I just have lots of thoughts about dilution of the character of Sherlock Holmes in fictional media

I want you all to know that I'm physically restraining myself from launching into a multi-tweet thread about the evolution of Sherlock Holmes in media and the shift away from a kind and compassionate, if proud, character toward a "high-functioning sociopath"

Me, to my gf, after we've already said goodnight: ...I just think it's interesting how the development of the concept of "masculinity" following the Victorian Era eventually led to society holding as an ideal the kind of aloof, untouchable male hero who lacks compassion but-

somehow makes up for it (?) with genius. And it's interesting how this evolving ideal eroded a complex and sympathetic character into something representing a very particular type of unhealthy masculine fantasy, ESPECIALLY when the original iteration of this-

character was compassionate and kind, when he loved his friends and had a strong moral compass, when he liked to show off but also admitted he was wrong. It's just interesting, how writers over the years decided to "improve" that by....*checks notes* turning him into an asshole?

The modern conception of Sherlock Holmes is entirely a byproduct of toxic masculine ideals and the idea that not caring somehow makes you interesting. That being aloof, morally grey, & condescending makes you cool. It's definitely not the Sherlock Holmes of the original stories.

I could specifically go off about how Moffat's Sherlock existed only for those gotcha "Look at me! aren't I cool!" moments (when the fun of the original stories was solving the mystery alongside character, not watching him solve it himself ), but I'll save it for another thread

Anyway go read my free webnovel! I'd be lying if I said the aesthetic and writing style wasn't influenced by my inordinate obsession with Sherlock Holmes during my formative years https://twitter.com/fracturedmagic/status/1262551312488595463?s=19