Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Assignment One
Claire Hibbert
p. 1
Observation One
October 10, 2015
BBCS Sherlock
Note: The observations were taken over the first 30 minutes of three consecutive Sherlock
episodes. In order to provide detailed and a sufficient amount of notes without it being
overwhelming, I decided to make it this way. The examples I found for each topic/category were
taken from the time frame of which I watched in order to make it less confusing. The timing of
my observations are recorded by the minutes, for example 6:00 Minutes. This means I was 6
minutes into the show when I made that particular observation.
Background Information: The TV show Sherlock takes place in London, England and has two
main characters, Sherlock and John Watson. Together they go out and examine crime scenes to
try and figure out who is behind the crime. Sherlock calls himself a consulting detective while
John is known for the blog he writes revolving around the crimes that Sherlock solves. The
beginning shows are based more on ordinary crimes while the later seasons deal with
Sherlocks arch nemesis, Jim Moriarty. However, the observations I recorded take place in the
beginning episodes of the TV show.
Figured World: is an entire social structure that has smaller communities of practices
within it. The figured world has its own rules and conventions for acceptable behavior
and revolves around people in the communities working together to maintain this social
structure.
Rules and Conventions: There are multiple rules and conventions, such as the way Sherlock
acts and behaves towards others. When he first meets someone, he oversteps his boundaries by
jumping into their personal business. For example, when he meets John, one of the first things
Sherlock asks is Afghanistan or Iraq implying he knew John had served in the military and
knew where he was stationed. Sherlock also doesnt have the best manners. It is shown in the
first episode of the first season by the way he treats Molly, who clearly likes Sherlock. The way
Sherlock interacts with people is a sign of how he doesnt know how to properly communicate
with someone, or he just doesn't care. John usually aids Sherlock in his social interactions. His
poor communication skills are seen through his texting or verbal conversations. Texting/using
cell phones are major means of communication. Even in quite a few episodes, images of the text
will appear so the audience can read it. Texting is usually how Sherlock contacts anyone he
needs to talk to; he doesn't normally call someone. Verbal communication is another way, but as
mentioned before, Sherlock is not the best at holding a conversation with someone. He almost
always finds a way to offend the other person (unless they are used to it). He tends to say things
that cross the line, but once again has no clue that what he has said is offensive. Texting is the
most acceptable and convenient form of communication for Sherlocks purposes.
Claire Hibbert
p. 2
Definition(s):
Scotland Yard- This term is often repeated throughout the show. When Sherlock or Detective
Lestrade say Scotland Yard, they are referring to the police station located on Baker Street.
Actors: are people who hold a certain position within a specific community. These actors
tend to have purposes throughout the show and each actor is somehow connected.
Without one, the others can suffer.
Sherlock Holmes: Sherlock Holmes plays the role of the consulting detective. He
usually goes to Scotland Yard and then to the crime scenes to help figure out the who,
what, when, why, and how relating to the crime. He is smarter than the police and even
the perpetrators themselves. Sherlock also plays the role of a son of Ms. Hudson and as
Johns friend. It is important to note that his friendship with John is special because
Sherlock has very little friends due to his poor social skills.
Dr. John Watson: Dr. John Watson is Sherlocks closest friend and essentially his side
kick. Watson plays an important role in all of the episodes because he helps Sherlock
with social interactions and figuring out crime investigations. John Watson also plays the
role of Sherlocks friend. This is considered unusual because Sherlock doesnt have any
friends. John and Sherlock get along well because John has patience, which is
something you must have to tolerate Sherlock. John also understands Sherlock more than
most people, this makes it easier for them to work and live together.
Video Clip: Benedict Cumberbatch interviewed by BBC One:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LcqnkZ_pN7Q
Brief description of Clip: Benedict Cumberbatch starts off with saying that the interaction John
and Sherlock have is extraordinary. He says that their relationship is complementary of each
other based on their attributes and positive qualities. He also talks about the depression John had
when he came out of the military. Cumberbatch says that John being introduced to Sherlock
helped bring out his strengths and help with his depression. Sherlock and John both play
important roles within the TV show, but they achieve these significant roles by working together.
Mrs. Hudson: Ms. Hudson is the landlord/owner of the flats that John and Sherlock rent.
Before John was introduced into Sherlock's flat, Sherlock had done Mrs. Hudson a favor,
which in turn made the rent cheaper and the relationship between her and Sherlock
stronger. As seen in the later seasons, she even spends multiple holidays with them.
Throughout the entirety of the show, Mrs. Hudson acts as a protecting figure. She treats
Sherlock and John as if they were her sons.
