I believe, most of users are already convinced, that in Sherlocks live happened something bad enough, to make him suppress most of emotions, and concentrate on his - unique - intellectual skills. "What made him like this"?
Sherlock's background looks very usual:
He has "ordinary", loving parents. In retrospections we were able to see Sherlock as young boy, behaving typically for his age. He has exceptional understanding with his older brother, even, if they do not like each other very much. In his childhood he had beloved dog (obviously dog can not be still alive).
On the other hand, presently Sherlock appears to be incapable of normal emotion, especially empathy. His uni colleagues "hated him" because it, so change must have happen prior to his university studies. Ocassionally uses drugs, apparently to achieve relief from unpleasant emotions.
end of the boring introduction
Hints:
- Redbeard - barely mentioned in HLV, but in TAB, when imaginary Watson asks "What made you like this?", Sherlock thinks about Redbeard, and is unable to hide it. In the end, in series "reality", on Sherlock's "list of everything" Mycroft can see framed word "Redbeard", and undoubtfully understands it's meaning.
Could the death of dog (even loved one) be for little boy shocking enough to change his attitude so entirely? Natural death - I don't think so. But if the circumstances were dramatic, traumatizing, or dogs death was only a part of incident?
- Blond-haired client in T6T - killed his brother, and don't knows it, because the medicine, he takes, can cause memory loss. Another cases in the beginning of the episode are only mentioned, this one - explained. Why was this case more worth of explaining, then any another?
- At Welsborouh's - Sherlock expresses his condolences in beginning of the conversation - but obviously he don't means it really, his mind is somewhere else. But soon: David Welsborouhg "Charlie was our whole world, Mr Holmes. I... I don't think we'll ever get over this.". Sherlock (sounding very honestly) "No. Shouldn't think so." After explaining of the case he repeats his condolences - this time really gravely. Did this case remind him something personal? And why was he so sure, that Welsborouhgs are never to recover? I - obviously - assume: from his own experience.
- Accusation of causing Mary's death (eventually coming to this part!). John is utterly unfair, and everybody can see it. But Sherlock never says a word in his defence. He knows, there was nothing, he coud do, but - besides of his own sense of responsibility - I believe, he understands, that as long, as John is not ready to see it too, no words can help. When Molly repeats John's message ("anybody else"), Sherlock is sad, but not surprised. Later, when he can anything to help John, he does it (costs don't matter) - and still waits.
But how this "unemotional", "unsensible" man can understand grief and mourning so good? Again, I found only one answer: he knows it from experience. Any another explanation? Please, discuss!
BTW, Sherlock's knowledge, concerning "Faith's" scars, is also surprising - "I think you discovered that pain stimulated your memory" - these words also sound a bit to personal, and partial lose of memories was recurring theme of last episodes.
Last edited by Naavy (January 15, 2017 4:39 pm)