What if Dr. Watson Never Existed?
At first I wasn’t Dr. Watson’s biggest fan. I didn’t see the need for Sherlock Holmes to have Watson in his life. What need did Watson fulfill both in Sherlock’s life and in those who followed his adventures? Why a sidekick?
Do heroes need sidekicks?
Not always. But a good sidekick does provide a very useful tool. How you ask?
They allow the hero to voice their thoughts - Think of Batman and Alfred. If Alfred wasn’t there how would we as readers know all of the dark thoughts that trouble his mind?
They can serve as the voice of reason - Watson was Sherlock’s sounding board. As was Spock with Captain Kirk. A good hero sometimes needs his sidekick to prevent his heroism from coming to a tragic end (Yes - Holmes died but not due to Watson’s ineptitude)
They can provide comic relief - C3PO and R2D2. Sidekicks aren’t only there for heroes. Villains have (and need) sidekicks too. Look at the movies for some examples of this. Remember Superman? Lex Luthor’s Otis?
How many times has a sidekick saved the hero? What examples can you think of? Heroes need heroes too.
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Gilligan saved the Skipper countless times and I’m not sure the Skipper ever appreciated it! he he he- probably not the example you were looking for! Sorry, I’ll keep thing…