Examining Sherlock Holmes's (A-)Sexuality and Relationships | Video Essay

Adaptations like to play around with the Sherlock Holmes character. However, I've always regarded Holmes as being the most famous asexual fictional character out there. Let's analyse Sherlock's sexuality and relationships in the books and see what we can find...
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[@TheGeekyFanboy]

Over 10,000 views in only 3 months?! That's crazy, thank you so much for watching! I'm currently working on another big Sherlock Holmes video essay so keep an eye out for that ;)

[@a.m.pietroschek1972]

I think, ``we civilians´´ underestimate the effects of living with dangerous criminals for decades. Precautions are often spoilers to our freedoms & our easy-going (naivety, ignorance). Also, Holmes (both brothers) sure do have some emotional trauma numbing them in their past. Plus: Sir A.C. Doyle literally mentions war-trauma. Not just his own, but that of his generation!

[@shockingheaven]

I personally head canon Sherlock Holmes as an asexual homoromantic man, but I would love to see him as aro-ace in some adaptation.

[@felixarchives8424]

agreed!

[@mygayrats]

yes, this!!

[@doot_slayer]

I am a simple man, I see aro flag, I click.

[@minislonkers8189]

How is this not more popular

[@nattmazzoni]

As an ace/aro I always found comfort in reading Sherlock Holmes as the same, even if the prospect of him and Watson being in love is cute and all. To me he will always be my favorite representation.

[@TheGeekyFanboy]

I feel very much the same. As an ace person it's comforting to see oneself in one of the most famous literary figures

[@akodaah13-e32]

me too, i really love this character

[@bimbitashaikh8331]

YES

[@bakerstreet6985]

When I was thinking about Holmes and Watson's relationship, I thought of two situations from the Canon that I think make it most obvious how deep their relationship is. “I have never loved, Watson, but if I did and if the woman I loved had met such an end, I might act even as our lawless lion-hunter has done.” - The Devil´s Foot (about man who kills murderer of his love) and this quotation from Three Garridebs, where villain almost kills Watson “By the Lord, it is as well for you. If you had killed Watson, you would not have got out of this room alive. I think it's the same situation-killing a loved one-killing the person responsible for the death. Holmes isn't usually a murderer, he always does( or sometimes doesn't) hand the bad guy over to the police. He's never an executioner. But if someone took his Watson, he'd kill tho just like the lion-hunter. So... I don't think love always has to be about sex and romance. But there's no denying that this relationship is deep, committed, that they love spending time together, they care about each other, they miss each other when they're not together etc. I've certainly always thought of Holmes as asexual, it never occurred to me that he was gay. There's no reason to. He doesn't have to be gay to love Watson. Watson doesn't have to be bisexual or something to love Holmes. I think the comments about Holmes being a "cold machine" are more about how people at the time imagined relationships - heteronormative, marriage, children.. But Holmes is not cold. He's not cold towards Watson. In my opinion, their relationship is an example of a perfect deep friendship, which is full of love, admiration and respect, but far from any physical intimacy.

[@TheGeekyFanboy]

You summed up my thoughts perfectly! I would never disagree with the statement that Holmes and Watson love each other, but instead of romantic/sexual attraction, I think they share a deep platonic bond which is just as equally important.

[@melissabarrett9750]

A strong sapiosexual admiration of each other. Even though, often enough Holmes mocks Watson's deductive reasoning.

[@androidsheep]

I've always thought they were the epitome of a queer platonic relationship.

[@cookiecat7759]

YES@@androidsheep

[@aarondubourg3706]

I personally read Sherlock Holmes as Aro/Ace. His "machine-like" personality is certainly in the problematic department, but reading the canon it's clear that Sherlock Holmes isn't emotionless. He has his own sense of justice he adheres to, he gets angry and afraid, he feels. There are certainly homoerotic undertones in his relationship with Watson tho. Like how the two took a vacation outside of London the same year as Oscar Wilde's trial (something many gay men did at the time).

[@magdaroussoulieres3074]

Homosocial, not homoerotic or homoaffective. Close male bond does exisit without it meaning gay, this is a sad sterotype. People in this fandom spend 24/7 obsessively sniffing out alleged subtexts like bloodhounds. All that is interpreted/presented as subtext hinting on supposed gay relationship are disputable, there is no hard evidence of any kind however JLers want it; speculation and theories are not facts. Sherlock's sexuality is non defined and it shall remain so. He is normally profiled as aroace and John, a wormanizer. They become best friends in a special bond , so? Ofc he isnt emotionless, he is human after all, this doesnt mean he is into romances and sex nor makes of him a gay man.

[@littlewyzard]

@@magdaroussoulieres3074 you must be fun at parties

[@littlewyzard]

with an aro/ace reading i think that a QPR (queer platonic relationship that exists somewhere between platonic and romantic) works really well for sherlock and watson! I think that these kinds of relationships have lots of potential in modern analysis of literature

[@aarondubourg3706]

@@littlewyzard I find that a close and deep personal bond between 2 characters that isn't neccesarily romantic are the most interesting. The relationship between Holmes and Watson is one example, another example of such a relationship that I really like is Guts and Griffith from Berserk in the Golden Age Arc.

