INCREDIBLY LATE COMMENT...but at least not as late as Holmes returning to Watson ;)
I thoroughly enjoyed reading your insight into this tale mightymads :) I've put my notes down below ~
The Adventure of the Final Problem
---The beginning always is terribly emotional for me and I feel that David Burke as Watson captured the sentiment within this story excellently.
It is with a heavy heart that I take up my pen to write these last words…which my friend Mr Sherlock Holmes…
It was my intention to have stopped there, and to have said nothing of that event which has created a void in my life which the lapse of two years has done little to fill.
It is distressing to think how much Watson felt Holmes' death and how keenly he still suffers from Holmes' absence. This is the element of the canon which I find hard to bear: that, if Final is taken in conjunction with the Empty House, we understand that Holmes willingly allowed Watson to suffer so profoundly when up to this point canon itself has proven how compassionate Holmes could be and how dearly he valued Watson.
---In fact, I shall add here what I meant to conclude on since it leads on so well.
I do like the Final Problem and believe Granada did a superb adaptation of this tale where Brett & Burke excel.
However, I think the main problem with this story is that from Doyle's perspective this was meant to be the last ever Mr Sherlock Holmes tale. In a desperate attempt to kill off the character Doyle had to create a suitable antagonist- Professor Moriarty.
Such a rush and desperation causes the weakness of the plot. If Moriarty is such a lynch pin in the criminal world of London why has Holmes not mentioned him previously?
Granada of course does hint at Moriarty's presence nicely and also, most satisfyingly, never drags Moriarty back as a villain when Holmes returns beyond EMPT.
However, Doyle doesn't have that luxury, he could have given it more time to develop Moriarty in two or so preceding stories, but instead we have Watson surprised and Holmes never mentioning the apparently cunning and dangerous Moriarty to his good friend. A man who perpetrated so much evil that Holmes was aware of his presence and even spent three months prying through every perilous trap in London.
This can be resolved by an element of Watson, the unreliable narrator, concealing previous encounters whereupon the fate of Britain rested, hence the secrecy. However, that still feels odd, especially when the Professor is written retrospectively in Valley as you rightly point out mightymads.
I'll touch on how the above also influences how it makes Holmes look within the text upon his return. Essentially though, by dragging Holmes back from the grave (yay!) Watson's grieving here becomes undermined by the fact his dear friend let him suffer at least 2 years in silence when here it is clear Holmes cannot even contemplate travelling to the Continent without his dear Watson, and indeed only sends Watson away to spare him at the utter end.
---Thank you so much mightymads for the background information on Doyle wrestling with his creation. I do understand his perspective. He wished to delve into another areas of his creation and felt that Sherlock Holmes was holding him back. However, I agree with you that not only was Holmes providing a living for Doyle, after reading Doyle's Lost World (or trying to), I think his Sherlock stories are far better written.
Utterly fascinating how Doyle was inspired by the method of slaying Holmes whilst on holiday!
---I like how Watson kept abreast of Holmes' activities though I always prefer the Watson never married thread.
I am also amused by how conveniently Mrs Watson is away.
Further, I like how her absence only makes it easier for Holmes to propose Watson accompanies him and not that her presence would have stopped him. Holmes needs his friend Watson :)
---"...struck me that he was looking even paler and thinner than usual."
Awww, Watson is a good doctor and friend.
---Also, is Moriarty's brother ever mentioned again?
---What is an Army Coach ~ I searched but apparently my searching skills were not up to speed?
---The scene between Moriarty & Holmes sent chills through me I admit!
---I love how both Holmes and Watson fret over each other’s safety when Watson tried to have Sherlock stay.
Oh poor Watson, what a run through London to the station though I'm certain the adventurer blood in him revelled ;) I never considered your point mightymads about why force Watson to do this when Mycroft could simply have driven him all the way? Quite sensible question and far safer approach! I wonder if it is the dramatic blood within Holmes?
---I am curious why the police couldn't act until Monday and how Moriarty and Moran slipped through the net. Further, as you say, if Holmes is only mentioning the papers the police need in his final note to Watson then how on earth did he expect them to catch the criminals without it while he was away, and presumably wouldn't have written the note unless facing off against Moriarty?
