AuntClara wrote:

I agree Sherlock came to admire Irene for her intelligence, cunning and gamesmanship - she's a worthy opponent - she certainly wasn't boring! Was he in love? Not likely (yet), sentiment is chem defect on the losing side, but I like to think he was finding himself challenged and perplexed that he might actually be experiencing this defect - because something about Irene had sparked it.
I think both of them started out being intrigued by one another's game, the intrigue eventually becoming admiration and respect, and heavens! leading to sentiment. Irene revealed her hand first literally - but Sherlock's actions in assisting her in Karachi - reveals his, perhaps. I can't imagine it was all to fool Mycroft!

 
I think you hit the nail on the head here.

I really just find it hard to believe that Irene is as 'intelligent' as Sherlock. Clearly she is clever but we just haven't seen enough of her in action to 'deduce' that if you will. Now I have only read a Scandal in Bohemia, and seen this episode that is being discussed, so perhaps there are other books that include Irene Adler to reveal more of her character and her abilities. Therefore I think AuntClara nails it when she says that even though Sherlock is aware of the 'chemical defect', even if he didn't fully acknowledge it, he was experiencing feelings for her too.

But that may just be the sentimental side of myself evaluating things.

From one newbie to another, welcome!!

rebeccaholmes wrote:

Welcome to the forum, Tina!!! I hope you have as much fun on here as we all do!

 
Thanks Rebecca...and love your signature gif!!

Thanks Harriet lovely to meet ya

nakahara wrote:

And even if Mycroft tried to monitor him 24 hours in a day, this is Sherlock we are speaking about: he would find a way how to mess with the system and how to slip through surveillance unnoticed.
 

 
I think you hit the nail on the head with this. Considering the fact that he is who he is, we should find it safe to assume for both the continuity factor of the series and the element of surprise for fun of us viewers that Sherlock can and will elude and always be one step ahead of his brother. Unless of course it is part of the obvious plot that he's not supposed to be..

This Is The Phantom Lady wrote:

Hello Tina! Lovely to meet you!

Gotta say I love your screen name! 


Hope to see you around this lovely place!
 

 
Thanks...and I love your avatar! ;)

Thanks everyone!