That is what I love about the S4 ending. It's made in such a way that you can interpret it into just about any ship - or no-ship - that you want. 

I thought it was wonderful. It made me feel content and satisfied about the series and it possibly being the final ending.

Vhanja wrote:

That is what I love about the S4 ending. It's made in such a way that you can interpret it into just about any ship - or no-ship - that you want. 

Exactly! I would have prefered a bolder statement but was fearing something far worse. So it's fine for now. :-)

It's not so much a case of what makes you happy: I wanted John to be back in 221B, but I just think it doesn't look like he's living there at the end of S4 (although that could change).   But I agree that it's a great ending!  And yes, the popular ships could easily develop from that point. 

And again, it's not "needing" to interpret it as brotherly love.  I don't even know if it's brotherly as such, but more familial ... however, I'm as certain as can be that Sherlock is not announcing that John is his common law husband.   It has been so clear up until then that they are not "in a relationship".   If Sherlock was really saying that and John interpreted it that way too, it would be a huge revelation!   And that's not really what we see ... and we don't see them getting together before or after that.  So it's not needing to see it a certain way, but finding it difficult to interpret another way, given what we see on screen (not to mention everything that the team have said about it!).

Side note:  Regardless of who I ship or what ever happens on the show, I still read Sherlock as a gay man. 
One of the reasons why is because he does not look at John like a sibling.

besleybean wrote:

I wasn't aware there was a set way to look at one's sibling or one's partner...I doubt I fit into either category!

Well, I for one seldomly give my sister eye sex. But that may just be me. ;-)

tonnaree wrote:

Side note:  Regardless of who I ship or what ever happens on the show, I still read Sherlock as a gay man. 
One of the reasons why is because he does not look at John like a sibling.

Neither does he look at John like straight men usually look at their best bros.  
 

besleybean wrote:

Again, why the stereotypes?
Have other people never seen real bromances?

Who do you mean with "other people"? I never know if you are referring to me or someone else or people in general. :-/

Okay.

I have seen real "bromance", meaning two men being the very best of friends. Never saw them looking at each other the wy Sherlock sometimes looks at John.

Besides, "not written" is something different than "not in the show".

besleybean wrote:

The last point is something we may have to agree to disagree on.

Something we are used to do already. ;-)