The episode kicks off with the scene where Watson is woken up from a nightmare he's having about the time he spent in war. Watson is still affected by his experience in war and hasn't really been able to move on from his past or post traumatic stress. The cane he uses throughout the episode is a symbolic reminder of his past that constantly stares him in the face. Watson's bedroom consists of a very small bed, resembling a cot that a prisoner might sleep in, bare walls, and lacking personality. There is a small part in the beginning, where he sits up in his bed like he doesn't know what to do with himself. There is a sense that he's put himself in an internal prison because of his experience in war and needs some help to become free again.
The contrasting elements between Watson and Sherlock's personalities are like night and day. Because their differences are so contrasting, a paradigmatic analysis can easily be made. Watson's strengths are Sherlock's weaknesses and vice versa. This could also serve as a reminder of the old saying, "Opposites attract".
| Watson | Sherlock |
| Laid Back | Dominant |
| Polite | Brash |
| Humble | Pretentious |
| Aloof | Concise |
The mysterious man in the warehouse mentions to Watson how his friendship/relationship with Sherlock will be his next battlefield. Watson knows he's right, but it doesn't phase him. There is actually an ironic sense of freedom in that for Watson because of the internal hole he's been living in since the war. We see a glimpse of that newfound freedom play out in the scene where Sherlock and Watson are on a speedy mission in the streets of London. Watson leaves his cane behind, which is a symbol of letting go of the past and embracing a new adventure with Sherlock.
"Opposites attract" well said, totally agree with you. It is like marriage, LOL. Anyways, it is interesting how their differences make these two perfect for each other. Great observation about Watson's room and reactions towards the beginning of the movie. It is interesting how these changed as the episode evolved. Watson leaves his cane without realizing as a result of the action that drives him. Great job, thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteHola Micaela, totally agree with you that you need to stay on your toes the whole episode to understand it!
ReplyDeleteThe part that I enjoyed the most was when Watson says "nothing happens to me" at the begining of the episode and by the end he has killed a man to save the life of a man that he just met and moved in with. Sherlock fills the void that Watson has been holding onto since coming back from the war. They are both bored and although they are so different they are looking for the same thing. Quite the pair.
ReplyDeleteIt so true that you have to pay attention so closely are you will be completely lost. I remember my friend used to watch this show all the time and the only time I would watch it with her was when I knew I could give it my full attention. When re-watching it for this class, this time I even turned on the captions to make sure I didn't miss a word.
ReplyDeleteI think "internal prison" is an excellent way to describe Watson in the beginning. I think it is also apparent when he happens across his old friend in the park, the man who introduces him to Sherlock. When they are sitting on the bench, and the man is trying to talk to Watson, Watson replies with very curt answers, shifting uncomfortably in his seat while his hand shakes uncontrollably. Is this because he has some problem with the man? Although it is possible, it is clear that it is the result of his constant internal struggle. Even talking to his friend is difficult because his mind is constantly preoccupied with thoughts and memories that came with him when he left Afghanistan. Sherlock frees him from this prison.
ReplyDeleteI saw the cane in the same way. Watson's cane was such a strong symbol in the show. When Watson stopped using his cane it was like he was breaking out of his cage and he had been freed. It was then clear that Watson was using the cane to hold onto something, he was using it as a "crutch" to lean on. Once he found what he had been looking for (adventure/excitement,) he no longer needed the crutch.
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