Just to say, even I was reading before I started school(at age 5) and I am no Sherlock!

I think all three of them are meant to be genius children.  Sherlock was the most "normal" of the three, but still miles ahead of other children.  I got the impression that he was supposed to be seven at that time (although I don't know where from, and I could be wrong), but it seems that if genius six-year-old Eurus could write that cipher, then probably slightly-less-genius Sherlock could read it and recognise the numbers.  He just didn't understand the code ... and read it as map directions.  Of course!  He was a pirate, and it must have felt like a treasure map.  (Walk so many paces and dig).  

@ Liberty Good point.

Last edited by besleybean (January 19, 2017 9:49 pm)

Thank you!  I think that if the problem was supposed to be that he couldn't recognise words and numbers, then he could easily have solved it as an adult.  Instead, he still needed the clue about the no one/Nemo clue (which Eurus really emphasises) to point him the right direction.  I'm happy to believe that if his younger sister could read, he could.  (I looked it up, and I think Sherlock is supposed to be six here, and Eurus five.  Given that UK kids would normally learn to read at age 4/5, a fluent six year old wouldn't be unusual, especially not a genius one!).

What do people think was the big fix it that everyone else got wrong.?

Mothonthemantel wrote:

What do people think was the big fix it that everyone else got wrong.?

I've been thinking about that too. You mean "it's not worth doing if you are not correcting other versions", right?
Maybe they meant the whole show being a prequel, a set-up for "normal", mature Sherlock?
But in this case I see no reason whatsoever for them to go on into S5 because that would be just what all other adaptations have already done.

besleybean wrote:

I think they are fully expecting not to go into a S 5.
But they've allowed for the possibility.
Setting up the scenario where the boys would just carry on solving crimes together.

I agree they don't count on S5.
What would be so special about them solving crimes together? It's been done over and over again. Sherlock's and John's growth as characters was what was so interesting about this version. Since they have been now declared all grown up, I honestly don't see much left to do there.

Mothonthemantel wrote:

What do people think was the big fix it that everyone else got wrong.?

I think this question belongs in the same category as what was groundbreaking and making TV history if they could pull it off. Or Sue saying to a fan that anyone who had loved TAB would love S4. Or that love conquered all. All these things were brought up and have not been really resolved. 


 

Groundbreaking: Well there is the secret, psychotic sister.
I fall into the TAB category.
I think the episode perfectly demonstrates how love conquers all:  we see Sherlock's healing love to Euros, we see his love defending Mycroft from Mummy's criticism and not being able to shoot him. We see Mummy's love eventually forgiving Mycroft, wit the hand hold.
We see Sherlock's love for his friend Molly, making him have to go to hell to save her.
The love for John was always there, but Sherlock now considers John family and I presume Rosie too.

Last edited by besleybean (January 20, 2017 7:28 am)

Well I thought they must have meant something regarding Holmes and Watson though ? People can't have got the sister wrong the whole time because there was no sister.

As for love I think other adaptations have had much more affectionate and loving Holmes and Watson's - Granada & Rathbones.