Let Me Introduce You To Peter Cushing, The Holmes Actor That Looks Insanely Similar To The Sidney Paget

Why Sherlock Holmes's Introduction Scene is Important to his Autism Coding

Ive made several sherlock holmes posts now so obviously i now have to talk about autism-

Im not an expert in autism for starters but i did discuss this with many people and it was one of the clearest scenes i remembered when judging Sherlock adaptations. I would dare to say Holmes's introduction is one of the most important scenes to his autism-coding, and that when adaptations fail to realize its importance, it also tends to reflect on how they code Holmes.

We hear about Holmes before we see him. The description of him is more than a bit negative and uncomfortable at this time, with Stamford being overcautious and warning Watson about Holmes's tempers. While i cant read this now without the pop culture knowledge of Holmes, I suppose it was to build up tension as to what sort of strange scientist he would be.

Yet when we meet Holmes, hes doing some chemical work. When he spots Watson and Stamford, he immediately runs over to them and excitedly shows them that hes made a chemical that detects hemoglobin. He only briefly brings up Watson's military career, just the barest hint to intrigue us.

He then starts rambling excitedly and passionately about how his chemicals work. He goes into the effect they have on his job, and criminal justice as a whole. Him infodumping about his passions is a fantastic introduction by the way, but some people skip it or place more focus on extending his deductions of Watsons life. This introduction does a lot to show how overall passionate he is about his work, and that it is what he cares to be speaking on (this is one of the rare times we see him out of case mode).

I think its worth it to note that while the scene is written with hints of Watson being overwhelmed, he seems willing to go along with whatever Holmes is saying. Basically, while he finds Holmes's demeanor odd, he still tries to engage positively and follow what Holmes is saying.

They also exchange things each other should know as roommates, both relatively cheerful and relaxed about it. Watsons behavior is what i consider also important for his characterization, but i am here to talk about Holmes (oh just you wait watson-)

The thing is, this introduction is one of the most humanizing depictions of Holmes. While he is talking about crime, this shows early on he has interests related to it that arent just "deduction." It is also a very active conversation from him! He infodumps incredibly excitedly, projecting more than he seems to normally, interrupting Watson several times, and forgoing social convention.

This can be seen in direct contrast to how Stamford introduces him, showing the humanity and passion behind what he described. It gives us an even broader view of Holmes from the get go.

Holmes's introduction codes him as autistic by showing what he looks like when *excited*

The fact the first thing we get to see of this character is his overwhelming care and passion for his work is not only important to his character, it should be the basis for his autism coding. He is excited! He gets overwhelmed with how he likes his work! He forgets not everyone else knows what he does! He wants to show, share, and explain it to everyone in good humor!

To me, that is something ive experienced with every autistic person ive known, and the details of it are so, so instrumental

If I had unlimited funds and could get any car I wanted I wouldn't buy something like a red Mercedes convertible I'd get a 1931 Lagonda 2 Litre, have it gutted, and turned into an electric car.

If you think about it, these two:

Are very much like them:

To be clear, I very specifically mean Basil Rathbones version of Holmes (Asterix), but even more Nigel Bruce's version of Watson (Obelix)

While I am currently experiencing what can only be described as an Edgar Allan Poe kind of melancholy that could be romanticised/endured by rotting in bed all day, feeling sad and reading poetry from said poet, I regrettably have to study for insanely important exams, and so life is pure misery

TW: SA.

Addition to the discourse of Kirk being a victim of SA and how it reflects in his behavior.

During watching Plato’s Stepchildren (s3e10) there’s one of very uncomfortable scenes where Spock, Chapel, Kirk & Uhura are forced to kiss. And I’ve noticed a very interesting detail of the difference in behavior between two “couples”.

Chapel expresses how she is ashamed and I would say scared would be a right term. Spock isn’t trying to comfort her, he himself is struggling. He thinks he failed her. They both are ashamed, disgusted, uncomfortable and visibly hurt and they try to fight even during the kiss, which makes it a very tough watch.

But then we see a dialogue between Uhura and Kirk.

Kirk, unlike Spock, is able to comfort Uhura, by asking “not to think of them”, because “they want [us to feel frightened]”. And he is succeeded. Uhura starts thinking about something else, something comforting — about him as well (as she has to kiss him), because she is now in a very vulnerable, traumatic position, she is trying to associate Kirk with safety despite him on this moment not being safe for her. So when they have to act, they don’t try to fight. When kiss happens they are more relaxed then Spock & Chapel, not trying to break the kiss. And Kirk is just staring, not at her, but on their sadists, with eyes full of anger and hatred.

What he advices to Uhura is something what many SA victims would experience, when they are in the similar position. Not thinking of what is happening. Not focusing on what exactly is happening. Not thinking of their bodies and the body of the other. Not showing their fear, or even shame. It’s because, unlike Spock, Kirk has an experience. He uses his body many times during the show to escape, to save his ship, his people or himself.

Kirk’s pretty rightful advice, I would say, proves, that the fact that he is a SA victim was the writers’ intention once again and it aligns with his behavior in other episodes where he has to use his body. Not thinking, thinking of comfort, not showing true emotions are his coping mechanisms.

He’s not a manslut. He’s a victim.

"Oh my ao3 is down, maybe it's my WiFi"

*opens tumblr*

"Screams of anguish"

"Nope. Not my WiFi"

bask in my extremely correct headcanon. Jean-Luc Picard asexual icon

sometimes I forget standing up isn’t painful and difficult for most people so I’ll be watching something like game changer and see the people standing behind their podiums the whole episode and think ‘wow don’t they need to sit down. how can they still think coherent thoughts’ and then I’m like oh. yeah. I have a disease

“loosing someone to death and romance are equal tragedies”

Thank you. I will just go cry my eyes out now.

Do you ever think of Holmes alone at Baker Street after Watson's marriage and. And. And Watson's things are gone. Watson is gone, and there is just this aching gap around Holmes in the flat. The dust has not yet covered the space on the shelf where Watson's books used to be. Half of Holmes's home is gone, and he cannot even run his finger along the edge of the pain because there will only be one plate on the breakfast table tomorrow (and tomorrow and tomorrow), but you can't cut yourself on empty space.

Why is no one talking about the fact that the scientist explicitly mentions what happens when you touch the bird and lick your finger afterwards? Like he has probably done this? He just went "Oh I've touched a poisonous bird. I wonder what happens when I lick the poison off my finger."?!

Dude has a death wish