I suppose it also depends on how much they want to hark back.  If they want dramatic, emotional, "close to home" drama for John, then they have Rosie.   And they've kind of used up a couple of the reasons for us not knowing about something in the character's life: Sherlock had amnesia, Mary had a secret life. 

I think "John as client" could be great.  But they did kind of do that in TLD, and made it about the here and now and Sherlock, rather than something from his past. 

But my point is really that we don't need much unless it affects the story.  Sherlock's childhood in TFP was a major part of the story, so yes, we got background and flashbacks.   We've still missed out a whole lot, such as what it was really like after Eurus went, and a big gap between that age and the beginning of ASIP with only the occasional hint of Carl Powers, university, etc.    So why would we want even more backstory for a lesser character like Mary, unless it's part of the story? 

There are actually a few things with John that aren't quite resolved.   But I presume aren't important to the story.   Anything important to the story about Mary was resolved (the main relevant mystery being AGRA).   So I don't think we necessarily needed the detail of other jobs, CIA work, childhood, etc. 

Even Harry, I'm thinking exists purely for the deduction in ASIP.  Her whole "story" is built that - having an ambiguous name, the alcohol problem, the relationship breakdown, etc.   She's been referred to since, but we've never met her and never learnt much more about her.   So that's an example of John's past being used to serve the story - but we don't need to know any more at present. 

Just an army doctor...not as exciting as a hired assassin.

Liberty wrote:

But again, I think it might be better as a spin-off, rather than going into great detail in a three episode series.  Mainly because all of that was without Sherlock.  They could do something similar to what they did with Mary and make part of John's past part of the story/case.  Then we could get detailed glimpses of those parts, as we did with Mary.   (For instance, Sholto ended up being part of the story). 

I've always thought that having something happen to Harry and Sherlock taking the case would be a fantastic way of getting some background on John.

tonnaree wrote:

Liberty wrote:

But again, I think it might be better as a spin-off, rather than going into great detail in a three episode series.  Mainly because all of that was without Sherlock.  They could do something similar to what they did with Mary and make part of John's past part of the story/case.  Then we could get detailed glimpses of those parts, as we did with Mary.   (For instance, Sholto ended up being part of the story). 

I've always thought that having something happen to Harry and Sherlock taking the case would be a fantastic way of getting some background on John.

Great idea!

Hey, don't knock it!
3 hours every few years seems like luxury, right at this moment.

I doubt we'll ever find out...

Liberty wrote:

I agree ... but that's just what I mean: it's got to be part of the case and relevant to the story (and of course, involve Sherlock).   What we saw with Mary fitted that bill.  And actually, although it wasn't backstory, but current, what we saw with John grieving in TLD did as well (the case was "Save John Watson").   I'd be more than happy to see something similar with John.  But I don't think too much irrelevant background detail is a good idea for either of them.  And certainly, Mary shouldn't have more irrelevant background detail than John!  We only get three hours every few years after all! 

But that's the problem: Mary's been given more background detail than John, period!  And as someone pointed out, she's one of the more minor characters, not an important one like Sherlock and John.  I, for one, would like that imbalance to be fixed, and to see a plot set up in which John's own family background and his army background become important, so that they'll have to disclose it.
 

Last edited by kgreen20 (June 7, 2017 8:10 pm)

kgreen20 wrote:

But that's the problem: Mary's been given more background detail than John, period!  And as someone pointed out, she's one of the more minor characters, not an important one like Sherlock and John.  I, for one, would like that imbalance to be fixed, and to see a plot set up in which John's own family background and his army background become important, so that they'll have to disclose it.
 

I agree wholeheartedly.

SusiGo wrote:

Same here. I must admit, I have a certain problem with a Holmes/Watson adaptation in which the back story of Watson's wife is more important than his own. 

Seconded.
I would trade all of TST for 30 minutes of back story on John.

Of course I also really want to see Martin in camos and a white t-shirt.