[@magdaroussoulieres3074]

@@littlewyzard "QPR"? C'mon. Now it seems to be a "trend", gay relationships. If fictional characters are not gay then it's not "exciting". No, it doesnt work well for S and J, because it simply isnt there, why the hell some people so want to romanticize or sexualize their bond? It's like the romantic love is the ultimate type of love? Why must it be in a romantic scenario? No, not at all, what works well for Sherlock and John and is precisely their case is a close special bond, sometimes friends can love friends better than lovers and close male bond not always means gay, for Gods sake. A platonic bond has not romantic element in it. Part of an obsessive fandom decided to change their sexual orientation and the nature of their bond to meet their expectations for more representation and that has become an overkill obsession. They act like bloodhounds sniffing out alleged gay subtexts everywhere, and in fact they "see" those everywhere. This is sick. Distortion.

[@noonespecial4431]

My biggest pet peeve with with the bbc Sherlock is that they they tell us he isn’t gay cause he is ace and I’m like... make him ace then... I’m tired of “representation” being up for interpretation

[@scouttyra]

I remember reading somewhere that he isn't ace in BBC's Sherlock because it would be boring according to moffat.

[@sarahchattaway95]

@@scouttyra however Benididict said that Sherlock is ace so I'm trusting that

[@stephaniesummer2663]

I can accept that Sherlock is ace, but the interaction between him and Watson make him seem at least homoromantic or some form of it that would include mlms.

[@scouttyra]

@@stephaniesummer2663 maybe demi/grayromantic?

[@stephaniesummer2663]

@@scouttyra Completely possible. My point is the relationship between him and Watson in BBC is most likely not platonic and doesn't necessarily have to be sexual.

[@MyDiamond99]

The algorithm is finally doing its job by getting this gem on my feed.

[@donotlikepie3356]

As an aromantic and sex-repulsed asexual, it's hard to find good representation in any media, Sherlock Holmes being no exception. But I do have to admit, as a kid when I didn't know that not having any interest in romance or sex were actual orientations, I found a sort of solace in Sherlock, someone who was recognized as not having those feelings. I would always get upset when he was paired up with someone, it would feel as if I was betrayed. He is a character that is very easy to see yourself in, despite not being a very relatable character.

[@TheGeekyFanboy]

I totally get what you mean. I've felt the same throughout the years.

[@katherinewilson1853]

He was my first crush, and to some extent, I think I find people pairing him up with others despicable because he would have no time for it. I know that makes absolutely no sense, but as a child, I just liked to admire his mind, the writing, the characters. I enjoyed seeing him as a person as you did as well.

[@windwatcher11]

​@@katherinewilson1853 I'm in perfect agreement. Well put!

[@tyrannosaurusmeg5014]

I remember reading the books as a teenager and just accepting the fact that Holmes wasn't interested in romantic or sexual relationships, and at the time I had no idea that the categories asexual and aromantic existed, I didn't really thought as those as being a sexuality, I simply just imagined that some people are like that and that's it. Nowadays I see him as a great representation, and I also think that the author himself saw him as asexual, and pairing him with Airin is truely the strange thing. It is pretty clear that what fascinates Holmes is the mind, but if he really ever was attracted in a romantic way to someone, that must be Watson because he is the only one that manages to get through to him. Also we have to remember that the books are written from his prospective so he isn't exactly able to say what Sherlock truly feels, he is kind of a unreliable narrator in that sense. But anyway I agree: the author can't really tell us what his sexuality is, so I guess he could be anything (except a lesbian of course 🤪).

[@thitiporn5618]

I love your opinion. About Irene the woman, Holmes seems to attract her because she can outsmart yet respect him. Moreover, she had a kind heart for helping him on the first hand. Not like other women that Holmes encounter with. Most of them, women were victims or criminal. Irene was not either.

[@casuallyexhausted4610]

There are a lot of aros in this comment section. Cool! Anyway, as another aromantic person, I always read Holmes as asexual and aromantic, it just made sense with the information I was given and I always related to him(well, that and because I always loved detective stories). I especially admire the relationship between Holmes and Watson and I view it as one of the earliest examples of what a QPR can look like. Obviously that is my own interpretation of their relationship and I am very attached to it, so I'm not gonna argue it besides the fact that I am aware that my interpretation might not be the most accurate or the most popular and that all perspectives on the subject are equally valid. I kinda feel like a lot aromantics take Holmes and Watson as a point of reference when trying to understand their relationships and I always find it nice how an entire community managed to bond over the simple desire to have a close non-romantic emotional relationship and looked desperately for examples of what that could look like, and most of us happened to get attached to the relationship between those two fictional men from victorian england

[@TheGeekyFanboy]

I had honestly never thought about Holmes and Watson being a great example for queer platonic relationships, but now that you said I think it makes sense!

[@Segen_Bell]

It makes sense I don't know why I never thought of it that way.

[@kendradupree1094]

i don't get why people pair him with irean i heard about her in tv show and the like and they are put together but when i read the book it was clear there was nothing romatic in it at all

[@lykoiy]

shes overly sexualised and treated like shit in the bbc show tbh. in any show or movie shes not allowed to win against sherlock when that was her whole point in the book, i love irene and i wish the media would treat her with respect

[@ambeckerful]

the only 2 tv adaptations that did Irene right were Granada Holmes and the Wishbone episode where they adapted A Scandal in Bohemia.

