Granada Discussion Post: The Final Problem

[spacemutineer.livejournal.com]

Let's talk telly in the discussion post for Granada's TV adaptation of The Final Problem. If you haven't seen this episode yet, you can find it at YouTube, Netflix, Amazon Video, and DVD. Follow me behind the jump for my random thoughts and impressions. Please add your own in the comments!

Canon discussion for The Final Problem is available in the canon discussion post.

( Onward to Granada talk - The Final Problem )

The Final Problem: Discussion x 5

[spacemutineer.livejournal.com]

Canon Story: The Final Problem
Title: Discussion x 5
Author: spacemutineer
Rating: G
Author's Note: I'm still travelling, currently in my fifth city in a week (!), so I'm way behind on commenting on all the terrific posts everyone's made. Sorry, guys! I've got some serious catching up to do. But all that time on the train did come to one good thing: this week I have not one 60, but five (!!), a compressed version of Holmes' and Watson's argument after Moriarty escapes.

We sat in the Strasbourg salle-à-manger arguing the question for half an hour, but the same night we had resumed our journey and were well on our way to Geneva.

"Why such a normally stolid, practical man is entertaining such a patently foolhardy notion is beyond me."
"If it is foolhardy for me to continue with you, it is even more foolhardy for you to forge ahead alone."
"My dear Watson, your companionship is appreciated, but, friend, I am asking you to leave."
"And I am refusing, friend. Now what?"
***
"You cannot remain with me. Surely you see it is impossible."
"It is not only possible, it is the only thing that can happen."
"You must be reasonable. Think of your practice. Think of your wife."
"My wife knows the man she married. She would expect no less of me. I'm not leaving you, Holmes. This discussion is over."
"Watson. Please."
***
"Please what? Please leave you alone to be hunted down by a vengeful maniac? If you believe I would even consider that, you don't know your man."
"Quite the contrary. I know him all too well. Well enough to know he would freely risk his own skin to preserve mine, something I cannot allow."
"It is not your decision to make."
***
"If that decision is not mine, then what choice have I?"
"You may choose our next lodgings."
"This is no joke, John! We are discussing life and death here. Your very life and death. You must take this threat seriously."
"I am taking it seriously, which is why I won't leave you. It is your very life and death too."
***
"Watson, pray listen to reason. If I still hold any sway with you, if you yet trust my judgement at all, you will be on the next train home."
"I trust your judgement, Holmes, but not about your safety. On that subject, I never have. It will take much more than just your words to force me from your side."

The Final Problem: Why?

[tripleransom.livejournal.com]

Canon Story: The Final Problem
Title: Why?
Author: tripleransom
Rating: G
Author's Note: This story tears me up. Every. single. time.



Why?

The roar of the falling water overwhelmed me. In my mind's eye, I could see it so clearly. My beloved Holmes and the professor, struggling at the edge, then falling together over the cliff into the maelstrom below. Why had I turned back and left him?

I could not tell if my face was wet with spray or with tears.

The Final Problem: Cigarette & Weakness

[trillsabells.livejournal.com]

Canon Story: The Final Problem
Title: Cigarette & Weakness
Author: trillsabells
Rating: PG

His hands didn’t shake as he drew out the cigarette but they might as well have. In times past I might have taken those hands into my own, kissed them, soothed him. But time had passed and there was no free easiness between us now. So all I could do was light his cigarette for him and then back away.

~

I should never have gone to Watson’s surgery. If I cared for him even the slightest I should have left him well alone, disappeared into Europe and left him in peace. But I confess that human sentimentality I had always considered a weakness in others took hold of me and I had to see him, if only to say goodbye.

The Final Problem: When Angels Fall

[hisietari.livejournal.com]

Canon Story: The Final Problem
Title: When Angels Fall
Author: hisietari
Prompts used: both
Rating: G
Author's Notes: I wasn't quite sure if I could convey what happened in sixty words, so there's some sort of prequel of another sixty now.


