Johnlock & Flowery Subtext ❤

Caroline, 29, INFP, 4w5 Dreamer, movie lover, tea drinker.Appreciator of BBC Sherlock and its intricate subtext // Johnlock shipper. Metas & Flower subtext.

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Fun fact: I just realised that I have an entire additional meta about Harry Watson in my drafts (I thought I had posted it back in the days before series 4, but... apparently not!). Even though I wrote it before series 4 aired, it is still super relevant... Perhaps even more relevant? Anyway, I am completing it, so hopefully it will be available this weekend!

It is quite fun to study Harry Watson again!

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To the Mystrade Anon => thank you so much for reaching to me again! 🧡 I find this exchange really interesting, as I never fully focused on Mycroft/Lestrade in the reality of the series (while loving the idea in fics/headcanons).

If you’re still around, could you please specify the information you gave me in your ask? You wrote “on the DVD of series 4 Rupert Graves is the narrator of the special”, and I’m not entirely sure what you’re referring. It might be me missing the obvious, and if so, I apologise! To me, the special of series = TAB, but if I don’t remember Greg as a narrator in the episode (except for the exposition scene). Is Rupert Graves part of the commentary, perhaps? If you could please clarify so I can give you a proper reply? Sorry for my poor brain!

Looking forward to exchanging further! Take care!

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Actually, these are two questions: Do you like Granada Holmes? And do you have or can you recomment any metas about Granada Holmes?

Hello Anon! A warm thank you for this lovely ask! 🧡

I absolutely adore Granada Holmes!!! I believe it is probably the best adaptation of the canon. They capture the dynamic between Holmes and Watson beautifully. Jeremy Brett's portrayal radiates with a sense of softness and sentimentality which suits Holmes perfectly. David Burke and Edward Hardwicke both play wonderful Watsons - one more boyish and sassy, the other more tender and soft-hearted – and the evolution works amazingly. I have a special fondness for Hardwicke's Watson; he's probably my favourite Watson ever – but then, I adore soft BAMFs. The way he takes care of Holmes and looks at him so fondly, even when he is annoyed... *sigh* I think the reunion scene in Granada is the most perfect scene in any adaptation. It is probably my favourite scene ever out of all the adaptations (on a par with the reunion scene in Russian Holmes, which is delightful and super sentimental as well). The entire exchange between the two, Holmes falling asleep on Dr Watson's examination table, Watson tenderly covering him with a blanket... A marvel!

I admit I haven't watched the entire series yet – I'm getting there. Fun fact (… if anyone is interested): Granada Holmes was the very first adaptation I've seen. It was broadcast on French TV when I was young, and we loved to watch it with my parents in the weekend (alongside Suchet's Poirot).

As for metas on Granada Holmes... I'm afraid I haven't saved all of them, so I might be coming short. I promise I'll add more as I go along. @granada-brett-crumbs​ is always the best place to go => https://granada-brett-crumbs.tumblr.com/tagged/meta

Furthermore, @bug-catcher-in-viridian-forest​ wrote fascinating pieces. You have probably already read them, but just in case, you can find them here.

I also really loved @ astronbookfilms' meta on Dr John Watson and his portrayal in Granada Holmes: https://astronbookfilms.tumblr.com/post/172768408016/dr-john-watson-as-caretaker-granada-holmes-acd

@plaidadder wrote compelling pieces on Granada Holmes as well! You can find her meta on AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/11904183/chapters/26894058 I am also fond of her "Romancing the Text: Jeremy Brett, Paper, and Sherlock Holmes".

I admit I am a newcomer as regards to the Granada fandom on tumblr, so if anyone has other recommendations, please feel free to share them!

As for writing meta on Granada myself... As I watch/re-watch the series, ideas pop into my head. One problem for me is that I'm not sure how interesting my analyses would be. A part of me is uncertain how “groundbreaking” or new my thoughts could be on a 30+-year old TV show. It’s very likely that I’ll write on this series, though!

Thank you again for this delightful ask! I love to exchange on Granada Holmes. Feel free if you want to talk about this marvellous series!! (and if you don’t know it: give it a go, it is wonderful)

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A kind thank you to each Anon who took the time to send me an ask! 🧡

I definitely don't forget you, and I'll reply to your questions/observations as soon as I can. I apologise for the wait.

Sending you gentle and kind thoughts! 💛

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James Sholto & Flowers

At long last, it is finally time to publish this meta! I adore TSOT and its intricate flower subtext (I already wrote two pieces about it: x, x). As we’ll explore in this analysis, it is fascinating to see how much the flowers associated with James Sholto can tell us about him and his link with John.

First of all, I find it quite striking to note that James Sholto is always presented surrounded by flowers and nature. Admittedly, TSOT is a very flowery episode, but:

John and Sholto warmly greet each other in the flowery reception hall and its nature-inspired wallpaper,

Sholto’s room is covered by the most flowery wallpaper (and I will point out what a fascinating choice of pattern it is),

Sherlock and John discuss James “former commander/ex” Sholto in a park (surrounded by grass with sparse daisies),

there are paintings of flowers hanging in the hall while John, Sherlock and Mary try to save Sholto.

This character is constantly associated with nature and flowers, which serves to convey an intricate subtext.

So let us embark on an exploration of this flowery subtext!

The wallpaper in Sholto’s room

On the wallpaper in Sholto’s room, we can observe a pattern including:

pink forget-me-nots (5 round petals, distinctive shape),

oak leaves,

shamrocks.

I will start to focus on each symbol, before trying to combine their meanings.

A) Pink forget-me-not:

The flower symbolises the reminder of an old flame, as well as moments spent with a loved one you don’t want to forget. The flower represents a strong connection lasting through time. It conveys the remembrance of a true and undying love during partings or after death and highlights fidelity and loyalty in a relationship despite separation or challenges.

(personal hypothesis => typically, forget-me-nots would be blue, so using pink ones as a pattern for Sholto’s room reinforces the romantic/sentimental symbolism)

So: reminder of an old flame, remembrance of true, albeit forsaken, love.

I will not try to hide my belief that John and Sholto shared an intense relationship. To me, the entire episode establishes James Sholto as John’s former lover, and creates multiple parallels between Sherlock and Sholto. Sherlock’s words “we would never do that to John Watson”, which confirms Sholto’s assertion that they “are similar”, combined with Sholto’s pained expression reflected in a mirror is pretty damning in itself.

