Captain Basil
@rathbone2pick.bsky.social
Maine's leading detective for all things Sherlockian.
Simone is so closely identified with the title that it seems weird to think that it predated her. But Dixon laid a strong foundation. His 90s work on the Bat family was must-read for me
November 13, 2025 at 12:50 AM
Simone is so closely identified with the title that it seems weird to think that it predated her. But Dixon laid a strong foundation. His 90s work on the Bat family was must-read for me
That Robin costume…
November 12, 2025 at 12:54 PM
That Robin costume…
I love Scrooged and I’m fond of the others. But they all pale next to the 1951 movie with Alastair Sim. I’ve also come to greatly appreciate the 1935 movie with Seymour Hicks
November 12, 2025 at 6:06 AM
I love Scrooged and I’m fond of the others. But they all pale next to the 1951 movie with Alastair Sim. I’ve also come to greatly appreciate the 1935 movie with Seymour Hicks
Do you mean Annie 1982, 1999 or 2014?
November 12, 2025 at 5:53 AM
Do you mean Annie 1982, 1999 or 2014?
You can always learn more by visiting his house in Fairfield, Vermont
November 12, 2025 at 5:48 AM
You can always learn more by visiting his house in Fairfield, Vermont
Pluto has lots of content but the commercial breaks are far too long and frequent
November 12, 2025 at 5:34 AM
Pluto has lots of content but the commercial breaks are far too long and frequent
Does it? I thought it started with a mass die-off because the dinosaurs can’t survive in the 21st century climate
November 11, 2025 at 11:26 PM
Does it? I thought it started with a mass die-off because the dinosaurs can’t survive in the 21st century climate
Just a little 😉
November 11, 2025 at 4:55 PM
Just a little 😉
Most academics I’ve known are encouraging of other readers. I think the pressure comes from within. “I’m afraid to speak up at this cocktail party because everyone else is so well read and I read trash.” Good ol’ imposter syndrome.
November 11, 2025 at 4:53 PM
Most academics I’ve known are encouraging of other readers. I think the pressure comes from within. “I’m afraid to speak up at this cocktail party because everyone else is so well read and I read trash.” Good ol’ imposter syndrome.
There are so many reasons to read. Enjoyment, growth, escape, understanding. They’re all valid. Today, I’ll read the last chapters of Sherlock Holmes & Dracula by Christian Klaver. Tomorrow I plan to begin reading The Diary of Anne Frank
November 11, 2025 at 4:33 PM
There are so many reasons to read. Enjoyment, growth, escape, understanding. They’re all valid. Today, I’ll read the last chapters of Sherlock Holmes & Dracula by Christian Klaver. Tomorrow I plan to begin reading The Diary of Anne Frank
I guess what I’m saying is this. Any reading is good. But not all books are equal. Some books are definitely better than others. Even so, no one should be a jerk about someone else’s reading choices. We should be cheerleaders for each other, not gatekeepers
November 11, 2025 at 4:33 PM
I guess what I’m saying is this. Any reading is good. But not all books are equal. Some books are definitely better than others. Even so, no one should be a jerk about someone else’s reading choices. We should be cheerleaders for each other, not gatekeepers
I try to set aside time to read every day. But it’s a slow process for me. No learning disabilities or anything. But I don’t retain the words unless I read them very deliberately. So I only read about 10 books a year, which makes me feel like a dilettante around speedier readers
November 11, 2025 at 4:33 PM
I try to set aside time to read every day. But it’s a slow process for me. No learning disabilities or anything. But I don’t retain the words unless I read them very deliberately. So I only read about 10 books a year, which makes me feel like a dilettante around speedier readers
My mom fills all her spare time by reading. She’s never without a book, usually a paperback mystery. She’ll read one or two a week. But she constantly downplays her intelligence. At some point, somebody must have told her that she doesn’t read the “right” kind of books.
