To browse Academia. To escape numerous stereotypical trappings, the creators of the show offered a modernised setting, and thus not only did they transcend the Grand Game but also made the show an instant transcultural success. Although this high level of fan involvement is unprecedented in the age of the Internet, it is far from new. Their show both explicitly refers to and playfully denies any romantic relationship between Sherlock and Watson. The writers even insert a character into the series that represents a contemporary fangirl.
In recent history, there have been movements advocating for conversation and change regarding traditional gender roles. As a central part of culture, British television has not escaped this scrutiny. BBC's crime drama Sherlock, directed by Steven Moffat, has received both critical acclaim and attention from the general public for its portrayal of women. In this essay, we venture into this conversation, and explore portrayals of existing gender roles and how the writers of the show choose to dissent with the audience's expectations of gender portrayal.
We examine connections between past and present portrayals of the classic character, Sherlock Holmes, and how these portrayals oppose gender stereotypes. Four methods are examined in this essay to explore the portrayal of women and gender roles in Sherlock. Through strategic use of narrative, the unique way in which the plot is constructed; visuals, the persuasive use of motifs and symbolism; and language, or how word choice assists the viewer in understanding the underlying assumptions of the characters and rhetors.
We chose to explore issues of gender roles and how stereotypes are refuted in the episode, "A Scandal in Belgravia," because it has been the target of criticism for its portrayal of women.
We conclude that the scriptwriters of Sherlock use rhetorical devices to challenge the audience's assumptions and to dissent against the way gender norms are typically portrayed on television. Ultimately, "A Scandal in Belgravia" breathes new life into a classic literary character, redefining gender expectations for a modern audience. Serial narratives such as TV series have their own language, genres and narrative tools, according to their media specificities.