Having Sholto surrounded with walls of pink forget-me-nots (as he’s about to die... and will be saved by John) strengthens this implication. Actually, the very first image we see of Sholto is surrounded by this wallpaper (combined with a parallel between Sherlock and Sholto putting their uniform on, going “into battle”). Therefore, it seems both men are assimilated to “old flames”, men who face separation from their loved one as they witness John marring someone else. They both stay loyal to John through this difficult parting (And as the story unfurls, John ends up saving the lives of both men, aka their hearts, in series 3).

***

Incidentally, Sholto is not the only person associated with pink forget-me-nots in series three. Mary wears a pink forget-me-not necklace during the confrontation scene. I already explored the connection between Sholto and Mary via the flower. To sum it up, my belief is that Sholto and John shared an intense relationship, but it left John heart-broken with even more trust issues. To me, through the forget-me-not, Sholto and Mary are linked as two lovers who have betrayed John, his love and his trust, disappointed him and/or left him heart-broken.

Of course, now that TAB came out, we have another association with the forget-me-not: The Bride. “Do not forget me...”. The Bride is strongly linked to Mary (... the bride) and Moriarty. I personally think that we can discard Sholto for this connection (although imagining Sholto in a wedding dress seeking revenge for John’s potential past misbehaviours is quite tempting). Interestingly, it won’t be the only link with Moriarty & Mary in this room.

B) Oak leaves:

In the Victorian language of flowers, oak leaves mean bravery.

The oak is a symbol of strength and endurance. A tree highly revered for its size and longevity. It is also associated with honour, stability and wisdom.

Oak leaves are strongly linked to military traditions. In Antiquity, victorious officers were offered oak-leaf crowns to honour a successful campaign. The tradition extends today, for example with the US army using the oak leaf as a symbol for some of their decoration.

(Also, oaks tend to be very good shelters, such as Major Oak, a large English oak tree, very popular, which is said to have sheltered Robin Hood and his merry men, or Royal Oak, the saviour of King Charles II)

Other interesting associations with oak leaves:

The Royal Float Auxiliary counted two ships named Oakleaf, one of which served as a “dummy battleship” to imitate HSM Iron Duke. This strongly reminded me of John playing the “dummy” for Sherlock in HLV, as well as Sholto’s role in TSOT, mirroring Sherlock’s feelings in a more intense manner.

The oakleaf is a type of butterfly, an insect favoured by Mary (once again). Its wings are shaped like leaves, so there is an implication of hiding, camouflage.

C) Shamrock:

The shamrock is the symbol of Ireland. To me, the obvious association with Ireland found in BBC Sherlock is Moriarty (especially if you consider the waterfall painting). It has been debated whether Moriarty actually planned for Sholto to be killed at John’s wedding, acting as a consulting criminal for Jonathan Small.

The shamrock could represent the fact that Moriarty is looming over the wedding, maybe through his allies: Mary, Tom or Janine?

Additionally, the shamrock is a symbol of the trinity. And I find it incredibly interesting, as it is a concept which is repeatedly associated with the wedding => the engagement ring is a three-stone ring (symbol of the trinity), "my husband is three people", the whole episode is entitled “the sign of three”, which features multiple love triangles (TSOT introduces Sherlock/John/Sholto, John/Sherlock/Janine, Greg/Molly/Tom, and confirms Sherlock/John/Mary). Plus, TSOT presents three love interests of John Watson’s life.

(Personal hypothesis linked with the concept of trinity => in John’s heart, Sholto = faith; Mary = hope; Sherlock = love?)

D)  The wallpaper symbolism

On the wallpaper, we have a pattern of a pink forger-me-not surrounded by oak leaves and crowned with a shamrock.

The pink forger-me-not strongly implies that James Sholto is a former romantic interest of John. Even if the two men are now estranged, John and Sholto still share a connection to this past (the flower is a symbol of remembrance).

Oak leaves surround the flower, which might suggest that the notion of strength/resilience applies to this “remembrance of an old flame” as much as Sholto himself. Obviously the character is strong, resilient, focused on honour and has ties with the military. But it would make sense that the “reminder of an old flame” is very strong for Sholto (and probably John) on this particular day. He’s seeing his former love interest marry another person, is about to die at the wedding if not for the terrible thought of causing John pain. From John’s perspective, the audience witnesses how much of an eager admirer he still is of James Sholto - he speaks of him with similar expressions and fondness as he does for Sherlock, and he seems very enthusiastic, touched even, to see him again.

A shamrock is crowning the pattern (“and honey, you should see me in a crown”). Combined with the waterfall painting and the forget-me-not’s association with the Bride, it hints at Moriarty’s presence around Sholto. However, the shamrock is tiny in comparison to the other elements of the pattern. It may be a sign that Moriarty is involved in Sholto’s attempted murder, but, as we know, he failed. (Since Sholto is Sherlock’s mirror, it might also represent Sherlock’s fear of Moriarty, his other deep anxiety we know of, on this distressing day).

Furthermore, it is striking to observe that this pattern is composed by three elements, one of which is related to the concept of trinity. Once again, the wedding is connected to the number three. It is even more remarkable when you note that in the “saving Sholto” scene, John is surrounded by three persons - or, three love interests -: Sholto, Mary and Sherlock.

The wallpaper pattern could apply to all three of them =>

Sherlock -> Sholto’s mirror. He could be considered an old flame at the wedding, and we see both he and John celebrate (/pre-emptively mourn) their relationship in this episode. Sherlock is strong and resilient, as is his remembrance of the apparently lost romantic bond with John as they have to part. Moriarty and The Bride are looming over him (do not forget them), in connection to this precarious love situation with John.

Mary -> linked with the forget-me-not in HLV. She is strong and resilient. The shamrock might be a sign that Moriarty is looming over her, threatening her wedding and her stability with John; or it could imply that Mary (the bride) is tied to Moriarty (The Bride), maybe working together. I have theorised before that Moriarty and Mary might have been romantically involved, which pairs nicely with the pattern: reminder of an old flame, tied to Ireland, while someone dies at her wedding...

Sholto’s armchair 

Sholto’s armchair is adorned with colourful lotus.

In the Victorian language of flowers, the lotus is a symbol of estranged love. It is rather interesting to note the correlation with the meaning of the forget-me-not. Sholto is already associated with two symbols of old flames, of forsaken/estranged love.

