The Great Watson Problem Guy Ritchie's New Sherlock Project Must Solve
After the popularity of recent adaptations, Guy Ritchie's Young Sherlock program looks interesting but it will have to address a challenging John Watson problem. Guy Ritchie, who directed Sherlock Holmes (2009) and Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows, will reportedly be returning to the world created by Arthur Conan Doyle in a Young Sherlock series, Amazon recently disclosed. Ritchie's past Sherlock experience notwithstanding, the next series has nothing to do with the films starring Robert Downey Jr. Young Sherlock stars Hero Fiennes Tiffin, who collaborated with Ritchie on The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare.
Although Sherlock Holmes 3's future is yet unknown, various Sherlock projects under active production for television Apart from Young Sherlock by Amazon, CBS has a contemporary Watson series under development. At The CW, there is also a Sherlock and Daughter series under development as well as a third Enola Holmes Netflix film. It's not clear how much of Sherlock's past will be covered in Young Sherlock given most of the next Sherlock programs and films explore other characters and locales. One especially curious issue is if Watson will show up on the program.
Young Sherlock Holmes Should Not Meet John Watson
Inspired by Andy Lane's highly praised Young Sherlock Holmes books, Guy Ritchie's Young Sherlock series will feature a 19-year-old rendition of the character. Stated differently, Sherlock should not meet John Watson in Young Sherlock unless the show fundamentally alters the canon of the character. Over the years, there have undoubtedly been innumerable Sherlock Holmes adaptations; not all of them match the precise timeline set forth in the Arthur Conan Doyle Sherlock volumes. Still, John shouldn't be in Young Sherlock given how Sherlock and Watson first interacted in the original novels.
A Study in Scarlet, Conan Doyle's first Sherlock Holmes book from 1887, details their first meeting. Set in 1881, A Study in Scarlet had Sherlock 27 years old. Though his exact age upon first meeting Sherlock is unknown, it seems reasonable that Dr. Watson was roughly the same age as Holmes. Therefore, Watson should not show up in Young Sherlock at least based on the original works. Either from the Young Sherlock Holmes books or fresh names, the show would have to feature a fresh ensemble of supporting characters.
Watson's Perhaps Too Great Of a Character To Leave Out Of Young Sherlock
On the one hand, John Watson has no justification for showing up in a narrative where Sherlock Holmes is nineteen years old. Watson, on the other hand, might be too significant of a figure to exclude from a fresh Sherlock production. From movies to TV programs, Dr. Watson has starred most of Sherlock adaptations. Particularly the Sherlock Holmes films, BBC's Sherlock, and CBS's Elementary, John Watson has also been in a prominent role in most current Sherlock adaptations. These three very famous adaptations revolved mostly on the connection between Holmes and Watson.
Watson's marriage is what starts the events in the first Robert Downey Jr. Sherlock Holmes movie. Sherlock Holmes from 2009 and its follow-up, A Game of Shadows, examine how Sherlock might not be suited for a life in which John is not always at his side. With the pilot reworking A Study in Scar into "A Study in Pink," the Sherlock series rewrites John and Sherlock's first cases as a modern-day tale. Finally, Elementary presents a genre-bended rendition of Joan Watson – Lucy Liu hired to be Sherlock's sober friend.
How Young Sherlock by Guy Ritchie Might Make Use of John Watson
John Watson could manifest two ways in Guy Ritchie's Young Sherlock. The programme might follow a teenage Watson in a plot entirely apart from whatever Sherlock is doing. Stated differently, the show would be more of an ensemble following several storylines—some of which would feature Watson. Given the name of the show, though, it is hard to see Young Sherlock emphasizing too many other characters. Young Sherlock also breaches canon and has John and Sherlock meet far earlier than in A Study in Scarlet.
It would not be the first instance in which an adaptation deviates from canon to include a well-known character before they were scheduled to show up. For instance, DC's Gotham witnessed the beginnings of countless Batman foes while Bruce Wayne was still a small child. Particularly for a character whose mythos is as broad as Sherlock Holmes, prequels are always challenging when it comes to what stories may be addressed. Hopefully, once Watson shows up in Young Sherlock, there will be a sufficient narrative to support his entrance. Still, Young Sherlock can function quite perfectly without John.
Investigating Sherlock Holmes's World: An Adaptation History
From novels, short tales, and radio plays to movies, television programs, and even video games, Sherlock Holmes has inspired many adaptations since his first writings were published in the late 19th century. Sherlock Holmes's ongoing appeal is evidence of his character's timeless charm, sharp intelligence, and fascinating cases. From the iconic early 20th century renderings of the character to the contemporary reinterpretations of the 21st century, Sherlock Holmes has enthralled viewers all around.
With so many adaptations and ongoing appeal, the Sherlock Holmes series's success is evidence of the potency of narrative. For more than a century, viewers have connected with Sherlock Holmes's persona to show how fascinating and entertaining the riddle of the great investigator still is. Sherlock Holmes's universe presents a complex tapestry of tales, people, and riddles that still enthralls and motivates readers' imagination.