---Watson refusing to leave Holmes never fails to swell my heart with joy at his loyalty and friendship and Holmes so worried about Watson's safety! And sadness at what is to come.
---The appeal was one that could not be ignored. It was impossible to refuse the request of a fellow-countrywoman dying in a strange land. Yet I had my scruples about leaving Holmes.
I know people criticise Watson for falling for the ruse, but first and foremost he is a doctor. Watson has shown in canon he is a good doctor and compassionate. What if the note had been real? He (and Holmes) would never have forgiven himself.
Even so, his duty as a medical doctor clashes with his duty as a friend to Sherlock and it is only under assurance Watson abandons Holmes. I, for one, feel that Watson's actions here were right and proper and reflect his character of an honourable gentleman.
Holmes' knowing it was a ruse is poignant, but I would do the same. I think he knew Moriarty was offering a chance for Watson to be spared and Holmes suspected or feared that the air gun might be wielded by Sebastian Moran. So he grabbed the opportunity. That's my view on it anyway :).
Pardon me while I cry at Watson's parting from Holmes.
---Also, Watson sighting Moriarty is I believe forgivable in not acknowledging it: his mind is on his patient & Holmes' encouragement for him to go back.
---Holmes' note to Watson is beautiful and poignant. I do like how Moriarty gave him the opportunity to write letter.
....upon him whom I shall ever regard as the best and the wisest man I have ever known. 😭 ---In conclusion I thoroughly enjoy the Final Problem with its emotional journey, but it works best in isolation from Empty House or with headcanons fixing Watson being kept in the dark.
And finally, as one of Holmes scholars pointed out, why did Holmes need to flee at all? Knowing London as the back of his hand and having numerous bolt-holes, he could have lived in disguise, and no one would have been able to find him. My headcanon is that Holmes was worrying not for his own, but for Watson's safety, that's why he took Watson away to the Continent.
I never contemplated this point! I agree with you, it must be because of Watson's safety, especially since Doyle adds the inconsistency within the story that for some reason Holmes hasn't told the Inspector where to locate the papers to arrest the criminals! Or at least help in a trial. Bizarre.
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2021-04-02 03:25 pm (UTC)I thoroughly enjoyed reading your insight into this tale
The Adventure of the Final Problem
---The beginning always is terribly emotional for me and I feel that David Burke as Watson captured the sentiment within this story excellently.
It is with a heavy heart that I take up my pen to write these last words…which my friend Mr Sherlock Holmes…
It was my intention to have stopped there, and to have said nothing of that event which has created a void in my life which the lapse of two years has done little to fill.
It is distressing to think how much Watson felt Holmes' death and how keenly he still suffers from Holmes' absence. This is the element of the canon which I find hard to bear: that, if Final is taken in conjunction with the Empty House, we understand that Holmes willingly allowed Watson to suffer so profoundly when up to this point canon itself has proven how compassionate Holmes could be and how dearly he valued Watson.
---In fact, I shall add here what I meant to conclude on since it leads on so well.
I do like the Final Problem and believe Granada did a superb adaptation of this tale where Brett & Burke excel.
However, I think the main problem with this story is that from Doyle's perspective this was meant to be the last ever Mr Sherlock Holmes tale. In a desperate attempt to kill off the character Doyle had to create a suitable antagonist- Professor Moriarty.
Such a rush and desperation causes the weakness of the plot. If Moriarty is such a lynch pin in the criminal world of London why has Holmes not mentioned him previously?
Granada of course does hint at Moriarty's presence nicely and also, most satisfyingly, never drags Moriarty back as a villain when Holmes returns beyond EMPT.
However, Doyle doesn't have that luxury, he could have given it more time to develop Moriarty in two or so preceding stories, but instead we have Watson surprised and Holmes never mentioning the apparently cunning and dangerous Moriarty to his good friend. A man who perpetrated so much evil that Holmes was aware of his presence and even spent three months prying through every perilous trap in London.