The lotus is also linked with the symbolism of the cycle, as it closes each night and blooms with the daylight. It is tied to the cycle of life/death/rebirth.

I find this idea engaging, as Sholto is between life and death when he sits down in the armchair. He has decided to accept his fate, until Sherlock, his mirror, reminds him the importance of John's feelings. It is then that Sholto chooses life, effectively going through the whole cycle.

Additionally, I believe that the idea of cycle is quite relevant in an episode which introduces John's successive love interests (Sholto, Sherlock, Mary) and presents multiple love triangles. Sholto is the oldest intense relation we know from John's life. But his position in John's heart belongs to the past: after a traumatic event (John being shot in Afghanistan, or perhaps a traumatic break up), Sholto left room to another man in an armchair (Sherlock), followed by Mary after another traumatic event (Sherlock's "death"). We know Mary's position in John's heart will change due to a traumatic event (Mary shooting Sherlock - or, depending on how you see things, Mary's death) (I had written this before s4 xD). The triumphant relationship presented in the episode is doomed to fail. The cycle will continue.

The lotus is also a symbol of purity and spirituality.

In a spirit of comprehensiveness: the lotus also makes me think of the Black Lotus in TBB. I probably wouldn’t have mentioned it if not for the other ties to Moriarty in the room.

Saving Sholto - flowers in the corridor

A) The yellow flowers in the staircase

We only see this flower when our heroes are striving to save Sholto, a scene when the connections between Sherlock and Sholto are more explicit than ever.

I believe the yellow flowers in the staircase to be yellow acacia (also known as mimosa). In the Victorian language of flowers, the yellow acacia is a symbol of “secret love”;  the acacia in general being associated with concealed love.

Once again, we observe that Sholto is linked with the concept of love. It becomes a pattern that this love is concealed, secret, forsaken, estranged. I think it’s rather telling about John and Sholto’s relationship. These flowers hint at a secret love shared in the past, now estranged (as we know from their exchanges; John hasn’t seen where Sholto lives and so on).

Also interesting: in this scene, Sherlock and Sholto are linked more explicitly than ever. Thus to me, this idea of concealed, secret love, now forsaken, extends to John and Sherlock’s relationship. As a matter of fact, it is the heart of the episode that Sherlock has to let John go and witness as he marries another person. The concept of a secret love he has to give up makes sense.

On a more positive note, I’ve learned that acacia blossoms can mean “beauty in retirement”, which I find quite satisfying as regards to Sholto’s future (as well as Sherlock and John’s? Growing old in Sussex, producing acacia honey...).

(I am pretty sure the yellow flowers are acacia, but in a spirit of fairness: they might be goldenrods? Goldenrods mean “be cautious” -> which would also tie well with the spirit of the scene.. and, I would argue, the wedding. It also delivers a message of encouragement -> and we indeed see John and Sherlock encouraging Sholto to choose life)

B) The flower painting

Looming behind our trio, we see a painting with flowers. These flowers are, I believe, sunflowers. This is the second time sunflowers are seen in TSOT: Molly's dress has a pattern with this flower.

The sunflower is a symbol of admiration, appreciation and loyalty. Look at them radiating behind John as he’s about to save Sholto :)

Of course, sunflowers are a representation of the sun; as we know, John is strongly associated with the sun in the show.

Just like the lotus, the sunflower is linked to the notion of cycles. It reinforces the idea of the life/death/rebirth cycle which Sholto is going through in this scene.

I would also argue that, as Sholto chooses life, we can see the renewal of these two’s past affection and relationship. John’s words, "I believe I am your doctor", remind me of the first assertion of his position in Sherlock’s life from the pilot "I'm his doctor/Only a fool argues with his doctor". New beginnings. It is, I think, a strong assertion of affection for John and Sholto (and Sherlock recognises it). Sholto states he is “in need of medical attention”, of John’s attention, and John provides it, highlighting that he is his doctor. He ends up saving Sholto’s heart.

(Side note: it is extremely gratifying to see John fully embraced and celebrated as a doctor, both by Sholto and Sherlock in his speech; especially considering that he previously had to fight for recognition as a doctor in front of Major Reed. John’s identity as a doctor is paramount to him, and you can see how painful it is for him when this part of him is attacked). ((Now consider the “are you really a doctor????” scene from TLD))

Other side note: the sunflower was Oscar Wilde’s favourite flower. I don’t think it’s particularly relevant to the scene, but it’s always nice to point out.

Maybe more relevant to this scene => in Greek mythology, after losing her beloved Apollo (= the Sun God), who abandoned her for another woman, the water nymph Clytie mourned his departure, refusing food or water. After 9 days, she transformed into a sunflower, keeping her face longingly turned towards the sun to see her beloved’s course. Again, the myth is a painful reminder to Sherlock’s situation. The man has to see his beloved (the Sun, aka John) abandon him for another woman (Mary). When John finds Sherlock again, he is in a drug den, longingly hoping for John’s return.

Conclusion: Sholto and flowers

When one analyses the flowers associated with Sholto, a pattern seems to emerge:

Sholto as a character is connected to positive notions => bravery, strength, resilience, fondness, adoration...

A number of flowers are associated with the concept of love. This love is secret, concealed, forsaken, estranged. I find it extremely telling about John’s relationship with James Sholto. To me, it is a sign that the two were involved romantically, most probably in a secret affair. At the very least, they both had romantic feelings for each other and kept it silent. The flowery subtext makes it clear to me that James Sholto is a lost love from John’s past.

There are a few ties with the notion of cycle. It makes sense to Sholto’s journey as he faces death, then revival. Additionally, it is also linked with the idea of John and Sholto reaffirming their bond and connecting once more (“I am your doctor”), especially in a room full of forget-me-nots -> remembrance, reconnection to the past. To me, the notion of cycle also implies the cycle of John’s loves -> Sholto from the past, Mary in the present, but the cycle will continue.

Sholto and Sherlock are mirrors, which means that the flowery subtext which applies to Sholto also applies to Sherlock. Remembrance of a past flame, staying loyal through hardships, secret love, eventual reconnection...

There are hints that Moriarty looms over Sholto at the wedding.

Pink forget-me-nots link Sholto and Mary in the confrontation scene -> remembrance of past loves. Potentially hinting at a betrayal of John’s trust on James’ part? Or maybe his sense of emotional safety broken by James?

Feel free to share your thoughts/remarks on the subject with me! And never hesitate to correct me on the identification of flowers: it is not my speciality, so even if I do my research, I might get things wrong.

