I’ll be honest from as far back as my early high school days I was a fan of two authors. Sir Author Conan Doyle and Isaac Asimov. From one I learned cold logic and astute observation, from the other I learned to think about the future and technology and its role with society. Though Asimov’s themes are rarely duplicated verbatim, I am happy to say that Sherlock has seen so many iterations that the mind boggles. The BBC’s latest staring Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman has been a bit of a guilty pleasure. Particularly season (sorry I’m an American, calling it series doesn’t work) 4.
The thing is there’s layers to both Doyle’s original works and the modern interpretation that strike a chord, not because of my youth, but because of my struggle with depression. Sherlock as a character has always been about the logic, but meshed there as well are themes of loneliness, addiction, friendship and mortality. All of these elements are all too front and center for someone with depression.
My father was himself addicted to cigarettes and other less than healthy behaviors. I’ve mostly avoided those paths but it’s a line that I can see readily. The draw is there and Doyle (smartly I think) gave his hero, very blunt and obvious character flaws.
Not everyone will enjoy Sherlock but first two episodes of season 4 hit some very powerful emotional chords, some of which I found pulling at me on a personal level.
Though the show can at times be very dark it is an interesting watch.
