Well I think part of the answer to that is that most dramatised versions of Sherlock Holmes takes part in the original universe, that is Victorian England, and women simply didn't have sexual desires back then. Sex was something to suffer through so that one may have children. And a woman most certainly didn't go hunting a man.

And the Irene Adler of canon is a woman who has just married a man she loves. In that situation, most straight women wouldn't have eyes for a random stranger, no matter how clever or attractive.

Men and women were sexually repressed back then, but women far more than men.  It's amazing how virtue has been connected to a lack of sexuality, even in today's world.  I've yet to see how liking sex is amoral, but many people believe that.

Last edited by sj4iy (January 12, 2014 2:01 pm)

Yeah, I find that hard to believe... Sexual desire isn't really much of a choice, is it? I wish it was, but I'm pretty sure it's entirely natural.

As for the main question, I think it makes sense, because in the twenty-first century, the average girl has a lot of crushes throughout her life, even if they're really tiny ones. I have more crushes than I can handle, except they're all small enough interests that I can usually ignore them in the name of sanity. I don't even consider myself the average girl when it comes to guys.

I (do) would definetly have a crush on Sherly, as I think very many women would, because he's got so many qualities that catch a girl's attention. He's handsome, if you don't think he's odd, he's enigmatic, he's smart, he's strong. He's a really great guy if you can deal with the mental/social issues and his Work. So it's unsurprising that he's intriging.

dartmoordoggers wrote:

Are there that many women; apart from Molly, who do fall for him in the earlier episodes?

I can see it being a thing now. After all Sherlock is a good looking young detective that regularly features on the TV, newspapers and blogs. 'the famous Mr. Holmes.'

In the real world the crew try to keep the fans out of shot; but perversely in Sherlock world it would be quite normal for fans of the detective to congregate outside of 221B hoping to catch a glimpse and maybe an autograph. After all 'brainy is the new sexy'.

What woman had the chance to approach him in the earlier episodes? Rudeness often undermines good looks. 

Mary Me wrote:

dartmoordoggers wrote:

Are there that many women; apart from Molly, who do fall for him in the earlier episodes?

I can see it being a thing now. After all Sherlock is a good looking young detective that regularly features on the TV, newspapers and blogs. 'the famous Mr. Holmes.'

In the real world the crew try to keep the fans out of shot; but perversely in Sherlock world it would be quite normal for fans of the detective to congregate outside of 221B hoping to catch a glimpse and maybe an autograph. After all 'brainy is the new sexy'.

What woman had the chance to approach him in the earlier episodes? Rudeness often undermines good looks. 

Yeah, I sometimes wonder why Molly even liked him. I wonder if she saw a side of him besides the cold, rude detective?

MahnSherlolly03 wrote:

Mary Me wrote:

dartmoordoggers wrote:

Are there that many women; apart from Molly, who do fall for him in the earlier episodes?

I can see it being a thing now. After all Sherlock is a good looking young detective that regularly features on the TV, newspapers and blogs. 'the famous Mr. Holmes.'

In the real world the crew try to keep the fans out of shot; but perversely in Sherlock world it would be quite normal for fans of the detective to congregate outside of 221B hoping to catch a glimpse and maybe an autograph. After all 'brainy is the new sexy'.

What woman had the chance to approach him in the earlier episodes? Rudeness often undermines good looks. 

Yeah, I sometimes wonder why Molly even liked him. I wonder if she saw a side of him besides the cold, rude detective?

I really wonder about Molly too...and John, frankly. I see what people see in Benedict, but I have trouble with they see in this version of Sherlock. He is just TOO MEAN. Makes it harder to believe in "Johnlock." Canon-Holmes, and Brett's Holmes, had mean streaks, but there was more...I don't know...romance, in their relationships with their Watsons.

And because it WAS the Victorian era, it was easier to believe that there were things going on that weren't shown, because they couldn't be shown. In today's media, there's not much need for subtext.

With regard to the question of men's or women's "virtue": in the original "Scandal in Bohemia" of canon, we are supposed to believe that a King will be "ruined," in that his princess-fiance will not marry him, if she learns of his past relationship with Irene Adler (of which Irene has proof). because the princess is just that puritanical. I guess I would sort of have thought that queens and princesses of that time would accept their husbands doing such thing...or just blame it all on the woman involved. I kind of think that really, the King wanted to disgrace Irene in the eyes of her new husband.
 

SherlocklivesinOH wrote:

Are there that many women; apart from Molly, who do fall for him in the earlier episodes?

I guess I was thinking of Irene...does she not count, because she was "just playing the game?" I thought her infamous "have you on the desk," line probably reflected how many female fans feel about Benedict. 

She was playing, but she got a bit too into it. I don't blame her either...