[@yanagelfand4337]

@@ambeckerful The soviet series with Livanov portayed her nicely.

[@stephensteviecole9238]

No actual relationship, no, but he is captivated by her - and is especially struck by her physical beauty, as well as her cunning and cleverness - in the original story

[@frenchfriar]

As a gay man, I had always felt that Watson was sort of bisexual and had deep feelings for Sherlock, but that Sherlock was very much what we would now call ADHD, and had turned away from all romance because of his family life with Mycroft. These people (Holme's family) did not know how to express affection for anyone, even if they did feel it. Yet it wasn't that Sherlock never cared, it was very evident he thought highly of Watson and Mrs. Hudson, even if he never knew how to show it, and it always surprised him when they felt hurt because of his responses. I think in modern terms he might be described as a bit of a narcissist and a sociopath, but in his case I don't mean those in entirely a negative way, just that Holmes often shows himself to be very poorly adjusted to societal values. Sherlock strikes me as an example of the old bitter queen who was so afraid of coming out of the closet they led a sheltered and isolated life of loneliness, and yet Watson was able to break through his walls and get in. That said, we also only have Watson's words on the matter, and he would never have written down anymore, in his era, that would be considered a huge breach of trust with Sherlock. So I think there's plenty of room in the narrative to see Sherlock as both or either aro/ace or gay/bi, and too intimidated by the idea of letting anyone into his intimate circle in either case. Also, very surprised that with all of the other clips used, from so many different sources, you never included any clips from the Basil Rathbone/Nigel Bruce series, it seems noticeable in omission. Subscribing on the strength of this one video.

[@contrarian8435]

Thanks for making an effort to talk about this...

[@mattimoodle5160]

This needs far more attention than it has 🖤⚫⚪💜

[@vitya1060]

I must say I'm really impressed with your knowledge about Sherlock Holmes, it's quite nice to hear all this information that normally I would have probably never heard of. As someone who is somewhere out there on the asexual spectrum, I have always loved Sherlock for being this way even tho I really like his relationship with Watson simply because it makes him happy and after all that's all we want, isn't it?

[@pemo2676]

i've always wondered what victorian sherlock would think if some modern day asexual+aromantic was transported to his time and world it would surely be a shock, seeing someone who shares that quality as him but is otherwise completely normal

[@franciscoriveros8586]

You deserve more subscribers, man. Your content is very good

[@TheGeekyFanboy]

thank you ^_^

[@lucylessly3701]

Off topic: Great choice of music^^

[@sunny.lie.melody]

This is so well-done, thank you!! I really enjoyed watching this and hearing your take on Sherlock's orientation. As an aro-ace, this really resonated with me :) (although, of course, I'm not exactly a genius crime solving machine haha!)

[@Elementa2006]

I really like your Sherlock Holmes videos. Maybe you can do one about Professor Moriarty and how the character and events of The Final Problem impacted the world?

[@TheVoidIsBees]

In my personal opinion, Sherlock is gay and ace. As an ace person, I relate to him a whole lot but looking at the subtext and historical context of the stories, he and John were definitely gay and in love.

[@florofern6470]

Yes I definitely agree with that. In my opinion he might also be demiromantic as well

[@katiecooper1387]

Very well researched and put together video essay! I’ve read all the canon Sherlock Holmes mysteries and it was fantastic to see you reference them and send me down memory lane. :) I adore that you mentioned Violet Hunter! She was one of my favourites. Holmes’ cold calculating personality was so fun to read, but it was a special treat when moments of tenderness sneaked out - especially towards Watson. Again, very good video. Thoroughly enjoyed listening to you!

[@TheGeekyFanboy]

Thank your for the nice comment! I'm happy to hear you enjoyed the video ^_^

[@littlewyzard]

As someone who is asexual I too find comfort in reading Sherlock as ace and it’s nice to have such a well known character as representation. However, I think that it is important to note some of the potentially harmful tropes* that Sherlock and other aro/ace “coded” characters tend to partake in. In respect to Sherlock, his “unfeeling” and “machine-like” nature are common tropes that back up the stereotype that aros and aces are unfeeling or emotionless. This stereotype is untrue and there are many different kinds of aro and ace people, yet it’s still believed by people who aren’t very knowledgeable about the topic. While it’s nice to have Sherlock as representation, I hope that in the future we get better and most importantly *canon* asexual and aromatic representation. * some other harmful tropes include: nonhuman aro/ace rep such as robots and aliens the medical or other “cause” for being aro/ace and to some extent characters being frequently coded as both ace and neurodivergent (although there is a lot of nuance to this trope) if anyone wants me to elaborate on anything I have a lot of thoughts on this topic and would be more than happy to :)

[@panonymousbloom5405]

while I 100% agree with your point, I don't think Holmes would fall under the "unfeeling machine" (and also the cold genius ha) trope. At last not in the books. I read the stories some times ago so I may be not entirely remembering correctly, but Sherlock was labeled wrong and unfeeling basically because he was pretty blind to people and social constructs. He read pretty warmly to me in the books - he just had no idea how to express it + was an ideas and solutions focused person in an etiquette and people-focused world. That's why I don't know how I feel about BBC Sherlock for example - Sherlock was never intentionally rude and unempathetic, he was just very blunt.