This can be resolved by an element of Watson, the unreliable narrator, concealing previous encounters whereupon the fate of Britain rested, hence the secrecy. However, that still feels odd, especially when the Professor is written retrospectively in Valley as you rightly point out
I'll touch on how the above also influences how it makes Holmes look within the text upon his return. Essentially though, by dragging Holmes back from the grave (yay!) Watson's grieving here becomes undermined by the fact his dear friend let him suffer at least 2 years in silence when here it is clear Holmes cannot even contemplate travelling to the Continent without his dear Watson, and indeed only sends Watson away to spare him at the utter end.
---Thank you so much
Utterly fascinating how Doyle was inspired by the method of slaying Holmes whilst on holiday!
---I like how Watson kept abreast of Holmes' activities though I always prefer the Watson never married thread.
I am also amused by how conveniently Mrs Watson is away.
Further, I like how her absence only makes it easier for Holmes to propose Watson accompanies him and not that her presence would have stopped him. Holmes needs his friend Watson :)
---"...struck me that he was looking even paler and thinner than usual."
Awww, Watson is a good doctor and friend.
---Also, is Moriarty's brother ever mentioned again?
---What is an Army Coach ~ I searched but apparently my searching skills were not up to speed?
---The scene between Moriarty & Holmes sent chills through me I admit!
---I love how both Holmes and Watson fret over each other’s safety when Watson tried to have Sherlock stay.
Oh poor Watson, what a run through London to the station though I'm certain the adventurer blood in him revelled ;) I never considered your point mightymads about why force Watson to do this when Mycroft could simply have driven him all the way? Quite sensible question and far safer approach! I wonder if it is the dramatic blood within Holmes?
---I am curious why the police couldn't act until Monday and how Moriarty and Moran slipped through the net. Further, as you say, if Holmes is only mentioning the papers the police need in his final note to Watson then how on earth did he expect them to catch the criminals without it while he was away, and presumably wouldn't have written the note unless facing off against Moriarty?
---Watson refusing to leave Holmes never fails to swell my heart with joy at his loyalty and friendship and Holmes so worried about Watson's safety! And sadness at what is to come.
---The appeal was one that could not be ignored. It was impossible to refuse the request of a fellow-countrywoman dying in a strange land. Yet I had my scruples about leaving Holmes.
I know people criticise Watson for falling for the ruse, but first and foremost he is a doctor. Watson has shown in canon he is a good doctor and compassionate. What if the note had been real? He (and Holmes) would never have forgiven himself.
Even so, his duty as a medical doctor clashes with his duty as a friend to Sherlock and it is only under assurance Watson abandons Holmes. I, for one, feel that Watson's actions here were right and proper and reflect his character of an honourable gentleman.
Holmes' knowing it was a ruse is poignant, but I would do the same. I think he knew Moriarty was offering a chance for Watson to be spared and Holmes suspected or feared that the air gun might be wielded by Sebastian Moran. So he grabbed the opportunity. That's my view on it anyway :).
Pardon me while I cry at Watson's parting from Holmes.
---Also, Watson sighting Moriarty is I believe forgivable in not acknowledging it: his mind is on his patient & Holmes' encouragement for him to go back.
---Holmes' note to Watson is beautiful and poignant. I do like how Moriarty gave him the opportunity to write letter.
....upon him whom I shall ever regard as the best and the wisest man I have ever known.
😭
---In conclusion I thoroughly enjoy the Final Problem with its emotional journey, but it works best in isolation from Empty House or with headcanons fixing Watson being kept in the dark.
And finally, as one of Holmes scholars pointed out, why did Holmes need to flee at all? Knowing London as the back of his hand and having numerous bolt-holes, he could have lived in disguise, and no one would have been able to find him. My headcanon is that Holmes was worrying not for his own, but for Watson's safety, that's why he took Watson away to the Continent.
I never contemplated this point! I agree with you, it must be because of Watson's safety, especially since Doyle adds the inconsistency within the story that for some reason Holmes hasn't told the Inspector where to locate the papers to arrest the criminals! Or at least help in a trial. Bizarre.