Stunning Settings
Now obviously the most apparent change that was made when adapting the original Sherlock narrative into the current BBC series, was in regards to the setting. While both depictions are set in London the timeline of the two differ. The written works take place in Victorian London as is shown at the beginning of the novel through the statements, “In the year 1878 I took my degree of doctor of medicine of the University of London…” (Conan Doyle 1) and “Under such circumstances I naturally gravitated to London, that great cesspool into which all the loungers and idlers of the Empire are irresistibly drained.” (Conan Doyle 4). Meanwhile, the TV series has brought the characters to the setting of modern day London.
This decision by creators Mark Gatiss and Steven Moffat, has proven to be a great link to the success of their show. This is due to the fact that this not only allows them to employ the modern day technology and knowledge, that would have been previously unknown, into the story lines, but it also allows the viewers to feel that the show is more relatable to them. The stories of Holmes and Watson have always been enjoyable no matter their setting, but by modernizing them they now can be viewed as instances that could very well occur in our own lives and in this day in age. Take a look at this clip of co-creators Mark Gatiss and Steven Moffat discussing the setting of Sherlock:
You see Sherlock was never meant to be cemented in one rigid time period! He was written in Conan Doyle’s present setting and it only makes sense that the character’s arcs could flourish in our present time by making the right adjustments, while simultaneously remaining true to the original works. Yet, throughout the years it appears that many have remained steadfast in the belief that the great detective belonged in his original era. Before Sherlock , every adaptation of the series remained in the Victorian time period and while the adaptations are still enjoyable, it would appear that the dedication and passion for the sleuth had become somewhat lacking. While Sherlock Holmes’ fame clearly never diminished, fans and stories for the character had become somewhat few and far between and never as abundantly notable as they now have become with the introduction to the series. This is mostly due to the insistence that Sherlock Holmes be rigid in his time period. People started viewing the stories main focus as being on its Victorian setting, and the adventure and friendship between these characters got somewhat left behind. Steven and Mark work to right these wrongs in their interpretation.
When the stories first came out they were fresh and intelligent, employing crime solving techniques not even used by the general armed forces at the time. The stories took advantage of the revolutions of the time period and gained much adoration in return. It only makes sense that the same technique would once again be utilized in order to gain more recognition for the stories.
The fans once again responded in kind, by showing the level of enthusiasm for the great detective's adventures that was once showcased for the original works. BBC’s Sherlock is in a way a mirror to the occurrences that took place in the Victorian era, as by making the stories no longer reused and repetitive, they were able to become updated for our modern tastes and society.