned his masked face in that direction.
***
"I don't like it," he whispered, putting his lips to my very ear. (emphasis mine)
***
From the pressure of Holmes's shoulder against mine, I knew that he was sharing my observations.
***
I felt Holmes's hand steal into mine and give me a reassuring shake, as if to say that the situation was within his powers, and that he was easy in his mind.
***
I was about to spring out, when I felt Holmes's cold, strong grasp upon my wrist. I understood the whole argument of that firm, restraining grip[...].
There's a lot of touching going on in this story. A lot of handholding too. Particularly as Sherlock does not come off as a touchy-feely type when he's not investigating something.
The Adventure of the Dying Detective
Note: I've yet to see the Granada version of this. In fact, I read it for the first time today. And I need to see the Granada version, like, now, so I can compare.
An in-depth plot summary can be found here, the entire text of the story can be found here.
Again, this story does not focus on Holmes' detecting skills - in fact, most of the mystery is left completely unexplained, as is the motivation for the murder of Victor Savage. However, it does have wonderful Holmes/Watson scenes - and it supports my hypothesis about Watson leaving his own feelings very much out of his stories. Which is partly why I want to see the Granada version; in other episodes (EMPT is the obvious example), they fill in Watson's feelings very well.
Notable excerpts:
"Stand back! Stand right back!" said he with the sharp imperiousness which I had associated only with moments of crisis. "If you approach me, Watson, I shall order you out of the house."
"But why?"
"Because it is my desire. Is that not enough?"
Holmes is so very aware of his power over Watson.
"It's for your own sake, Watson," he croaked.
"For my sake?"
"I know what is the matter with me. It is a coolie disease from Sumatra -- a thing that the Dutch know more about than we, though they have made little of it up to date. One thing only is certain. It is infallibly deadly, and it is horribly contagious."
He spoke now with a feverish energy, the long hands twitching and jerking as he motioned me away.
"Contagious by touch, Watson -- that's it, by touch. Keep your distance and all is well."
"Good heavens, Holmes! Do you suppose that such a consideration weighs with me for an instant? It would not affect me in the case of a stranger. Do you imagine it would prevent me from doing my duty to so old a friend?"
Watson has no regard for his own health, safety or sanity when it comes to Holmes - we see this again in DEVI. Also, even though in this case Holmes is faking his illness and won't let Watson approach because Watson will discover the deception, it's still telling that Watson doesn't see this as uncharacteristic of Holmes.
I have so deep a respect for the extraordinary qualities of Holmes that I have always deferred to his wishes, even when I least understood them. But now all my professional instincts were aroused. Let him be my master elsewhere, I at least was his in a sick room.
Oh Watson!
In the midst of these was a small black and white ivory box with a sliding lid. It was a neat little thing, and I had stretched out my hand to examine it more closely when -- It was a dreadful cry that he gave -- a yell which might have been heard down the street. My skin went cold and my hair bristled at that horrible scream. As I turned I caught a glimpse of a convulsed face and frantic eyes. I stood paralyzed, with the little box in my hand.
"Put it down! Down, this instant, Watson -- this instant, I say!" His head sank back upon the pillow and he gave a deep sigh of relief as I replaced the box upon the mantelpiece.
The box contains a poisoned booby-trap. The protectiveness very much goes both ways.
I give Holmes's remarks as a consecutive whole and will not attempt to indicate how they were interrupted by gaspings for breath and those clutchings of his hands which indicated the pain from which he was suffering. His appearance had changed for the worse during the few hours that I had been with him. Those hectic spots were more pronounced, the eyes shone more brightly out of darker hollows, and a cold sweat glimmered upon his brow. He still retained, however, the jaunty gallantry of his speech. To the last gasp he would always be the master.
Such implied *pain*!
Don't forget, Watson. You won't fail me. You never did fail me.
Damn straight!
"I must wait and hear his opinion, Holmes."
"Of course you must. But I have reasons to suppose that this opinion would be very much more frank and valuable if he imagines that we are alone. There is just room behind the head of my bed, Watson."
"My dear Holmes!"
"I fear there is no alternative, Watson. The room does not lend itself to concealment, which is as well, as it is the less likely to arouse suspicion. But just there, Watson, I fancy that it could be done." Suddenly he sat up with a rigid intentness upon his haggard face. "There are the wheels, Watson. Quick, man, if you love me! And don't budge, whatever happens -- whatever happens, do you hear? Don't speak! Don't move! Just listen with all your ears."
