So the question is, why this “opium” episode of Sherlock, and not the actual Sir Arthur Conan Doyle story (which the radio show also did) “The Man with the Twisted Lip”?
Firstly, I picked an opium episode because I absolutely wanted Harry to have fallen into such despair that he’d moved on from drinking to opium to escape his sad life since Petri Wines fired him (because of Madison, you recall). The Sherlock episodes are getting harder for me to write because I still want to stick with my “brand” of every episode is from a real OTR script. So how do I service Harry? And this episode of Sherlock had the plot point of the two rivals fighting over guano. Why not? Petri is giving Harry one last chance to return to their good graces. So he needs that guano!
I did a little research into the guano industry during this time. I found it nearly absurd that guano was an export and highly sought. But, oh yes, it’s true! I almost wished the original episode hadn’t glided over it so quickly. More in a “everyone knows this already” kinda way. I know I am not up on my guano history, so I think it’s worth exploring! Hey, you all almost got a Mad Facts about guano, but I thought the opium dens made more sense.
One little detail I was a stickler on was the pronunciation of name of the town where they were negotiating the guano deal,”San Pedro.” Here in Southern California, we also have a town named “San Pedro.” If you speak English (even the local newscasters) you pronounce it “San Pee-droh.” Not the proper Spanish language pronunciation, “San Pay-droh.” I really wanted my actors to say it the “English language” way because I saw it as a subtle way to emphasize the “White Colonist” countries’ lack of respect to the people they conquer. Who cares about saying it the “right” way? Like when someone says their name is Jose and the English speaker simply changes it to “Joe” to make it easier on themselves (actually happened by Joe Friday on “Dragnet!”).
Another fun twist in this story was adding a scene that wasn’t in the original. We follow more of Dr. Watson in the OG episode. Sherlock leaves him outside with one of the “Baker Street Irregulars” and the two spend hours watching the outside of the opium den waiting for Sherlock before giving up and going in after him. Then we learn the murder happened while they sat outside? Borrr-ring! So I placed Madison in the action with Harry at the arrival of Cholmondeley. The only part I deeply regret having to leave out, that I tried to find a way in, was in the OG the American mispronounces “Cholmondeley” and that is the clue that Sherlock uses to solve the mystery. Because Americans don’t know that “Cholmondeley” is pronounced “Chumley.” And yes, I 100% (and my American cast) were all shocked about that one! Good thing his character was played by one of our fabulous British cast members, Karim Kronfli!
Well, I hope you all enjoyed Madison’s 6th adventure with Sherlock. If you all continue to support those stories, I’m more than happy to write them.
-Chrisi (aka Madison)
