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1) It's not my explanation, it’s from other, smarter humans, and I'm doing this in a thread to invite correction from Sherlockians to correct me. Google “How old is Doctor Watson” and their studies kick out.
But to see if I can still do it *from memory* ...
But to see if I can still do it *from memory* ...
2) Watson graduated from medical school school in 1878 - it’s in the very first paragraph of A STUDY IN SCARLET (okay*that* I just opened my copy to check) - is wounded in the Battle of Maiwand in 1880 so his recovery, later fever, etc kicks him loose in 1880
3) I *think* one of the stories implies he was born in 1850? Again, winging it, but at the *oldest* he’s 30/31.
4) When his friend sets him up with Holmes, he specifically mentions he’s *not* a medical student - so reasonable assumption he *is* the appropriate age — but is in the middle of his studies . Does LAST BOW give his age? In his sixties in WW I?
5) So Watson’s at the outside 30ish and Holmes is canonically a few years younger in the first adventure. Mid 20’s. Established in the first two pages of the first book
6) I bring this up as an object lesson because that very specifically changes the image of the property the general public has in their heads. and how one should also NOT FEEL BOUND for best storytelling. (I meant THE PUBLIC "got it wrong" not the latest adaptors)
7) You don’t see Shelockians freaking out that Benedict Cumberbatch is about ten years too old, like some comic fanboys absolutely would over finicky details (or maybe they are, I don’t go to the meetings)
8) If Jude Law’s in mid-career as Watson he’s fine, but Downey Jr. is ten years older than HIM. I think?
9) it’s just a sore spot because close to 20 years ago a film director and I developed a TV show where Holmes and Watson were women in their 20’s …
10) …and we got shut down by the perception it was too radical a re-invention. Because in the EXECUTIVE’S heads, Holmes and Watson were middle-aged men, and that’s what people would be expecting. And there wasn’t really a cable market then, so … done.
11) So with SHERLOCK and ELEMENTARY (which is the FAR SUPERIOR TV SHOW) ending, if some cable network wants to fill the gap with 20-something female grad-student Holmes and 20-something wounded in Afghanistan female Army Medic Watson, call me.
12) Actually, you call me because I happen to already have the outline kicking around, but then I'll just hand it off to @BeckyKirsch and a bunch of her friends and a staff of female directors. I'll just be around to argue with the network so they can work.
