Of course there are much more Johnlock-y Moments but I thought everybody talks about them...
I just always get my hopes high... <3

Sherlock Holmes wrote:

Moving this to Character Analysis...but feel free to keep Johnlocking amongst yourselves. 

Thanks boss - and so we shall....

Lelli wrote:

................ but when John talks back to Sherlock he looks at Sherlock’s Lips. We know what that means.

OMG you are suggesting John has a hearing problem??!!!!

Quite possible after being on a battlefield I guess.
Could also be possible, as many people do when wanting answers that he was scanning his face lookng for signs of deceptive behaviour.

Also, noting the close proximity of the 2 characters we would all move our eyes around to some extent, otherwise simply keeping eye contact for a prolonged period at such a close distance could lead to a ridiculous suggestion of lust etc from those who find that type of thing humourous so no doubt, as good actors would, Martin has chosen the more 'usual' eye movements that would apply in such a situation.

The end result, a very brief but intense moment showing the collaboration of the two characters' minds focussing on a problem; as happens throughout the series. Good camerawork I'd say.

So, if 'we all know what that means' was referring to a moment of lip reading, I don't thnk that is what's happening, but always a possibility I guess.

Last edited by kazza474 (December 1, 2012 7:04 am)

Oh! *sigh*
I never saw the face pat over the heat of the whole moment ^^  ;P

SusiGo wrote:

Very well observed, KP. Strictly scientific as always. 

Completely scientific - nothing but!  The Work - only The Work.  Someone has to deduce these things....

I know what you mean by looking at someone's lips; but when it comes to body language context is incredibly important. For example if someone scratches their nose in casual conversation they're not necessarily lying.

We should not ignore the fact that Sherlock is basically staring John down in this scene. And in a non-too friendly manner (not necessarily aggressive but its very intense as he tries to give the best nonverbal communication he can muster.) People stare for many different reasons, sometimes they want to enhance what they are saying, they want to prove their innocence (can I just say that sometimes people will stare and blink less when they are lying and trying to hide it... I don't think it's the case here but it's interesting.) But a lot of times people hold eye contact intensely when trying to intimidate or make people back down in an arguement.

So John is rambling on about how 'whiter than white' Sherlock is. And Sherlock needs to make John shut his face without either screaming at him or saying out loud *coughcough*Iwasanaddict*coughcough*. On the one hand he appears to appreciate John rushing to his defence and doesn't want to embarrass the man too much by saying 'erm, actually, you're wrong.' (Which is strange, when does Sherlock ever *not* take the opportunity to show someone up for being wrong?) But on the other hand it is excruciating for Sherlock who has been placed in a position where he has to tell his brand new flatmate that the police have more than just cause to search his flat for drugs. He needs to make John both shut up and understand why Lestrade is doing what he's doing without raising his voice (the scene would have turned into an all out slanging match otherwise.)

Out of the two Sherlock is the domineering personality in this scene. Towering over John he stares him down with his line (something along the lines of 'John you might want to shut up now.' I really need to rewatch this one again now.) And John shows his submission to the situation by breaking eye contact briefly and saying 'no... you?' There is too much tension and Sherlock breaks it by sneering and saying 'shut up!'

Considering this is Sherlock we're talking about here this was a masterpiece of nonverbal communication for him.

And the face-pat in that gif is adorable.