Artifacts: are physical objects that have value and importance to someone and others
throughout the community. The artifact may have been of high importance in one
Claire Hibbert
p. 5
2:00 Minutes: John Watson is first introduced. The opening scene is of him laying in a bed
having vivid nightmares of past war experiences. There are gunshots and images of people
scurrying around looking for cover. Johns eyes open quickly, and he is shown lying in his bed
extremely upset. The next scene is of John at a psychiatrist's office. It is clear that John feels
uncomfortable, as he sits on the couch with his cane in hand; the psychiatrist even points out that
he has trust issues because it is clear that he is lying about writing in a blog. It is evident
through the nightmares and pain he is in that John has developed PTSD. The psychiatrist talks
about the blog, which she claims will help John with his problems. She encourages him to write
about everything that goes on his life, but he retaliates by saying nothing happens to me.
8:00 Minutes: Sherlocks face is shown looking down into a body bag. He then asks a series of
questions about the body to a woman about the same age as him, Molly. Molly works at the
morgue where Sherlock frequently examines bodies. After peering into the body bag, Sherlock is
next seen beating the bag with a whip like structure. Molly tries to make humor of it, but with
Sherlocks poor social skills, he states he was doing it to examine the bruises that should appear
on the body. After he gives Molly a short response, she tries to ask him out for coffee, however,
Sherlock interrupts her asking if she had put on lipstick. He apologizes for interrupting, and she
asks again if he would like to get coffee. He mistakes this for would you like coffee. Sherlock
then leaves the room to go into a lab. John and his former colleague enter the lab; this is the first
time Sherlock and John meet. Sherlock is friends with Johns colleague. After the breif
introduction, Sherlock states that his phone has died and he needs to use someones. John offers
up his phone for him to use. Sherlock then asks Afghanistan or Iraq implying he knew John
had served in the military and knew where he was stationed. John responds with Afghanistan
and tries to ask how he knew, but Molly walks in with Sherlocks coffee ending that
conversation.
13:00 Minutes: John is looking for a flatmate, which is the primary reason his colleague
introduced him to Sherlock. Being the way that he is, Sherlock easily figured that out and invited
John over to view the flat. John agrees to the visit and meets Ms. Hudson. Sherlock explains that
the flat is at a less expensive rate because he ensured that Ms. Hudsons husband was executed.
When they both enter Sherlocks flat, John notices how messy and unorganized everything is.
There are boxes everywhere and the kitchen is filled with chemicals and experimental items. Ms.
Hudson comes into the room and asks John what he thinks. After she leaves to go into another
room, John says to Sherlock I looked you up on the internet last night and that he found his
website. Sherlock asks what he thought of it. John seemed a little skeptical because of what
Sherlock claimed he could do. Sherlock proceeds to show off his skills based on his slight
observations. John tries to ask how Sherlock managed to know all of his personal information,
but then Ms. Hudson walk back into the room holding a newspaper talking about the multiple
serial suicides that have been taking place. Ms. Hudson says there have been three, but right as
she says that, a police car pulls up to Sherlocks flat. Sherlock now says there have been four
Claire Hibbert
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10
2) Discuss why you think it took John so long to realize that he didnt need to use the cane
for his leg?
From a more symbolic point of view, I think John relied on his cane for so long because
he didn't believe in himself or his abilities to get around without it. His realization that he
didn't need the cane symbolizes a change in John, how he starts to become more
confident and more aware of his own abilities.
3) Considering your answer from question 2, do you think John would have realized he
didnt need his cane if he hadnt meet Sherlock? Why or why not?
Probably not. Sherlock indirectly helps John see himself as more than just a background
figure. If he didn't know Sherlock, he probably would rely on that cane for the rest of his
life and not thought twice about it.
4) How could Sherlock have acted differently when Molly was clearly trying to ask him out
for coffee?
Well, he could have been more considerate and open-minded. Instead of assuming she
was going on a coffee run for him he could have taken the time to think that it might have
been more of a date thing that she wanted. For someone so intelligent and good at picking
up details, you'd think he'd realize that she likes him.
5) Describe why Sherlock is able to act the way he does (poor manners) and get away with
it?
Sherlock is able to be poor mannered because his genius helps to solve a lot of crimes
and problems. Sometimes crappy people are allowed to be crappy if they're helping out a
wide array of people. Everyone could also be scared that if they said anything about it
then he would decide not to help them anymore.
6) Explain why you think Sherlock prefers texting over verbal communication?
Just like many people nowadays, Sherlock is not very good at face to face
communication. Texting eliminates the small talk that Sherlock hates and keeps
everything said plain and simple, the way he prefers it.