No more stones tumbled down when Holmes reached the upper platform. Instead a slender hand helped him up. Jane’s face could have been part of the stone wall behind her.
“Jane, she’s dead. Mercy. She’s dead. She took your brother with her.”
“I know.”
“She was quick, I couldn’t see until they –“
“I know.”
“I should have died.”
“No.”


***

“Why would your sister do that? Why would she push Moriarty down a waterfall and jump after him?” Watson asked.
Jane shook her head.
“Mercy escaped consumption once. It would not happen a second time. Maybe she liked Holmes, too… reason to avenge him.”
“What do you want me to write?”
“Don’t let her story end. Make Holmes the hero.”

The Final Problem: His Brother's Rooms

[methylviolet10b]

Author: methylviolet10b
Rating: PG
Character(s): Sherlock Holmes, Mycroft Holmes, Dr. John Watson
Summary: Holmes pays a visit to his brother's rooms in Pall Mall.
Warnings: Some very minor spoilers for FINA, so if you haven't read that, you might not want to read this.
Word Count: 60, plus an extended-play version (150 words), inspired by the quote from the story in italic text.
Author's Notes: 60 words of my own inspired by one of the canon stories.
Disclaimer: I don't own them.

FINA – His Brother’s Rooms
“I took a cab after that and reached my brother's rooms in Pall Mall, where I spent the day.”

The building is one of the most secure places in all England. Its walls shelter those publicly anonymous souls upon whom the Crown and government depend most.

Mycroft awaited me there. “You’ve yet to inform Watson.”

“I go to him tonight.”

“Bring him in, and he will stay with you, regardless of the danger.”

Foreboding shivered through me. “I know.”


Extended-play version: (150 words)
The building in which my brother lives is one of the most secure places in all England. It has to be, for its walls shelter those publicly anonymous souls upon whom the Crown and government depend most.

Mycroft awaited me there, breaking all his rules of routine. “All is set?”

“As much as it can be, except for Watson. I go to him tonight.”

“You will take him with you into danger.”

“Less than that which would destroy him if I left him behind. If things go awry, I will send him home, and take my chances alone.”

“Have a care, Sherlock.” His far-seeing eyes regarded me gravely. “I will bring him to you, never fear, but once he is with you, I very much doubt you will be able to send him away no matter what danger threatens, not without violence or deception.”

Foreboding shivered through me. “I know.”

The Final Problem: Pterodactyl

[thesmallhobbit.livejournal.com]

Canon Story: The Final Problem
Title: Pterodactyl (final part of The Ocelot Tales)
Author: thesmallhobbit
Rating: G
Ocelot's Note: It is with deep regret that we have to post the following:

I watched from my perch on a rock as the professor struggled with the man who had ruined his work.  The ground was slippery and each in turn lost their footing but neither would let go.  Then, as if the Sirens were calling, they fell into the seething abyss, where the dark waters were too powerful for me to follow.

The Beryl Coronet: Naive

[chess-ka.livejournal.com]

Canon Story: BERY
Title: Naive
Author: Chess Ka
Rating: G
A/N. I find this story very... unsatisfying, and I had something of a block when thinking of a 60 for it.

It was late when I arrived home, my brain buzzing pleasantly. The strings were drawing together, the links holding true... by God, I almost had it! Watson would be pleased. He had been itching to get to his pen and his notebook. Though I doubt that such a story would be believed by even the most naïve of Watson's readers.

The Final Problem: Comfort

[chess-ka.livejournal.com]

Canon Story: FINA
Title: Comfort
Author: Chess Ka
Rating: G
A/N. I just really love Mary.

It was not unusual for John to disappear for days with Mr Holmes, and I did not begrudge it, though there had been unusual strain in his face before our last parting. I worried.

He returned, pale, worn and grief-stricken. I greeted him with a kiss, and then could do nothing but hold him as he shook in my arms.