And as always: take care. Sending you warm, flowery thoughts!

tagging a few lovely people who might be interested in this piece => @sarahthecoat, @fivefeetfangirl, @tremendousdetectivetheorist, @isitandwonder​

[cheuwing]

First of all: Thank you very much for your metas! I have a question about the role of Greg in tjlc. What exactly is he doing? Is he a good one or a baddy? Any space for Mystrade in tjlc?

Hello dear,

Thank you so much for your message! I was surprised to receive a question after such a long absence (a very nice surprise!). I don’t know if you’ll read my answer; hopefully it will find you well. :)

It is a very interesting question... I haven’t rewatched every single episode with a focus on Greg (I might do it later!), so feel free to take my view with a pinch of salt.

First of all: I adore Gavin Greg Lestrade! He is such an amazing, complex character in the series. I believe it is clear that Greg is on the good side. Actually, I think each character mentioned on the rooftop scene as targeted by Moriarty is explicitly good: John Watson, Mrs Hudson, Greg Lestrade. (Every other speculation is fair game, but these three are unquestionably good) The show never questions their loyalty either. Greg might be disgrunted sometimes, but he’s always there to help and support Sherlock (the “maximum back up” scene at the beginning of TSOT comes to mind). Furthermore, he is the very first one who talks about Sherlock’s side: “Sherlock Holmes is a great man, and I think one day, if we're very, very lucky, he might even be a good one.” To me, these elements prove without the shadow of a doubt that Greg is, in fact, good.

Also, according to Sherlock:

That’s all the proof I need! x)

Now, regarding Greg’s role in TJLC... My personal opinion is that he serves as a mirror. Typically, a mirror for Sherlock:

detective, keen on solving cases,

clever,

good coat, and similar clothes in general,

quits cigarettes at the same time as Sherlock (showing their matching patches in ASIP), both are seen with - unlit - cigarettes in their mouth in s3,

willing to bend the rules a little bit to solve his cases - namely by calling a “consulting detective”,

blunt and a bit ruthless (his introduction scene in which he is uncomfortable, possibly annoyed, in front of the media and deadpans “Don’t commit suicide” while Sally plays Watson’s role as social facilitator)

solving a case or saving a friend is more important than taking credit,

a bit of a drama queen (... that “maximum back up” scene comes to mind again xD),

lovely interactions with John in which they tend to be very honest and a bit arseholy (”NOT REALLY”)... (also: taking care of him and bringing Sherlock memorabilia in Many Happy Returns), a few moments of them working perfectly in sync (that action walk shot in HLV)

... among other things!

Interestingly, I think it’s fair to say that Greg is associated to John in some aspects (public servants, caring arseholes, both of them striving to guide Sherlock on the side of the angels, mindful of Sherlock’s emotions & thoughts process... Betrayed by their wives. Even on a visual level: action walk in HLV, shooting scene in THOB, in which, hilariously, even though John shoots second, he manages to catch his target => metaphors!!!)

I personally believe that Greg serves to show how a real, uncomplicated friendship with Sherlock (or John, for that matter) would work. He has no problem hugging him when he comes back (something John is unable to do, because he is overwhelmed with too many conflicting emotions... also, they’re not alone). Talking about emotions and such is easier between them too (Greg doesn’t hesitate to ask about John when Sherlock brings Molly for the case). They still bicker, argue and even play jokes on one another like John & Sherlock do (Lestrade never hesitates to film Sherlock on his phone, or to force him to wear a security blanket). Same goes between John & Lestrade: the friendship is much smoother/more wholesome than with Sherlock, because no one has to rein desire/unspoken emotions in. I mean, as @just-sort-of-happened highlighted it in this post: Greg provides a contrast to John's attraction to Sherlock.

So there you go: to me, Greg is a mirror for Sherlock and his interactions with both John & Sherlock serve as a contrast between the wholesome friendship that could be and the complicated relationship with lots of hidden desires, unspoken things and general sense of constrinct that these two have.

I also believe that Greg is a sort of mentor to them? He is the one who guides onto the right path, the one who is concerned, who is proud (his proud daddy expressions give me life), and I guess, who experiences things first (he has already worked on the cases before he presents them to Sherlock - and usually has failed -, he shoots the hound first - and fails -, he was married before John - and... you get the jist). I feel like Greg will start his grand relationship before Johnlock and in a sense, will show them the way.

As for the grand relationship in question... I love Mystrade. I really do. If it becomes canon, I’d be very happy. (Also, I could totally see Mark Gatiss thrilled to pose with Rupert Graves, his crush from Maurice, as his fictional lover ^^). Greg has been associated with John enough that I could see their relationship as a mirror for Johnlock. (and I certainly love this trope in fanfics!) I would be more than satisfied with Mystrade (also... if it happened after years of queerbaiting issues? two gay couples? with Gatiss, creator of the show, playing a character in a homosexual relationship? That could be pretty cool).

However, I have to say that I’m not really convinced it will happen in the show? It seems to me Mycroft is very much presented as an asexual character, or, at the very least, someone who doesn’t understand sex at all (the allusions with Lady Smallwood show how uncomprehending he is on the subject, and not just in a ‘gay man approached by a woman’ kind of way. Contrast with Sherlock in ASIP, being able to say ‘women are not my area’, ‘I know it’s fine’ and ‘while I’m flattered by your interest....’). In Sherlock’s mind palace, Mycroft serves as “the mind”, cold, logical, rational, in contrast to John “the heart”, emotion-focused, soft. In the Mayfly Man deduction, Mycroft insists on intricate planning, intent... whereas John focuses on sex right away. Thus, I personally see Mycroft as very remote from the concept of sexuality.

