Category: Discussion Forum

In a recent interview, Martin Freeman spoke of his role in BBC Sherlock and while answering a question about portraying characters who are “ordinary people dragged into the extraordinary,” he had a fascinating thing to say about Dr Watson (emphasis mine):

“Sometimes it’s forgotten… you know, I know what you’re saying about John and Bilbo both being ordinary people dragged into the extraordinary but sometimes it’s forgotten that before John Watson meets Sherlock he’s already an extraordinary man. He is a soldier, he is an army surgeon who saves lives, who can take lives. He is certainly a lot more capable than I am in real life. It’s just that he meets someone who’s even more extraordinary – you know, in a normal room of people John Watson would be the guy, ‘cause he can do stuff that hardly anybody else can do. But he just happens to meet his flatmate – he’s a genius. So a really impressive bloke meets a fantastically impressive bloke and together they make magic.”

That is certainly how Freeman presents him in the BBC adaption. Through the Canon, we can give examples of how Dr Watson saw himself and we know how Mr Holmes viewed his friend, but how did other people view Dr Watson? Was he “the guy”? What moments from the Canon can you find to support or refute that?

The Baker Street Babes recently released “Always 1895: Translating Starrett’s 221B” on their website for free. It’s a e-book of the Vincent Starrett sonnet “221B” translated into song and numerous different languages. You can download it on THIS page.

Every month, at the end of the meeting, everyone in my local scion society listens to a recitation of Vincent Starrett’s “221B.” How does the sonnet resonate for you? Why does it have such a lasting impact on generations of Sherlockians?

221B
by Vincent Starrett

Here dwell together still two men of note
Who never lived and so can never die:
How very near they seem, yet how remote
That age before the world went all awry.
But still the game’s afoot for those with ears
Attuned to catch the distant view-halloo:
England is England yet, for all our fears–
Only those things the heart believes are true.

A yellow fog swirls past the window-pane
As night descends upon this fabled street:
A lonely hansom splashes through the rain,
The ghostly gas lamps fail at twenty feet.
Here, though the world explode, these two survive,
And it is always eighteen ninety-five.

What scene do you believe was Dr Watson’s finest moment in the Canon?

Similar to last week’s discussion:

Who is a fellow from the Canon that you wished you had seen more of or learned more about?

There were many notable women in the Canon. Some were heroes, some were villains, and some were caught up in unfortunate circumstances. Aside from our dear Mrs Hudson and a few appearances by Mary Watson née Morstan, there were not many reoccurring women in the stories. Like many clients and criminals, they rarely crossed paths with Holmes and Watson again.

So who is a lady from the Canon that you wished you had seen more of or learned more about?

Today’s lighthearted topic is from our fellow JHWS member “Gwen.” Thank you!

Say you had H.G. Wells’ time machine, or you stumbled into the TARDIS, and for one day only you can travel and join Holmes and Watson on one of their adventures. What day would that be?

Remarks in the recent book review offered by Larry Feldman brought me to pondering a topic that is often under debate…

In your personal opinion, is there a difference between “pastiche” and “fan fiction”?
If not, then why?
If so, then what differentiates them?

Today’s topic is from our fellow JHWS member “Gwen.” Thank you!

Once Dr Watson’s elusive tin dispatch box is finally found, which of the untold tales mentioned in the Canon would you wish to read first?

Today’s discussion is about a link from “Chips” via the Facebook group “The Diogenes BookClub:”

15 Curious Facts About Sherlock Holmes and Sherlockian Subculture

The article features several facts gleaned from the new book “The Great Detective” by Zach Dundas. Several are common knowledge among Sherlockians, Holmesians, and we Watsonians, but I’m sure a great deal of these were a surprise to those not so familiar with the world of the great detective and his loyal friend.

What is a fact or two that you find tends to surprise people who are only familiar with Sherlock Holmes through pop culture?

(For me, my friends were very surprised to hear about Sherlockian societies – they were not aware that so many existed!)

For some of us, our personal collection does not stop at a well-read copy of the Canon. Instead, it is usually just the beginning…

Collection Curios

Aside from editions of the Canon, let’s discuss a few of the unique and prized items of note from your personal Sherlockian (and/or Watsonian) Collection.

EDIT TO ADD: “Dash” sent in a photo of two treasures from his collection!

To quote “Dash”:
“I keep our invitations to Sherlockian events posted on it with a jackknife. Next to the papers is a small pewter figurine of Holmes. I had purchased one of these at the New York Public Library when I was in high school, my first bit of Holmesian memorabilia. Some years later, I lent it to an exhibit and it was stolen. Several years ago I was able to replace it thanks to the late Vinnie Brosnan, JHWS “Beeton.”

Thank you, everyone, for sharing!

From The Adventure of the Creeping Man:

“We can but try.”

“Excellent, Watson! Compound of the Busy Bee and Excelsior. We can but try—the motto of the firm.”

What do you believe Sherlock Holmes meant by “Busy Bee” and “Excelsior”?

(Note for Next Week: The Weekly Forum on Tues, May 12th will be about the newest publications from the John H Watson Society – so enjoy reading and be set to discuss the Watsonian/Fiction/Monograph publications next Tuesday!)