Yes, that is a good point. Of course, as with most of Sherlock's doings, it can be explained by being in the interest of "the greater good" (finding the drugged out neighbour's boy). But, as with both Sherlock and John, we know that neither of them are doing this for "the greater good". 

My definition didn't mean any kind of violence. But with the expicit intent to hurt another human being, whether that is physically or mentally. In a way, both your examples are right, SusiGo. But I was thinking more in a context where the reason for it purely egotistical. For instance, hitting the superintendent was to defend Sherlock, so I would rule that out. Also, I am ruling out Sherlock's fake relationship with Janine as the reason behind it wasn't to hurt Janine.

Yes, you could say that him hurting Sherlock in TEH could be quite delibarete, so I would include that.

No, I've been doing a round of thinking, and I still think it's a bit different. Not necessarily better or worse - but different.

Sherlock and Mary are able to to perform hurtfil actions by being cold and calculated. Sometimes the hurt of others are unintentional and a "bi-effect" of their main goal (Janine with Sherlock and John with Mary), sometimes it's their main goal.

However, whenever John delibaretly hurts someone, it's never cold and calculated. It's hot-blooded and fueled by his own emotions.

That is an interesting point. However, if we go down that road, this thread will quickly turn into a Mary-thread, so I want to keep it John-focused.  

That was in defence of Sherlock about to be choked to death, so I wouldn't count that one either.

I'd agree that John hurting people tends to be "hot-blooded", rather than cold.  However, Sherlock's can be too - thinking of the CIA agent - however cool Sherlock may appear it's clear that he's motivated by hot-blooded vengeance!  Even his nasty comments to about Donovan in ASIP seem to be about getting back at her because of her attitude to him - very hot-blooded.  (I know this is about John, but if we're comparing the two ...). 

See I think he is, when he has a go at Billy.

besley - Billy is a good point. That seems to be the most "cold" (ie - not hot-blooded and based on fury) John has ever been when wilfully hurting someone lese.

Lola - Yes, Sherlock (and maybe Mary) seems to have a more calculative (is that a word?) nature than John, who seem to run more on instinct. However, I reckon that John's background as a soldier and doctor is the basis of his instinct, and so he more or less have control of his damage output without having to calculate it to the extenct that Sherlock and Mary does.

For instance, even being just about the most furious we've ever seen him, he doesn't do any proper damage to Sherlock during their reunion. And he has full control over the amount of damage he deals to Billy. (I would also say that he seems to be quite in control with the superintendent, only giving him a bloody nose).

I suppose that with Mary, the time that I can think of when she's deliberately trying to hurt somebody for the sake of it is when she's threatening Magnussen.  She could have killed him instantly, but wanted him to suffer a bit first.  That's a little hot-blooded.    So maybe they all have the hot-blooded aspect, but John has less of the cold ... although I agree with you, Besleybean, about the scene with Billy being more cold.

Last edited by Liberty (May 12, 2016 7:29 pm)

This is true.