I personally see another likelier (in the context of the show) love interest for Greg: Molly Hooper. If Greg is an obvious mirror for Sherlock, Molly is an obvious mirror for John (I mean, very explicitly... And also at the wedding). There is already a history of interest between the two, at least from Greg’s part. Remember the gaping mouth at Molly’s dress at Christmas? How the camera framed them as a couple at the wedding, while Tom was obviously discarded as a serious lasting boyfriend for her? To be fully honest, I would probably be slightly annoyed at Molly’s character development if she goes out with another Sherlock mirror, but... It would make sense. She said it herself: she has a type. And I’d argue that Greg is a much more wholesome mirror for Sherlock, and he’s obviously interested in her. I think the writers already paved the road for this romance, so it seems likelier to me. I guess we will wait and see :)

To sum up => I ADORE Greg Lestrade. I hadn’t explored my thoughts on him for a long time before I received your message and had the perfect opportunity to do so. It is a joy to study his character and role in the story. To me, he is unquestionably good (like Mrs H & John). He is a fascinating mirror for Sherlock, and a great friend who shows what an uncomplicated friendship with John & Sherlock would look like. I’d definitely be happy to see Mystrade on screen (and these versions of Mycroft and Greg would certainly work well together! I think Greg would love to tease Mycroft like John does sometimes -> cue to hilarious expressions). I personally don’t think the writers would go there, but who knows? That could be very satisfying. I think a likelier mirror for Johnlock will be provided with Molly/Lestrade. Either way, Lestrade might very well be the one to show John & Sherlock the way to love. I’m curious to see how they will show it :)

Hopefully this will be a satisfying answer. Take care, dear! (And feel free to share your thoughts with me on the matter :) )

[cheuwing]

Back again

I know that it gets old, and I’m not sure who still follows this blog or is eager for meta after all these years... But, here I am!

I took part in the tenth anniversary Sherlock watchalong, and it was such a thrill to share my thoughts and excitement with other people! It made me want to share more here. I still have an on-going meta on flowers & Sholto (the research is done, now I just have to make sure the language & structure is nice to read). I think I’ll start smoothly at first. So I’ll answer to old questions and see where it takes me. To all the lovely persons who still reblog my meta and ask questions: a huge, heartfelt thank you.

Most importantly: I hope that everything is going as smoothly as can be for all of you. Sending waves of kind thoughts and encouragement to everyone. Take care, dears(talker!).

(........ I had to => MISS ME?)

[inevitably-johnlocked]

Crowley "My best friend died. :(" Aziraphale not realising it's about him "I'm sorry." Me "You dense motherfucker!"

ASDFSADFDFASDFA LISTEN.

I SCREAMED “OMG IT’S YOU, DUMBASS”. I ADORE AZZI OKAY??? He’s so soft and sweet and stupidly clever and I love him and I will protect his dumb bowtied ass forever.

[cheuwing]

I love everything about it! 

Though, to be honest, I read this scene as Aziraphale understanding what Crowley implied (“I lost you and I couldn’t cope”), but finding himself unable to respond. As though it was too overwhelming for him to fully grasp and give a satisfying answer to at that moment… He feels too vulnerable/insecure to have that discussion… So he quickly focuses on another pressing issue. 

I mean, the way he changes the subject is waaaay too quick for him not to understand what Crowley is saying. Wouldn’t Aziraphale have offered at least a few words if his favourite demon had lost someone (else) dear to him? Definitely more than his to-the-point “I’m sorry. /avoiding Crowley’s eyes for a second/ Lalalala, so, back to the end of the world, lalalala”. He would have said something else, offered words of comfort (he would have called Crowley “my dear” ^^) . His line is too quick, deadpan and to the point: I almost read it as a plea: “not now, I can’t”.

Quite frankly, it seems relevant to their dynamic: Crowley tends to open new doors, and several times, we see Aziraphale unable to follow at that precise moment. As he tells him, “You’re going too fast for me” (such a powerful, honest moment… He says it with tears in his eyes, and the entire scene is so raw… my sweetheart…). That being said, our dear angel always ends up taking Crowley’s offers. Every single one of them. And he even opens some doors too! Like in that scene, when he suggests they could share Crowley’s body… Something that apparently gives sexual “tingles” xD (funny how Aziraphale’s offers are often related to sex) 

He just needs time to process.

He always gives a positive answer to Crowley’s offers after taking his time to process. It’s how their relationship works, it seems. And in the end, look at Aziraphale’s eyes caressing his demon during their diner at the Ritz! It seems that he has come to terms with Crowley’s feelings (and his own). He looks so receptive and forward in his affection towards Crowley. :) Beautiful…

… Anyway, that’s my perception of the character ! ^^ I love him to bits, he is wonderfully clever and compelling… I see a similarity with BBC Sherlock’s John Watson, in the sense that both characters are creatures of dichotomies (and bloody dense morons when it comes to sentiments, for heaven’s sake!).

[ghostflowerdreams]

Writing Research - Victorian Era

In historical fiction it is important to be accurate and the only way to do so is to research the era. What is highly recommended by many writers is to write your story first. While writing your story, mark the parts that you’re not sure are correct and then do the research after you are done. This is to prevent you from from doing unnecessary research that may not be relevant to your work. You want to spend your time wisely!

To begin, the Victorian period formally begins in 1837 (the year Victoria became Queen) and ends in 1901 (the year of her death). 

Names

1000 Most Popular Victorian Names

Victorian Era Names, A Writer’s Guide

Victorian Darlings - British Baby Names

Society & Life

Victorian Society

The Victorians: Life and Death

The Victorian Working Life

A Woman’s Place in 19th Century Victorian History

Victorian Occupations: Life and Labor in the Victorian Period

Flirting and Courting Rituals of The Victorian Era

Victorian Working Women

Victorian Life

Glimpses of Victorian Life

Victorian Rituals & Traditions

Victorian Etiquette

Etiquette, Manners and Morals

Victorian Britain - Children at Work

Children in the Victorian Age

Daily Life in the Victorian Era

How the Mid-Victorians Worked, Ate and Died

The House of Mourning - Victorian Mourning & Funeral Customs in the 1890s

Ideals of Womanhood in Victorian Britain

Etiquette of a Victorian Lady

Going to School in Victorian Times

History of Working Class Mothers in Victorian England

Life of the Victorian Woman

The Working Class and The Poor

VictorianWomen’s Work

Needlework, Knitting and Crohet

Victorian Etiquette - Births and Christenings

Victorian Ballroom Dancing Etiquette

Ballroom Manners and Etiquette

Sex & Sexuality in the 19th Century

Victorian Homes and Gardens

The Shops and Shopkeepers

Victorian Christmas

The History of British Winters

Top Ten Pet Peeves, or Horse-Related Mistakes to Avoid in your Story

Marriage in the Victorian Era

Victorian Wedding Guide

Victorian Technology

History - Victorian Technology 

Commerce

British Money

Wages and Cost of Living in the Victorian Era

Pricing and Money

Victorian Money

Cost of Living in Victorian England

How Much Is That - Calculating Prices Throughout the Years

Entertainment & Food

Victorian Menu - Cooking and Recipes

A Time Traveler’s Guide to Victorian Era Tea Etiquette (PDF)