[@allurajane4979]

@@panonymousbloom5405 it is bc of that that i interpret him as autistic lol

[@panonymousbloom5405]

@@allurajane4979 yup. And I'm neutral to that tbh. Like, autistic genius is already such a trope, and it's not like every socially dumb person is autistic. He has no other symptoms I believe. And I'm not saying it to autistic people - you guys have the rights to claim any character you want. What I'm saying is, non neurodivergent people, be careful because diagnosing and labeling everything is not exactly healthy.

[@booklover462]

For me Sherlock Holmes is asexual and gay. I believe (and/or wish) that he had some kind of romantic relationship with Watson but no sexual

[@cheeseytacotime9380]

I loved this video, so well done and thank you for the comment at the end that everyone can have their own opinions I feel sometimes people think that there is only one right answer but I loved this.

[@JaneFrieman]

Out of all the actors who have played Sherlock Holmes, I find that Jeremy Brett, in the earlier episodes of the Granada TV series, possessed at times, a very romantic way in his interpretation of Sherlock Holmes. In an interview on a British talk show in 1989, Brett mentioned that women were congregating outside the studio. "It's like the Beatles", Brett's implying the height of Beatlemania of the middle Sixties. Still to this day many women are infatuated with Jeremy Brett's Sherlock Holmes and the late actor himself.

[@TheGeekyFanboy]

I can only agree! And if you look at more recent adaptations, similar things have happened. If I think back to how many people (especially women) fell for Cumberbatch's Holmes and you could see many fans coming together whenever they filmed outside the Baker Street set.

[@JaneFrieman]

@@TheGeekyFanboy Yes I was aware of Benedict Cumberbatch's women fanbase and how they adore him. I view them as the "younger generation". Since I am older my preference is Jeremy Brett.

[@katherinewilson1853]

He was an extremely handsome younger man, too.

[@ace.of.space.]

fantastic video!! aroace person here and i think Sherlock being ace is a beautiful interpretation. and the fact that his most important bond is a (as far as we know) neither romantic nor sexual relationship with a man with whom he lives? sounds like a qpr to me

[@userbunny14]

I think each version is different. I KNOW ACD's version is 100% ace, aro, and his feelings for Watson while not entirely platonic are not quite romantic either... its something else that I'm not quite sure what to call it. They are soul mates, of sorts I suppose. Its deeper then friendship, and probably deeper then love too. BBC Sherlock is similarly aro, but I think COULD be demi, and he's DEFINITELY greysexual. His feelings for Watson do lean more romantic then ACD's imo, though I still think there is that deeper then that connection behind it (though that part is not something we actually see, or at least, we started to see it, and then they kinda ruined it in the last seasons.). And Benedict Cumberbatch has said that his Sherlock isn't a virgin anymore, and being a so-called sociopath isn't above using sex to get what he needs. As we see with him and Jeanette in S3, him using her to get to Magnussen. Which would fall more in the grey area. He can and WILL do it, its just tedious and he doesn't NEED to.

[@fulcrum7493]

as a gay man and also the self proclaimed biggest fan of Sherlock's character, i do believe he is gay, and that john is bi. we must remember that just because he loved women didnt mean he couldnt love men the same way. they love each other. i just dont know how you cant see it, or at least support the idea. and whether Sherlock is ace or not, i just know they really love each other. theyre so domestic and affectionate, why cant we get this??? anyways enough of my rambling i am attached to their relationship in a very unhealthy way if u say they r not gay ill cry fr. also thamk you so much for this video its amazing and beautiful and wonderful thannk you :) whenevee im sad i will watch it

[@magdaroussoulieres3074]

I understand that as a lgbt person you naturally want them to be in a gay relationship. Fans have changed the characters sexual orientation to meet their expectations but in the end is just a headcanon, fic. There is no evidence of SH being gay ( hes usually profiled as an aroace and J a wormanizer and are best friends. Yes, agree they are very affectionate in a special bond but close male bond does exist without it meaning gay. Some men are afraid of displaying affection in our society bcs they fear being mistaken by gay, sad stereotype. But some people cant get that, it seems. Friends can love friends better than lovers, not always it is about a romantic scenario. Not always the romantic love is the best or ultimate type of love and friends can also be soulmates. I dont get the novelisation/ sexualization of their bond in a obsessive way.

[@panonymousbloom5405]

@@magdaroussoulieres3074 "Friends can love friends better than lovers, not always it is about a romantic scenario. Not always the romantic love is the best or ultimate type of love and friends can also be soulmates. " SAY IT LOUDER TO THE PEOPLE IN THE BACK Seriously, it's not even about Johnlock but the cultural underappreciation of platonic bonds saddens me to no end. I personally am pansexual and really love the relationship between Sherlock and Moriarty (I love the intellectual power struggles) but at the same time, I fully read Sherlock as ace. I'm on the fence about him being aro because on one hand, he doesn't seem romantically involved with anyone, on the other, he is not really close to many people. I understand why many gay people see themselves in Sherlock (I really relate to some of his struggles because I am also socially dumb and a bit of a recluse) but I would really prefer and love it if he was officially an asexual person. In the culture of sex and romance, we really need an aroace icon, and Sherlock would be a perfect fit.

