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victorian221b2021-06-20 04:56 pm
mightymads) wrote in victorian221b2021-06-20 04:56 pm
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Canon Re-read: The Norwood Builder
- NORW gives us a delightful insight into Holmes and Watson's post-Reichenbach relationship. Even if there was any bitterness from Watson's side which he doesn't mention, Holmes is forgiven pretty soon. Watson sells his practice, moves back to Baker Street, and basically lives as Holmes's kept man, since he isn't even allowed to publish new stories. Then, some time later, he finds out that it was Holmes who bought his practice. What a sweet domestic idyll! UPD. What if Holmes providing for Watson financially and making it unnecessary for Watson to work is Holmes’s way of apology to Watson? After so many hardships Watson can live in leasure and do whatever he pleases, even write stories (to publish them some time in the future).
- Holmes is such a drama queen in this story! He always is, but this is a finest example. He whines that there's nothing interesting in the news with Moriarty's being gone. However, when MacFarlane arrives, he reads out to Holmes a newspaper report. Holmes, you dolt, you didn't even bother to check out a fresh issue before complaining!
- Wonderful Victorian remedies: Holmes offers MacFarlane a cigarette as a sedative after deducing that MacFarlane is an asthmatic. Always gets me.
- Watson has mastered Holmes's method and can easily follow Holmes's reasoning without an explanation from Holmes. So glad that Granada does justice to that.
- Holmes relies on Watson if a mission is dangerous. Holmes needs Watson's company and moral support. This story is such a balm.
- The terrible murderer Bert Stevens, who tried to trick Holmes into clearing his name. I want to know more about that case!
- Holmes's unhealthy eating behaviour. Maybe Holmes physically can't eat when he is agitated/under a mental strain? Does he have a nervous stomach or some other kind of an eating disorder?
- That moment when Holmes sees the fingerprint which wasn't there the night before: "An extraordinary change had come over his face. It was writhing with inward merriment. His two eyes were shining like stars. It seemed to me that he was making desperate efforts to restrain a convulsive attack of laughter." That I'd like to see in an adaptation, pronto.
- Holmes's theatrical antics. That's a highlight of the story because yes, it would have been dull if Holmes had just told Lestrade where to find Oldacre. Oh no, the true master always knows how to make a superb show.
NORW is one of my favourite canon stories: the softness of Holmes and Watson's relationship, the ingenuity of the case. ACD didn't list it among his favourite ones, but that didn't prevent him from using the same gimmick in a Holmes novel, no less. Maybe it wasn't as effective in VALL, and Holmes's astuteness does more damage than good there, but the idea itself is so spectacular that ACD returned to it.
- Holmes is such a drama queen in this story! He always is, but this is a finest example. He whines that there's nothing interesting in the news with Moriarty's being gone. However, when MacFarlane arrives, he reads out to Holmes a newspaper report. Holmes, you dolt, you didn't even bother to check out a fresh issue before complaining!
- Wonderful Victorian remedies: Holmes offers MacFarlane a cigarette as a sedative after deducing that MacFarlane is an asthmatic. Always gets me.
- Watson has mastered Holmes's method and can easily follow Holmes's reasoning without an explanation from Holmes. So glad that Granada does justice to that.
- Holmes relies on Watson if a mission is dangerous. Holmes needs Watson's company and moral support. This story is such a balm.
- The terrible murderer Bert Stevens, who tried to trick Holmes into clearing his name. I want to know more about that case!
- Holmes's unhealthy eating behaviour. Maybe Holmes physically can't eat when he is agitated/under a mental strain? Does he have a nervous stomach or some other kind of an eating disorder?
- That moment when Holmes sees the fingerprint which wasn't there the night before: "An extraordinary change had come over his face. It was writhing with inward merriment. His two eyes were shining like stars. It seemed to me that he was making desperate efforts to restrain a convulsive attack of laughter." That I'd like to see in an adaptation, pronto.
- Holmes's theatrical antics. That's a highlight of the story because yes, it would have been dull if Holmes had just told Lestrade where to find Oldacre. Oh no, the true master always knows how to make a superb show.
NORW is one of my favourite canon stories: the softness of Holmes and Watson's relationship, the ingenuity of the case. ACD didn't list it among his favourite ones, but that didn't prevent him from using the same gimmick in a Holmes novel, no less. Maybe it wasn't as effective in VALL, and Holmes's astuteness does more damage than good there, but the idea itself is so spectacular that ACD returned to it.
no subject
-Gosh yes, Holmes truly is a drama Queen here! And woe to the people of London that Moriarty is gone...not! If I was Watson I would have remarked causally on detectives having sufficient fun with Moriarty that another wasn't required 😉
Holmes, you dolt, you didn't even bother to check out a fresh issue before complaining!
😂 Super mightymads!
-Ah Victorian remedies. It is a reminder of the bizarre conjunction of men like Lister developing infection control whilst cigarettes and poisonous medicines were sold...such as cough syrups with laudanum!
-I completely agree with you and everyone, Granada did this story justice, one of the best adaptations I think, though not my favourite story.
-The connection between Holmes and Watson is beautiful here, and Doyle certainly let it shine.
-I do wonder whether Holmes suffered from a nervous disposition, which along with his habits of not eating or sleeping could hardly aid his normal eating habits.
-Holmes' reaction is perfect. I do like how Brett captured the moment x
-How Holmes revealed the culprit suited his character and fitted the deceptions in the story!
-Also love Lestrade's respect for Holmes with not a glimmer of anger at being overturned, all he cared about was that an innocent life was almost lost, but Holmes saved them from such a dreadful misapprehension.
Whilst this isn't my favourite story, I agree with your reasoning for loving it. The case gave us a marvellously strong Watson-Holmes connection very much needed after Empty House. 🙂
I also do like how Granada added the hobo line, because Doyle...you were a medical doctor! I certainly hope no real doctor would mistake a rabbit for a human?
no subject
Yes, to his credit, Lestrade is not a sore loser. He accepts any bad feelings that he is wrong without when he is proven to be so. Not everyone is like that, and that's certainly his merit.
Doyle didn't care XD Only he could poke fun of the brain fever cliche in one of his medical stories and then proceed to use it in Holmes stories. Or perhaps it's Watson-the-unreliable-narrator again? "If ever you write an account, Watson, you can make rabbits serve your turn." It doesn't mean that they thought it to be rabbits. Watson just says it was a convenient explanation. And yay Granada for fixing it!
no subject
Lestrade's reaction was wonderful and granted much merit to his character. I think Granada developed his character and relationship with Holmes well.
Doyle certainly didn't care ;) It does make for amusing headcanons though! Watson the unreliable narrator is the only consistent thread that makes sense I think.