The Victorian Pantry

Victorian Era Food Recipes

Victorians Food Facts - Cookbook

Food, Recipes and Tea

Victorian Tea Time Recipes - Sandwich and Cheese Straws

Victorian Era Recipes

Victorian Food, Party & Recipes

Victorian Dinner Parties

19th Century Food and Drink

What the Poor Ate

The Arts in Victorian Britain

Victorian Art, Literature and Music 

Music, Theater, and Popular Entertainment in Victorian Britain

Victorian Entertainments - We Are Amused

19th Century Hobbies and Daily Activities

Victorian Pastimes and Sports

Victorian Fun and Games & Other Pastimes

19th Century British and Irish Authors

Hygiene, Health & Medicine

Health and Hygiene in the Nineteenth Century

Victorian Diseases and Medicine

Health & Medicine in the 19th Century

19th Century Diseases

Victorian Health

Five Horrible Diseases You Might Have Caught in Victorian England

Alcohol and Alcoholism in Victorian England

A Look Back at Old-Time Medicines

Victorian London’s Drug Culture

Victorian - Medical Breakthroughs

Victorian Hospitals

Victorian - Baths and Washhouses

Medicine and Health in Victorian Times

The Victorian Revolution in Surgery

Victorian Science and Medicine

Victorian Health and Medicine

Women’s Health

Victorian View on Menstruation

Reusable Menstrual Products

Childbirth and Birth Control in the 19th Century

British Maternal Mortality in the 19th and early 20th Centuries

The Historical Horror of Childbirth

Contraception: Past, Present and Future Factsheet

History of Contraception in America, 19th Century Artifacts

Fashion

Dressing the Victorian Woman

Victorian Hats

Victorian Jewelry

Victorian Hairstyles & Headdresses

Hair of the Nineteenth Century

How to Dress for Travel in 1852

Victorian Men’s Clothing

How to Dress Like a Victorian Man from the 1860s

How to Dress Victorian

Victorian Era Fashion

Royal Fashion

Victorian Fashion

Boy’s 1860s Fashions

Dressing the Victorian Girl of the 1890s

Victoria’s Real Secret — The Victorians Knew Underwear

How to Undress a Victorian Lady in Your Next Historical Romance

Early Victorian Undergarments; Part 1, luxurious silk hose, colorful stockings, & socks

Early Victorian Undergarments; Part 2, Chemises and camisoles

Early Victorian Undergarments; Part 3, Pantalettes, pantalets, drawers, and bloomers

Victorian Ladies Shoes & Boots

Victorian Swimwear

Victorian Men and Woman Swim Wear

Dialogue

Victorian Language

The Language of Flowers

Victorian London - Words and Expressions

A Dictionary of Victorian Slang (1909)

Victorian Slang

19th Century Swears

Victorian Slang - Lower Class and Underworld

Cliches and Saying of the Victorian Era

The Dictionary of Victorian London

Justice & Crimes

How Safe Was Victorian London?

Crime and the Victorian Household

Danger inside the Train: Crime on Victorian Railways

Railway Mania

How Widespread Were Concerns About Prostitution?

Fallen Women

The Great Social Evil: Victorian Prostitution

Sexual Violence in Nineteenth Century England

Victorian Poisoners

Crime and the Victorians

Victorian Crime

Victorian Crime & Punishment

Victorian Women Criminals’ Records Show Harsh Justice of 19th Century

Sentences and Punishments

Types of Punishments - Hanging

Types of Punishments - Imprisonment

Victorian Children in Trouble with the Law

Child Prisoners in Victorian Times

Victorian Crime

Victorian-era Serial Killers

The Development of a Police Force

The Metropolitan Police

A Work-Life History of Policemen in Victorian and Edwardian England (PDF)

How The Victorians Cracked Crime

Tracking a 19th-Century Serial Killer

[cheuwing]

I’m working on my metas again, and it feels wonderful!! I feel confident I should post them soon... FINALLY! (My meta on Sholto is overdue!)

SOON!

I’m having the time of my life at university, I LOVE research (I work on flowers in Victorian literature)! It takes a lot of my time, but the blog and my metas are still important to me; and so are my lovely friends from tumblr! I missed you darlings!

(Btw, it’s quite funny to see how much my work at university is similar to the one I do for my blog! xD)

[cheuwing]

“[...] and I know that for me, to whom flowers are part of desire, there are tears waiting in the petals of some rose. It has always been so with me from my boyhood. There is not a single colour hidden away in the chalice of a flower, or the curve of a shell, to which, by some subtle sympathy with the very soul of things, my nature does not answer.  Like Gautier, I have always been one of those 'pour qui le monde visible existe.'”

Oscar Wilde, De Profundis

[thepineapplering]

The missing word

Sherlock: You said your life turned on one word Faith: Yes. The name of the person my father wanted to kill.

        - The Lying Detective

In Poetry or Truth II: Brecht and The Great Game @toxicsemicolon explains how S4 is “not real life for John and Sherlock. [The episodes] are the clumsy travesties of the wonderful incidents of which John was once the faithful recorder” A conclusion that comes straight from “Studies of Sherlock Holmes”, an essay written by Ronald A. Knox.

Known as “the Cornerstone of Sherlockian Literature”, Ronald A. Knox’s essay  started The Great Sherlockian Game. Moffat and Gatiss not only agree with it but clearly take from it to write their series. Give the essay a read. Is short, witty and really fun.

In said essay, among other works, he quoted two books written by Gaston Leroux: “The Mystery of the Yellow Room” and “The Perfume of the Lady in Black”. Previously discussed by @green-violin-bow in this post, these books address one of the most sherlockian subjects: The locked room mysteries. If these titles sound somehow familiar, there’s a reason for that:

So I went and read both books. A locked up room mystery in each one, with Joseph Rouletabille as the smart journalist solving the cases no one could ever, and his faithful friend, the narrator in both books, a lawyer called M. Sainclair. The Holmes/Watson dynamic is obvious from the start. Worth mentioning at this point, as John Watson can be seen as a self insert of Arthur Conan Doyle, Rouletabille is clearly a self insert of Gaston Leroux.

Afficher davantage

[cheuwing]

Oh my goodness, that is SO GOOD!!! Thank you @thepineapplering for this awesome meta!