[@magdaroussoulieres3074]

@@panonymousbloom5405 He is canonically depicted as an aroace. He could be an aroace icon. His sexuality is non defined nor labellable however much some people insist on doing that. Lgbt people has turned the character into a flagship to represent the community. It’s not that he couldnt be gay, he can also be straight, bi, assexual either demi or aroace). But I dont get the obsession over this topic. The stories are about detective novel in the first place not about romance. I see that so many fans want desperately him to be gay , John bi and the two of them "madly in love with each other" with an urge to prove it all the time, by sniffing out supposed gay subtexts everywhere like bloodhounds. I cant understand that except from lgbt angle and an eager wish by these people to be represented. There is a wrong vision regarding romantic love being the ultimate type of love. They DONT HAVE to be romantically involved to justify the closeness, the affinity, the affection. At all. Same with SH doesnt have to be in a relationship w a woman to prove hes not gay. Some people can go without sex and romances. Why cant people get that?

[@akodaah13-e32]

nah, i think is just like a BROMANCE, but i can see some little things like sherlock wanting to be with watson almost all the time, but that was like, normal in that time, sooooooo.... they r just like in a big bromance but idk, that is MY opinion

[@magdaroussoulieres3074]

@@akodaah13-e32 I dont see their bond this way; and moreover, bromance is not the same as gaymance. Sherlock is a loner who finds in Watson the perfect company, afinity and loyal friendship; their resonance is mutual. It’s not unusual for lonely ppl to get overly attached to one friend. I hate the stereotype over close same gender's close bonds not always it means homosexuality, but many ppl tend to see this way in a very stereotypical analysis

[@pumpkinoligarchy6626]

I think these two are platonically attracted to each other

[@agnessfox9983]

Wow this video is EVERYTHING ❤️ I'm a big fan of the canon so it's always interesting to listen someone's else's interpretation and thoughts. Thank you for this beautiful video 🙏❤️💖🌹

[@Space__rat]

This is wonderful! Thank you!

[@thegreatcthulhu8049]

Pretty solid video man, like most other commenters I see on here I don't get how you (or this video for that matter) aren't getting way more attention. Also, Jeremy Brett ftw

[@AntiBlastic]

This is really cool!

[@paulamusik2509]

That was really interesting! Very well researched as well! And I don't know if anyone told you that yet, but: you have such a great reading voice!

[@TheGeekyFanboy]

Thank you! ^_^

[@SMtWalkerS]

Really enjoyed your analysis and the questions you explore. Although I'd seen movies, I really fell for the stories when I was far from home, working at my first real job, and riding the bus to and from work every day. My mom shipped me a box of birthday gifts, among them a 2 volume compilation of the stories with illustrations. I read those stories on that hot bus and was whisked to the foggy streets of London and I was entranced. Growing up in a family of PhD scientists and medical doctors, Sherlock's analytical, distant personality was very familiar to me: he seemed almost like family. I find the question of his sexuality very interesting. I have found the brilliant people around me find thought and research far more interesting than physical pursuits. I am a much more ordinary, emotional person, but I understand my family, and affection is never overt.

[@EndeavourSilver]

Lovely video! It's great how you went over all the stories and had so many examples and quotes :D I'm also ace and I felt just like you mentioned in your conclusion - there's not all too much representation in media but it just feels really good to have such a well known, well liked character that we feel we can identify with a bit :D Thanks for taking the time to make a video about it :D

[@TheGeekyFanboy]

Thanks for the lovely comment ^_^

[@darklordoftheuniverse7803]

This video was quite well but together and you have acquired yourself a new subscriber.

[@MichaelTurner856]

Your voice is extremely nice and relaxing to listen to

[@TheGeekyFanboy]

Thank you!

[@arii9436]

nicely done!

[@TheGeekyFanboy]

Thanks!

[@danhurl1349]

This video is excellent!! Well done!!

[@TheGeekyFanboy]

thank you!

[@riablatterspiel7236]

What a great video essay! I'm surprised I just discovered the video now!

[@TheGeekyFanboy]

Thanks!

[@moontoosoon2152]

I think sherlock is aroace, except he falls on the asexuality spectrum (demi) because of his relationship with watson. He doesn't have feelings for anyone except for him. also irene and him didnt have a romance in the books, I see it as mlm and wlw solidarity shshhsus. except that yes irene married a man but come on its too good!!! Im pretty sure johnlock would have been canon if it were not for the time period (brandy scene, one day the true story may be told...) but yk hOmOpHoBiC tImE pErioD

[@lindseystein9676]

Very interesting. I have wondered about this...

[@haleychan1969]

Although I do ship Sherlock and Watson in a romantic way, I do think that Sherlock is asexual. I just think the idea that Sherlock and Watson being together is really cute. (I think the idea of "soul mates" is canon though)

[@ia8270]

"the detective is not the most relatable protagonist" 😳me taking the test and him being the fictional character im most like...

[@TheGeekyFanboy]

Haha I get ya! I only think that back in Doyle's time Holmes probably wasn't intended to be a super relatable character, since he's meant to be sort of exotic.

