#wordsmithatwork

You bet!

The year 1895 is an important year in Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes, in BBC’s adaptation of Sherlock, to the greater Holmsean community in general, and to TJLC’ers. Let’s take it in chronological order here.

Arthur Conan Doyle

In the Sherlock Holmes story “Black Peter”, Watson as our narrator notes that 1895 was Holmes’ best year: “I have never known my friend to be in better form, both mental and physical, than in the year ‘95.“

Vincent Starrett, “221B”

In the 40′s, one of the early Sherlock nerds, Vincent Starrett, published the poem “221B” which quickly gained popularity among Holmes nerd circles and gave the concept of 1895 a life of it’s own. Here it is (emphasis mine):

Here dwell together still two men of note / Who never lived and so can never die: / How very near they seem, yet how remote / That age before the world went all awry. / But still the game’s afoot for those with ears / Attuned to catch the distant view-halloo: / England is England yet, for all our fears– / Only those things the heart believes are true. / A yellow fog swirls past the window-pane / As night descends upon this fabled street: / A lonely hansom splashes through the rain, / The ghostly gas lamps fail at twenty feet. / Here, though the world explode, these two survive, / And it is always eighteen ninety-five.

Hark, the nerds stumble upon gay subtext:

Behold, the infamous beginning of the Holmes story “The Three Students”, also known as the canon reference that is a flashing neon arrow pointing towards the idea of ACD Holmes and Watson being romantically involved:

“It was in the year ‘95 that a combination of events, into which I need not enter, caused Mr. Sherlock Holmes and myself to spend some weeks in one of our great University towns.“

And right now, I’m sure you’re thinking, how in the hell does that indicate anything? Well. Hold on to your fucking hat because shit is about to get so real.

Firstly: lit scholars who study this stuff have determined that the timing of this story would have begun sometime in early April, 1895.

In the world of 1895 London, what could have possibly been going on that would have compelled Holmes and Watson to suddenly leave London for the countryside? Furthermore, what could it have been that Watson didn’t want to - or couldn’t - talk about publicly?

Turns out, a little thing called The Trial of Oscar Wilde. I’ll do a nutshell version here. In 1895, Wilde was a super popular novelist and playwright. He was also queer as hell in a time when such activities could get you arrested, imprisoned, and potentially killed. Unfortunately for him and all future generations which were robbed of his genius, he was a little too publicly queer. On April 3rd, 1895, the trial began, accusing him of the crime of his homosexuality. Many sections of the London gay underground scene were dragged to light, names were named, it got really bad really fast. In response, the queers of London basically freaked the fuck out and dove themselves as far underground as they could, out of fear of also being arrested. (And who can blame them?) Among those who had the means to, the vast majority left London and resided in the countryside until the trial played out and they could return home without fear of being indicted.

Now. Since no one publicly spoke about being gay during this time period, no one among the non-queer community knew that this mass exodus went on. So, when ACD mentions that Holmes and Watson left town for that amount of time, at that exact time, this acts as a massively queer coded dog whistle. Queer readers knew exactly what was going on and what this indicates. Non-queer readers read those few opening lines, and went, “oh, ok, I guess they went on holiday or something”, and didn’t give it a second thought.

If you want to learn more about this reference, and every other homo reference in canon ACD, I highly recommend Neko’s Muse.

1895 shows up all over the place in BBC Sherlock

1895 is the number John’s blog is stuck on in ASIB.

1895 is the number Sherlock thinks of to try and unlock Irene’s phone.

Arwel has - on at least one occasion - stuck 1895 in the background on his set design. For example, a billboard in the background of Mary’s car at the beginning of HLV advertises a book costing $18.95.

Mark Gatiss has said that the upcoming special takes place in 1895, and has been very clear in correcting people who misreport it as being set in any other year.

Ok, so back to TJLC.

At this point, as you can probably see, 1895 means different things to different people within the Holmes fandom. To many people, it’s a loving reference to the timelessness of the ACD characters, based on the Starrett poem. When Gatiss and Moffat have been asked this question, this is the response that they give.

Oh no what's up?

Carnation: If I handed you a concert ticket right now, who would you want to be the performer?

Taylor Swift or Three Days Grace

Calla Lily: If you died right now, what song would you want to play at your funeral?

Safe and Sound by Taylor Swift and The Civil Wars and/or Parting Glass covered by either Ed Sheeran or the version from Assassin’s Creed Black Flag

Daffodil: What’s the most thoughtful present you’ve ever received?