“Hamish” is so important, and it’s clearly linked to John’s father for me. “The name of the person my father wanted to kill”, indeed, but there’s still Faith. :)

[cheuwing]

Imminent meta coming

James Sholto & Flowers

(coming next week)

[featuresofinterest]

the internet tells me that white roses are a traditional wedding flower and that they represent pure, eternal love and i’m losing my damn mind

[just-sort-of-happened]

@cheuwing check this out 

[cheuwing]

Thank you @just-sort-of-happened​ and @tendergingergirl​ to share this post with me! ❤️

Wow, amazing catch, @joebidenfanclub​! It was actually one of my projects to check for (white) roses throughout the show! :)

The white rose is indeed a symbol of pure eternal love, as well as secret or silent love. The flower is associated with trust, reverence and admiration, and also displays a message of “I am worthy of you”, which seems important when we think of Sherlock and John.

Should it be a coincidence that white roses make a flamboyant appearance at John & Sherlock, um I mean Mary’s wedding, on John & Sherlock’s boutonnieres over their hearts? (the universe is rarely so lazy) [on Mrs Hudson’s too, and we know she’s the strongest shipper!]

Additionally, I think the bloom of the flowers might be important here - in the second series, it seems the roses tend to be more closed, whereas in TSOT and series 4, there are full bloom. The love and relationship between John and Sherlock is evolving, blooming. (Also, white rosebuds = pure, innocent love, young heart innocent of love - which is interesting when we think of the characters in the first series)

I believe we have to specifically track the evolution of the roses throughout the show to be sure. That sounds like a promising project!!!

Last remarks:

In Greek mythology, white roses were associated with Aphrodite: as she sprang forth into life from the foaming sea, white roses grew where the foam fell to the ground.

I believe Moffat and Gatiss (most likely the later in particular) know their Victorian language of flowers really well. In the Victorian era, bouquets of white roses were offered as a beginning of a courtship. Also, it was Queen Victoria herself that made white roses so popular at weddings - at her own wedding in 1840, white roses were everywhere.

I’m not entirely sure, but I think there are twelve roses in the vase in the two first shots? Twelve roses are offered as a declaration of love (completeness & perfect love) - and twelve white roses stand for “secrecy, innocence or purity”. Very Johnlock, methinks? But I’m not entirely sure ^^

There are so many things to say about the last shot?! John with what looks like a large bloodstain pooling at his feet, in a very white room with luminous nature outside, with white roses at his right (flowers that can be a symbol of remembrance and spiritual love for the departed)... To me, it screams "John trapped between life and death” (just like Sherlock in HLV). (Yes, I believe we’re trapped in John’s “mind creepy bungalow” in TFP). Beautiful shot!

[cheuwing]

I’m back!

A warm hello to everyone still following the blog! ❤️💛💚💙💜 

This post is just a quick announcement to let you know I’ll start posting metas again very soon. :) I missed writing and exchanging here and I’m thrilled at the prospect of enjoying it again! 💙

I’m on holiday after a busy (and fascinating!) year at university. I have lovely projects in mind for next year and I am so proud of my progress so far! I feel warm with positivity. :) (btw, a special thank you to @just-sort-of-happened for your support and kind words, you cannot believe how much it helped!! 💜 I’ll message you soon, I promise!)

Now that I have time for me, I can publish here again! I am so happy! I have many analyses in my drafts mind, and it is high time to share them! I’ll probably post a first one next week, and publish regularly afterwards. Among other subjects, my next posts will tackle:

James Sholto,

Jewels in TAB,

A new article on Mary & flowers (so many things to say!!)

If you have other suggestions, feel free to message me! :)

I missed this community so much! Love you all! ❤️💛💚💙💜

Tagging a few people who might be interested (and to whom I want to send my love! 💛): @isitandwonder, @jenna221b, @tjlcisthenewsexy, @ebaeschnbliah, @conan-doyles-carnations, @monikakrasnorada, @yorkiepug

Btw, other thought => I am seriously thinking about writing articles on flowers in literature. Would you prefer me to post here or start a side blog devoted to literature?

[just-sort-of-happened]

I like your case for non-closeted John and I tend to agree. I'm wondering, what do you take from the scenes in ASiB where John is reading from a leatherbound gilted book that most fans have assumed to be the Bible. I don't mean to imply that Bible-reading=homophobic (I'm a gay divinity school student!) but this show is not extremely nuanced re: religion (though better than many) so I've always read that scene as a shorthand for John's repressed reaction to Irene's revelations. What do you think?

Yeah, I know that the idea that it’s the bible has often lead people to think it’s about, you know, keeping the gay feelings in.

I do imagine that it’s the bible but that he’s reading something about love and patience because being Sherlock’s not-boyfriend is so trying at times.  You know something like 1 Corinthians 13:4-13.  But, I’m a romantic.  ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

I think that this is all so much in the realm of headcanon that there’s no way to meta it, really.  I mean we can meta the idea that it’s the bible I think a bit since he’s reading in front of a church at one point but to imagine what it’s about is, well, pretty subjective.

I mean, it’s understandable to think that christianity = homophobia because hey, all the good advice in the world (from the bible) can’t undo the shitty things that leviticus says but yeah, I feel like John’s trying to keep things together on a personal level.

I think it’s because I see him reading that book at times when he seems to be trying to gather all his strength to be patient with Sherlock, to be a good friend, to do his role.

This could be a danger night.  He’s lost his girlfriend to stay home and Sherlock’s probably going to come home and be difficult, 

This is after a tense incident between them to say the least.  Again, John doesn’t know how Sherlock is going to act or how difficult it’s going to be,

Anyway, that’s my personal take on this.  I can definitely see why people headcanon that as a bible and the gesture as him trying to be less queer.  But to me I see him gathering inner strength here, and I see this as a bible but one where he’s seeking some solace and trying to persevere in his role as not-boyfriend to Sherlock.  

Realistically, do we even know it’s a bible?  Could be Alice in Wonderland or something, right?  There’s someone who keeps her head in the face of adversity.  And absurdity.  ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[cheuwing]

Brilliant thoughts @just-sort-of-happened!

Tbh, I really find it weird that we never have a full focus on the book in ASIB?! I mean, the book is clearly important in the shots, but it’s always filmed in a very clever way so we cannot properly identify it.

