Sunday Writing Prompt #220 – September 17, 2017

Sunday Writing Prompt: Sunday, September 17, 2017
Tea and Civility

This week I’m offering a particular quote from a character, Sherlock Holmes, as taken from the BBC’s series – Sherlock. It’s an exchange that takes place, between James Moriarty, who is considered Sherlock’s ultimate foe.

This is an adaptation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s work, The Reichenbach Falls.

There are two videos I’ve selected which set the scene – please watch both, it’ll be about 6 minutes of your time, in order to place things in context.

The first video, 3:27 minutes, is a meeting of the two minds – to discuss “the final problem” that exists between them – master criminal mind versus master sleuth with a peculiar and particular conscience.

The second video, 2:31 minutes, is a short clip. Please be warned, it’s a bit violent and graphic, but it contains the quote of focus for this week. The exchange I’ve included between the two is below, and is at the beginning of the scene. I haven’t included all of the dialogue, there are some key bits that follow before the “shocking scene” – so please, watch the clip to the end.

Moriarty: Nah, nah, you talk big ….nah, you’re ordinary …. you’re ordinary, – you’re on the side of the angels –
Sherlock: Oh, I may be on the side of the angels, but don’t think for one second that I am one of them …..
Moriarty: …. No …. you’re not ……

So this week? Contemplate Sherlock’s response to Moriarty – in relation to the conversation they have in both videos. Consider the details, nuances and essences of the words they exchange – and then explore the quote I’ve highlighted.

Some ideas to consider:
– what makes an enemy an enemy
– are there any clear distinctions between good and bad/darkness and light
– where do choices, decisions and actions blur and fold themselves over acceptable lines of behaviour and moral codes

As you contemplate these ideas, consider how these universal paradigms apply to yourself, your own life, your own exchanges and sense of person and of self – and how you walk through the world, as a result.

Use the quote:

Oh, I may be on the side of the angels, but don’t think for one second that I am one of them …..

in context of what you’ve just seen and the extraction of ideas, and create something from this starting point.

It can be flash, poetry, a short story, a personal exploration or commentary. You have a week to work this prompt. Please include the tags MLMM or Mindlovemisery’s Menagerie and Sunday Writing Prompt. Create your links and pings, and hook up with Mr. Linky, for good measure.

I look forward to your interpretations.