I like the blog as the modern equivalent to Watson selling the stories to magazines. And the remark "Nothing ever happens to me." What fun those initial writers meetings must have been: "OK, so how do we incorporate Watson writing the case notes?" and all that.

I did have a problem telling Lestrade and Watson apart in some scenes, 'cause to me they look very much alike.

If Watson's therapist reads his blog, his visits to her could be interesting--unless he stops going, since he seems to have gotten over the limp nicely. He's such an adrenaline junkie.

My only real issue with the reinterpretation and this might just be my take on it, was I found it difficult for Watson, as Freeman is portraying him-- a war vet, a bit world-weary, and definitely a bit of a cynic-- to so quickly defend/believe that Holmes couldn't be an addict of any sort. After all, being a doctor and having been in combat situations, I'm sure he's seen some incredibly high-functioning addicts.

It made him come off as a bit of naif, when to me, he's anything but.

However, he overcame the disbelief quickly enough to be able to save Sherlock from himself with respect to taking the pill.

And no, Epic-- you weren't the only one who went to The Princess Bride place...

One of the little things that made me happy was Lestrade's portrayal. Yes, he's a bit thick, but he's still a good detective, and he has an interesting relationship with Sherlock (the fact that he calls him "Sher" really adds to that for me).

Lestrade is not a bit thick! He's just not Sherlock. And who is?

t /RupertGraves defensiveness

You're right. I'm just thinking of the "usual" Lestrade portrayals in previous adaptations, which this definitely isn't.

He didn't strike me as thick at all, actually. Rather more level-headed and aware that Sherlock is not made of the same stuff as mere mortals. I think he also had his fair share of world-weariness, having to defend Sherlock constantly to his coworkers.

My only real issue with the reinterpretation and this might just be my take on it, was I found it difficult for Watson, as Freeman is portraying him-- a war vet, a bit world-weary, and definitely a bit of a cynic-- to so quickly defend/believe that Holmes couldn't be an addict of any sort. After all, being a doctor and having been in combat situations, I'm sure he's seen some incredibly high-functioning addicts.

That's a really excellent point that I hadn't picked up on. But yeah, especially with the evidence of the 3 nicotene patches...Watson's seen that Holmes isn't afraid to chemically alter his perceptions or whatever.

It made him come off as a bit of naif, when to me, he's anything but.

Maybe it's an indicator of his fierce loyalty? Even though they've just met, he's "adopted" (for lack of a better word) Holmes. (Had he been "cured" of the limp yet at that point? That seemed to be a bit of a turning point for him).

He didn't strike me as thick at all, actually. Rather more level-headed and aware that Sherlock is not made of the same stuff as mere mortals. I think he also had his fair share of world-weariness, having to defend Sherlock constantly to his coworkers.

Barb is me.

The other thing I really enjoyed about Graves' portrayal of Lestrade is that he's absolutely not afraid to take Sherlock to task. He respects him, is perhaps a bit awed by his abilities, appreciates that he can see things in ways others can't, but isn't afraid of him and won't allow himself to be bulldozed by him. Sherlock has historically not been afraid to play dirty and I like that Lestrade doesn't have a problem playing just as dirty, but within the rules. (Which, actually, for Sherlock-- is REALLY playing dirty.)

It's kind of insidiously brilliant.

Also, can I just say I'm getting sick of the new vogue of using my RL lastname for characters that are so dislikable? (Sgt Sally Donovan is last night's example, for the curious). It's weird that it's suddenly everywhere, but almost exclusively on characters I really dislike (Zane & Claudia, I'm glaring looking at you.

We now return you to your regularly scheduled on-topic conversation.

Maybe it's an indicator of his fierce loyalty? Even though they've just met, he's "adopted" (for lack of a better word) Holmes.

I do think that's it. As a military guy, Watson understands the power of loyalty. And at the point at which we meet him, he's so rudderless, searching for a purpose and Sherlock's providing him with that.