That’s why I’m not entirely convinced it’s the Bible. To me, it seems the book is more ambiguous. A classic (probably), but something of personal importance for John. Possibly a life-changing/eye-opening read?

We know how John is strongly attached to writing, and he obviously knows the power of words (ASIP - John knows words can kill). The fact that John reads this book at that particular moment is extremely meaningful, in my opinion.

Tbh, it’s my headcanon, but I’ve always imagined a book with symbolic queer content? Something like The Picture of Dorian Gray (don’t mock me), or as iconically queer? A book with which John discovered same-sex love existed and it could be powerful and fulfilling.

I mean, it’s my theory that John’s familial background made him heavily repress his homosexual desires, (plus, what exactly happened with Harry?)… What if John discovered the wonderful, beautiful and self-actualising aspects of same-sex love through literature? (I could certainly see Gatiss hinting at that)

What if John realised who he was and who he wanted through a book? And what if this particular book is key to his relationship with Sherlock, at least from John’s perspective?

[just-sort-of-happened]

ily @cheuwing <3

[the-7-percent-solution]

Considering TFP may be Sherlock or John’s mind palace, the fact John knows Wilde and The Importance of Being Earnest would support this reading

[cheuwing]

@just-sort-of-happened​: <3 <3 <3 *loving hug full of rainbows*

Wait - in TBB, John states he “learned the clarinet at school”. A highly suggestive line => he learned how to blow a phallic instrument at school. John learned how to act on his homosexual desires at school.

Then, in TFP, John states he studied The Importance of Being Earnest at school.

It seems John has learned a lot of queer things at school - through literature and music. John has learned who he wants to be at school, through his studies, and potentially how to act on his desires as well?

Once again, it seems John has a special relationship to words and literature, concerning his sexual orientation. (Also, what a powerful idea that works of art & culture... and representation in culture, make us realise who we are and who we want to be)

The book in ASIB might be even more paramount that we realised at first?

Anyway, thanks to this conversation, I have developed a new headcanon that John might be an aficionado of Victorian queer literature. And that he reads Oscar Wilde (or any other important work of queer literature highlighting the power of love) at Christmas to gather the strength he needs to support Sherlock... and more generally, in times of need. You always need a vibrant book enhancing the power of queer love. :)

***

@argentinabelievesinsherlock replied: That book in my opinion is where John writes the stories of his adventures with Sherlock, he reads it to remember because it still there for him.

WOW, this is SO romantic?! The book in ASIB might seem a bit too old to be just that yet, perhaps, but I love the idea, and I’m sure John’s stories of his adventures with Sherlock will take another shape in the show - other than the blog: book, bedtime stories?

John does write a book during the cases though. It is true that John is often seen with his notebook scribbling notes on the cases. We even see it in TFP (just before the mentions of Wilde’s play?):

Is it wrong to see John’s writings - his book - subtly associated with Oscar Wilde’s play here? It would make sense on several layers:

a (sassy) man experiencing same-sex attraction writing on the love he feels (the love that dares not speak its name?), enveloped in a compelling thriller

John’s book = Watson’s accounts of Holmes’ cases = Doyle’s novels... Victorian queer literature.

John is the story-teller, and it seems he writes his books alongside the episodes. John Watson, what do you read?

[just-sort-of-happened]

I like your case for non-closeted John and I tend to agree. I'm wondering, what do you take from the scenes in ASiB where John is reading from a leatherbound gilted book that most fans have assumed to be the Bible. I don't mean to imply that Bible-reading=homophobic (I'm a gay divinity school student!) but this show is not extremely nuanced re: religion (though better than many) so I've always read that scene as a shorthand for John's repressed reaction to Irene's revelations. What do you think?

Yeah, I know that the idea that it’s the bible has often lead people to think it’s about, you know, keeping the gay feelings in.

I do imagine that it’s the bible but that he’s reading something about love and patience because being Sherlock’s not-boyfriend is so trying at times.  You know something like 1 Corinthians 13:4-13.  But, I’m a romantic.  ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

I think that this is all so much in the realm of headcanon that there’s no way to meta it, really.  I mean we can meta the idea that it’s the bible I think a bit since he’s reading in front of a church at one point but to imagine what it’s about is, well, pretty subjective.

I mean, it’s understandable to think that christianity = homophobia because hey, all the good advice in the world (from the bible) can’t undo the shitty things that leviticus says but yeah, I feel like John’s trying to keep things together on a personal level.

I think it’s because I see him reading that book at times when he seems to be trying to gather all his strength to be patient with Sherlock, to be a good friend, to do his role.

This could be a danger night.  He’s lost his girlfriend to stay home and Sherlock’s probably going to come home and be difficult, 

This is after a tense incident between them to say the least.  Again, John doesn’t know how Sherlock is going to act or how difficult it’s going to be,

Anyway, that’s my personal take on this.  I can definitely see why people headcanon that as a bible and the gesture as him trying to be less queer.  But to me I see him gathering inner strength here, and I see this as a bible but one where he’s seeking some solace and trying to persevere in his role as not-boyfriend to Sherlock.  

Realistically, do we even know it’s a bible?  Could be Alice in Wonderland or something, right?  There’s someone who keeps her head in the face of adversity.  And absurdity.  ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[cheuwing]

Brilliant thoughts @just-sort-of-happened!

Tbh, I really find it weird that we never have a full focus on the book in ASIB?! I mean, the book is clearly important in the shots, but it's always filmed in a very clever way so we cannot properly identify it.

That's why I'm not entirely convinced it's the Bible. To me, it seems the book is more ambiguous. A classic (probably), but something of personal importance for John. Possibly a life-changing/eye-opening read?

We know how John is strongly attached to writing, and he obviously knows the power of words (ASIP - John knows words can kill). The fact that John reads this book at that particular moment is extremely meaningful, in my opinion.

Tbh, it’s my headcanon, but I’ve always imagined a book with symbolic queer content? Something like The Picture of Dorian Gray (don’t mock me), or as iconically queer? A book with which John discovered same-sex love existed and it could be powerful and fulfilling.

I mean, it’s my theory that John’s familial background made him heavily repress his homosexual desires, (plus, what exactly happened with Harry?)... What if John discovered the wonderful, beautiful and self-actualising aspects of same-sex love through literature? (I could certainly see Gatiss hinting at that)

What if John realised who he was and who he wanted through a book? And what if this particular book is key to his relationship with Sherlock, at least from John’s perspective?