"Sherlock"

[Keit]

Wonder if anyone had a chance to watch new BBC's series "Sherlock" and notice their take on Sherlock Holmes.

**spoilers follow**

The actor who plays his character, and after being accused of being a psychopath, says the following:

"I'm not a psychopath, I'm a high-functioning sociopath; do your research."

Is it another attempt to muddy the waters and even glorify psychopathy? Apparently, others noticed it as well. Here is from this blog, as an example:

Equally as entertaining, though, is following the blogosphere's reaction to arguably the biggest sociopathic outting of our time. Like many who refuse to believe (Claymates, anyone?) there are some skeptics, or at least some who are worried that the show glorifies sociopaths:

Sociopaths, even high functioning ones, present themselves as something they're not - and this is a primary characteristic as well. They mimic feeling and empathy to lure their prey and it rings hollow. Sherlock does not try to mimic, he observes. Obsessive-compulsive, and hyper-intellectual but not a sociopath. Sociopathy is not the new cool, and sociopaths are very destructive, whatever level they function on.

 

[mcb]

...Is it another attempt to muddy the waters and even glorify psychopathy?...

I don't know. Anything that expands the public view of psychopaths/sociopaths beyond that of the stereotypical serial killer might be an improvement, accurate or not. When you have no option to tell the truth (as with mass media), sometimes a well-crafted lie might serve instead.