Current mood:

happy

Wanted: Sherlock S02E01 Thoughts
Edit 7: I think this matter was a big enough issue since Stephen Moffat himself addressed it. Was/Is there similar controversy for Sherlock Holmes 2: A Game of Shadows? (I have no more energy to trawl through the SH movies fandom.)

When I found out what happened to Irene Adler in Sherlock Holmes 2: A Game of Shadows, I point-blank refused to watch the movie/am still not watching it, irregardless that I had been looking forward to it since last last year.

Let's just say that (currently, most probably because of above movie) I can't help but feel touchy about how this particular SH character is portrayed these days or what happens to said character. Even reminding myself that Sir Arthur Conan Doyle may have killed her off in the books is not helping.

So, my question is to people who already saw Sherlock S02E01. In your opinion, is the character treated okay-ish? I've already spoiled myself over at Wikipedia and TVTropes, and the early reviews seem to indicate characterization was done well though there are already complaints about how the character was butchered.

Advisory: Comments most likely will contain spoilers.

Edit 1: Have found out that Steven Moffat (and others) are trying to kill the Ho Yay with Irene Adler. My brain is currently broken.

Edit 2: Have finally seen S02E01.

Edit 3: Okay.

Edit 4: Sherlock writer Steven Moffat furious with sexist claim

Edit 5: Found this piece of awesome. Now happy.

Edit 6:

https://twitter.com/#!/steven_moffat/status/155210107397996545
"@Meunda She outsmarts him TWICE- kept photos, derailed Mycroft's plan. He outsmarts her ONCE, and by saving her admits he's equally smitten."

https://twitter.com/#!/steven_moffat/status/155220504721104896
"@JonathanAngwin And that Sherlock is played for a fool thoughout the episode and has to be TOLD what's going on by his big brother."

https://twitter.com/#!/steven_moffat/status/155240523848880128
"@Meunda Ah, we shall agree to differ. Cos if needing rescued makes you a damsel, I'm one too. And Sherlock certainly is. Twice in that show."

I guess this means that Irene/Sherlock is canon.

Edit 7: I think this matter was a big enough issue since Stephen Moffat himself addressed it. Was/Is there similar controversy for Sherlock Holmes 2: A Game of Shadows? (I have no more energy to trawl through the SH movies fandom.)

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lovecoconuts
2012-01-03 03:28 am UTC (link)

Clarifying. I do not think nor meant to imply that she was a damsel in distress in the books.

I'm just trying to not "tear my hair out in frustration" as to why BBC thinks it's necessary for her to be rescued.

I reread "A Scandal in Bohemia" and realized that perhaps I had placed Irene Adler on an "action girl" pedestal or similar. Despite that she is THE woman who bested Sherlock Holmes, she was in a high enough degree of trouble/danger that necessitated her having to marry in such a hurry that Sherlock ended up being their witness.

Anyway, I will take much comfort in the fact the people who are complaining about how Irene is depicted are (mostly I hope) blaming the writers and not the character herself.

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ekaterinv
2012-01-03 06:38 am UTC (link)

I haven't seen the movie, but I actually don't have a problem with a woman needing to be rescued, and the rescuer being a man. I like people rescuing each other in stories. So long as it's done well, I quite like when there's a romantic or sexual element to the rescue.

The problem I personally have with this is that Irene Adler loses to Sherlock Holmes. And on purpose?! The big thing about Irene was that she won and Holmes lost. Also, when he went against Irene, Holmes was working for a triple-A asshole. It was Good that he lost, and he knew it. The whole thing is just a big ball of wtfery.

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lovecoconuts
2012-01-03 06:51 am UTC (link)

Just to avoid confusion, etc., since there's at least three versions of Sherlock Holmes being talked about in the comments.

A) Sherlock Holmes - original short story
B) Sherlock - BBC TV series
C) Sherlock Holmes 2: A Game of Shadows

I haven't seen C. I'm prepping myself for B. Rereading A (again and again).

Like you, I also think that Irene outsmarting Holmes defines her the most as a character. I just hope that BBC made the reason/s for her loss tolerable enough that I don't become an anti-fan of B.

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