Meta: Mary Morstan. Spoilers for HLV

[aely]

Wellingtongoose on livejournal has done some pieces of meta about Mary Morstan and what might or might not have been her reasoning behind her actions in His Last Vow.

 

For those of you who have seen the ep and have found themselves really not fond of Mary because of what was revealed in that ep, this meta might offer you a different viewpoint that makes it easier to reconcile yourself with those revelations.

 

If you haven't seen the ep and don't want to be spoilered, please avoid this meta as there are HUGE HONKING SPOILERS for His Last Vow contained therein.

 

There's also some meta about Sherlock and what could have been going on physiologically in the episode.

 

What Mary did - and why - part 1

 

How Sherlock did what he did

 

What Mary did - and why - part 2

[Zain]

Thanks for pointing that out.

I feel rather split. I wanted to put that Mary disaster past me but I feel like I have to point out the weaknesses of the meta essay.

All quotes are from the essay.

 

 

 

 

However I do not believe that Mary was really there to kill Magnussen. I’m sure she intended to do so at some point in the future but to this particular day she was on a fact finding mission.

 

True and not true.

Yes, she was on a fact finding mission but she must have either intended to kill Magnussen immediately after he revealed the hiding place of the information, or not at all. Let's assume Sherlock had not appeared, and Magnussen had caved in (and actual information on paper). If Mary had allowed him to live, he would have sent some of his "minions" after her. He could have still forged proof or made copies. Leaving the building when Magnussen was still alive is more dangerous than not having confronted him at all. She focuses his attention on her. It would be fundamentally stupid to threaten him and then allow him to make the next move when he has got much more power than her.

Mary was in for kill. There's no way to sugarcoat that. 

 

 

 

However she also knows that Magnussen isn’t going to destroy her completely because she is important in his ultimate scheme to control Mycroft Holmes. I fail to believe that Mary hasn’t extensively researched Sherlock enough to know about Mycroft Holmes and what he really does for a living.

 

There is no proof that Mary is aware of Magnussen's ultimate scheme. Sherlock had worked it out but John was unaware of it. It is unlikely Sherlock discussed it with Mary.

And researching Mycroft? I sincerely doubt there's much of a trace to be found without the right connections. Mary has taken on a new identity. She doesn't have the ressources (any longer?).

 

 

 

Firstly Mary chose to shoot Sherlock in the least damaging place to give him the best chance of survival. We must remember that if she had wanted to, Mary could have easily killed him outright by aiming for his heart, but she didn't.

 

The important thing is that Mary did not want to kill him outright. Yes. That's sustained by canon but not her intentions behind shooting him. From a logical perspective, she had everything to gain by shooting him.

She needed the diversion. John's presence forces her to retreat. She does not want to hurt him, so she cannot neutralize the danger. If she merely left, John and Sherlock would go after her. If she killed Sherlock, John would have hunted down the shooter, he wouldn't have stayed near a corpse. The only way to keep John from going after her was to make his stay necessary. Then there's the fact she called the ambulance. Of course she did. She couldn't have known how long Magnussen would be out of it. She needs as much of a diversion as possible in case the police arrived, and paramedics who are trying to save a life are a great way to achieve confusion and to slow down the investigation. As long as somebody can be saved, people will prioritize it. The paramedics create the necessary chaos for her to get away from the crime scene unscathed.

Mary needed Sherlock to be a distraction. This does not mean she intended to spare him, just that the quickest solution was not the best one for her. 

It's not proof of her will to spare him, just like it isn't proof of her will to kill him. 

 

Since most of the argumentation is built on that, I'd call it a rather subjective meta essay. Sure, meta is based on interpretation but the presented main arguments are not sustained by the episode. It is possible to read that into the events. The main arguments, however, should be more than interpretation since all other assumptions are based on them.

 

A good and conclusive interpretation but too subjective in its main points for comprehensive meta.

I liked the medical aspects, the passages were rather informative.

[Ruthyone]

I still don't like her character and wouldn't trust her ever!!!

[aely]

I have to admit that a lot of the Mary hate makes me uncomfortable - not so much of the character, because I can see why people don't like her, even though I tend towards forgiveness (like John) - but because it has spilled over into real life meaning that Amanda Abbington has been getting death threats and hate mail.

[Caya]

Dunno, I'm a bit wary of that argument - there are some idiots out there who can't differentiate between character and actor, okay (well, very much not okay, actually). But turning this around and saying that one shouldn't hate the character because of the actor seems to be blurring the border, too.

 

Amanda Abbington is an amazing actress and an all around awesome human being, and she did a great job with Mary, especially in Sign, and I can understand that she's thrilled to be a part of a show she loves so much. Does that mean I can't wish that they'd remove Mary from the show at the earliest convenience, by whatever means come handy? I don't think so.

[T.o.b.y]

Mhm, yeah, that confusion of character and actor is very disturbing. I can be very silly and childish about my favorite films, and take the characters much too seriously sometimes, but what have the actors got to do with that? You won't ever catch me sending Mark Gatiss hate mail just because I don't feel very affectionate towards Mycroft these days - and Gatiss not only plays that man, he also writes him the way he is! Really. Will people try and shoot Andrew Scott next so Moriarty won't come back?

[Bakerstreet Irregular]

Scary thought, but yes, it has happened before. Let's hope people are just venting, no matter how stupid and unrealistic it is.

[Carol the Dabbler]

Yes, it's definitely happened before.  Back in the 70's, Sandi Nimoy was getting some very creative death threats (which I won't describe on the internet, for fear of giving people ideas!) merely because she was the real-life wife of "Mr. Spock."  Presumably the idea was that with her out of the way, the fans would have him to themselves (though how they planned to divvy him up is beyond me).

