You know how sometimes you're reading something or watching something and you think "This is how we learn to be proper late capitalist subjects?" Yup. M.
Fascinating, Maggie, and so accurate it's scary. I find it distressing that the writers believe the modern audience is too judgmental to face a "hero" who is a drug addict, yet assume we are more than willing to overlook his sexism, egotism, classism, and general hatred of mankind. Heck, I've really been enjoying the show, so I've been doing all of that myself... One thing I find really interesting though, is that in education currently all the talk about "the future" has centered around how collaboration and community is starting to be the driving force in major change and discovery- scientific, medical, etc. That makes me think that this show and those like it (House comes to mind) are the last gasp and death rattle of the mighty individual over the collective. Who knows? Thanks for sharing all of these thoughts, m'dear. It will be interesting to see what they do with the series as it continues. *hug*
Interesting! Gah, Cedar, I hate to be such a cynic these days, but I do see the contemporary emphasis on collaboration (late sixties-populism plus cyber-frontierism) as something that will quickly be co-opted or diluted. (Like CNN providing half-hearted coverage of limited event, then asking for *your* opinion! And footage, if you have any.) But prove me wrong, world!
The better half has been giving me "I told you so" looks on this issue for days now. I don't know, can I just not watch mainstream t.v.? How do you deal with this? M.
Cynic-away, m'dear! My very subdued optimism is rooted in nothing better than a few inspiring education conferences that have nothing whatsoever to do with the real world. :) I will create a very collaborative group of fifth graders for a year, though. Yes I will. *nod
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Have you watched Mad Men? Talk about a gold mine for discussion of social issues as reflected though a modern sensibility...
I'm curious but...well, wary, given I don't have a good track record with finding shows I can tolerate. Contrary to popular opinion, I do actually try to stay away from things that will make my blood boil. *smile* I'm not sure if this is one of them, to be honest. What do you think?
Thanks for reading and being open to another interpretation of the show, C. That's lovely.
And I envy your collaborative fifth-graders! I'm not going be cynical about that one at all--change the world with your ten-year-olds. we could all do to be a bit more socially minded and aware of the limitations of our own contributations. They're not so far gone they can't manage it. *smooch* M.
I haven't watched the show, and don't intend to, because I figured it'd go something like this. :-\ I'm not surprised Moffat would do such an accurate adaptation. From his Doctor Who, his work is about nostalgia, with all its underlying assumptions, sexism, classism, etc.
. From his Doctor Who, his work is about nostalgia, with all its underlying assumptions, sexism, classism, etc.
Ah, topaz, I wish I'd talked to you beforehand! I know nothing of the DW universe, though a friend just recently told me about the differences between Russell T. Davies' (sp?) episodes and Moffat's, which helped explain a lot about the Sherlock series. *is sad*
On a related note, I thought as I watched was that Sherlock seemed very American, aspirational and impressed by its own coolness, where I've always seen British t.v. as more realistic or self-effacing and humorous.
The difference between Moffat's Who and RTD's amounts to culture shock. Not that RTD didn't have his problems, but he was certainly more aware of the diversity of his audience, and addressed it. (Also RTD criticized the Doctor's actions in-text, whereas Moffat tends to let it stand without comment. Which seems to be the case for Sherlock too, if I'm reading your meta right. But this might be distracting from the conversation, so I'll leave it there.)
I don't watch enough American TV to comment on any obsession with coolness. :-)
Also RTD criticized the Doctor's actions in-text, whereas Moffat tends to let it stand without comment. Which seems to be the case for Sherlock too, if I'm reading your meta right.
*nods* A good distinction, thanks. There's a cop (a woman) who criticizes Sherlock repeatedly as a "freak," which could have been interesting (why's he so fascinated by crime and so unmoved by it, and where will that lead him?) but which turned into a one-note joke pretty quickly. My general sense is that the creators aren't fully aware of what's problematic about this character/these characters and the world they've set up.
My earliest memories of (male) characters who resonated with me, are all about how they love and suffer.Definitely. I think a lot of us, particularly women, look hard for small signs of love and suffering in our characters--it's what draws us to them, helps us establish an emotional connection. It disturbs me, though, to see the ways in which we withhold that interest from women characters and lavish it on men, particularly with
( ... )
This was linking on my flist; hope you don't mind me joining in.
I've been a Holmes fangirl for a lot of my life; I adore mysteries and I started reading Doyle's stories when I was a wee young thing. But, the older I get, the less this kind of narrative impresses me and, though I dutifully downloaded the episodes, as a Holmes fangirl, I have yet to watch them and I think you brilliantly pin why I'm so hesitant/loathe to actually sit down and watch it and, concurrently, why I'm so ambivalent about SO MUCH media that's being put out these days. Thank you for writing this.
I've been a Holmes fangirl for a lot of my life; I adore mysteries and I started reading Doyle's stories when I was a wee young thing. But, the older I get, the less this kind of narrative impresses me
*nods* That's true for me, as well. I have a lot of nostalgia and affection for this particular character and grew up reading and watching mysteries alongside my parents. I got a vague sense of Sherlock from publicity beforehand--and, indeed, my partner warned me not to watch it, I was sure to be annoyed--but the bottom line is that I still enjoy spending time with him
( ... )
sherlock thoughtslaceymcbainAugust 13 2010, 04:15:25 UTC
Thank you for an interesting set of insights on the new show. I've only watched the first two, but I did enjoy them. I do sometimes think that we've been brought up to appreciate white men being smart and appearing to rail against the system they're very much a part of. I grew up on books and TV that put men front and centre, and although I appreciate strong female characters, I seem to settle into a comfort zone with male leads. I know what to expect, and I know what pushes my buttons - that touch of emotion and humanity in a maladjusted man. It's a disquieting realization.
