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Jenny-My Tran
Writing 39B
Professor Haas
August 27
th
2014
The Development of Modern Day Holmes
Thesis: Holmes uses observation and deduction in order to display the classic convention created
by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Holmes in order to solve his cases
In the television series, Sherlock, aired an episode called, A Study in Pink. In this
episode, Holmes geniuses by using observation and deduction in order to make fast conclusions
about his soon to be partner, Watson. Sherlock, the only consulting detective, explains how he
deduces out Watson was in military. Since this is the first episode, this is the first time the
audiences first impression of Holmes. While in the taxi with his new partner, Holmes gives a
break down of Watson. A flashback appears and takes the audience back to the scene where
Holmes and Watson were in the same room together. The camera then moves to a medium close
up of Watson and only displays his upper body. Sherlock then ways that when Watson entered
the room, he looked surprised when Sherlock asked if Watson was in Afghanistan or Iraq.
Holmess collection of knowledge, too, is eccentric, is some areas highly detailed and in others
demonstrating astonishing ignorance and indifference (Delamater, 22). Sherlock then comments
on Watsons possessive haircut, which then leads him to explain that Watson looked like he had
a military cut. Then the camera moves to a close up of Watsons hands, which Holmes then says
that Watson was sunbathing but the tan cuts off at his wrists. After, Sherlock then comments on
why Watson is no longer in the military by looking at the way Watson carries himself. Watson
walks with a limp, which meant that he was in an accident that led him to a leave from the
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military. By the first impression of Watson, Holmes was able to determine everything that had
happened to Watson during Watsons career. This scene displays Holmess geniuses conventions
by his deductive and observation skills when it comes to investigation.