Very interesting idea for a thread. Bravo!

Fun subject!  And I'm amazed that each of us has different favorites.  It's fascinating!

A Study in Pink
Wonderful opening episode.  Don't have anything that I dislike.  It's all so well-rounded and perfectly done.  Love the entire ending with the cabbie and Sherlock not being able to resist considering taking the pill.  Favorite moment, hard to pick only one---but let's say the drugs bust scene, the look Sherlock gives John when John says "I don't think you will find anything you could consider recreational."

The Blind Banker
Well, like many people I think this is the weakest episode of the entire regular series, though I may not dislike it as much as some other people.  I still watch it and enjoy it, but I think Soo Lin's monolog at the museum is so haltingly done, that on rewatch it seems to drag a bit in this otherwise always so fast-paced show.  Don't like that the black lotos blossoms left at the crime scenes are basically disregarded in dialog, like a piece they built in and then forgot to really incorporate.  Don't like that Sarah, who is such a strong woman, and even hits one of the bad guys with a pipe at the circus brawl is suddenly reduced to a hysteric & paralyzed damsel in distress, only to appear all smiles a moment later after rescue...just didn't fit at all.

I do think this episode actually advances our understanding of our two main characters quite a bit:

Sherlock has no regard of personal property, by taking John's laptop, but doesn't carry a grudge either when John takes it so abruptly away from him.  He's generous by immediately telling John to take his debit card when John tells him about being broke.  We see in this episode that Sherlock rarely tries to justify or explain himself (for the people that still cannot believe why he hasn't told John about why he jumped off the building in "Reichenbach"---here's a hint that he just NEVER justifies himself):  When John complains about Sherlock "just sitting there all morning" he doesn't tell him that he was actually in a big fight with a potential client and hides the clue (sword) that is witness to that fight.  He does not tell John either that he almost got strangled to death while being in Soo Lin's apartment.  Sherlock also shows his ignorance or distrust of other people being able to help in his work---never tries to listen to John when he wants to convey info he's found out (lucky cat, vanished graffiti on the wall), dismissed Sarah as useless when she actually discovers the decoded cypher words.

John displays his interest in having a life aside from living at Baker Street (dating Sarah), shows that he can be a moody living companion at times, shows that he many times WILL be guided by Sherlock's suggestions (circus tickets).

So still a very interesting episode concerning the relationship side of things.

The Great Game
Another awesome, well-rounded episode.  Nothing I dislike and many, many wonderful scenes, including that wonderful grammar lesson session in Belarus---and the "domestic" between John and Sherlock at Baker Street.  Slight abandoning of story details, such as the detail of the envelope being "Bohemian", which really didn't tie into anything and didn't make sense later on...

A Scandal in Belgravia

Love that episode.  In my eyes perfect from beginning to end in story-telling.  Favorite scenes (cannot do only one) would be the one of Sherlock coming back to Baker Street and realizing Mrs. Hudson's "abduction", the entire buckingham palace scene and Sherlock & Mycroft smoking at the morgue.  Minor beef: Wish they would have been more careful to match up Sherlock's violin play with the actual melody.

The Hounds of Baskerville
Second least favorite episode, though I still love it immensely.  Just don't like the theme as much on rewatches with Henry's delusional stuff.  But there's so many awesome scenes in this one to enjoy.  Favorite being Sherlock's fake apology coffee.  Love the moor scene, especially when Sherlock and Henry encounter the dog first time around, what an awesome camera shot.

The Reichenbach Fall
I don't mind the storyline, remember feeling Johns uncomfortability first time watching myself...everything's closing in on Sherlock.  Favorite scene, John joining Sherlock in hand-cuffs during the arrest and the little smile Sherlock gives him---the finale is the best thing in TV history and I enjoy watching this episode immensely every time.  Martin Freeman's entire performance of witnessing the fall and then grieving at the cemetary is still drawing tears every time.  Simply amazing.

Third season as entire season is my favorite

Many Happy Returns.
Love this little clever teaser and adore the scene were John watches the Sherlock Birthday video greeting.

The Empty Hearse
Love this episode.  Sherlock's return could not have been put on screen any better and again Martin Freeman's performance floors me.  Love the different "fall" theories and have peacefully accepted the third one as the true one.  Enjoy Mary immensely, including her instant rapport with Sherlock and actually think the "forgiveness" bomb scene is clever and totally works.  Favorite moment:  Mrs. Hughes raving about Sherlock sitting at Baker Street in his chair---gives me the warm and fuzzies.

The Sign of Three
Obviously the most comedic episode of them all.  None of th elements used are new, but all are written and played to perfection and I love every minute of it.  Sherlock leaving the wedding at the end tears your heart out but is also such a realistically written moment that I revere. Favorite moments, really everything, but I'll pick the park bench scene...so typically Sherlock & John, and the wonderful moment of jealousy when Sherlock talks to Mary about John's admiration of Sholto: "no wonder he's bouncing around him like a puppy."

His Last Vow
My least favorite episode of season 3 and that only because they picked an awesome villain.  CAM is so creepy and gross that I can barely stand to watch him which is the only reason why it's not as much a favorite.  LOL  I do love the entire storyline, and love the multiple twists. Find the entire Shooting/Mind Palace moment wonderfully put on screen.  Favorite scene, hard to pick only one, is the Sherlock Mycroft smoking scene outside their parents home.  I actually love the Sherlock/John goodbye moment by the airplane.  I think it's so moving and I totally didn't need John and Sherlock to hug.  They hugged at the wedding, they know how they feel about each other.  John knows Sherlock doesn't really like physical contact, so why would he force him into a hug when this is hard enough as is and Sherlock does not tell him that this might be his death sentence, because he doesn't want to burden his friend with that news---rather he tries to make a joke to lighten the mood.  They both do for each other what caring, really close friends would do.  I find it beautiful.  I know not everybody agrees...so that's just my take.

The abominable Bride
Well, I was one that didn't really like this one upon first viewing.  These beloved characters belong into the 21st century for me and it's odd to me seeing them in victorian setting and costumes.  I found everything actually much less funny in this world and I thought Watson seemed to be much more moody and despirited than in the modern setting.  Of course half-way through we find out the "all in Sherlock's mind" twist, which in hind-sight then makes a difference in assessment.

However, I still say my appreciation of the episode rather lies in the analytics of why it was written the way it is and what it may mean concerning Sherlock's subconciousness, than as actual straightout entertainment.  And this although the scenes, settings, costumes, everything looks absolutely wonderful.  Favorite scene---the Reichenbach falls.  They did this absolutely awesome.  Most touching quote to me is: "Helps me if I see myself through his eyes sometimes.  I'm so much cleverer."

Wow, that's it....strangely I wrote much more about my not so favorite episodes than the favorite ones...

Last edited by Settercrazy (June 9, 2016 11:21 pm)

I certainly woul post my thoughts on these very soon. I was just busy until now.