Thomas Squires

B1 12/3/13

A comparison of Sherlock Holmes in The Hound of the Baskervilles and Sherlock

Several TV shows have started to adapt many old works to new times and the use of new technologies. Sherlock Holmes, a fictitious 19th century detective and created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, has been portrayed many in films, books, and movies. One of the most famous stories created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is The Hound of the Baskervilles. Today, there are many television spin offs portraying the works of the great 19th century author. One of these most loved TV shows is Sherlock, which is directed by Paul McGuigan, Euros Lyn, and Toby Hanes. Sherlock Holmes is portrayed by Benedict Cumberbatch and Dr. Watson is portrayed by Martin Freeman. The show is a modern take on the famous mystery stories that were written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, with Holmes and Watson solving modern remakes of Doyles books. Some of the episodes include The Hounds of Baskerville based on the book The Hound of the Baskervilles and The Reichenbach Fall which is based on the book The Final Problem. The main character, Sherlock Holmes, is very similar to that of the 19th century works of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Sherlock Holmes, as portrayed in The Hound of the Baskervilles, is a character much like his counterparts in modern adaptations of the character. It is not uncommon for Holmes to smoke, Watson sees Holmes Through the haze [Watson] had a vague image of Holmes in his dressing gown coiled up in an arm chair with his black clay pipe between his lips (Doyle, 34). Holmes also makes many interviews around the towns that he visits and prefers cold, hard evidence as opposed to speculative pieces of thought. Holmes is very deceitful, when concealing his identity, [Watson] thought that you were in Baker Street working out that case of blackmailing. That is what [Sherlock] wished you to think (167).

Even though Holmes is similar to his modern day counter parts in his levels of deceitfulness and crime solving techniques, there are some differences in his smoking habits. The Holmes in Sherlock tries to quit smoking throughout the series and uses nicotine patches to calm his addiction. Holmes prefers the quiet, much like the old Sherlock, and likes to think through every possible angle of a case from beginning to end. He, very much like the old Sherlock, prefers cold evidence to help back up a case. In the third and final episode of the 2nd season, Sherlock jumps off of a building and, to the horror of Watson, is presumed dead. He is seen toward the end of the episode watching Watson and Mrs. Hudson look at his grave at the local cemetery. This episode is very similar to the book The Final Problem in which Holmes fakes his death and comes back to life a few years later. Although these characters span hundreds of years, they are very similar. They do show some distinct differences though. Having the ability to analyze mystery and the characters in the mystery genre is like being able to analyze life and all the twists and turns that life can throw at you. The mystery genre is also full of twists and turns. The author makes you believe one thing but really the totally opposite thing is true. In life you made be led to believe and be told one thing only to find out that something else is actually true. The mystery genre severely relies on the importance of detail and being able to remember every little thing such as the color of the shirt on the suspect and what shoes he was wearing. Being able to remember those things can really help out when the police arrive and you have to give a detailed description of the guy so that they can capture him. Although Sherlock Holmes will always be Sherlock Holmes, just like everyone and everything, he will all ways be adapting to modern times and circumstances.

Thomas Squires

B1 12/3/13

References: Doyle, Arthur Conan. The Hound of the Baskervilles. New York: Bantam Doubleday Dell Books for Young Readers, 1959. Print Sherlock. PBS. WHRO, Virginia Beach. 2010-present. Television.