I think today was the start date for "A Scandal in Bohemia" and "The Red-Headed League."

Lilty, if you're around, could you update the first post with the reading and discussion schedule from Press?

Yes, but I got caught up in work. Bad book leader. No biscuit.

Y'all just talk among yourselves. I'll get you something by tomorrow.

Here are some things you might want to think about:

What conventions of the modern detective novel or television show do you see introduced in these stories?

What role does Watson's narration play?

What aspects of the plots made you go "huh"? (Note: The first known scholarly paper about Sherlock Holmes was entitled "Some Inconsistencies of Sherlock Holmes.")

Thanks, Ginger. I think you deserve a biscuit anyway. A chocolate one!

Off to think. Back in a bit.

Ginger, could you provide some background to these two stories, like a Previously or something. I get that Watson is married in the "Scandal" and isn't so in all the books.

What conventions of the modern detective novel or television show do you see introduced in these stories?

These are the first Holmes stories I've read that I can recall. It didn't take long for me to visualize Hugh Laurie as Holmes, because I think Dr. House is a pretty good incarnation of Holmes. He's dismissive, conceited, observes where others only see, and has rather odd hobbies that seem very much out of character (like watching soaps, or going to monster truck shows.)

I have to think more about the conventions I noticed in the two short stories, but two that come to mind are Holmes's mastery of disguise, and his disdain for the police. I will also consider your other two questions.

has rather odd hobbies that seem very much out of character

Or shooting cocaine.

and the violin playing

I get that Watson is married in the "Scandal" and isn't so in all the books.

Watson meets his wife in "A Sign of Four", which I believe is the second Holmes story after "A Study in Scarlet." (I'm working off of memory here, since I haven't had a chance to reread the stories we're discussing. I adore "Scandal in Bohemia", though. What's not to love about Irene Adler?)

Watson is supposed to have been married at least twice, and Doyle today would be taken very much to task for his lack of continuity. Heck, he's practically the Chris Carter of his day.

It didn't take long for me to visualize Hugh Laurie as Holmes, because I think Dr. House is a pretty good incarnation of Holmes. He's dismissive, conceited, observes where others only see, and has rather odd hobbies that seem very much out of character (like watching soaps, or going to monster truck shows.)

Very cool idea. I love House, and I see the similarities, yet I don't love Holmes. He really is a cold fish.

My first impressions had mostly to do with that, and liking Watson so much more, as well as boggling at some of Holmes's deductions. I need to read that Ellis piece. "Bohemia" didn't make me boggle as much as "Red-Headed League" did, which was a fun story, but so completely convoluted and hard to buy.

What role does Watson's narration play?

I think, as someone said above, Watson is there to give the reader someone to identify with, as well as to point out both Holmes's strong points and his failings (his cold fishiness, the way he's out of touch with everyday life).

It's not one of the stories we were supposed to read, but the Three Garridebs story does show that Holmes does have feelings. Watson gets shot, and Holmes is very pissed and pretty much tells the shooter that if Watson had been more hurt that the shooter would not have left the room alive. I realized itg was very ho-yay, once I understood what ho-yay is. I don't remember where that story falls in the chronology of production, but I wonder if it was done to remove some of Holmes' chilliness.