XistentialAngst's Blog, page 197
January 14, 2016
roseinmyhand:
tjlc:
deduce-my-heart:
darlingbenny:
BFI...
"It’d be nice to be a female Moriarty. A Foriarty. It’s a female Moriarty."
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Amanda Abbington in the TAB extras (via thejohnlockhell)
How can anyone still think Mary is ‘not that bad’ and John and Sherlock adore her?
January 13, 2016
hi what is softly softly in the context of tjlc?
in the broadest sense it means the approach of slowly developing romance between same sex couples so that a) sexuality is an incidental trait of a character in an otherwise differently themed show, for example drama about a female lawyer who also happens to be a lesbian with a wife etc; b) it draws heterosexual people in by the virtue of them being hooked on the plot and drama of the show, and getting attached to the characters, so that when sexuality and same sex couples come into it they’ve been eased into the idea so slowly they accept them. it’s so that lgb people get the varied representation they deserve, not just shows that revolve around gay sex or young people, and straight people are gently educated on lgb issues.
the term comes from lsit’s softly softy meta which is based on research into lgb portrayals commission by the bbc. i suggest you give it a read, it looks huge and daunting but nattie writes in a clear, concise and easily understandable way. here are the essentials to take away from it, in bbc’s own words:
The BBC is not funded like other broadcasters: it is not beholden to advertisers and thus can afford to have moral convictions and take risks. And it knows this.Specifically, the BBC does not directly aim to please an international audience, nor do Moffat and Gatiss.The BBC feels its Royal Charter not only requires that the BBC deliver LGB portrayals, but that the BBC celebrate them and work to fight homophobia.BBC research states that the majority of their audience is not only comfortable with LBG portrayal, but wants more and better LGB portrayals.The BBC was already perceived as fairly LGB-friendly even prior to 2009’s research commission.The BBC has officially dedicated itself to authentic LGB portrayals.The BBC has consciously chosen to portray LGB intimacy despite the reaction of uncomfortable heterosexuals. It intends to make comfortable those it can make comfortable, and acknowledges it cannot reach all of them.The BBC wants to air “landmark” or “watercooler” LGB content that becomes “culturally iconic.” They are pressed that Channel 4 is perceived as more LGB-friendly than the BBC, and they want to out-gay them.BBC LGB research indicates that in their dramas specifically, LGB “watercooler moments” must be given “sufficient depth and time to unfold.”The BBC understands that LGB people are sick of tragic endings.The BBC understands that “landmark content” entails visuals of LGB intimacy.BBC LGB research lead it to resolve not to queerbait before Sherlock was ever accused of queerbaiting.The BBC is not messing around. They are taking steps to ensure they are progressing in terms of their LGB content.The BBC has explicitly stated its intent to work with LGB writers to ensure authentic LGB portrayals.Mark Gatiss has stated that the BBC has never kept him from doing something he wants to do.In his novels, Gatiss revealed a protagonist to be queer halfway through the story just so it wouldn’t be labeled a “gay” story from the outset.Gatiss and Moffat have stated they never disagree on Sherlock, and Moffat has written two other homosexual AU versions of Holmes and Watson.Ben Stephenson, the man who commissioned Sherlock, would absolutely have commissioned TJLC along with it. In fact, TJLC would have been a huge positive factor in his decision.and to seal the deal here’s a quote from mark gatiss from 2012:
I always thought that what Russell [T. Davies] did in Doctor Who was extremely ground-breaking, in a slightly more subversive way than it looked like. It never occurred to me that [the representation of gay characters] was too on the nose; what he did brilliantly was introduce incidentally gay characters — obviously as well as some more in-your-face ones. One of my favourite stories is [the episode] Gridlock: there’s an elderly couple of ladies who are together, and it just sort of passes by, and that’s the way—softly, softly.
That’s how the revolution happens, as it were: you just become aware that people are incidentally gay.
I think when the day comes that you have a big detective show where the first half hour was this man at work, and he’s a maverick, and all the usual things… and then we went home and his boyfriend says, ‘Are you alright?’, [and] it was just a thing… then something would have genuinely changed. I think the problem still is, [being gay] becomes the issue. I think the thing with gay characters is that it has to be an issue, as opposed to being part of everyday life — which of course, as we all know, is what it is.
sound familiar? this meta is a great way to start your journey into tjlc because it’s not dependent on subtext or how you read the show, so it won’t change. for many of us this was a huge turning point after which we abandoned all doubt.
