Mattlocked wrote:

For me it was like: "Hand me my phone." "Send a text." "Do the shopping." -----> "You drive."
Then again, the driver "has the power"........ so I'm still not sure how to think about it.

I liked it because it set my brain on "tilt"; in fact, it still does. I love it when the unexpected happens, especially if it's something that tilts me over into a thud.  heh

SolarSystem wrote:

I had (and still have) the very same experience with that scene, it still irritates me to see Sherlock drive the car. Just like Mattlocked I would have thought that driving a car just is too much of an... effort for Sherlock.
The whole scene in itself - the guys or one of the guys driving a car instead of going by cab - is so unfamiliar, and somehow (don't ask me why) to me it wouldn't have felt all that odd if John had been the driver. Really, don't ask me why, but somehow that would have felt more... appropriate.  

I believe the decision to have Sherlock drive was all based on the one practical reason that MF does not drive, so....  short of getting a driver for the two of them, and a hired car, arranging for all that and paying for it, it was just easier and cheaper for the showrunners to have Sherlock drive. I still kind of like it, and the addition it made to BBC canon. Now we know Sherlock drives, even though we might never see him do so again.

SolarSystem wrote:

...I just don't believe that the fact that Martin doesn't have a driving license can be the main reason for Sherlock being the driver. The writers wanted him behind the wheel for a particular reason, I'm sure.

I think they talked about it on the Hounds DVD "extras" thingie. I watched it months ago, so I can't swear, but I'm pretty certain that's how I knew MF doesn't drive, and that's why they put BC behind the wheel.  BC is apparently a car buff, so I'm sure it was no chore for him, and I imagine he didn't argue with them. *smiling at the thought*

Ha... that's great... amused and agreeing all over again at that sentiment popping up again.  Sure, there was a practical reason for the switch, but still interesting on the part of the characters (especially since yes, their first vision was for John to drive, as well).  Admit uncertainly surprised me at first too...  why would he even bother knowing?  But if you think about it, it could very well fit with him, too... keeping up certain skills just in case they come up as needed for his work (just like canon Holmes).  So it's not that much of a stretch for him to be able to command a car in a pinch.  You wouldn't exactly want a stranger driving you to a highly curious location and asking about it.

Russell wrote:

....why would he even bother knowing [how to drive]? But if you think about it, it could very well fit with him, too... keeping up certain skills just in case they come up as needed for his work (just like canon Holmes). So it's not that much of a stretch for him to be able to command a car in a pinch. You wouldn't exactly want a stranger driving you to a highly curious location and asking about it.

Maybe I've just read too much fan fic, but aren't Sherlock and Mycroft orginally from the country? Isn't there some kind of country estate where Mummy holds forth, where the kids were raised? If so, that'd be a good reason why Sherlock would know how to drive. I don't know if there's any actual canon about it, but if they weren't city kids, driving around on the estate and then around town and stuff would be very common, even necessary.

 

ancientsgate wrote:

Russell wrote:

....why would he even bother knowing [how to drive]? But if you think about it, it could very well fit with him, too... keeping up certain skills just in case they come up as needed for his work (just like canon Holmes). So it's not that much of a stretch for him to be able to command a car in a pinch. You wouldn't exactly want a stranger driving you to a highly curious location and asking about it.

Maybe I've just read too much fan fic, but aren't Sherlock and Mycroft orginally from the country? Isn't there some kind of country estate where Mummy holds forth, where the kids were raised? If so, that'd be a good reason why Sherlock would know how to drive. I don't know if there's any actual canon about it, but if they weren't city kids, driving around on the estate and then around town and stuff would be very common, even necessary.

 

I think we read the same fan fic  (in which SHerlock is also an excellent horseman, yes?).  If you go with the family originally being from the country, then the Holmeses would know how to drive.  

But generally, I agree that it surprised me that Sherlock was driving given his very urban character.  Whereas with a military background Watson almost certainly knows how to drive.  [I could believe that they had to switch if Martin actually can't drive....but it seems to me that often actors aren't driving especially when it looks like they are.  The cars are on the backs of trailers filled with cameras.  It would be very distracting if an actor actually had to drive a car in filming conditions.]

My experience of the scene had a bit more of a switcheroo aspect becuase I was seeing it as a left-hand-driver-seat American. My process: (exterior driving scene) Ah, John is driving, of course.  Then...(interior driving scene) Wait, it's a British car.  Oh, Sherlock is driving.  Huh??  
 

kittykat wrote:

I love this scene at the start of Hounds 

Me too! 
 

"You look sad... when you think he can't see you..."

Yes, that's all I can think about when I see this pic...

ancientsgate wrote:

kittykat wrote:

I like this, when they infiltrate Baskerville 

I know no one here wants me to mention the car, so don't bother with the "is there a car?" comments in response *smile*, but that is one hot Land Rover. But anyway, what surprised me the first time I saw that ep was that Sherlock drove. Or that John didn't. Whichever.

 

 
All the discussion about Sherlock driving the Land Rover in Hounds made me think of this song.  Just play and think of Sherlock in the driver's seat) with John at his side.




And AG, perhaps it will remind you if a certain little fan fic you were kind enough to beta!