221B Recs

Title: Thirteen Dances (Or, The Doctor Dances)
Author: Knackorcraft
Pairing: Sherlock Holmes/John Watson
Length: 17,544 words
Rating: Explicit
Warnings: None
Verse: BBC
Author's summary: Written in response to this kink meme prompt: "John is a great dancer: we're talking all types. Not only is he able to pop and lock it, he's got some great ballet technique. He was best at lifting / holding girls." Thirteen chapters, thirteen dances, interwoven in two parallel tracks: John's past and his present. And maybe his future, too. (I do love a happy ending with a bit of smut.)

Reccer's comments: This is the quintessential fic for those who wanted to see that scene of Sherlock teaching John to waltz for the wedding. Only in this fic (written prior to series 3), it's John who teaches Sherlock. To tango. And yes, it's everything you hoped for and more.

John is the ultimate BAMF here, wowing all the lads and ladies with his moves both on and off on the dance floor. It's all done with complete aplomb and understatement, though, never turning John into some kind of flamboyant dancing wunderkind but keeping him grounded and quietly confident, making his dancing talents as natural a part of him as his gun-wielding or jumper-wearing. We get a broad survey of John's life through dance, from ballet lessons as a child to high school disco parties and a brief stint as the star of a viral YouTube video from his time in the army.

And woven through it all is the stomach-fluttering, throat-tightening, heart-stuttering metaphorical dance that Sherlock and John engage in as they feel their way toward each other's arms. And that tango scene. ;)

Title: In Confidence
Author: emmadelosnardos
Pairing: Gen with mention of past Sherlock/Victor and Sherlock/OMC
Length: 40,000 words
Rating: Mature
Warnings: None
Verse: Sherlock BBC
Author's summary: Reason for referral: Patient was admitted to dual diagnosis unit for detox on 27.5.2002. BIB brother, Mycroft Holmes, following arrest for intoxication on 26.5.2002. Pt was under the influence of cocaine when he was admitted. Pt was admitted for 28 days with possible extension to two months. Requested single unit. Request granted by special permission of the Director.

Reccer's comments: After my last rec centering on John's inner world, I thought it appropriate that I round out the month with a little navel-gazing on Sherlock's part as well. This is an absolutely fascinating look at Sherlock's past, pre-season one of the BBC series. Although it is nominally the prequel second part of an AU fic series (the first part being Pax Americana), you do not need to have read the first part, and in fact In Confidence can easily be read as a prequel to the television series itself.

The fic consists entirely of case notes, session notes and transcripts, emails, and letters from Sherlock's first stint in a rehab clinic, at age 25. Here is what a bit of it looks like (in this excerpt, CR is Carola Rivas, Sherlock's therapist):

CR:      Do you want it to shock me?
SH:      If you found this shocking, then I would seriously doubt your level of experience. Humans are cruel. Surely you know this by now.
CR:      So you are testing me, then? Trying to see what shocks me?
SH:      I test everyone I know. Only way to know who’s safe and who’s not.
CR:      I might be dangerous, then?
SH:      You might be. I have to wonder what kind of people are attracted to psychology, in the first place.

The fact that the author is herself in training as a clinical psychologist means that everything is set out with a high degree of technical detail and professional insight, from the terminology to the therapeutic structure and Sherlock's progress while an in-patient. I liked that the author didn't dumb things down or insert extensive notes to try and explain things to her lay readership, although she has a series of essays on psychological issues raised by the BBC series on her tumblr (http://emmadelosnardos.tumblr.com/critanalysis), and is enthusiastic about engaging in discussion on the topic. Having said that, I don't want to give anyone the impression that this is a dry, technical slogfest. It is one of the most engaging fics I have read in this fandom, despite the lack of an action-based plot.

This fic centers solely on Sherlock, although there is a strong supporting cast in the persons of Mycroft, Lestrade, and several excellent OCs, including a cousin, Georgina, and the staff at the treatment center, including in particular Sherlock's primary psychologist, Dr. Carola Rivas. We also get some glimpses of Sherlock's parents, maternal grandmother, and Victor Trevor, although only through the filter of Sherlock's memories. Even with such minimal and biased information, the characters are vivid and large, and it is the skill of the author that we are able to fill in for ourselves many of the omissions which Sherlock makes, allowing us to receive a fuller picture of Sherlock's home life and psyche.

The conversations between Sherlock and Rivas are rich and rife with mind games, attempts at oneupmanship, and playful banter. Sherlock's backstory and biography, as they are revealed, are riveting, tragic, and poignant in parts. There are also humorous moments, like the emails between Lestrade and his superior, Commander Gibbons. In the end, we all know how things turned out, but it is the journey to that point that is the interesting part.

Title: Virtuoso
Artist: alicexz (on deviantART)
Pairing: None (Gen)
Length: N/A
Rating: Unrated (I would rate it G)
Warnings: None
Verse: Sherlock BBC
Artist's summary: Painted entirely over Livestream last night, you can view the full recording [link] at my new Youtube channel. Thank you very much to all who stayed and watched! I have always loved all imagery of Sherlock Holmes playing the violin, I find it very striking and it's one of his most recognizable and interesting character traits imo. This piece is inspired by BBC's Sherlock series (I cannot possibly recommend this show more, go watch it on Netflix Instant!)

Hit Download Image on the right for a large wallpaper size! (1500x1000px) Drawn in Adobe Photoshop with a Wacom tablet. Reference from here - the violin IS in the proper position, he is just STARTING to play in this shot. Painted in four hours over Livestream.

The time-lapsed full process video is up, please go take a look! [link]

Reccer's comments: I haven't seen many art recs made, which is a shame as there are so many amazingly talented artists in this fandom. This stunning digital, from-scratch portrait captures Sherlock in a private moment depicting the intimate and little-explored relationship between him and his music. The warm colours and tactile, luxurious feeling of the clothing evoke a sense of homeliness and comfort that we rarely associate with the character.

I recommend, for a full appreciation of the piece and of the artist, to watch the time-lapse version of the process video. It is fascinating to see how the artist sketches out the main shapes, then develops the colours and lighting and reveals the bone structure and other fine details.

The artist's deviantART gallery of Sherlock art with several other professional-quality portraits of all the main characters is here.