Well, I think there are quite a bit of bad writing, handwaving and plot holes in Thompsons's two episodes (TBB and TRF). And I noticed that before I knew he was the one who had written them. TBB is to me the only Sherlock episode that I think is bordering on being bad, it's really sub par to any other episode.  

To make up for it, though, I think the entire rooftop scene - from start to finish - in TRF is one of the better scenes in the entire series. 

I agree, I think it's Stephen Thompson's finest moment.

What is this gay subtext you speak of?

Maybe you've seen some of my thoughts on the subject!

I do see gay subtext with Moriarty (maybe bi subtext as he's rather sexual with women too!).  With Irene, it's just stated outright.  With John and Sherlock, it's not really subtext, I don't think - it's kind of acknowledged and dismissed. I think in TSOT the focus is on the friendship, particularly with the parallels (Mrs Hudson's friend, Sholto, etc.).

 I think Sherlock, John and Mary are three close friends who all adore each other get on very well.
Of course Sherlock is going to miss John, but I think he accepts the marriage to Mary and knows it means a lot to John.
Sherlock and John actually spell out that they are best friends in that episode.

That used to be my way of reading this wonderfully layered show too; thanks Besleybean for reminding me just how far I've come on this journey.

Coming back to topic, with the TRF script, it's interesting to note that the mirror scene wasn't in the original draft, the scene preceding the arrest was entirely rewritten to have John declaring 'no one can fake being such an annoying dick' and receiving a Mona Lisa smile in response, and Sherlock doesn't say 'take my hand' in the original draft.

Reading the scripts affords a better appreciation of the acting effort, there's so much the actors add.

Ariane DeVere wrote:

The more I look at them, the more convinced I am that the new ones - at least TRF and TSOT - are fakes.  If they're genuine - in my opinion only, of course - they prove that Steve Thompson is a truly dreadful writer.  The scene in TRF at Bart's when Sherlock's babbling on about how he loves his friends makes my teeth itch.  It's as if Thompson has never seen an episode nor listened to his bosses about the character of Sherlock.  It was always my understanding that Mofftiss rewrote parts of TRF - if this truly was an early draft, then it's not surprising in the least.

Ditto with TSOT - wasn't it established that Thompson was meant to write that episode alone but was struggling so much with the script that Moffat and Gatiss pitched in to help and that's why all three of their names appeared on the opening credits?  In particular, the bit where Mary's apparently enjoying Sherlock squirming about Sholto is hideous.  As for "Watters," well, excuse me while I throw up a little in my mouth.

I really hope these are fakes.  If they're not, and in light of how awful parts of them are, I'm starting to believe the speculation that Thompson has incriminating photos of Moffat and that's why Steven has to keep employing him!

I fully agree with you. I only read parts of TRF. A lot of it is soooo cheesy that it screams at me "Hey, I can't be nothing else than fanfiction." Nope, never could this be genuine. Especially the part you mentioned, about Sherlock claiming "oh no, I'm mot a sociopath, didn't you notice. Of course I love you (John, Lestrade and Mrs. Hudson). I DO have feelings, I only supprress them."
Nope, never.
Or maybe it was the earliest draft ever. From Thompson. And Moftiss had not seen a word of this to tjat point. Or Thompson really is a bad writer. But if we assume, the finished TRF we saw on screen, is all his work, he can't be bad, because I quite like it, it is on of my top favourites.

Last edited by Rache (October 8, 2017 9:16 am)