Imagine if Sherlock left clues for John. In a kind of hand-holding 'sleuthing for idiots' kind of way. That way Sherlock doesn't revel himself to John; John discovers Sherlock. Perhaps his way of 'cushioning the blow'.

Whatever it is, it's probably going to be epic and I'll probably cry even if it's meant to be funny (which it isn't... probably.)

What if the first half of ep1 centred around John for the most part. And it would take more than a few glances to notice that Sherlock is in the background in most of the scenes. Then the same story in the second half is told from Sherlock's POV, with John in the background? With the ending, of course, being the big reveal and we see their two stories entwining again.

It's not that I want a punch to be thrown. I just want to see some really good drama! I've been starved for something good on telly since last year and I'm bored! I want to see emotions run high. Blood, sweat, tears. I know you can give me what I need S3!

I know. I'm rambling. I'm in work.

Quick here comes the boss: Pickpocket him... I mean, hide!

besleybean wrote:

This had always been one of my thoughts...as well as him giving clues that he was faking his death.
Yep that too:  the viewer seeing Sherlock shadowing John.

I've seen that done in fan fic, where Sherlock is there in disguise, hiding in plain sight, for quite a while before John puts two and two together and finally realizes who he's been seeing.  It does cushion the blow somewhat, but it can also be super-creepy, almost like being stalked. I mean, it's creepy enough that Sherlock is dead but he isn't, but the hanging around watching would have to be handled just right, or it could come off as creepy, something I don't think the BBC folks would do.

KeepersPrice wrote:

I keep picturing that "gas leak" exploded building across from 221B and wonder if by the time Series 3 comes out, it will have been renovated.  Maybe partly renovated, but with the flats still under construction - or maybe lots of empty flats or office space because the building has had bad publicity.  (Maybe the title of S3/E1 could be "The Empty Flat" or "The Empty Office".  Hmmm, come to think of it, if John can't live at 221B anymore maybe 221B has become The Empty Flat.)

Well, whatever or where ever the empty house is, I sometimes imagine John noticing strange things going on there - flickering lights at night,etc. - so he goes in one night to investigate.  The tension builds and just as he's about to open a door to a dark, mysterious room, a leather-gloved hand from behind clamps across his mouth and pulls him back into the shadows. It's not a bad guy - it's Sherlock! Yay! - whispering to John to keep quiet and not move. He's keeping John back from messing up some careful trap he's set or maybe keeping him from getting killed by some trap Moran has set. John of course is shocked (maybe goes weak in the knees as he has done in the past) but instantly pulls himself together and gets back in side-kick/partners-in-danger mode and follows instructions. Now, for all the Johnlockers out there, the two could stand pressed back into the shadows while Sherlock whispers the plan in John's ear so there's a touchy feely moment.  For everyone else, Sherlock is just giving his side-kick the scoop on what they need to do next.  What happens after the danger is passed and the two guys get a chance to talk - well, who knows.....

It's just a fun idea I play with sometimes for amusement. I know I'll never out think those writers no matter how hard I try.

Very in keeping with the feel of the canon. I like it!

Great idea, KP, try your hand at this! 

KeepersPrice wrote:

Maybe the title of S3/E1 could be "The Empty Flat" or "The Empty Office".  Hmmm, come to think of it, if John can't live at 221B anymore maybe 221B has become The Empty Flat.

And don´t forget about about 221C ....

KeepersPrice wrote:

I keep picturing that "gas leak" exploded building across from 221B and wonder if by the time Series 3 comes out, it will have been renovated.  Maybe partly renovated, but with the flats still under construction - or maybe lots of empty flats or office space because the building has had bad publicity.  (Maybe the title of S3/E1 could be "The Empty Flat" or "The Empty Office".  Hmmm, come to think of it, if John can't live at 221B anymore maybe 221B has become The Empty Flat.)

Well, whatever or where ever the empty house is, I sometimes imagine John noticing strange things going on there - flickering lights at night,etc. - so he goes in one night to investigate.  The tension builds and just as he's about to open a door to a dark, mysterious room, a leather-gloved hand from behind clamps across his mouth and pulls him back into the shadows. It's not a bad guy - it's Sherlock! Yay! - whispering to John to keep quiet and not move. He's keeping John back from messing up some careful trap he's set or maybe keeping him from getting killed by some trap Moran has set. John of course is shocked (maybe goes weak in the knees as he has done in the past) but instantly pulls himself together and gets back in side-kick/partners-in-danger mode and follows instructions. Now, for all the Johnlockers out there, the two could stand pressed back into the shadows while Sherlock whispers the plan in John's ear so there's a touchy feely moment.  For everyone else, Sherlock is just giving his side-kick the scoop on what they need to do next.  What happens after the danger is passed and the two guys get a chance to talk - well, who knows.....

It's just a fun idea I play with sometimes for amusement. I know I'll never out think those writers no matter how hard I try.

Oh, no... no, not that far off-base at all, from similar I've pictured, and what the writers might realistically do.  Fun idea.  Afterwards, of course, I'm still convinced there'd be some mixture of of Big Stare, a punch, then a hug.  ;)  (Moffat did say after all there'd be a bit of swearing involved....  ;D)

I find myself idly imagining once in a while, too,  what the writers would find most realistic/twisty.  Maybe give John a bit of credit with either keeping his promise or still believing (and questioning Mycroft/looking into things himself, discreetly).  Similar to yours.... Maybe go visit Mrs. Hudson one day, and actually notice (since he's better at that after all his time with Sherlock) that something's wrong/amiss - and it's either Sherlock upstairs, or an actual danger (Goran?), the reason for Sherlock's death-hiding (just like in The Empty House), and Sherlock's been tailing him, leading to an unfortunate sudden show-down with reunion plopped in the middle.  Or John begins noticing one too many little clues, such as being tailed by a bad guy, and goes to Diogenes to demand an answer out of Mycroft.  Walk into office, similar scene with the brothers like after the gas-leak explosion - the two of them just staring at each other (in the middle of working on what to do next after particular bad guy/occurrences drew Sherlock back again, a bit worse for wear), looking to John with a brightening glance...  "Hello, John."  John:  . . . .

   Awww....   (and is reminding me of this art about that very idea I think you'd like: http://misterkay.deviantart.com/art/Believing-281249541?q=gallery%3Amisterkay%2F20559632&qo=33  not posting it here cuz kinda on big side... plus giving credit going to the artist's site)
Addendum:  Ok, ok, can't help myself...  ^_^  One more little related art piece: http://y0do.deviantart.com/art/The-Prestige-280442831  If anyone's seen the movie The Prestige... kind of an amazing twist on it with the part about pulling off a magic trick.  Because yes... yes.. that's what we're all wondering...)

I would like to see John getting very angry and then punching Sherlock in da face.
And this is what probably happens...

I would like to see John Smiling in his perfectly cuddly and overly happy way and then struggling with his feelings until he is reminded, that actually he is really angry. SO after a few seconds of struggle he starts shouting. I don't want him to punch Sherlock, that would be repeating...
(careful: my Johnlock-DNA might be showing up again) When John is finished with shouting and stuff (Sherlock lets him do as he pleases of course) he... hugs him <3
A kiss on the first meeting would be to much...

Hera wrote:

Oh, and I really don't want it to be three years before Sherlock coming back. That's just way too long!

Ja. That's really way too long. 
They knew each other since one and half years, I guess.
So they should not be separated beyond this time.