Very interesting - definitely. Very good points. The fact that Irene was working for Moriarty was one that I had really only acknowledged during the opening scenes. This wasn't something I had really carried through the episode in any sort of analytical bent and your pointing it out is extremely valuable. This is definitely a factor which needs to be taken into account.
I do think that Sherlock's taking note of Irene as a clever person is very similar to his taking note of John. She is another person who isn't afraid to acknowledge his skills at deduction - another person who does not scorn his talents or try to feel superior by dismissing them. And this may be a weakness in Sherlock - he is a bit desperate for this approval and will attach himself quite quickly to individuals who give it to him. Unfortunately, Irene was offering up her approval on Moriarty's instruction. She may have felt it quite genuinely, but certainly her marching orders contained instructions to flatter Sherlock's ego. Moriarty certainly knew his quarry at least that well.
Jumping to the last scene minus flashback - I must say - But - Sherlock knew John was playing him. He knew Irene was alive. He had nothing to lose in that scene by 'begging'. It seems to me that it was the easiest way to get what he wanted - as you say, manipulating John into doing what he wants by using the power of please. And what we get in return is a parallel of the ACD story - a camera phone equals a photograph.
I am very willing to admit that as far as ACD Holmes gives in to sentiment, so does BBC Sherlock.
See, I'd say BBC Sherlock, if he doesn't give in to sentiment more than ACD Holmes, does so more significantly.
Sherlock knows that John is lying. And Sherlock knows that Irene is alive. But I think there's more to his begging than mere manipulation.
I actually think that the begging scene is actually one of those madly-sought-after-by-fangurlz sweet moments (!) because Sherlock accepts John's clumsily mistaken attempt to be a good friend by lying about Irene for the good intention it is. Sherlock of A Study in Pink would have torn John to shreds, showed how he knew that John was lying, and then demanded the phone. Sherlock of A Scandal in Belgravia allows John to think he's suffering in gratitude for his friendship.
And then, there is always the fact that in a work of art, what the artists decide to show is vitally important. Sherlock's begging mirrors Irene's, and whatever motives you want to impute to him for doing it, the artists have set it up so that it is what Irene did, but more.
Hm. Something to think on. You're absolutely right that Sherlock has evolved at this point. I haven't read the article yet, so I'm still working on all this. :-)
I WOULD - I TOTALLY WOULD IF IT WEREN'T FOR WORK IN THE MORNING.
I love that you're not afraid of capslock. Sometimes you really need capslock.
Oh. Hey. It's not as late as I thought. I'm totally starting it up - it's not as if I don't know how it ends...
Whenever we talk about Mythology in Latin my kids talk about it. It's EVERY middle schooler's favorite book, as far as I can tell.
Anyway, I was very pleasantly surprised. I think it's written very serviceably -- not Milton, but not nauseatingly bad like Twilight or head-deskingly bad like The Hunger Games. And it gives, in my opinion, a very accurate and nuanced picture of Greek mythology. Also, it's quite creative. And it has jokes ranging from the fart joke to the esoteric (e.g. "St. Augustine's Bridal Shop") so the middle school boys will giggle, but then you will too.
I'm on the fourth book now. I hear that the next series is boring, but I like this one.
Interesting - you're the first person who has mentioned the Hunger Games without recommending it.
I will definitely move PJ up on the scale of 'must read'. Are you familiar with Garth Nix at all? I love his Abhorsen set - which is slightly more adult - but he has a couple of series which are aimed more firmly at the middle school set.
Yeah -- I thought the writing of The HungerGames was awful. I read rather quickly so I read the whole thing one Friday evening. The first book went quickly, but by the end I ws telling myself, "You've read five hours! You can do one more and be done with this series forever!!!!" And I just barely made it to the end. I actually appreciated the message of the books once I got to the end -- about sacrifice and marriage and having children and stuff, but it was hard to find in the mire of HORRIBLE WRITING!!!!!!!!
I'll have to check that book out, but I'm on a phone right now, so I'll look in the morning.
I do think that Sherlock's taking note of Irene as a clever person is very similar to his taking note of John. She is another person who isn't afraid to acknowledge his skills at deduction - another person who does not scorn his talents or try to feel superior by dismissing them. And this may be a weakness in Sherlock - he is a bit desperate for this approval and will attach himself quite quickly to individuals who give it to him. Unfortunately, Irene was offering up her approval on Moriarty's instruction. She may have felt it quite genuinely, but certainly her marching orders contained instructions to flatter Sherlock's ego. Moriarty certainly knew his quarry at least that well.
Jumping to the last scene minus flashback - I must say - But - Sherlock knew John was playing him. He knew Irene was alive. He had nothing to lose in that scene by 'begging'. It seems to me that it was the easiest way to get what he wanted - as you say, manipulating John into doing what he wants by using the power of please. And what we get in return is a parallel of the ACD story - a camera phone equals a photograph.
I am very willing to admit that as far as ACD Holmes gives in to sentiment, so does BBC Sherlock.
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Sherlock knows that John is lying. And Sherlock knows that Irene is alive. But I think there's more to his begging than mere manipulation.
I actually think that the begging scene is actually one of those madly-sought-after-by-fangurlz sweet moments (!) because Sherlock accepts John's clumsily mistaken attempt to be a good friend by lying about Irene for the good intention it is. Sherlock of A Study in Pink would have torn John to shreds, showed how he knew that John was lying, and then demanded the phone. Sherlock of A Scandal in Belgravia allows John to think he's suffering in gratitude for his friendship.
And then, there is always the fact that in a work of art, what the artists decide to show is vitally important. Sherlock's begging mirrors Irene's, and whatever motives you want to impute to him for doing it, the artists have set it up so that it is what Irene did, but more.
I NEED TO REWATCH THIS NOW. MAYBE I WILL!
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I WOULD - I TOTALLY WOULD IF IT WEREN'T FOR WORK IN THE MORNING.
I love that you're not afraid of capslock. Sometimes you really need capslock.
Oh. Hey. It's not as late as I thought. I'm totally starting it up - it's not as if I don't know how it ends...
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(If I don't end up staying up half the night reading the next Percy Jackson book...)
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Percy Jackson - those books have been fluttering on the outside edges of my radar forever. You would recommend them, I assume?
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Whenever we talk about Mythology in Latin my kids talk about it. It's EVERY middle schooler's favorite book, as far as I can tell.
Anyway, I was very pleasantly surprised. I think it's written very serviceably -- not Milton, but not nauseatingly bad like Twilight or head-deskingly bad like The Hunger Games. And it gives, in my opinion, a very accurate and nuanced picture of Greek mythology. Also, it's quite creative. And it has jokes ranging from the fart joke to the esoteric (e.g. "St. Augustine's Bridal Shop") so the middle school boys will giggle, but then you will too.
I'm on the fourth book now. I hear that the next series is boring, but I like this one.
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I will definitely move PJ up on the scale of 'must read'. Are you familiar with Garth Nix at all? I love his Abhorsen set - which is slightly more adult - but he has a couple of series which are aimed more firmly at the middle school set.
erm - have a link so you don't have to google it yourself http://www.amazon.com/Garth-Nix/e/B000AQ01XU
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I'll have to check that book out, but I'm on a phone right now, so I'll look in the morning.
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