Watching the first episode of the new series of Sherlock on New year's Day I did note with surprise that we saw a nude dominatrix before the watershed of 9 pm. The excitement has proved too much for the Daily Mail whose classic prudery was displayed in an article attacking the BBC accompanied by pictures of the nude Ms Pulver (see above) playing Irene Adler. Strangely the series co-creator Steven Moffat's defence was that he had given Holmes an overtly heterosexual sparring partner to scotch speculation about a homosexual undercurrent to the relationship between him and Dr John Watson. This reminded me of the 1970 film The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes in which Holmes defended his virtue against a passionate ballerina by suggesting that Dr Watson was his cup of tea. Wouldn't Conan Doyle have been surprised ? But I digress.
Whilst having no personal objection to nude dominatrices in my sitting room (After all, there is such a thing as a channel-changer or even an off-switch; TV is NOT compulsory, one could read a book or visit a dominatrix if such a person exists in Chard) for once I do feel the Mail has a point, albeit a hypocritical one. Sherlock Holmes is a widely known character whose exploits do appeal to well-read children and young teenagers who could have been expected to be watching on New Year's Day. If the watershed has any point, surely it is to help parents who want to protect their children ? I don't think nudity is a problem but the more disturbing image was Lara Pulver's rear view in stockings and suspenders carrying what I believe is called a spanker as she goes to attend on a princess. "Daddy, what's a dominatrix ?" You might want to choose your own moment to explain sado-masochism to your children (if at all).
No comments:
Post a Comment