November 11, 2025 at 4:33 PM
My mom fills all her spare time by reading. She’s never without a book, usually a paperback mystery. She’ll read one or two a week. But she constantly downplays her intelligence. At some point, somebody must have told her that she doesn’t read the “right” kind of books.
What does it mean to be a “reader?” Is there a threshold? Not trying to argue or put you on the spot. I’m just working through an idea.
November 11, 2025 at 4:33 PM
What does it mean to be a “reader?” Is there a threshold? Not trying to argue or put you on the spot. I’m just working through an idea.
What is it with Episode 5? Is there some rule that it needs to feature an "angel of death?" That was also the plot of the fifth episode of the first season of "Elementary," with notable guest stars David Harbour and Anika Noni Rose
November 11, 2025 at 2:37 PM
What is it with Episode 5? Is there some rule that it needs to feature an "angel of death?" That was also the plot of the fifth episode of the first season of "Elementary," with notable guest stars David Harbour and Anika Noni Rose
Grodd? Why? Leave him to the Flash. If it’s an ape they want, let Jimmy investigate Titano. Keep it in the Superman family
November 11, 2025 at 1:45 PM
Grodd? Why? Leave him to the Flash. If it’s an ape they want, let Jimmy investigate Titano. Keep it in the Superman family
Watched the first Dune with my family. We all fought to stay awake. Bad experience all around. Opted not to watch the sequels. Funny how perspectives can be so different, isn’t it?
November 11, 2025 at 1:39 PM
Watched the first Dune with my family. We all fought to stay awake. Bad experience all around. Opted not to watch the sequels. Funny how perspectives can be so different, isn’t it?
But why bother commenting in a public space like this if you’ve got no interest in exploring ideas beyond your own? Yes, there are bad-faith arguments. But honest discussion can also be positive. There’s no growth in an echo chamber
November 11, 2025 at 1:16 AM
But why bother commenting in a public space like this if you’ve got no interest in exploring ideas beyond your own? Yes, there are bad-faith arguments. But honest discussion can also be positive. There’s no growth in an echo chamber
It was lovely in its own right. But the major deviations from the book frustrated me. So faithful in some places, so unfaithful in others.
November 10, 2025 at 9:49 PM
It was lovely in its own right. But the major deviations from the book frustrated me. So faithful in some places, so unfaithful in others.
Just now noticed the movie stars two Sherlocks: Cavill from “Enola Holmes” and Hero Fiennes Tiffin from Amazon’s upcoming “Young Sherlock” series. And it’s directed by the filmmaker behind Robert Downey Jr’s Holmes movies. That’s big Sherlock energy
November 10, 2025 at 7:24 PM
Just now noticed the movie stars two Sherlocks: Cavill from “Enola Holmes” and Hero Fiennes Tiffin from Amazon’s upcoming “Young Sherlock” series. And it’s directed by the filmmaker behind Robert Downey Jr’s Holmes movies. That’s big Sherlock energy
I’d also argue that the moral complexity IS one of Shelley’s major theme, maybe THE major theme. What are the limits of science? Are we justified in causing pain for noble goals? I think the movie soft pedals those questions to tell a (worthwhile) story of overcoming generational abuse
November 10, 2025 at 7:11 PM
I’d also argue that the moral complexity IS one of Shelley’s major theme, maybe THE major theme. What are the limits of science? Are we justified in causing pain for noble goals? I think the movie soft pedals those questions to tell a (worthwhile) story of overcoming generational abuse
Of course we should sympathize with the monster. That’s in Shelley’s writing. But the sympathies are more balanced in her book, shifting back and forth. I like that complexity. Del Toro’s movie seems more one sided, simpler
November 10, 2025 at 7:07 PM
Of course we should sympathize with the monster. That’s in Shelley’s writing. But the sympathies are more balanced in her book, shifting back and forth. I like that complexity. Del Toro’s movie seems more one sided, simpler