Sherlock Holmes wrote:

There are plenty of people who grow up not interested in sex, more interested in academic study and their own imagination, or not socially confident enough to flirt or even get into a situation like that. Sherlock is all of those traits and more. I know that most people of his age have lost their virginity, but I am in my mid 20s and actually know quite a few people who are still virgins, I even know a guy in his 60s who has never had sex and never wanted to!

And why would Sherlock care? I mean really? It's just like the solar system - not important! And far too much of a distraction from his work and study. Even at Uni whilst everyone would be going out partying etc, he would be sat in his room stooped over his microscope and writing his dissertations. He doesn't socialise, he hates parties, he has no friends, how do you suppose he would even meet people to get into those situations?

And what would his motivation be? He believes that love is a dangerous disadvantage, that sentiment is pretty stupid etc, and as an intelligent man he would know that sex often leads to development of feelings and emotions, something he would want to avoid. He would just view the whole thing as a pointless waste of his precious time and energy.

Yup. That's all a possibility, just like the scenario I outlined. Neither of our ideas has any more merit than the other, IMO. Unless and until they have him open his mouth and explain himself in actual dialogue, it will all be speculation on our parts, no matter our ideas about this.

I think the argument falls apart when you dismiss the canon on the one hand and then use it for back up on the other.

And the last few posts echo what I always say, its not an issue either to the character or the stories.
It's being put out there simply because the creators know that in this day & age sex sells to a certain part of the fandom.

That is my point; you will only dismiss the canon when its suits your agenda. In this case you have decided it is useful to quote it as a source.
That's an insult to the canon in my eyes; it's not a prop you can use & abuse at will. Doing so makes for a very flimsy case indeed.

You interpret the sex issue as something they are dangling at us all? As if it is a drawcard for fans?  Hardly , when many fans have an interest in this show for more canonical reasons. Sex never was and never will be a topic for many fans, regardless of what you personally believe.

Holmes was at times a very grim, insulting man & very business like I can assure you.

I was addressing your ideas, not you personally. Please accord me with the same courtesies.
It is your choice to decide I have a 'superior wisdom' however my 'wisdom' was not an issue here.
"Attitude" is in the eye of the beholder.

Hey everyone - in my line of work "tone of email" is a constant problem to watch out for.  Conversing in email leads to misunderstandings since people can't see facial expressions, body language, and whether or not there is lightness in the speaking voice. This can lead to ugly email wars. Not good.

Not naming any names here, and I realize communication skills vary, but if Forum members often seem to get pissed off at your comments, or seem to think you are being a 'big mouth', or always misinterpret things you are, in all honesty trying to say, maybe it's time to examine why that's happening. Just saying....

This is a forum where I hope all can feel welcome and 'safe' to express their thoughts and opinions about all things "Sherlock".  That was my impression when I joined.  Healthy debate is always a good thing, but when things become heated and vindictive it's no longer fun.  There are canon threads and sex threads and everything else in between threads here - plenty of room for any and all, IMO. Sarcasm and "smart ass" remarks should have no place here. Nor should "My opinion is bigger/better/stronger/more righteous than your opinion". There comes a time when all parties have to say, "Okay we now agree to disagree" and let it go.  Maybe that time has come on this thread?

BBC Sherlock is as pure an entertainment vehicle as the ACD stories where their day. ACD knew his 19th century audience as well as the Moftiss know their 21st century one. The characters are larger than life and live larger than life. If the BBC characters and the situations they find themselves in have changed slightly to bring them into line with modern day issues and societal mores then I find that pure creative genius. As I said in my very first post here, they had me at "The game, Mrs. Hudson, is on!"  From that point, I was willing to go wherever they wanted to take me with this Sherlock - anywhere, anytime. If they give me enough rope to hang my own impressions and interpretations on, even better.  If I want to see sexual innuendo where no else does, fine. Let me express it out loud here and let others agree or respectfully disagree with me if they wish. Those that agree can come along with me and those that don't can go their own way. In the end, I will respectfully leave you to your little garden of BBC Sherlock delights as long as you leave me to mine without rancor.

Back to the question as it were and with reference to the scene in The Palace which various posts have alluded to. The only episode where sex per se is mentioned with regard to Sherlock is in A Scandal in Belgravia and that is because sex is intrinsic to that particular storyline. The running gag about there being a gay relationship between John and Sherlock is just that, a running gag, especially as John is trying to be such a ladies' man. Mycroft and Sherlock engage in slightly embarrassing sibling banter all the time, being in the palace makes no difference; they like scoring points off one another (autocorrect had that as scoring pints off one another which I think is perhaps a more productive activity).

Just one other small point: the 'w......r' word (used to describe Mycroft in an earlier post) is actually a strongly rude word here in the UK so maybe better to avoid it and choose one of the options from the series that might be applied e.g. 'annoying dick' or 'tit' to quote John.

A couple of other points to consider are : the legal age of consent (in the UK it is 16) and the age of some of the younger members of the forum and frame our posts with due consideration to both these aspects.

I know people have different interpretations of the possible relationship between John and Sherlock but perhaps these arguments are becoming circular and not very productive and that is why people are becoming less tolerant and more frustrated with each other.

Thanks KP. Well said, and diplomatically, IMO.  We're off topic of course.

Not sure why this is a heated thread. I think the idea of Johnlock is kind of beside the point here-- not sure who brought that into the discussion today (was it me? lololol.... could be!) but the topic is whether or not Sherlock has ever had a GF. Thinking about it, that actually is a ways away from "is he a virgin?", which has come up plenty on this thread.

Did Sherlock ever have a GF in original canon? If he never did, the idea of this thread must be disturbing to the purists here??

My apologies to the forum for using the w****r word earlier. I saw it had been changed to "silly boy"-- IMO it would have been better if the mods had just deleted the word, rather than imply I would say silly boy--  ???? Mycroft is a lot of things, but not a silly boy, at least IMO.  Anyway, I went back in and eliminated the W word myself. I should have known better than use a Brit word that I am unfamiliar with.

At least no-one will be inadvertently dropping the w.....r word into conversation when/if they visit the UK. Could be dangerous...not to say embarrasing. Mind you, there are occasions when the use is perfectly legitimate! Lol.

KeepersPrice wrote:

Smoggy_London_Air wrote:

I believe Sherlock's relationship with Irene is purely intellectual. If he is attracted to her, he's attracted to her mind, not what's in her pants. To him, it wouldn't matter if Irene was a sexless brain in a box, if she offered a challenge, he's game. Perhaps intellsexual?

Ah ha!  I just learned a new word today that may be just what you're trying to describe here.  'Sapiosexual' = one who finds intelligence the most sexually attractive feature.  You were close Smoggy! 

New word of the day.

I confess from the outset that I'm pretty much of the asexual Sherlock category.
This of course doesn't necessarily mean he is a virgin, but I personally think he is.
This could put me out of kilter with Benedict and Steven, but I don't agree with them on everything.
I am willing to accept he may have dabbled/experimented.
But I don't see why he should have HAD to.
His responses to Irene  seem to imply he is a virgin .Mycroft thinks he is and I think he would know.
I do wonder if sometimes people confuse celibacy/asexuality...
Anyhow.  I don't think Sherlock would have dated in the usual sense.
I do think he was attracted to Irene, but not sure if it was sexual or not.