Well. Sherlock really is quite something. I really enjoyed it. I admit I was dubious about it being ported to the 21st century (despite the raves I read on LJ and heard on NPR), but seriously, it was really very good.

I'm fascinated by discussion I've read on LJ and elsewhere that Holmes is asexual. From what I understand of asexuality, I think there's a very strong chance of it.

This Sherlock? Or Doyle's as well?

This Sherlock? Or Doyle's as well?

I believe I read some people saying that Doyle's written Sherlock qualifies as well. I don't remember 100%, though, so I wouldn't swear to it. And I've never read the original stories, so I have no opinion on that.

But this one, and the movie with RDJ as well? I can definitely see it.

Why would you see him as asexual and not just as someone not having sex? Is it really that rare (and I'm asking myself that question) to have a protagonist who doesn't express anything sexual during the story that one would assume it's an orientation and not just a period of not caring?

eta: Wait, isn't there an Adler kiss in the 2009 movie?

Well, one concrete moment was the exchange when Watson asked Holmes if he had a girlfriend, and Holmes said "Not really my area." And from the dialogue that followed, Holmes established fairly well that he was NOT implying that he's gay.

But this one, and the movie with RDJ as well? I can definitely see it.

I can easily see Doyle's original Holmes as asexual. I haven't seen the PBS one, but the Richie movie, and RDJ's portrayal? Was sexual innunendo all over the place, for me anyway.

eta: Wait, isn't there an Adler kiss in the 2009 movie?

Some asexual people do engage in sexual/sensual activities with a partner from time to time. A kiss doesn't mean that he's not asexual.

And it's not possible to say for certain that he IS asexual, of course. It's not been explicitly stated in canon. But it's fairly interesting to see how it plays out.

t edit

RDJ's portrayal? Was sexual innunendo all over the place, for me anyway.

Asexual doesn't mean that that person doesn't engage in sexual innuendo. It doesn't mean neutered.

That's the TV show, right? Not the movie? I can buy it for the show, but the one fic I read (because Fay podded it) had it as something he just hadn't turned his not inconsiderable attention to yet, if memory serves.

I don't see him as particularly asexual in the movie, though, and the actor certainly didn't.

A kiss doesn't mean that he's not asexual.

But what says he is?

A kiss doesn't mean that he's not asexual.

But what says he is?

Movie, or TV? The dialogue I quoted from the TV series is fairly strong, in my opinion.