Yeah, I absolutely love all those moments which show Sherlock cares a great deal about what John thinks of him, the way he is proud of John, but also the way he feels all proud of himself when John compliments him, or, on the other hand, the way he sulks when John criticizes him. Makes me smile, for someone who says he doesn't care at all about what people think of him.

One of my all time favourite moment of the show is the one from Scandal, I know this is not a very significant moment, but I adore it, that moment when John tells Sherlock that nobody's reading his website, Sherlock is incredibly upset (to the point he even leaves the room) and I just love it, he looks like a giant sulking kid when he looks up and stares at John with his mouth and his eyes twitching, priceless!




And yeah, I also love that moment you mentioned in RBF... I think Sherlock doesn't care what people think of him (with the exception of John) as long as it's got nothing to do with work. He doesn't care being called a freak, he doesn't care being mistaken for John's lover... etc etc, but I think it hurts/annoys him a lot that people think he's a fake, and that his work was just a bad joke. Still, he manages to stay calm about it. When the police comes to arrest him, he doesn't put any resistance and nearly even calms down John by telling him it's gonna be ok and all.

But when he thinks John may fall for Moriarty's game, he's losing it completely. This video is cut too early and we miss Sherlock's face after John tells him he believes in him. I love that face.



 

Oh!  And doesn't he also seem affectionately amused at his 'smart best friend' working on his own deductions (even if a bit slower or incorrect) in the case of figuring out how Westie died on the train, grabbing Sherlock into his own little dupe with Connie's cat and a 'photographer', and especially his face when John notices a few things before he does in TBB with finding the Lucky Cat shop and taking a pic of the wall graffiti.   

Yeah, there are so many wonderful moments!

But indeed that look Sherlock gives John at the end of SIP, as realisation washes over him was just incredible. It lasts only a few seconds on screen and yet it means so much, like you all already said. We have to keep in mind that Sherlock's never had a friend at that time, and that no one's ever put their own life in danger for his sake (Mycroft is very protective of course, and wouldn't hesitate to kill to save his little brother but the difference with John is that he would employ someone else to do the "dirty job" for him) and there... He met John the day before, and within 24 hours, John has agreed to become his flatmate, to follow him to a crime scene (and therefore, share his "work life"), and now, he arrived just in time to save him, knowing he was in danger (he could have as well stayed at home and just waited for sherlock to come back), hasn't he didn't hesitate to kill a man (and that was a great shot indeed) to save Sherlock who he barely knew, even if that meant he could be in serious problem afterwards (not only with the police, even if it was out of defence, it still was murder, but for all he knew, Jeff hope could have had an accomplice who would then go for revenge... Well, actually, that's what happened with Moriarty later, even if it's obviously not for the sake of Hope that Jim does it)

I think there is many things in that look Sherlock gives John. Pride, trust, surprise, recognition... and a promise for many other things...

I once had fun making a video called "that look you give that guy" (based on a song of that same name). Don't pay attention to the background story behind this video, it's basically Lestrade's one sided-love for Sherlock, and his jealousy over John's complicity with Sherlock. I don't particularly ship Lestrade/Sherlock, and don't even think Lestrade has sentiments for sherlock other than friendship, but it worked too well not to make it in a video. Anyway, you can just skip to the refrain at 0.40 , 1.21, 2.20,  and 3.03



 

In Buckingham palace - Sherlock nicks an ashtray, just to make John smile. It has nothing to do with the smoking, really - just for John.

I always thought that Sherlock sort of 'falls in love' with John during their very first taxi-scene in SIP. John compliments Sherlock on his deductions and Sherlock is quite taken by surprise. Because what people normally say to his deductions his "piss off!", right? So, that for me is the moment in which Sherlock realizes that John is different from other people and that John will make a difference for him, Sherlock. Of course, when Sherlock talks about the shooter at the end of the episode and realizes it was John, that realization only makes it crystal clear for him that yes, John will be the most important person in his life from now on.

I really love those 'taking pride in John'-moments because to me they're like Sherlock would be saying "Yes, this is my John, he belongs to me, so hands off!".

SolarSystem wrote:

I always thought that Sherlock sort of 'falls in love' with John during their very first taxi-scene in SIP. John compliments Sherlock on his deductions and Sherlock is quite taken by surprise. Because what people normally say to his deductions his "piss off!", right? So, that for me is the moment in which Sherlock realizes that John is different from other people and that John will make a difference for him, Sherlock. Of course, when Sherlock talks about the shooter at the end of the episode and realizes it was John, that realization only makes it crystal clear for him that yes, John will be the most important person in his life from now on.

I really love those 'taking pride in John'-moments because to me they're like Sherlock would be saying "Yes, this is my John, he belongs to me, so hands off!".

Totally agree. :o)

You all have picked out wonderful moments from the series to point out Sherlock's pride in John.

To me it's all about the 'proper, underlying friendship' between these two, as The Moff had named it. :o)

Sherlock an John clicked almost instantly, because they are of the same kind, despite their differences.

Whether you ship them or not, there's no denying that Sherlock and John are completly made for each other.
I especially love the scene in BB (Or "The episode where John is straight for half an episode" as my friend calls it) when he tags along with John on his date with Sarah and says it's for the crime case, but I don't think that's the only reason.

Especially when he occasionaly glares at Sarah, as if he's thinking "Back away from John. He's my John, not yours. He was mine first so go away, stop trying to steal my boyfriend- I mean, my friend. I don't like you, Sarah.. I've never liked you.."

I was watching TGG yesterday and loving Sherlock's proud smirks/chuckles when John was talking to Mycroft about the memory stick case. Here're the quotes (can't find a clip):

Mycroft: Andrew West. Known as Westie to his friends. Civil servant. Found dead on the tracks at Battersea Station this morning with his head smashed in.
Watson: Jumped in front of a train?
Mycroft: It seems the logical assumption.
Watson: But...
Mycroft: But?
Watson: Well you wouldn't be here if it was just an accident.
Mycroft: The MOD is working on a new missile defense system. The Bruce-Partington Program, it's called. The plans for it were on a memory stick.
Watson: That wasn't very clever.
Mycroft: It's not the only copy. But it is secret. And missing.
Watson: Top secret?
Mycroft: Very. We think West must have taken the memory stick. We can't possibly risk it falling into the wrong hands. You've got to find those plans, Sherlock.

I just find it precious how much he enjoys John's part of this conversation.

I was about to open a "John Watson appreciation" thread when I found this one here. It's way to early over here in Germany to contribute something important (yaaaaawn), but it was a nice read.

Sadly, series 3 is completely unconsidered yet, but hopefully that will change soon ...