TJLC Meta - A Beginner’s Guide
hi! it’s a newbie tjlc follower again! So sorry to bother you! I have been watching Sherlock since the beginning and while I have always kind of been a Johnlock supporter, I am new to the TJLC world. I am trying to figure out where to start. Have you any advice for a beginner like me? Which metas to read first and things like that? Right now I am in desperate need for long detailed meta over John’s jelousy and clear possesivness of Sherlock. Honestly, I totally get it if you have no time for this! I had to try and ask you :)
HI!!! :D WELCOME!!! NEVER EVER APOLOGIZE!! I love helping y’all find your way through the MASSIVE amounts of TJLC Meta! It’s quite overwhelming when you’re new, and just reading the meta about it is so exciting and helps to validate your feelings about it! :D
Shameless self promo first of all, let me introduce you to the TJLC / Johnlock section of my Monstrous Masterpost! AND I’m gonna also shamelessly direct you to My Own Meta, because why not :p I specialize in analyzing Sherlock’s character arc, obsessing about TAB and Mary as a villain, with a dab of Nonny Asks on the side :)
So, now that that is out of the way… I was also once a newly initiated TJLCer, and needed my convincing! I’m not 100% recalling SPECIFIC meta regarding the jealousy and possessiveness, but I have one or two sorta-kinda related. Let me point you to a few of the very first meta I read in the fandom, and sunk me as deep into hell as I am in now :D
Irene Adler: The Woman, The Myth, The Meta - This was literally one of the very first meta I EVER read, and because of it, it completely changed how I viewed ASiB, the only episode I really despised because I couldn’t understand the subtext. This deals a bit with John’s jealousy :)
Related Posts: [How we know Sherlock wasn’t attracted to Irene] | [Sherlock’s smoking habit demonstrates he wasn’t in love with Irene, but John]
I’d Avoid the Nose and Teeth Too - And here’s one explaining just how much John loves Sherlock.
TJLC for the Uninitiated - A wonderful summation of all the tropes and clues in Sherlock so far that point to a Johnlock Endgame. Basically, if you have a friend that needs convincing, send them here. Good for beginners to, because it also helps solidify our beliefs!
TJLC: Your Guide to Romance & Holmesian Deduction in the Sherlock Fandom - An interesting long post about many of the more blatant signs of Johnlock through the first three seasons. I look forward to when this post is updated for S4. Fave post, great read!
The Season Four Finale: The Three Garridebs, Much Angst, Mary Dies, Baby Dies - A VERY comprehensive theory-based post on what @wellthengameover thinks must happen in S4 for the narrative to make sense. My additions include my own ideas as well as me posing the question: What exactly constitutes as the Johnlock kiss? A great read, this one. Addendum: Response to My Replies Expanding on Theory
How to find subtext - This was SO important in my development as a meta writer. @loudest-subtext-in-television‘s tips really opened up my eyes and helped me view the series in a completely different light.
Sherlock & Romance, AKA Why So Many People Ship Johnlock - A CLASSIC by @wsswatson, this is a GREAT read. It takes you step by step through the romantic arc that Sherlock portrays season-by-season. Definitely worth a read, if you still need some convincing.
The Unabridged Dictionary of Johnlock Tropes: 157 Romantic Tropes Used in the Gayest Show on TV - @ifyouhaveenoughnerve goes through the 157 romantic tropes and uses actual examples from Sherlock for EVERY ONE OF THEM to support Johnlock. It’s long but TOTALLY worth the read.I know a lot of the above links didn’t touch upon the Jealous John thing that you’re interested in, but perhaps the blog tag may net you something good!
Also, you’ll come across some “little fandom things” that may seem really confusing for newbies! Here are a few of those little things!
Phones and Hearts – One of the BIGGEST fandom thing is the use of Phones in Sherlock, and how they they’re representative of hearts. This makes for a fantastic read on John and Sherlock’s relationship. I have taken over maintaining the additions to this AMAZING compilation meta! see also tag: phones and hearts
related posts: Levels of Intimacy | Pass Me My Phone | Phones & Hearts Gifset |Jennifer Wilson’s Phone | Phones & Hearts Gifs | [Sherlock and Phones]
Elephant in the Room - A very popular thing among the fandom, there are TONNES of elephants in the background of the series. This here is some discussion on the subtext of TSo3, this time what exactly the “elephant in the room” means. See also tags: (the) elephant in the room Related Posts: Can We Talk About This? | S3 is Wrought With Tension | But is it Just a Case? | Elephant in the Room in TAB
Tea and Subtext - There’s a lot of subtext about the use of tea vs coffee in Sherlock, and it all points to Johnlock. related posts: Subtext of Drinks in Sherlock
“He’s Your Cup of Tea”: Use of the Tea Metaphor in Sherlock - Another more in depth meta regarding the tea = homosexuality metaphor, this one strictly focusing on tea in relation to Moriarty and Sherlock. related posts: More on The Metaphor in Relation to Mary
All Drink Mentions and Their (Assumed) Meanings - An excellent compilation of drinks and the connotations associated with them within the series. This expands upon the Tea Metaphor, looking at all the drinks. Similar to the Phone & Hearts Metaphor, drinks in Sherlock symbolize sexuality. see also tag drinking in sherlock related post: Infographic
The Red Button Hole Could be a Trope - An interesting theory that suggests that Sherlock’s red button hole is representative of the Red String of Fate. See also tag: the red buttonhole
Three Garridebs - This is one of our crowning highlights in the Johnlock fandom. The link will bring you to the blog tag, but three garridebs is when a lot of us think we’re getting the penultimate Johnlock moment – THE KISS.