[@shockingheaven]

I don't know why this video appeared on my recommendations, but I'm glad it did

[@jacksnow54104]

For me, with Benedict Cumberbatch's and Martin Freeman's Sherlock and John, I view John Watson as Bi while Sherlock is Gay Asexual

[@marijke313]

I am currently writing an essay on the existence (or lack thereof) of queerbaiting in the Sherlock Holmes original stories vs the BBC Sherlock for my university master's course, and this has been such a great help! Not only is the information you provide very useful, but the sources you used are perfect, so thank you very much!

[@TheGeekyFanboy]

you are more than welcome! Glad I could help ^_^

[@edj8008]

Calm and interesting .

[@amadeosendiulo2137]

Great video, mate!

[@TheGeekyFanboy]

Thanks!

[@violetjade64]

this video is excellent thank you for making it

[@defelozedd94]

There is so many possibilities when it comes to Sherlock Holmes' sexuality, as nothing is made quite clear about it. I personaly think that Holmes could be either asexual or demi-sexual and gay. I think he could be in love with Watson, but taken the time context, could not let anyone know about it and hide it by letting people think that he is cold and distant. I guess that was diffcult for gay people at the time and closing himself to others was a sort of protection. The only person Holmes is not able to contain emotions is Watson and it shows through from time to time. He deeply loves him (whether with romantic or platonic feelings). And some of his actions (as when he buys Watson's medical practice, just to take Watson back close to him, without telling him) show that he desesperly loves and needs him, but is scared to let him know. As for Watson, I always assumed he was straight. As the narrator, he sees Holmes a certain way, but doesn't necessarily know everything about him (such as his feelings for him). When Holmes shows him affection for exemple, Watson seems always surprised. I don't imagine Holmes and Watson could be a couple in the canon. I rather think Holmes could be the only one in love, suffering in silence. Of course, that is my interpretation and every other interpretation is valid. That what makes the subject so interesting. :)

[@noe5632]

As an asexual woman who is romantically attracted to women I love both interpretations

[@audreyleduc3922]

I think that regardless of what is "true" to the fictional character, representation is always needed

[@shockingheaven]

Wonderful video! :)

[@TheGeekyFanboy]

Thank you very much!

[@cookiecat7759]

i love this video so much

[@koshadummy]

This is such an amazing video. And for some reason i wanted to share that my first queer headcanon ever was aroace holmes :) i still love it dearly

[@anothercarttogo1819]

The one thing I relate to so heavily with Sherlock is something rather small, and although I could go on about the "alien-ness" and othering that Sherlock goes through (even from his own QPR husband Watson ☹), I don't want this comment to become a bible😅. I'm aromantic (specifically aroallo, but I don't really pay attention to my sexuality anymore), and the one thing that could be taken as a "sign" of aromanticism in my childhood, is that I often just thought that I was "in control of myself" and a "smarter" person for not having crushes, or if I thought I had a crush, then for not acting out upon it. I also thought that I could just - turn off my romantic attraction, and decided to leave it "off," much like how you can turn off a machine. Now that I'm older, I know that people (alloro-allos) can't just turn off their attractions from sheer willpower, and so me not experiencing romantic feelings was me simply not experiencing it.

[@Someone-tf1tk]

Ayy finally aromanticism is mentioned Representation whooo

[@Billy221B]

Taking Doyle out of context, using partial quotes to prove your point does not if fact prove anything. One example, In The Adventure of the Devils Foot, the whole quote is: "'I have never loved, Watson, for if I did and if the woman I loved had met such an end, I might act even as our lawless lion-hunter has done. Who knows?" What is mind blowing about this statement by Holmes is that he admits that he, Sherlock Holmes, would commit murder if a woman he loved were killed in this manner. He would disown his own character, his beliefs, his detective practice, if confronted with this situation. That is the strongest statement in the canon supporting that Holmes does have feelings of love for women, or possibly one woman in particular.

[@userbunny14]

I don't see that quote as being proof of him loving any one women. They are speaking of a woman being murdered, and he's using it as an example. He then also goes on in a story to tell someone he would have killed them had they even so much as hurt Watson soo... with your logic... you're kinda shooting yourself in the foot there.

[@Billy221B]

@@userbunny14 Yes, I see you have a different perspective than I do. But, "... if the woman I loved had met such an end, I might act even as our lawless lion-hunter has done," stands on it's own. We are both attempting to divine Holmes sexuality from the anonymous obscurity Doyle created for him. He wrote in his Autobiography how his meeting with Oscar Wilde blew his mind in so many ways and how he supported him and his art during the time of Wilde's trials. I personally think he used his image of Wilde to fill out the man he created in Scarlet. He added a theatricality to Holmes that Jeremy Brett capitalized upon in his wonderful portrayal (the Rose Soliloquy and other Holmes poetry was Wilde through Doyle's eyes). But he also back peddled away from Wilde and any sexuality in Holmes in Scandal. For me, an author who has just published a novel which adds to the Irene Adler story, I find immense joy in Holmes' admission in this sentence from Devil's Foot. Thanks.

[@userbunny14]

@@Billy221B but you saying this line proves he was in love with a woman isnt necessarily accurate. I can honestly say if the woman I loved was killed like that, Id probably go batshit crazy too... but that doesnt mean there is currently a woman I am in love with, there isnt in fact, not even close. But presented with a woman being murdered, I can think of how I would react to the situation of the partner of that woman, which is what Holmes is doing. Its a sort of twisted empathy more then anything. Either way it shows that hes not entirely incapable of emotion, whichever emotion it is, or however mishaped it is.

