Thank you Susigo for your reply. I did suspect it may have been a fanfic I'd read, but remembering my surprise at coming across such a tender scene led me to conclude it must have been a canon story. With the benefit of your opinion on the matter though, I will now check the H&W stories by Katie who writes in canon style.

That used to be my way of reading this wonderfully layered show too; thanks Besleybean for reminding me just how far I've come on this journey.

Coming back to topic, with the TRF script, it's interesting to note that the mirror scene wasn't in the original draft, the scene preceding the arrest was entirely rewritten to have John declaring 'no one can fake being such an annoying dick' and receiving a Mona Lisa smile in response, and Sherlock doesn't say 'take my hand' in the original draft.

Reading the scripts affords a better appreciation of the acting effort, there's so much the actors add.

I assume this thread is silent after Series 3 because everyone had read up to prep for S4?
But I couldn't resist mentioning how much I loved the idea,in TLD, of John's cane being witness to Culverton Smith's confession at Sherlock's 'deathbed', in a direct parallel to the original where Dr Watson hides behind Holmes' bed while Smith unwittingly confesses. It wasn't the most original idea in the world, but I loved how it was presented.

Rache wrote:

Welcome Chris! 
Oh do you have any idea how much I envy you? How much, I suppose, most of us here envy you?

Just two things before you continue watching:

1. Please beware of spoilers in this forum and on every Sherlock related website.

2. Do yourself a favour. However tempting it might be, don't rush it. Don't watch more than one episode a day. Just don't! Because the number of episodes is so limited and it will be over sooner than you will like it. Each episode is a gem and you should let it sink in an like with a good meal wait until your stomach is completely empty again for the next one. :D
One episode per week is fast enough.


I am looking forward to hear from you here how you liked the episodes and to hear more first impressions!

Couldn't agree more Rache!

Thanks a ton Susigo for sharing this link! I went through TSOT and, while the televised version was definitely better, it's good to know the beautiful plot structure for the ep came from Thompson. And he also contributed some of the best lines in the series ('clueing for looks' had me in splits over several rewatches) here.

Also, this summarily throws out my theory that the inexplicable baby character was the result of a last-minute decision.

Started reading TRF now, and so far the magic that originally made me want to fall at the writers' feet is definitely intact.

Moffat and Gatiss' main contribution on the final versions (so far) seems to be the artful elevation of the gay subtext from the obvious to the subtle. So elegantly done!

Well I shall be the happiest if I'm proven wrong and there is another series in the next 2-3 years. Otherwise, pessimism is what I have; pessimism protects me

All the interviews / articles published thus far point to this conclusion. Just consider:
The writers have said that all the 'big' canon stories that could have been made into full episodes have already been done (London 2014 comic con)
The character arc that would culminate in the 'current' Sherlock Holmes is now, in their eyes, complete.
Writing mysteries and deduction sequences is not really their strong suit; their forte is drama, and now there's not much room left for that (unless they want to do something around the baby's character, which is improbable)
Mark Gatiss, that devotee of Doyle, himself tweeted at the end of S4 filming, "The game is over". No creator of such a beautiful labour of love could bear to use such strong words without actually meaning it.

Thus have I eliminated the impossible to arrive at this bitter truth!

I'd been waiting for S4 before forming a conclusive opinion on this, but now - having recovered from the disappointment of S4 - I'm sure The Great Game is the best episode (i.e. my favourite) of the show. It is subtly layered, extremely intelligent and almost flawless. I'm usually the nitpicker and can spoil the fun for nearly anyone by pointing out flaws in a movie but The Great Game really encapsulates everything that's great about the show.