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sherlock60It's canon discussion time, everybody! What did you all think of The Man with the Twisted Lip? 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!
- For pure evocative power, I have a great fondness for this story. It's beautifully drawn and described, with each scene appearing perfectly in your mind as you read. The opium den is particularly excellently detailed.
- It's impossible to talk about The Man with the Twisted Lip without mentioning the name problem. Watson's wife refers to him here as "James" instead of John for no clear reason. There are various theories, of course: a pet name, some derivative of his middle name, etc. There's no satisfactory answer, it seems (other than the boring true one), and the situation is made all the stranger by the fact that there is a John in the story -- the cab driver waiting for Holmes when he comes out of the opium den.
- "Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds to a light-house." It makes sense that Watson would marry a woman that people seek out for aid and assistance. He is a helper by nature after all, and he does what he can for who he can. So does she, it seems.
- Watson's decision to follow Holmes after finding him in the Bar of Gold is understandable in the sense that any case Holmes is on, particularly one involving elaborate covert surveillance, is likely to be exciting and interesting. Indeed, this case is. But is it completely ethical for a medical man to stow his patient/acquaintance into cab with a note after promising to return him safely? Shouldn't a physician keep an eye on Isa as he comes down off a two day opium bender? What about Watson's treatment of his wife, who seems unhappy with the idea of him leaving that evening at all, let alone not coming home until the next day? Wouldn't she be angry at being left to tend the Whitneys? Or concerned for her husband's well-being, off on another murder case with that crazy detective friend of his?
- Do you think Holmes planned on trying to pick Watson up later before heading out to the St. Clairs', even before he happens to run into him at the opium den? He specifically mentions he has procured a double-bedded room, and he seems intensely grateful to have someone with him to bounce ideas off of and help him as he is painfully forced to admit to his client that he believes her husband is dead.
Comment away, and join us next week for The Five Orange Pips!
Note: Granada discussion is available in the Granada discussion post. Thanks!
- For pure evocative power, I have a great fondness for this story. It's beautifully drawn and described, with each scene appearing perfectly in your mind as you read. The opium den is particularly excellently detailed.
- It's impossible to talk about The Man with the Twisted Lip without mentioning the name problem. Watson's wife refers to him here as "James" instead of John for no clear reason. There are various theories, of course: a pet name, some derivative of his middle name, etc. There's no satisfactory answer, it seems (other than the boring true one), and the situation is made all the stranger by the fact that there is a John in the story -- the cab driver waiting for Holmes when he comes out of the opium den.
- "Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds to a light-house." It makes sense that Watson would marry a woman that people seek out for aid and assistance. He is a helper by nature after all, and he does what he can for who he can. So does she, it seems.
- Watson's decision to follow Holmes after finding him in the Bar of Gold is understandable in the sense that any case Holmes is on, particularly one involving elaborate covert surveillance, is likely to be exciting and interesting. Indeed, this case is. But is it completely ethical for a medical man to stow his patient/acquaintance into cab with a note after promising to return him safely? Shouldn't a physician keep an eye on Isa as he comes down off a two day opium bender? What about Watson's treatment of his wife, who seems unhappy with the idea of him leaving that evening at all, let alone not coming home until the next day? Wouldn't she be angry at being left to tend the Whitneys? Or concerned for her husband's well-being, off on another murder case with that crazy detective friend of his?
- Do you think Holmes planned on trying to pick Watson up later before heading out to the St. Clairs', even before he happens to run into him at the opium den? He specifically mentions he has procured a double-bedded room, and he seems intensely grateful to have someone with him to bounce ideas off of and help him as he is painfully forced to admit to his client that he believes her husband is dead.
Comment away, and join us next week for The Five Orange Pips!
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Date: 2012-10-21 09:55 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-10-23 03:03 am (UTC)I'm less worked up but James/vs John than I am the continued bit where John can just send a note to his wife that he'll be back whenever and just go. I especially enjoyed the part when the whole affair was over and after Holmes has not slept and Watson has had only a couple of hours they decide to go back to get food.
Way to check on your patient there, doctor.