Re: sherlock thoughtsmagnetic_poleAugust 13 2010, 04:54:08 UTC
I seem to settle into a comfort zone with male leads. I know what to expect, and I know what pushes my buttons - that touch of emotion and humanity in a maladjusted man. It's a disquieting realization.
*nods* That's it exactly! And it's such a cultural phenomenon right now. (In slash, as well as in the mainstream media.)
For what it's worth, the last episode is good television in the sense that it's well-paced and plotted, clever and emotionally engaging. I just felt like my world view had been chewed up and discarded at the end. (How that for a recommendation?) Thanks for your thoughts! Maggie
Re: sherlock thoughtsauroramamaAugust 14 2010, 03:13:02 UTC
Have you seen any of the gender-switched fic in the fandom? Because me, I'll put up with a maladjusted female lead much more comfortably than a male. Every time a male character puts down a female, I twitch. But I love female genius jerkwads. In fiction. Nowadays.
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You know how sometimes you're reading something or watching something and you think "This is how we learn to be proper late capitalist subjects?" Yup. M.
Reply
I find it distressing that the writers believe the modern audience is too judgmental to face a "hero" who is a drug addict, yet assume we are more than willing to overlook his sexism, egotism, classism, and general hatred of mankind.
Heck, I've really been enjoying the show, so I've been doing all of that myself...
One thing I find really interesting though, is that in education currently all the talk about "the future" has centered around how collaboration and community is starting to be the driving force in major change and discovery- scientific, medical, etc. That makes me think that this show and those like it (House comes to mind) are the last gasp and death rattle of the mighty individual over the collective. Who knows?
Thanks for sharing all of these thoughts, m'dear. It will be interesting to see what they do with the series as it continues.
*hug*
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The better half has been giving me "I told you so" looks on this issue for days now. I don't know, can I just not watch mainstream t.v.? How do you deal with this? M.
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I'm curious but...well, wary, given I don't have a good track record with finding shows I can tolerate. Contrary to popular opinion, I do actually try to stay away from things that will make my blood boil. *smile* I'm not sure if this is one of them, to be honest. What do you think?
Thanks for reading and being open to another interpretation of the show, C. That's lovely.
And I envy your collaborative fifth-graders! I'm not going be cynical about that one at all--change the world with your ten-year-olds. we could all do to be a bit more socially minded and aware of the limitations of our own contributations. They're not so far gone they can't manage it. *smooch* M.
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Ah, topaz, I wish I'd talked to you beforehand! I know nothing of the DW universe, though a friend just recently told me about the differences between Russell T. Davies' (sp?) episodes and Moffat's, which helped explain a lot about the Sherlock series. *is sad*
On a related note, I thought as I watched was that Sherlock seemed very American, aspirational and impressed by its own coolness, where I've always seen British t.v. as more realistic or self-effacing and humorous.
In any case, thanks for reading! M.
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I don't watch enough American TV to comment on any obsession with coolness. :-)
One thing I forgot to comment on:
...the one thing that really matters ( ... )
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*nods* A good distinction, thanks. There's a cop (a woman) who criticizes Sherlock repeatedly as a "freak," which could have been interesting (why's he so fascinated by crime and so unmoved by it, and where will that lead him?) but which turned into a one-note joke pretty quickly. My general sense is that the creators aren't fully aware of what's problematic about this character/these characters and the world they've set up.
My earliest memories of (male) characters who resonated with me, are all about how they love and suffer.Definitely. I think a lot of us, particularly women, look hard for small signs of love and suffering in our characters--it's what draws us to them, helps us establish an emotional connection. It disturbs me, though, to see the ways in which we withhold that interest from women characters and lavish it on men, particularly with ( ... )
Reply
I've been a Holmes fangirl for a lot of my life; I adore mysteries and I started reading Doyle's stories when I was a wee young thing. But, the older I get, the less this kind of narrative impresses me and, though I dutifully downloaded the episodes, as a Holmes fangirl, I have yet to watch them and I think you brilliantly pin why I'm so hesitant/loathe to actually sit down and watch it and, concurrently, why I'm so ambivalent about SO MUCH media that's being put out these days. Thank you for writing this.
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*nods* That's true for me, as well. I have a lot of nostalgia and affection for this particular character and grew up reading and watching mysteries alongside my parents. I got a vague sense of Sherlock from publicity beforehand--and, indeed, my partner warned me not to watch it, I was sure to be annoyed--but the bottom line is that I still enjoy spending time with him ( ... )
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You've given me much to consider.
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*nods* That's it exactly! And it's such a cultural phenomenon right now. (In slash, as well as in the mainstream media.)
For what it's worth, the last episode is good television in the sense that it's well-paced and plotted, clever and emotionally engaging. I just felt like my world view had been chewed up and discarded at the end. (How that for a recommendation?) Thanks for your thoughts! Maggie
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