[@Billy221B]

@@userbunny14 "Either way it shows that he's not entirely incapable of emotion" Yes, and not just any emotion. Not anger or rage or disappointment, boredom, or distrust or hate or concern, loneliness, or depressed, irritated, enthusiastic, excited, or exultant. To me It shows he's capable of love, whether as a fantasy or an idea or the reality. It is his statement that he would kill another in cold blood if he felt this way that makes this statement so powerful for me. And now I am shooting myself in my own foot, because It can also be an explanation of why he keeps himself away from such feelings.

[@jialinli4242]

@@Billy221B what is your book and what is it about? I’m curious!

[@valentinmoscatello3282]

Wonderful video! I'm sad I didn't find it earlier. I like to think he could be read as both asexual and gay

[@shockingheaven]

Greetings from your new subscriber!

[@dianascrimger284]

Sherlock Holmes main interest was Irene Adler for a female character! Their relationship reminds us of Barnabus Collins and josette from dark shadows

[@irsastargazer6730]

I've always thought of sherlock as aroace - specifically greyromantic and homoromantic - but i might just be projecting because i identify as that too

[@IamCaptainDeadpo0l]

When he was born his parents said look its a amoeba.

[@xwiirastusx]

5:15 Now there you are mistaken. Holmes involves himself with the girl and at some point exclaims: "You have touched my heart!" with no pretense or artifice. During that fleeting moment he was overwhelmed by emotion.

[@belen591]

yes.

[@elsiealexandracristinavene9196]

I think Watson is really bisexual but it was not look good at the time so it is repressed. And Sherlock is Asexual romantic but really only for Watson. The interest you put there was more in the case and the person being interesting, being a woman was not at important except for the age normative so he found it exceptional. In the BBC adaption is more clear that John is Bi even if he say otherwise, because the soldier in the wedding was clearly an ex. He never even remember the name of his girlfriends and one of them used clothes like Sherlock and was tall and all. so he was looking for a replacement of something he could not have. About Sherlock BBC it is not important was he says also but what he do, and he clearly loves John but he will never act on it, because he really is not into that but his friendship and companionship is paramount, he can give Watson more than that, but that is a lot for Sherlock to give.

[@Taschenschieber]

What is that Japanese show you're showing footage from?

[@TheGeekyFanboy]

The show is called "Miss Sherlock". It's a modern-day adaptation where two women play Holmes and Watson.

[@crystalcleara.k.a.missyoko1430]

This made so much senses l just learned about ace its great to put a name to what l though and l resently learned am demisexual it great to know some my favorite are simmer 💖

[@TheGeekyFanboy]

Happy to hear that ^_^

[@jasonhill8506]

I personally think Sherlock is demi homoromanic and ace

[@florofern6470]

Pretty much my headcanon as well

[@byte2702]

I would also think that the original Sherlock Holmes is aromatic and/or asexual. Granada Holmes is closest to the original story. I'm asexual by myself and I can totally relate to the Granada Holmes. I can imagine that it was a difficult role for Jeremy Brett because he wasn’t asexual at all. But he did a great job.

[@byte2702]

Btw, he may appear rude in some episodes. But I think it was cute sometimes, too. He made me laugh at some points. I love Doyle’s idea with the Diogenes Club. That had topped everything, I wish that club was real. 😂

[@BrainWaveS101]

Very interesting introspect. Sometimes a bit inaudible.

[@UnsightlyThinker]

Sherlock is AroAce and is in a Queerplatonic relationship with John. Tell me otherwise lol.

[@sfkeepay]

Asexual, as you know, doesn’t mean unloving. It seems to me that Holmes’ love for Watson was as strong as any love could be. But Holmes simply wasn’t carnal in his passions. (I say simply even though for many, that concept is sincerely challenging.) Given all the evidence, I think a case could be made that not only does Holmes’ eschew physical passion, but that he was only able to develop his extraordinary abilities as consequence of the biological energy made available by that truth of his nature. After all, chasing physical satisfaction is often utterly exhausting. Romance, maybe, would have been worse than mere “grist in the mill.” It would have consumed the internal resources he otherwise deployed for his life’s work.

[@hallooows]

For me perspective the Sherlock of the books is asexual and the others bi-sexual. But Warner Bros. and the BBC made their Sherlocks very gay. The Warner Sherlock does everything for Watson, is jealous and somehow "possessive" of Watson. BBC's Sherlock is very gay, and I am too much a fan of this series, especially that BBC's John is too jealous with every woman and man that comes near Sherlock, he cried for Sherlock for two years but when his wife died he only cried once, he is possessive and protective when they talk and touch Sherlock. Sherlock sacrificed everything for John and his happiness. Conclusion the directors of Sherlock Holmes and Sherlock are Johnlock shippers but they play idiots.

[@jessicarabbit439]

I think he is asexual relationship with both watson and irene adler. Diffrent types of attraction. Irene intellectual attraction.

[@daved2352]

Not watched the video yet so this may be touched upon. To me, any character that is brilliant, british, and a little bit rude, will always be read as being gay. Probably because of the confluence of gay coding villains, and the best villains being british.