Softly, Softly: The BBC’s 2009 LGB Research Commission and The Johnlock Conspiracy - You’ll often hear the term “softly softly”, which was spoken by Mark Gatiss in an interview I THINK during the S2 hiatus. This here is the research commission done BEFORE Sherlock aired, and is a HUGE signpost for Johnlock being endgame. It’s a great read, if you’ve got a few hours :)
Softly, Softly: What is it in Terms of TJLC? - A breakdown of what softly softly is in the TJLC fandom.
The Princess Bride, Moffat, and TJLC - Another thing you’ll hear a lot about is The Princess Bride. It has an uncanny amount of similarities to the storyline of Sherlock… like…. A LOT.
Why Moffat and Gatiss are Quality TJLC Arguments - Unfortunately, the most common argument against TJLC is that many think Mofftiss would never let it fly. Here’s why that is so very VERY untrue. They’re bigger shippers than we are.
Trains in Sherlock - Yeah, trains? HUGE subtext there with it. I don’t actually have a blog tag for it (WHY DON’T I HAVE ONE?!?!), but I recommend reading Sex, Lies and Videotape which basically spells out the train metaphor for you. It’s actually really hilarious. see also tags: train car sceneI know I must have missed at LEAST 5 others, but, yes. To get you started.
Finally, here are a few fantastic Masterposts from the people I learned how to read subtext from. I STRONGLY recommend starting with these guys, as I learned a lot from them. These are all from my own Masterpost.
LSiT // Meta Masterlist - @loudest-subtext-in-television is LITERALLY why I ship Johnlock as hard as I do. The first meta writer I actually followed, she opened my eyes and made me feel like that there was something more to my OTP. Excellent meta that doesn’t take itself too seriously as there is always a bit of humour instilled in her writing.
Deducing BBC Sherlock / Metas - AND then I also found this amazing meta writer. Also witty and insightful, @deducingbbcsherlock‘s meta are a delight to read.
wsswatson // Johnlock Masterpost - It’s been a LONG while since I’ve updated the link to this list, but @wsswatson most certainly has a TONNE more. These are good starting points. related posts: [Chronological Masterpost]
wellthengameover // Sherlock Meta Masterlist - I absolutely ADORE all the meta that @wellthengameover writes, especially the theory posts. They have the entirety of Season 4 mapped out too, with links and callbacks to previous seasons.
Some other brilliant meta writers: @mollydobby, @heimishtheidealhusband, @weeesi, @miadifferent, @cupidford, @mild-lunacy, @waitingforgarridebs, @jenna221b and I’m sure I’m missing so many people and I hate myself for it.Before I finish off here, I must also direct you to Ariane DeVere’s Sherlock Episode Transcripts. This is a VALUABLE resource for ALL of us in the fandom, and without their dedication to transcribing the episodes AND extras for us, there probably wouldn’t be as much meta and fic as there is. Bless you and your team for your hard work! <3
Those are just STARTERS. There are SO MANY BRILLIANT meta writers, and I feel SO AWFUL not adding them… There are ALREADY some amazing new meta writers, and I’m just SO behind in my reading that I haven’t a chance to add everything! I’ve about 400 drafts to still read, so I’m a bit behind!!! I encourage those of you that have “starter” meta, PLEASE PLEASE reblog this post and ADD THEM to help out our newest and all future recruits! Help someone never escape this Johnlock Hell™! :3
If you’re new, and there’s something I’ve missed that you don’t understand, please don’t hesitate to ask :) I’ll try to the best of my abilities, and if not, I’ll pawn it off on my meta-writing followers! My followers often have way more insight than I do.
"We started light, because we knew where we were going was gonna be very dark."
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Mark Gatiss about Series 4, May 2014 (via
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(via 221boylove)
January 12, 2016
Could this be any gayer?
Could this be any gayer?
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