Sherlock Holmes in Berlin: An autistic person solves the horrifying mystery!

Sherlock Holmes in Berlin: An autistic person solves the horrifying mystery!

In today's episode of “Last Trace Berlin” it could hardly be more exciting: Asperger's autistic Yannick, a die-hard fan of Sherlock Holmes, has a special talent for solving puzzles. However, his extraordinary ability not only causes admiration, but also concern in Oliver Radek's team. Because there are increasing indications that Yannick is messing with unholy, possibly dangerous elements. This makes Radek and his colleagues sit up and take notice even more when a gruesome discovery by the team puts them on the right track. ZDF reports that Radek also talks about his personal challenges in the episode, including his back problem, which has taken a positive turn through yoga. He is also worried about Mina Amiri, who apparently doesn't pay enough attention to her own well-being.

But who is this Yannick and what connects him to the famous detective Sherlock Holmes? The fictional character Sherlock Holmes, created by Arthur Conan Doyle in “A Study in Scarlet” in 1887, has sparked much debate ever since. Some analyses, including one from the Embrace Autism, suggest that Holmes may be exhibiting autism symptoms. His social difficulties, lack of empathic abilities, and intense interest in certain topics suggest that his character may represent Asperger's syndrome. Dr. Watson describes him as cold and mysterious, which is often associated with autistic traits.

Yannick as a modern detective

In the current episode, Yannick is portrayed as a person who emulates her idol in many ways. Similar to Holmes, Sherlock's analytical skills impress him, so he often sees himself in the role of detective. Like Holmes, who is known for his deep but narrow interests - such as his knowledge of cigars - Yannick also shows an impressive gift for detail. This parallel could open up an interesting discussion about autism and giftedness not only in fiction but also in the real world, as files from Gebele practice show.

But despite their abilities, both Yannick and Holmes are often overwhelmed in interpersonal relationships. While Holmes meets his best friend Dr. With Watson at his side, the question of whether Yannick will also find the right support is a central theme of the episode. Radek, who also provides emotional support in his team, now has to weigh up how he can balance both Yannick's talents and his safety.

Holmes' complexity and the debate about Asperger's syndrome

The character of Sherlock Holmes is not only a product of his time, but also has medical aspects that are often hinted at in Doyle's stories. Doyle himself was trained as a doctor and may have recognized and addressed symptoms of autism as Holmes developed. For example, Holmes shows little emotion and only has a close friendship with Watson. Some critics see Holmes as an exemplary example of the confusion between autism and psychopathic traits.

In today's episode, this connection is reinforced by Yannick's performance. As the conflict over one's safety intensifies, it becomes clear that society often has difficulty distinguishing between someone simply having alternative ways of thinking or showing genuine emotional distance. It is also a challenge for the audience to do justice to these complex characters.