Comparing and Contrasting the different versions of Sherlock Holmes and Doc Watson

While observing the characters from the TV shows and the short story, they have some things in common, but are otherwise quite different characters when comparing the modern show and the older tale. The Devil’s Foot story was definitely fitting for the time; Sherlock seemed more of a respected gentleman than an obsessive freak. The modern iteration of Watson is far more complex than the former, making him less accurate yet more compelling. Viewers in the present day expect more humour, action, and relation to main characters to maintain interest, so it makes sense to want to evolve the characters. Doc Watson and Sherlock Holmes share some similarities from past to present, but the modern version strays away from the original to create a new dynamic perspective. 

The key difference in Sherlock Holmes from the old and new stories is that one is serious and respected in society, and the other is an eccentric outcast. Sure, the older version had its eccentricities, but we can see, especially in the older TV show, that he is much calmer and less humorous in his demeanor. He was also recognized immediately in the small town by the Vicar, who asked for his help with the case, which indicates he was respected. In the modern TV show, He seems more playful in the way he conducts his work, which was pointed out when he excitedly runs out the door exclaiming, “The game is on!” Sally tells Watson he gets off on it and that he doesn’t have any friends, telling us that he’s not well respected in society. We can see how he heavily isolates himself and buries himself in his work, which can be off-putting to even the police due to how obsessive he is. Although they have many differences, there is still that impossible level of intelligence they operate on; Brett’s version is just quieter. 

While watching and reading, there are clear and overt differences between Martin Freeman’s and Edward Hardwicke’s characters. Hardwicke frankly didn’t have much personality compared to Freeman’s. In the modern story, we can see his challenges and motivations much more clearly, but in the former, Watson is mostly a side character who doesn’t have much substance. The most we see out of him is looking clueless and reminding Sherlock that he should be resting on holiday. He relates to the audience in that way, especially since it is told from his perspective, because most people are not as intelligent as Sherlock and are passive viewers in the story, just like Watson. The show takes this concept, but makes him even more relatable by demonstrating his struggles, medical knowledge, and fascination with Sherlock’s mind. He isn’t a useless side character to tell a story; he’s one of the main characters with a realistic personality. The only thing they seem to have in common is their caring hearts. In The Devil’s Foot, he cares greatly for Sherlock’s health, and in the show Sherlock, he cares so much about him that he killed the man who was a threat to Sherlock. 

There are even differences in Sherlock and Watson’s dynamics. In the modern version, Sherlock actually values what Watson has to say about a case, but in the former show, he is hardly involved. It seems like Watson is just there so that Sherlock doesn’t just talk to himself. When they arrive at the crime scene in the show Sherlock, Sherlock asks Watson to observe the body, showing he can see his value. While Sherlock mostly knows everything Watson is saying already, it provides another perspective for him. Their dynamic in the modern show is almost romantic in the way they poke at the idea of them being partners. It is technically queer baiting, but it has come a long way since the traditional past.  It is also refreshing to see that in the modern version, Watson is actually useful by locating Sherlock when he was taken and protecting him by shooting the culprit. At no point in the Devil’s Foot episode did Watson actually help in the case, hence why some viewers don’t see their friendship as anything special. At least to modern viewers who have only seen the new show and The Devil’s Foot, maybe there are better moments between them in the other stories. This means there is a closer bond for the two who have just met than for the pals who have known each other for a long time in the older version. 

All in all, both are works of art created for different time periods. One is more serious for the more traditional crowd, and the other is action-packed and humorous for modern viewers. This, of course, reflects on characters like Sherlock being pensive and renowned in The Devil’s Foot, catering to the status quo that was so sought after back then. Now all the freaks and weirdos run free in society, making Cumberbatch’s version more accepted and even adored. Hardwicke’s character, as well as Watson’s character in the book, simply lack substance and complexity compared to the modern TV show. By evolving these characters to fit modern day, especially Watson, it creates a real bond between the characters rather than just having a bumbling fool around to make Sherlock look smarter. There may be more differences than similarities, but that is the beauty of time and growth; it evolves.

Works Cited

Arthur Conan Doyle. The Adventure of the Devil’s Foot. DigiCat, 16 Sept. 2022.

Sherlock. Directed by Mark Gatiss and Steven Moffat, BBC Studios, 25 July 2010.

Your Daily Brew. “Jeremy Brett as Sherlock Holmes – the Devil’s Foot [HD].” YouTube, 16 May 2018, www.youtube.com/watch?v=4GDQ3CiSFvo. Accessed 14 Dec. 2025.