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Kurtis Wragg #41569609
Lynda Haas
Writing 37
19, February 2014
The Modern Eccentric
In the mystery genre a case is presented and the detective plays the "intellectual game"
whereby he surveys the scene and gathers evidence (Dine). Next, he uses that evidence to
systematically deduct plausible explanations until the certain capture or death of the guilty. The
BBC Sherlock TV series follows the conventions developed through Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s
19th century Sherlock Holmes stories that set the precedent for further mystery genre novels.
The influence of modern entertainment makes its way into each of the stories while keeping the
original conventions. For example, Holmes is now referred to as Sherlock to mimic modern
norms of referring to people by their first name. In particular, Holmes has become more
eccentric and dramatic in his actions. In the original text he often was portrayed through
Watson’s writing as unconventional and having an addictive personality. The new interpretation
of Holmes that airs on the BBC has amplified these qualities further signifying their importance
to the mystery genre novels.
Today’s viewership has responded well to the modern
interpretation’s accurate depiction of the historic cases and now boasts 9.2 million viewers after
only 9 episodes. (BBC) It follows the original as well as incorporates modern touches that allow
the current reader to connect with the show. In one episode, the BBC Sherlock followed the
famous story line of The Hound of Baskervilles only changing it name to be “The Hounds of
Baskerville”. In The Hound of Baskverilles, Sherlock struggles to keep an inactive mind because
he cannot find an interesting case to solve at the beginning. Much like the original, in “The
Hounds of Baskerville” episode, one finds Sherlock pacing up and down his apartment trying to
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find a case to solve. In both cases, Holmes displays his inability to be inactive. The eccentric
behavior of Holmes provides the foundation of his character and explains the mastermind
detective’s knowledge and ability to observe and deduct.
In the modern version of Sherlock Holmes, the behavior of Holmes helps form his
detective capabilities in the minds of the reader. In the opening scene of “The Hounds of
Baskerville” episode, Sherlock paces the room awaiting Watson to find an interesting case for
him to solve. Watson reads through the newspaper and Holmes becomes impatient. Holmes has
recently decided to quit smoking and demands that Watson give him his cigarettes. Holmes is
addicted to nicotine and smokes regularly when he has nothing to do. He becomes erratic and
soon is throwing papers into the air in search of his cigarettes. He compares his mind to an
engine racing out of control to Watson’s brain which is placid in attempt to get compassion from
Watson, but fails. The scene ends with the ring of the doorbell and soon Holmes finds his mind
deep into a complicated mystery. In this brief clip the reasoning behind the eccentric behavior of
Holmes is finally exposed. Doyle develops the eccentricity of Holmes in order to “differentiate
(him) from societal norms or enhance a sense of inimitable identity” (Eccentricity). He is unlike
any other detective when it comes to his work so Doyle uses his unique characteristics to further
shape his character into a detective genius. His unconventional behavior makes him become a
more memorable character and further enhances the focus on him. His mind can’t be stagnant
and needs stimulation. The eccentric and unorthodox behaviors of Holmes create a character
that no reader can relate to. The unique behavior raises questions in the minds or the audience
and leaves them guessing at what the detective is thinking throughout the case. Furthermore, his
uncanny ability to solve mysteries through his use of observation and deduction is explained.
His sporadic movements are evidence of an active mind. This leads to the conclusion that he is
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able to observe all of the details at a crime scene and quickly deduct a plausible scenario to
further pursue.
These dramatic actions displayed in the modern scene help to predict the
detective’s process to discovery.
The modern show uses techniques of film to further enhance the scene and the
importance of main characters such as Holmes. The film cuts from view to view rapidly
following whoever was speaking and followed their movements. The voice of Holmes triumphs
over Watson’s and is the main source of mood for the entire scene. The shots of Watson tend to
show him in the background while Holmes is close to the camera.
The view shows the
perspective of where one would be looking if in the room and therefore makes the audience feel
as if they are in the room. Holmes is the main character and the entire scene revolves around
him much like the entire Sherlock Holmes series of the late 19th century.
His outlandish
behavior gets the audience interested and the plot line keeps them interested. The actor’s
dramatized movements make an exciting and engaging screenplay that keeps the everyday
viewer interested. Often, actors will overreact or embellish a character in order to illustrate the
character’s thought process in a more cohesive manner. Had the actors chosen to be dull and
unemotional many viewers would not truly understand the character and therefore misinterpret
the character’s qualities such as Holmes’ effective use of observation, deduction, and knowledge.
The producer uses all of this to engage the audience.
In the original story, The Sign of the Four, written by Arthur Conan Doyle, Holmes is
eccentric behavior is used to explain his genius. Watson finally works up the nerve to confront
Holmes about his drug use while at their apartment. This is much like the opening scene of “The
Hounds of Baskerville” the only difference being that Holmes is now addicted to cigarettes
instead of cocaine. Cocaine is now not a socially acceptable substance to be used and is therefore
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avoided in the modern text. He had watched him inject cocaine three times daily for the last
three months and wanted him to stop. Sherlock goes on to explain his drug use by overruling the
ill effects of cocaine on the body due to its benefits. “‘My mind,’ he said, ‘rebels at stagnation.
Give me problems, give me work, give me the most abstruse cryptogram or the most intricate
analysis, and I am I my own proper atmosphere. I can dispense then with the artificial stimulants.
But I abhor the dull routine of existence. I crave the mental exaltation’” (Doyle). Holmes’ drug
use further separates him from the other characters of the novel which Doyle uses to make him
stand out. His explanation is well thought out, as are all of his other decisions and, although
unnatural, seem perfectly logical. It is human nature to begin to wonder about the unknown so
because of this, one takes interest in characters like Holmes. He is eccentric to separate him from
the rest of the characters in the novel. His overactive mind explains his abilities as a detective.
He is able to process massive amounts of information all at once and connect the clues to form a
conclusion. Without out his eccentrics, Holmes would be overlooked by most readers and would
not be as well-known and popular.
This new version of the classic Holmes uses the established characteristics as well as
modern additions to create a more attractive show. The producer did this so that the critics who
wanted an accurate depiction of Holmes would be pleased while the everyday viewer is
fascinated and drawn to the screen by his dramatic acting. The producer looked to please both
parties to increase his viewership. It is shown through the wide popularity of the TV series,
Sherlock, to have been effective. He is separated from the average person and stands out while
someone may be flipping through the channels. Once someone has seen him in a previous
episode they are drawn back to the show due to their interest in his unusual behavior.
The
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modern interpretation made by the BBC further dramatizes the unusual behaviors of Holmes in
order to aid in the development of his character and ease the complexity of understanding him.
Works Cited
1. BBC News. BBC, n.d. Web. 19 Feb. 2014.
<http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b018ttws>.
2. Dine, S.S. Van. ""Twenty Rules for Writing Detective Stories"(1928)." Twenty Rules for
Writing Detective Stories (1928) by S.S. Van Dine. Gaslight, Sept. 1928. Web. 19 Feb.
2014. <http://gaslight.mtroyal.ca/vandine.htm>.
3. Doyle, Arthur Conan. The Sign of the Four. Chicago: W.B. Conkey, 1900. Print.
4. "Eccentricity (behavior)." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 15 Feb. 2014. Web. 19 Feb.
2014. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eccentricity_%28behavior%29>.