[@neptunestardust]

I’ve always seen Holmes as ace

[@bakerstreet6985]

Hi again... what do you think of BBC Sherlock's sexuality? After a long time I watched some episodes and I thought it was much more "gay" than any other version (probably because of who wrote it and how). Much more gay than the Downey version, where it just seems romantic and platonic to me. I am only interested in you opinion as you are a big fan of BBC SH :-)

[@TheGeekyFanboy]

I personally never saw Sherlock as gay in the BBC show, even though I can understand why people would interpret him to be gay. The weird thing about the BBC series is that they clearly write Sherlock to be asexual-coded, but they refuse to fully make it canon. Personally, I'd say the BBC Sherlock is asexual and perhaps demi-romantic; but I'm also tempted to make a strong argument for aromantic because I've always been a strong advocate for the idea of Sherlock being able to say he loves Watson without it having to be romantic/sexual.

[@bakerstreet6985]

@@TheGeekyFanboy it seems to me it's mostly because the authors spent a lot of time making sure that the topic of sexuality is constantly brought up. Which, for example, doesn't happen at all in the Brett version (and the fact that Holmes is asexual is pretty obvious there). It would have been quite enough to say at the beginning that apart from "women are not my area", neither are men. The creators always leave it open on purpose. Which is a bit disappointing, because they could have made a proper and clear (spoken) representation of asexuals (or gays, whichever they would choose), but this seems to me to have been done only halfway, so as not to accidentally offend anyone...That's how I get the feeling that I'm constantly being led to believe that they feel something more than friendship for each other, they just can't say it properly. Maybe even more than platonic love. I would be so happy if someone did a version where "Sherlock being able to say he loves Watson without it having to be romantic/sexual". And by say it, I mean really loud and in words...not just in hints

[@An-Interesting-Name]

I love how he was canonically aroace in the books it makes me really happy, and I find comfort in it. And to bring up the fact of Irene Adler, Sherlock Holmes has a deep admiration for her but it's nothing close to love and I really dont like how some adaptions make it seem it's romantic.

[@llama643]

MISS SHERLOCK THANKU

[@Kotifilosofi]

No matter how much harm it causes to our aro & ace communities to have only inhumane psycopathic antisocial characters such as Holmes as our only widely recognized representation anywhere in fiction (well, Todd from Bojack Horseman has the chance to change the stereotypes), I can't help but like his character.

[@garrettgriffin4974]

I've always felt Ace vibes from Holmes and Hetero vibes from Watson. I want to say Holmes is aromantic but there's insufficient data in my mind to state that for certain.The first sentence in my comment I stand by. As for myself, I'm more graysexual than anything else (if anyone's curious, tho' I don't know why anyone would be...)

[@fishy658]

!!!

[@sphinx1017]

Could anyone see a male presenting female Sherlock? SHerlock had a relationship with a woman in the past that ended badly. Now avoids romance altogether.

[@randomfangirl2503]

To me Sherlock is homoromantic asexual. That's just what I think 🤷

[@sherlock___holmes]

Well, I do know I have a husband.

[@TheMrFabian1]

He may be Ace, but he is not abromantic.

[@luisaabreu4028]

Abromantic?

[@felixarchives8424]

I think they mean aromanric

[@edieremia9464]

What the fuck are those flags

[@dianascrimger284]

Yet there is the fictional character of Nero Wolfe!

[@dianascrimger284]

Women could not even vote during the victorian age

[@danielmalinen6337]

Directors Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss have both confirmed that their Sherlock is asexual so we still lack the real homosexual Sherlock Holmes. But maybe in the future we will get it.

[@rebeccao8895]

In the original text Sherlock is not preoccupied with any sexual orientation when it comes to himself. It’s each generation that puts our own interpretation on it on film and television.

[@akodaah13-e32]

yeah possible jhonlickers... SHERLOCK IS ARO/ASEXUAL (btw, i love how sherlock gets a little jealous in some cases like the blanched soldier or the naval treaty :) )

[@rebeccao8895]

Why does the bbc need to announce that Holmes is ace? How boring.

[@IIIIIawesIIIII]

I think it's rather unlikely that he is asexual. The point has already been made, that his mind-over-matter mentality is extremely strong despite him actually experiencing intense emotions. Native asexuality would just be redundant. He chooses to live asexually. Now there is a strong point to be made about this practice in suppression to have found it's perfection through an undesirable tendency which would have had to be suppressed anyways during that time period. There is a strong point to be made, that his unreleased sexual energy is channeled through his cases, hetero or not. There is a strong point to be made, that the deeply complex (and ridiculous) social implications of a sexual relationship of any sort would have simply discouraged any serious attempts from his side to even begin.

[@mikeymullins5305]

What the hell is ‘native asexuality’ as opposed to what? Colonized asexuality??? Is there native heterosexuality too? What the heck? Are you imply that label cannot be attached to someone bc they already exhibit many of the traits? Bc that’s the silliest thing I’ve seen all week, and I went to church.

[@IIIIIawesIIIII]

@@mikeymullins5305 Native just means by birth. I suppose that some people are born asexual or with a strong asexual tendency. I don't believe that sexual orientation is a choice for most people.