STUD, ch. 3-4

[mightymads]

Chapter 3

- The case hasn’t started yet but Watson already suspects that Holmes shows off to impress him. Of course, as Watson will find out later, Holmes would never stoop so low as to set up his deductions. Still, Holmes does want to impress Watson and does show off;

- A very important detail: Holmes apologises for his rudeness to Watson. Yes, he has a moment of short temper but he apologises immediately;

- Watson discovers Holmes’s partiality to admiration from him. Holmes asks Watson to read aloud Gregson’s message he had just read himself. What for? To enjoy Watson’s voice, apparently;

- Gregson has a great deal of respect for Holmes, judging by the letter. He values Holmes as a talented detective whereas Lestrade remains skeptical for many years to come, until that heartfelt praise in SIXN. It’s funny that Holmes compares Gregson and Lestrade to a pair of professional beauties when Watson says something very similar about him, that he’s like a girl sensitive to compliments;

- Holmes is reluctant to take the case despite being bored! But he does so at Watson’s request. Note how excited Watson is, even though he stated earlier that he had enough of excitement and noise until the end of his natural existence. Watson is in the habit of contradicting himself from the very start XD;

- Holmes takes Watson along with him to entertain his new friend who is clearly interested in the case. Also, Holmes’s apathy is quickly dispelled whereas Watson feels down. Holmes clearly wants to distract him from brooding which is very kind;

- Holmes's artistic side shows itself: he prattles about violins, music, and uses artistic jargon to name the case. Meanwhile, Watson's grows more convinced that Holmes is a poser seeing Holmes’s theatricality. Jeremy Brett channeled it brilliantly.

- The class difference between Holmes and the police detectives: Holmes, despite being broke, virtually unknown, and younger than Gregson, is a gentleman, middle or upper-middle class whereas Gregson is working class, so Gregson addresses Holmes accordingly;

- The state of Watson’s nerves: he is shaken by the sight of death (“I have seen death in many forms, but never has it appeared to me in a more fearsome aspect”, “room, the atmosphere of which felt clearer since the removal of its ghastly inmate.”)

- Holmes’s description while on the scent: a crackpot, isn't he? With all those mutterings to himself, crawling all over the place, etc. But Watson compares him to a foxhound;

- “With which Parthian shot he walked away, leaving the two rivals open-mouthed behind him.” - This is basically a Victorian equivalent of mic dropping.

The Parthian shot is a light horse military tactic made famous in the West by the Parthians, an ancient Iranian people. While in real or feigned retreat their horse archers would turn their bodies back in full gallop to shoot at the pursuing enemy. (Wikipedia)

Chapter 2

- Watson has a good grasp of the facts: he mentions all main points of the case and difficulties arising from the findings. This proves that Watson is a smart participant, not just tagalong, and Holmes praises him; 

- That epic moment when Holmes is reluctant to reveal much, fearing to lose Watson’s interest, but Watson professes his full devotion, and Holmes is all melted;

- When they visit Constable Rance, we are shown the typical living conditions of working-class people; 

- Despite Holmes’s sternness with Constable Rance, Holmes doesn’t call him “a blundering fool” in his face. Holmes is not that arrogant or bad-mannered!

Comments

[luthienberen]

I love your notes mightymads! Wonderful summary.

I was struck also by how Holmes immediately apologises to Watson for his rudeness. He has a momentof temper, but recognises that and makes amends.

Ooo thank you for your note on the Parthian shot! Fascinating.

I am amused by how Watson's admiration for Holmes' power of deduction increases immediately upon proof of its application to the former sergeant of Marines, yet simultaneously is suspicious of collusion (which one can hardly blame him for)!

Love too how Holmes already has Watson reading his notes out loud & is involving his new companion. Plus, dramatic air "I said just now that there were no criminals. It appears that I am wrong - look at this!"

Holmes already not wanting to lose Watson's interest is adorable, they so quickly form a rapport it is meant to be.

[dustbunny105]

It's always amused me how Lestrade became a much more prominent presence than Gregson despite Gregson being more favorably presented than Lestrade in STUD.

Seeing the dynamic develop between Holmes and Watson is such a delight. I'm especially weak to Holmes worrying that Watson will lose interest in his work if he reveals too much. It makes sense in the first place that someone as theatrical as Holmes would enjoy having an audience on tenterhooks and I have to imagine the lack of acknowledgement he's received for his consultations affects him, too, where his vulnerability to praise is concerned.