Canon Discussion Post: The Noble Bachelor

[spacemutineer.livejournal.com]

It's time for some canon discussion, don't you think? How did you find The Noble Bachelor? As always, I've written up a few of my own random thoughts and comments, which are behind the jump. Add your own in the comments!

Note: Granada discussion is available in the Granada discussion post. Thanks!



- According to Baring-Gould's chronology, Watson is married three times. He alludes to his first wife here, who is, according to this theory, "a girl from San Francisco he had met while practicing medicine there, during the period when he was called to America to attend his ailing brother." This is the most uncomfortable difficulty in this timeline. Personally, I much prefer to imagine Watson had only one wife: Mary Morstan. I favor the idea that Watson has deliberately confused the timeline (and the number of his marriages) to better disguise Holmes' cases and protect his clients. Any thoughts here?

- We don't get to see Holmes' case with the King of Scandinavia as his client, but it does lead to a great moment bringing the pompous Lord St. Simon back down to size. "No, I am descending."

- Speaking of Lord St. Simon, ugh, he is repellent. I had to check last round's notes to see if I hated him this much the last time I read this story. Turns out I did. It's surprising Hatty seemed willing to marry him, being such a free, impetuous spirit herself and he being so snooty, self-important, and entitled. Robert has legitimate reason to feel upset and slighted, but I can't say I feel sorry for him.

- I'm still waiting for Holmes' imagined joint English-American worldwide country.

Comment away, and join us next week for The Second Stain along with its Granada adaptation!

Comments

[hisietari.livejournal.com]

I was also a little shocked about the idea of Watson having married more than once, in fact half a dozen times. Wouldn't Holmes at the very least have made mention of that in the two tales he penned? He did remark rather heavily on that one marriage with Mary. I somehow can't imagine how Watson would fit everything into one life.

"No, I am descending."
That's one of those moments one's gotta love one's Holmes for. >D

[thesmallhobbit.livejournal.com]

I think the problem with any chronology is that because ACD didn't have one, he just slots stories in as he sees fit. Along with Watson's wives ("I don't really want Watson around for a bit, I'll marry him off").

By the same token I see the King of Scandanavia as being the King of Bohemia but under a pseuodonym to protect the client's name.

[spacemutineer.livejournal.com]

Well, yes, that's the factually correct in reality answer, but what fun is that? It's so much more entertaining to play The Great Game (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sherlockian_game) and make wild theories and frivolous speculation.

[thesmallhobbit.livejournal.com]

Fair enough. Any chance there could have been more than one person who shared rooms with Holmes, on each occasion going by the pseudonym of John Watson?

[spacemutineer.livejournal.com]

Ohh, hadn't thought of that one! It's quite mad as a concept -- I love it for that reason. :)

That fic is begging to be written. You should do it!

[impulsereader.livejournal.com]

It would explain our switch in Granada Watsons quite neatly. :-)

[thesmallhobbit.livejournal.com]

There is now a ficlet on my journal: http://thesmallhobbit.livejournal.com/47502.html

[marysutherland.livejournal.com]

The King of Scandinavia can't be the King of Bohemia: see my fic Uneasy Lies the Head (http://sherlock60.livejournal.com/169994.html) as proof why.

[thesmallhobbit.livejournal.com]

Of course, I clearly forgot Clotilde - and she's not a lady it's a good idea to forget.

[bwblack.livejournal.com]

Why did you hate St. Simon so much? I can't say that I was invested in this story enough to really loathe anybody.

So many narrative problems in this tale. I really didn't enjoy it. Then I listened to it audio hoping to pick up some nuance in it and I felt the same way. Then I read the annotations and read that ACD agreed with me.

Hah.

Had Watson followed him out on his rounds it would have been a little something of interest but sitting around the flat and having the crime solved gave very little intrigue.

Although, I was amused at Lestrade going all nautical to dredge a man made lake.

[marysutherland.livejournal.com]

I think Lestrade comes off as particularly dim in this one - I've ended up trying to write a modern day version in which Greg solves the case himself.

[bwblack.livejournal.com]

Awesome. I've been working on a modern version myself but while I think I equate Lestrasde better in the modern version, and I think I handle Lestrade with more tact.. being a big Lestrade fan... it is a rare story for me that is more Sherlock and John than others.

[marysutherland.livejournal.com]

I've now posted a 221B modern version of the case, starring Lestrade: The Posh Bachelor (http://archiveofourown.org/works/545511).

[flawedamythyst.livejournal.com]

That bit about a combined UK-USA country did make me double take. How did I forget that from last time? That's definite proof that Holmes shouldn't be allowed anywhere near politics. It's an awful idea.

I think I'm going to go with it being a case of one of Holmes's trolling moments. He says it with a straight face, Mr. Moulton has a moment of pure incredulous WTFuckery, and Watson is trying not to crack up in the background because he knows Holmes too well.

Sunday, 23 September 2012

[livejournal.livejournal.com]

User thisprettywren referenced to your post from Sunday, 23 September 2012 (http://holmesian-news.livejournal.com/238058.html) saying: [...] by (Holmes, Watson | G | ACD) + Misc Canon Discussion Post: The Noble Bachelor [...]

[debriswoman]

It is a strange little tale, with Holmes admirable attempts to puncture the noble bachelor's pomposity. I loved the idea that the lord was willing to tolerate his bride's rough background.Nothing to do with her fortune, of course! Was her father blinded by the notion of an English title for his little girl, and thus failed to check the financial balance of the match?

And I am more comfortable with one Mrs Watson. He seemed busy enough without two more!

[chiapetzukamori.livejournal.com]

The first time I read that bit about the UK-USA country, perhaps I was a bit naive in my interpretation lol. I assumed he was talking about the two nations (plus others) united under a flag of friendship or something like that. Looking back - now I'm not so sure if that's what he meant. Ah well lol

Also, hello! Long time lurker - been reading for quite a while, loving the fics, trying to summon the courage to write one myself. In the meantime - I love reading everybody's take on these!

[thesmallhobbit.livejournal.com]

Hello. Now that you've summoned up the courage to comment, I do hope you'll decide to write too.

[spacemutineer.livejournal.com]

Hello to you! Thanks for reading our little comm here, and I'm really happy you're commenting with us now!

I'm the mod here, so if you have any questions, feel free to ask. You should definitely try your hand at a 60. Your comment is longer than that! :) We're very relaxed and very flexible here, and our group is always kind and welcoming. Give it a try if the week's story strikes you, and thanks again for just hanging around, even if you don't. It's always lovely to hear from a reader!