The homosexual appearance of their partnership leads to a few jokes and allusions to gay romance but it seems that the closest Holmes ever gets is saying: "Girlfriend, no. Not really my area" and also* "John, I think you should know I consider myself married to my work and while I am flattered by your interest, I am really not looking for anyone."
It seems that the gay angle is played mainly for laughs--and some see this not as a bow to homosexal possibilities, but treating homosexuality as a joke.
Given that I am trapped on the other side of the pond, it is likely to be a while before I get to see this series--guest reviews would be welcome.
See also:
* edited for accuracy
Comments
Your quotes both come from the same scene, in an Italian restaurant. The waiter knows Sherlock, and when then arrives goes off to fetch a 'romantic candle' (despite Watson's protests).
They is a similar reference in an earlier scene, as Watson is looking round 221B Baker Street and considering moving in:
Mrs Hudson: "There's another bedroom upstairs, if you need it"
Watson: "Of course I'll need it"
(sorry for typos by the way, on phone at midnight)
Think about it.
The three 'gay comments' (in the first ep) were made by Ms Hudson, Mycroft Holms, and the guy at the restaurant. These three people all know Sherlock because he has helped them with cases, and in Mycroft's case there is a family connection. These people know Sherlock is gay and so they assume (perhaps a little hopefully as they know that he's 'married to his work') that maybe Watson is a love interest of his.
Watson is straight though, and Holmes knows this now. It doesn't bother him, but as the series moves on it is likely that that could change. There was the tinniest inclining in the 3rd ep that maybe Sherlock is starting to enjoy having Watson around and that Watson is someone who can actually tolerate him.
Watson doesn't know for sure if Sherlock is gay or not and so naturally he's curious, if in part because then he can feel more secure if he knows. All his attempts to ask seem to come across the wrong way somehow and maybe Sherlock is getting the wrong idea.
Watson is definitely straight because he has been flirting with females and then started dating one. Then we have to consider Sherlock's reaction to that. At the end of the 2nd episode Holmes and Watson are talking and then after a bit of silence Watson says: "You mind, don't you?"
Holmes gives this look as if to say "Yes, a little bit, but not really, and the thing I mind about have something to do with you and so I am surprised you might have noticed and are mentioning it."
Then Watson goes on to say that he was referring to the escape of the criminal and Sherlock suddenly becomes very unconcerned and uninterested. So then what did Holmes mind about?
In conclusion: Holmes is gay and Watson is straight, but maybe Holmes will slowly begin to get interested in Watson.
What's more: when Ms. Hudson makes that comment about 'if you'll be needing two beds' Sherlock didn't say anything. Not even a quick 'Ms. Hudson, I thought you knew me better than that.'
We've also seen how Sherlock normally responds to relationship stuff. When he became aware that Molly was interested in him he didn't even acknowledge it; just found a way to act oblivious and get out of it. Rather rude.
However, that scene in the restaurant where he tells Watson that he's married to his work and all, well he took a different approach then didn't he? He let John down gently when he could have just pretended to be oblivious.
And another thing, surly he would know if Watson was gay or straight. He can pickup on that stuff. How could he have gotten Watson wrong then? Maybe because he likes Watson and that little it could never work line was more to deter himself from the idea, hmm?
Mycroft's first comment in ep1 about 'are we to expect a happy announcement by the end of the week?' could have been just being annoying or whatever, but then in the 3rd ep...when they're sitting in 221B with the windows smashed in and Mycroft is talking about how John and Sherlock are 'pals'. He says it rather sarcastically.
I could easily imagine that conversation before Watson came in. Mycroft asking Sherlock where his 'flatmate' is. Sherlock saying he's at his girlfriend's place. Mycroft shaking his head and telling Sherlock he really needs to get into a relationship because he's driving everyone nuts.
That's the thing. Sherlock if gay, but it doesn't really matter because he's not into relationships anyway.
