SusiGo wrote:

- On an emotional note: I would really, really wish to have someone care for Sherlock. He has cared for and sacrificed himself for others in all those episodes, he has been tortured and shot and beaten and kicked and not once did anyone say sorry to him. Instead he had to keep apologising over and over again. I know that this hope may be futile, but without this the story feels still incomplete to me.

I agree.  On that note, I feel like I haven't seen John actually come to Sherlock's defense in the longest time.  I don't mean in terms of physically saving his life, but just in defending him when other people say or do hurtful things to him.  I would like to see a little more of that from John if there's a 5th series.  It's interesting (in a sad sort of way) that Sherlock's occasions of insensitivity are spotlighted by the other characters in the show, and yet they often seem oblivious to the derision and lack of empathy shown towards him on a fairly regular basis.

 

First off, I really liked this episode and thought it was excellently done.  I just have to get this one thing off my chest, because it's been bugging me since the episode aired.

Was anyone else a little disappointed in John?  His violence against Sherlock was heartbreaking (although I think it needed to come out before any reconciliation could be made); and the cheating was disappointing, though perhaps unsurprising.  There was buildup to both those things.  But what really bothered me was what I can only describe as either John's total complacency or complete ignorance towards Sherlock being on the brink of death.  When he heard Culverton say he might move Sherlock to "his favorite room", he just sat there.  =/  I understand he was extremely angry, bitter, and depressed, and not really believing anything out of Sherlock's mouth at that point; and maybe that's what the writers were driving at.  He did furrow his brow a little.  But it doesn't compute in my head.  He heard from Culverton's own mouth, more than once, that the morgue was his favorite room, and I thought it was pretty obvious he wasn't kidding.  I don't see how that could have been interpreted as anything but a prospective threat against Sherlock's life, and I was honestly a bit shocked that he didn't go running out of there to do something about it, or at least stay in the hospital room to watch over him.  I even rewound to see if I had missed something.  His inaction really threw me off.

And then, back at Baker Street, he told Sherlock that he didn't rescue him "until Mary told him to"; which made it sound like he only did it to live up to her ideal of him and "be the man she thought he was", and not because he actually cared about Sherlock's welfare.  "She thought that if you put yourself in harm's way, I'd rescue you, or something.  But I didn't – not until she told me to."  He didn't say he didn't do it because he didn't realize Sherlock was in danger, he basically just

This isn't a favorite, just something I noticed: Sherlock sees Mycroft wretching after the governor kills himself, and Sherlock asks John if he's okay.  Poor Mycroft, lol.

Naavy wrote:

Sherlock fulfilled his childhood dream, and became s pirate )

Awww...  =]

I had mixed feelings.  I liked it for some of its emotional, human moments, but not for its logical flaws and plotholes.  It almost felt like Sherlock was a bit dumbed down this episode, which I suppose they had to do in order to make Eurus seem smarter.  I wasn't thrilled about the "secret sociopathic supervillain sister" arc (actually I roared "Noooooooooooooooo!!" into the air very dramatically upon her reveal).  I don't mind reimaginings as long as they don't stray too far, but I generally really dislike the addition of non-canonical characters, particularly when they are closely involved with a main character.



So, in short, I didn't hate it, but I was annoyed more often than I hoped to be.  If that was the last episode of the whole series, I'll be a little disappointed.  Although I did enjoy having a summation at the very end, in lieu of a cliffhanger.

 

NoShipSherlock wrote:

Love delving into all sorts of theories and especially character studies. I find the relationship between John and Sherlock fascinating especially as a deep but purely platonic one between two men as this type of relationship is so rarely portrayed.

Ditto to that.  I love your username!