You are the friend everyone should have in their lives

YOU HAVE THE COOLEST HANDWRITING OMG

3. Talk about the person you’ve had the most intense romantic feelings for.

Well, I’m currently dating him. He’s pretty tall, dark hair and brown eyes, lots of freckles, athletic yet also extremely gangly and uncoordinated (one of our friends refers to him as a giraffe when we watch him play sports), goofy most of the time but also knows when to be serious, very outgoing, thoughtful, funny… I could keep going but I think I’ll stop there. Basically, he’s the most wonderful guy I know. 

8. Talk about the thing you are most proud of.

Hm… I guess I’m most proud of my athletic ability, specifically concerning soccer. I play keeper, and I’m pretty good. I’ve played soccer for 17 years, and I’ve been in this position for 10. I have really quick reflexes, and can stop most shots that are taken on me. I don’t like bragging, so I feel awkward talking about myself this way… oh well!

1: What would you name your future daughter?

Victoria or Laura 

2: Do you miss anyone?

hell yeah

3: What if I told you that you were pretty?

it's certainly not news... (i'd probably be like, thanks! You're not so bad yourself!)

4: Ever been told “it’s not you, it’s me”?

No

5: What are you looking forward to in the next week?

DRESS REHEARSALSSSSSs

6: Did you go out or stay in last night?

I went out to practice and heard some fucking outrageous stories and had a great time

7: How late did you stay up last night?

1am I think?

8: Honestly, has anyone seen you in your underwear in the past 3 months?

Yes. My brother has no respect for closed doors and I have no desire to wear clothes at home in the summer. 

9: What were you doing at 12:30 this afternoon?

Making lunch I think, maybe watching The Office 

10: Have you ever told somebody you loved them and not actually meant it?

Kind of? I don't really know how to explain it

11: Could you go for the rest of your life without drinking alcohol?

I've never had it so I guess I could go without ever tasting it, but I would like to try it, especially mulled wine. 

12: Have you pretended to like someone?

Yes

13: Could you go the rest of your life without smoking a cigarette?

Definitely. That said, I am curious...

14: Is there one person in your life that can always make you smile?

heckie deckie yes

15: Is it hard for you to get over someone?

If they leave me, yes. If I leave them, no. 

16: Think back five months ago, were you single?

yes

17: Have you ever cried from being so mad?

indeed

18: Hold hands with anyone this week?

no (true pain)

19: Did your last kiss take place in/on a bed?

nope

20: Who did you last see in person?

my brother

21: What is the last thing you said out loud?

"no alphonse (my cat) come back"

22: Have you kissed three or more people in one night?

No, but I have plans

23: Have you ever been to Paris?

not yet

24: Are you good at hiding your feelings?

Very good, too good perhaps

25: Do you use chap stick?

Always.

26: Who did you last share a bed with?

My cat

27: Are you listening to music right now?

yep

28: What is something you currently want right now?

*breaks into song* all I wanT IS EVERYTHING YES EVERYTHING TOO MUCH IS NOT ENOUGHHHH

No, but I would like to be able to drive soon

29: Were your last three kisses from the same person?

I haven't been kissed since I was too young to remember

30: How is your heart lately?

hella rad (but very cold)

31: Do you wear the hood on your hoodie?

sometimes

32: When was the last time a member of the opposite sex hugged you?

idk, maybe a few weeks ago?

33: What do people call you?

Sadina, Zpey, Hzedouey, Zoey

34: Have you ever wanted to tell someone something but didn’t?

The times I want to shut up I never can, and the times I want to say something are the times I'm silent

35: Are there any stressful situations in your life?

My parents impending divorce and my future as an "adult"

36: What are you listening to right now?

Radio

37: What is wrong with you right now?

I am an arrogant asshole who needs to learn when to give up on things and when to put my ego aside for the benefit of my friends. 

38: Love really is a beautiful thing huh?

to quote myself:

“The passion of love is a hell shrouded in chemical joy"

39: Do you make wishes at 11:11?

sometimes

40: What is on your wrists right now?

my skin

41: Are you single/taken/heartbroken/confused/waiting for the unexpected?

a piece of shit flirt who doesn't want anything serious 

42: Where did you get the shirt/sweatshirt you’re wearing?

my aunt

43: Have you ever regretted kissing someone?

I've never kissed anyone (goddamn it, soon, I swear)

44: Have you hugged someone within the last week?

hell yeah

45: Have you kissed anyone in the last five days?

no

46: What were you doing at midnight last night?

reading The Importance of Being Earnest

47: Do you miss the way things were six months ago?

No, I'd much rather look ahead and miss the future 

48: Would you rather sleep with someone else or alone?

idk, but I need some goddamn room so it'd be a big bed

49: Have you ever been to New York?

yep

50: Think of the last person who said I love you, do you think they meant it?

Cerys, and I know she did