This is the first of three times in Canon where love or allusions to Holmes' heart are used to describe their relationship (the other being the wonderful scene from 3GAR, and in DEVI).
The Adventure of the Devil's Foot
Note: Some of the dodgiest, most eighties footage ever in the Granada adaption of this, but it's very much worth it, just to see Holmes *clutching* at Watson. Not to mention the handling of Holmes' cocaine usage.
An in-depth plot summary can be found here, the entire text of the story can be found here.
Detecting! And a very poorly Holmes, a protective Watson and a very, very interesting and rather complex mystery. It's one of my favourite, subtext or no, but there still is some very interesting Holmes and Watson interaction.
Notable excerpt:
'Oh, you will see it out, will you? I thought I knew my Watson.'
...
I tried to scream and was vaguely aware of some hoarse croak which was my own voice, but distant and detached from myself. At the same moment, in some effort of escape, I broke through that cloud of despair and had a glimpse of Holmes's face, white, rigid and drawn with horror--the very look which I had seen upon the features of the dea. It was that vision which gave me an instant of sanity and of strength. I sashed from my chair, threw my arms round Holmes, and together we lurched through the door, and an instant afterwards had thrown ourselves down upon the grass plot and were lying side by side, conscious only of the glorious sunshine which was bursting its way through the hellish cloud of terror which had girt us in. Slowly it rose from our souls like the mists from a landscape until peace and reason had returned, and we were sitting upon the grass, wiping our clammy foreheads, and looking with apprehension at each other to mark the last traces of that terrific experience which we had undergone.
'Upon my word, Watson!' said Holmes at last with an unsteady voice, 'I owe you both my thanks and an apology. It was an unjustifiable experiment even for one's self, and doubly so for a friend. I am really very sorry.'
'You know,' I answered with some emotion, for I had never seen so much of Holmes's heart before, 'that it is my greatest joy and privilege to help you.'
No notes. Just text.
The Adventure of the Three Garridebs
Note: Tragically, Brett was too ill to film this, and is subsituted by Mycroft in the adaption.
An in-depth plot summary can be found here, the entire text of the story can be found here.
Notable excerpt:
(*The* quote)
"Well, well!" said he coolly as he scrambled to the surface. "I guess you have been one too many for me, Mr. Holmes. Saw through my game, I suppose, and played me for a sucker from the first. Well, sir, I hand it to you; you have me beat and --"
In an instant he had whisked out a revolver from his breast and had fired two shots. I felt a sudden hot sear as if a red-hot iron had been pressed to my thigh. There was a crash as Holmes's pistol came down on the man's head. I had a vision of him sprawling upon the floor with blood running down his face while Holmes rummaged him for weapons. Then my friend's wiry arms were round me, and he was leading me to a chair.
"You're not hurt, Watson? For God's sake, say that you are not hurt!"
It was worth a wound -- it was worth many wounds -- to know the depth of loyalty and love which lay behind that cold mask. The clear, hard eyes were dimmed for a moment, and the firm lips were shaking. For the one and only time I caught a glimpse of a great heart as well as of a great brain. All my years of humble but single-minded service culminated in that moment of revelation.
"It's nothing, Holmes. It's a mere scratch."
He had ripped up my trousers with his pocket-knife.
"You are right," he cried with an immense sigh of relief. "It is quite superficial." His face set like flint as he glared at our prisoner, who was sitting up with a dazed face. "By the Lord, it is as well for you. If you had killed Watson, you would not have got out of this room alive. [...]"
Just. God. Holmes! Watson! God.
Happy Riechenbach day!
This really is mostly for my own amusement and benefit - if I don't write these things down, I forget them or lose them!
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
(no subject)
Date: 2006-05-06 07:51 pm (UTC)Do you perhaps know the name of the story in which Watson is shot?
And what is the Granada adaption?
(no subject)
Date: 2006-05-06 08:03 pm (UTC)The Granada adaption is the adaption of the Sherlock Holmes stories that Grenada did in the eighties (83-93, I think), staring Jeremy Brett as Holmes. They are incredibly good, and manage to *show* the stories very well. Not to mention that they showcase the Holmes/Watson relationship beautifully.
(If you don't mind me asking, how did you find me?)
(no subject)
Date: 2006-05-06 08:23 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-05-06 08:26 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-05-06 08:53 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-05-06 09:10 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-05-07 09:26 am (UTC)Fan girl.
(no subject)
Date: 2006-05-07 08:12 pm (UTC)