BBC Sherlock Fan Forum - Serving Sherlockians since February 2012 » My thoughts about Mary (all episodes)

besleybean · January 7, 2015 5:41 pm

But really, none of this is Mary's problem...she's got what she wants and all seem happy with it.

Last edited by besleybean (January 7, 2015 5:42 pm)

mrshouse · January 7, 2015 5:44 pm

Erm, yes, bb, that's a way to see it, she's got what she wants. But I as a viewer can have problems.

SusiGo · January 7, 2015 5:46 pm

Put it like that - it does not make it exactly easier to like her.

besleybean · January 7, 2015 5:49 pm

How essential is it that we do like her?

Schmiezi · January 7, 2015 6:05 pm

besleybean wrote:
How essential is it that we do like her?

Actually, this is a very good question.

Normally, you would think that a "new lead" (as she was called in the commentary) is supposed to be liked. Yet, there seem to be many who don't like her.

I don't have a problem with not liking her as long as she will not turn out to be a lovable sweetheart in S4 but will be shown as the selfish woman she is.

SusiGo · January 7, 2015 6:08 pm

Well, I think you need to create feelings in the audience. You may love or like or detest or abhor or fear a character as long as there is a reaction. People being indifferent towards a character is the worst thing that can a happen to a writer if you ask me.
But one should at least concede that it is possible that people do not like Mary. And I sometimes feel as if I have to defend myself for doing so.

Last edited by SusiGo (January 7, 2015 6:09 pm)

besleybean · January 7, 2015 6:19 pm

Not with me you don't...

SusiGo · January 7, 2015 6:22 pm

Good to know.

mrshouse · January 7, 2015 6:39 pm

She was called " new lead"? That's what I dreaded.... And it confirms my feelings towards the direction they're heading...

Schmiezi · January 7, 2015 6:40 pm

mrshouse wrote:
She was called " new lead"? That's what I dreaded.... And it confirms my feelings towards the direction they're heading...

Nah ... Just think of the thread about Moftiss lying.

nakahara · January 7, 2015 6:48 pm

That´s why we have no Sherlcurls in the Special, I guess.
Mary is the new lead and who cares about the hairstyle of some unimportant side character.

mrshouse · January 7, 2015 6:48 pm

Schmiezi · January 7, 2015 6:49 pm

nakahara · January 7, 2015 6:49 pm

Sorry, Schmiezi.

Schmiezi · January 7, 2015 6:52 pm

Never mind. When I use in that context, it's a positive one.

Whisky · January 7, 2015 6:53 pm

I think Mary is just suffering because of our long-wait-moods. I mean, there isn't really so much to discuss this time after series 3 (imo). So if we don't talk about Mary, what else is there to analyse? I think it's Reichenbach theories all over... in the end Mary is totally unimportant, but we had 2 years of fun discussing her. I'm always suprised that this fun gets so serious, though.

I personally catch myself wanting a guarantee for Mary. A proof I can trust her for real (or distrust her, whatever). But I begin to like the fact that this is probably not happening in the show. Because it doesn't happen in real life either. Somebody lies and betrays us or does things we cannot understand at all, and very often we never get the full reasons or all the answers. We have to decide to trust again, or not. No guarantees, which makes us really brave little humans, I often think, because we still jump over the doubt so many times. It's just hard to come to a decision and to stick with it. True forgiveness, real trust, and such.
I also think the focus on character is a challenge in series 3. In series 1 and 2 it just wasn't so important to know if characters were good or bad. But in series 3, things are so much more entangled somehow.

And Mycroft, he has to have some flaw. Maybe it's not being informed about Mary. I mean, this show isn't about superhumans, but real humans (at least that's what I hope). So Mycroft cannot get everything right, he is bound to miss something. I personally don't believe he is somewhat connected to Mary or knows much more about her than others, and that's why they don't get much screentime together. If there was a connection or knowledge, there would be more hints I suppose. The makers of this show are good at leaving hints, so there should be some if there was something to discover there.

Last edited by Whisky (January 7, 2015 6:55 pm)

Whisky · January 7, 2015 6:58 pm

nakahara wrote:
That´s why we have no Sherlcurls in the Special, I guess.
Mary is the new lead and who cares about the hairstyle of some unimportant side character.

so Mary is responsible for no-curls-Sherlock? then I just made up my mind: I don't like her. I mean, she can shoot Sherlock and play assassin, all fine, but making Sherlock loose his curls, that's too much :D

besleybean · January 7, 2015 6:58 pm

I don't care about anybody's hair!

Davina · January 8, 2015 8:33 am

Nor do I. But Susi is spot on with the development of character. Protagonist, antagonist, it doesn't matter what sort of character. It doesn't matter whether we love, like, hate or despise a character but what does matter is that there is a reaction to a character from the audience/reader. To me, personally, it matters not a jot whether I like or dislike Mary (and even if that changes) so long as I feel something about her.

SusiGo · January 8, 2015 8:36 am

Indeed, Davina. (But may I add that I really, really do not need her as a new lead?)