Small things amuse small minds, I suppose. Now I'd best be off to check on my uTorrent downloads.
RAR!
but everybody is usually one way inclind so thats what has to be addresed
on the one hand theres a scale that goes from MEN on one end and WOMEN on the other end
then theres a second scale that goes from SEXMANIAC down to ASEXUAL
i think sherlocks interested in men more than women but not really interested in sex at all because its like food and sleep just another one of those human needs that he doesnt have so strongly and doesnt want to bother with
watson is average interest in women i think
omigod people talk more this thread is slow
There are two kinds of Sociopath, passive and aggressive.
Passive Sociopaths don't like sex where as aggressive sociopaths cant get enough of it.
Sherlock is a passive one.
But in these cases there is still an underlying sexuality (straight, gay, bi, whatever) it's just that they prefer not to act on it.
When it comes to relationships there are usually four things people consider.
What gender they like hanging out with? (straight male = male)
What gender they like connecting emotionally with (straight male = female)
What gender they like having sex with (straight male = female)
What gender they want to raise kids with (straight male = female)
So, you can see Sherlock has removed 'sex' and 'kids' from the equation, and possibly even 'emotion'. Thus, he spends all this time with men. So he could be straight, or gay really, but it doesn't matter.
In addition to the many little comedic assumptions about Sherlock and Watson being a couple by those that know Sherlock, there is another scene that really adds to it, but it is a SPOILER!!
SPOILER ALERT!!! *BE ADVISED*
When Moriarty first meets Sherlock in the lab at the hospital, he pretends to be gay, and leaves Sherlock his number. Moriarty obviously knows his man, and is trying to open up another line of communication in addition to (or perhaps as part of) their ongoing game.
So yes, this is one of the few cases in mainstream entertainment where I don't have to pretend the main character is gay because he is. Hooray! :D
~SPOILER ALERT~
So 'The Woman'.
She's gay but she's interested in Sherlock.
John is straight but (arguably) interested in Sherlock also.
Because 'attraction' consists of many thing.
1 - sex
2 - brain
3 - companion
Bit hard to understand...okay...
Let's look at Adler.
She says she's gay so that means that she likes women over men. But hang on...she's 'in love' with Sherlock who is male. And she has sex with everyone, male or female.
Well that's it.
She likes sex so much that she isn't too fussy. Sex attraction = both.
Brain attraction = male, however, perhaps because males have more logical 'crime solving' brains (generally) and that's what she's into.
However, for a companion she keeps a female, which is when she lets her guard down a bit. Because sex and flirting are 'on the job' but then at home she's more relaxed and doesn't want to do work. It's then she takes a female and that's why she calls herself gay. Because even though she will have sex with men and is more attracted to the male mind, she prefers the company of a female.
This is either her definition of sexuality, or it's the writers' definition of sexuality. Or both.
So if we look at Sherlock the same way...
Sex - none. No sex. None. Adler is into sex alot - he's into sex not at all.
Brain - he also prefers the male mind. He dislikes women and is often shown to think them stupid and over emotional (men too sometimes, but more often women). Also, liking very much the 'logical' mind which is (more commonly) found in men. This is perhaps his attraction to Adler, because although she would put him off with her 'sex' he is attracted to her male mind. She's perhaps the smartest person he's met besides Mycroft (who he doesn't like much) and Moriarty (who is trying to kill him and John). So of course he's interested in her. But not for sex. The physical doesn't matter.
But then...companionship...Well you immediately say he hangs around with John (and other guys, no females) so he's gay. Well...don't forget Mrs. Hudson. He likes Mrs. Hudson because she tolerates him I think, and that's probably what he's after in a companion. Not someone who's always wanting something or nagging to telling him what to do or being annoying or being stupid. Mrs. Hudson let's him be himself (sometimes) and puts up with him. John, also, puts up with him and (sometimes) let's him be himself.
So...I don't know...think about it...it's really up to you...
Vickie
Everyone, posterity thanks you for your comments.