Tong 1

Elizabeth Tong Lynda Haas Writing 37 13 March 2014 A Shift in Attitude Toward Woman In the Sherlock Holmes novels, Conan Doyle presents many different genre conventions which describe a specific setting, role or value that appeals to its readers. These conventions include a knowledgeable detective, a beneficent sidekick, and a client proposing a case. A significant convention in Conan Doyle stories is Watsons role as a sidekick and how this character convention has been updated in Elementary to a female in order to appeal to a new audience. This convention compares how women were portrayed in the Victorian Era and how woman are now viewed in modern-day interpretations. Throughout Conan Doyles stories women were looked down upon, hardly appearing in his stories and if they did they were not given influential roles. John Watson who is recognized as Sherlock Holmes sidekick has always been introduced to the readers as a male, but in the Television show Elementary Watson is played by a female transforming into Joan Watson. This update has a significant impact on todays preconception of women; showing equality and a womens capability of playing a leading role while forming the same effect as if a male actor were to play it. Elementary is a modern-day revision of Conan Doyles Sherlock Holmes stories, updating the gender role of the sidekick to match current culture values. In Elementary Episode Four Season One The Rat Race, Joan Watson who is play by the Asian female actor Lucy Liu comes to the rescue and saves Sherlock Holmes who is play by Johnny Lee Miller from being killed. Holmes gets himself into a situation when he comes to a conclusion about a case and decides to confront the culprit Donna, telling her that he knows she

Tong 2

is the one who is killing people in the company she works in. Feeling exposed, the fugitive takes out her taser and uses it on Holmes, handcuffs him and puts him in the back of her car. While all this is occurring, Watson keeps texting and calling Holmes since she is his sober companion and she hasnt heard from him in hours; therefore, Watson thinks he has relapse until she gets a text from Holmes saying he is fine and he is heading back home. However, by the way Holmes responded to Watson on text she knew that Holmes is in trouble and that he wasnt the one who sent that message and she immediately tells the police and they locate Holmes just in time before the lady who abducted Holmes was about to shoot him. The relationship between Holmes and Watson is symbiotic; it is evident that Holmes needs Watson just as much as Watson needs Holmes. Their partnership balances each other out, Watson being a female provides the sensitive caring aspect Holmes needs just as Holmes brings out the adventurous side Watson lacks. In addition it is not a coincidence how the culprit in this episode is a female; in fact, it is making a point that women are no long seen as the weaker species and are capable of showing self-reliant behaviors. Through the use of film editing, the success of Elementary storyline results from the strong dramatic structure in this episode. Using an unchronological beginning with Holmes appearing unconscious in the back of the culprits car in handcuffs then returning to the scene before this specific incident occur foreshadows this episodes growing intensity toward the climax. The director uses this form of editing to lure the audience and to intensify the layout. In the beginning of the Rat Race, Holmes appears unconscious to the viewers then suddenly wakes up in confusion looking around at his surroundings. A close up of Holmes face is focus on, expressing his confusion of where he is and the fact he is in hand cuffs in the back of a moving car. This camera angle enables the viewers to understand the actor's emotions,

Tong 3

developing empathy for the character (Film Analysis). In this particular scene the point-of-view framing focuses on the handcuffs on Holmes wrist, showing his quickness to react as he tries to pin away at the lock. This technique allows the audience to be able to witness what the character sees and feels in this situation (Film Analysis). In addition, lighting is a very important aspect for shaping and intensifying the meaning in this episode. Once Watson realizes Holmes is in danger she immediately goes to the police station where she talks to Captain Gregson. As she talks to him the light is directly focus on her and the background in the station darkens; this creates the specific mood of suspense because Holmes disappearance is becoming an afflictive situation. Throughout Conan Doyles stories the readers can imagine the fictional relationship Holmes and Watson share. In the Hound of the Baskervilles, Watson is sent out on a dangerous request to accompany Sir Henry back to the Baskerville manor where many mysterious occurrences are presented. While Watson was on this mission Holmes was cautiously observing Watson from a distance, looking out for his safety. This shows Sherlocks concern for Watson, representing their closeness in partnership. In Elementary, the audience becomes familiar with the gender role swap of Watson and how she is now a female who portrays many effeminate traits; however, her relationship with Holmes remains similar to the Conan Doyle stories. Elementary filmmakers use the mid shot camera approach to capture a character from the waist up, focusing on their faces as they interact with the other characters (Shot Types). This camera angle allows the audience to pay special attention to the interactions of Holmes and Watson emphasizing their relationship by capturing their bodily language and how they respond to each other. Watson often keeps Holmes in check making sure he is well rested and that his health is in good condition. After living with Holmes, Watson has observed details about him and in one of the episodes she deduces Holmes was in trouble and ends up saving his life. According to

Tong 4

Marissa Lee an article writer for Racebending mentions how Watson earns Holmes respect and even though she is a female Holmes isnt afraid to respect her competence, nor her ability to tolerate him; he even shows bits of deference and appreciation towards her (Lee). The audience can also observe from their relationship that Holmes works better and seems more focus when Watson is around. It is apparent to the viewers that in this day and age, women are being respected and receiving credibility for their actions. In the Victorian Era, women were hardly ever acknowledge by males for their gestures and were instead look down upon and were order to comply. Although in Elementary Watson is a female the dynamic between Holmes and Watson remains true to Sir Arthur Conan Doyles vision. Since Watsons traditionally male character has been updated to a female character in this television show it has cause a lot of controversy for the viewers. According to Jenny Nelson from NYU Local, the question whether Watson and Holmes will have romantic entanglements in this series arose. However, the viewers have seen the pair work together splendidly, though, as Holmes and Watsons must so it doesnt drift away from Conan Doyles stories in a way that seems gaudy or disrespectful (Nelson). Having a female play this role as Watson appeals more to the modern audience due to percentage of women present on television today. This demonstrates how women are now viewed equally to men and are also gaining respect. This gender role switch is how you keep traditional characters in famous novels current.

Tong 5

Works Cited Doyle, Arthur Conan. The Hound of the Baskervilles. Raleigh, N.C.: Alex Catalogue, 199. Kindle Cloud Reader. Web 21 Feb. 2014. Film Analysis. Film Analysis. N.p., Web. 14 Mar. 2014. <http://classes.yale.edu/filmanalysis/> Lee, Marissa. Racebending, My Dear Watson! Our Review of Elementary. Racebending.com. N.p., 25 Sept. 2012. Web. 21 Feb. 2014. <http://www.racebending.com/v4/featured/elementarydear-lucy/> Nelson, Jenny. "Sherlock Holmes Deathmatch! Elementary vs. Sherlock vs. Sherlock Holmes NYU Local. N.p., 5 Oct. 2012. Web. 21 Feb. 2014. <http://nyulocal.com/entertainment/2012/10/05/sherlock-holmes-deathmatch-elementary-vssherlock-vs-sherlock-holmes/>. Shot Types. Media College. N.p., Web. 14 Mar. 2014 http://www.mediacollege.com/video/shots/ "The Rat Race." Elementary. CBS. 27 Sept. 2012. Tube Plus. Web. 27 Feb. 2014.