 

Even though I'm sure that all of us here are aware that the characters are not real people -- that knowledge may sometimes be more intellectual than emotional, and I am as guilty of that as anyone else.  This is likely to happen any time that excellent actors are playing three-dimensional characters in intriguing situations.  In fact, it's basically what the writers, actors, et al. are aiming at, isn't it?

 

[T.o.b.y]

Sure, and I like to believe in my favorite characters as "real people". But while I am quite enamored of Sherlock, the actor who plays him doesn't call forth the same kind of feeling at all. I mean, I'm very grateful he took the part and Sherlock couldn't exist without him, of course. He's a very talented actor and a handsome man with a lovely voice, but while I am strongly opposed to Sherlock ever having a girlfriend, I couldn't care less what Benedict Cumberbatch does in his private life (as long as he doesn't ruin his health and becomes unable to play Sherlock any more). 

[aely]

I have no problem with people disliking Mary. I dislike Magnussen, he's utterly repellent (and I'm glad I got the opportunity to tell Lars Mikkelson how much I admired him for playing such a skin-crawling character).

 

The thing that makes me uncomfortable is all the hate and venom that's spewed about Mary because she's getting in the way of Sherlock and John's 'relationship' and also the general "I can't stand her, I hope she dies" type comments. Just because it makes me uncomfortable doesn't mean people aren't entitled to those opinions, and people on here are at least able to differentiate between character and actor, thank goodness (yay for our 'sensible' forumites).

 

I have to admit I'm probably over sensitive to outpourings of this nature, that's me all over, but I do find myself approaching the Last Vow forum with some trepidation, as I just don't want to deal with any more hate, even if it is just of a fictional character.

[T.o.b.y]

I don't think you'll find much hate and venom in the thread for His Last Vow... We're having quite a spirited discussion and not everybody is happy with the character (or what the script did with her), but all in all, I can't remember reading anything terribly bloodthirsty.

[Zain]

Spirited

That's the adjective, yes.

 

We are somewhat orbiting around "the issue" but it is mostly a civil discussion. Don't be afraid to drop in. 

I actually can't think of a comment that was directed against Mary that was based on "she destroys Johnlock." Might have forgotten, though. It's been what? 50 pages now.

[Carol the Dabbler]

I believe there have been some occasional comments along the lines of "I just want her gone" or "John belongs back at Baker Streeet."  Nothing too incendiary.  But definitely "spirited"!

 

[sherlockandjohn]

HLV is by far the most discussed episode on this forum. I think that says a lot about its' controversial nature.

 

About Mary. For starters, I never fell in love with her character to begin with. I thought she was mostly an okay character, and was glad to see that she didn't come between Sherlock and John (much). However, in TEH I dislike that she stood up for Sherlock so quickly. The man had only just returned, and John was rightfully angry and hurt by his deceit. When he vented that anger in the two café scenarios, Mary repeatedly hushed him and even threw her head back in exasperation. I suppose the writers did that in order to show Mary's willingness to forgive Sherlock, but I was with John there.

 

In TSoT she acts even more with the intent of bringing Sherlock and John together, which was sweet enough, but didn't make me love her character in particular.

 

I guess with the three of them, it will always feel to me that "three is one too many". In a certain sense, I feel she does get in between the two men, just by being present. Poor Mary. She's got a difficult task; remaining an important part of John Watson's life, without getting between him and his best friend. It's impossible, really. In real life, of course I wouldn't want Mary to die or divorce John. In the series, I personally hope she will leave at some point.

[Janie]

I happily disagree with you sherlockandjohn

I liked Mary since I first saw her in TEH and then even more when she said she liked Sherlock. I've never felt she got between Sherlock and John and even when she shot Sherlock in HLV I just can't hate her.

I think she's a very interesting character. It would have been so boring if they'd made her as sweet and innocent as she was in ACD's books. I understand why some people can't get over the fact that she's an assassin but I have no problem with that.

Of course if it was in real life I definitely wouldn't want to meet someone like her. And I wouldn't want to meet someone like Sherlock either. But this is fiction and I'm looking forward to see what happens with her in S4. I hope she won't die.

[Carol the Dabbler]

... in TEH I dislike that she stood up for Sherlock so quickly. The man had only just returned, and John was rightfully angry and hurt by his deceit. When he vented that anger in the two café scenarios, Mary repeatedly hushed him and even threw her head back in exasperation. I suppose the writers did that in order to show Mary's willingness to forgive Sherlock, but I was with John there.

 

It's too bad that this is a matter of individual interpretation, so there's no way to "prove" which of us is right, but it was my impression that Mary was pretty exasperated with both of them.

 

Maybe it's kind of like some of the disagreements that Alex and I have.  When someone (say, another driver) behaves oddly in a way that's inconvenient for us, Alex tends to be peeved, whereas it makes me curious.  There must have been a reason (though possibly not what I would consider a good one), so I start trying to figure out what it might be.  Then when I share my conjectures with Alex, hoping to make him feel better, he thinks I'm siding with the stranger.  (You'd think I'd learn eventually, wouldn't you?)

 

So maybe in this series of scenes, I see Mary as reacting about the way I might, wishing that they'd each try to see the other's point of view.

 

[sherlockandjohn]

 

... in TEH I dislike that she stood up for Sherlock so quickly. The man had only just returned, and John was rightfully angry and hurt by his deceit. When he vented that anger in the two café scenarios, Mary repeatedly hushed him and even threw her head back in exasperation. I suppose the writers did that in order to show Mary's willingness to forgive Sherlock, but I was with John there.

 

It's too bad that this is a matter of individual interpretation, so there's no way to "prove" which of us is right, but it was my impression that Mary was pretty exasperated with both of them.

 

To some extent, I agree. She started out by telling Sherlock off. "Do you have any idea what you put him through?" She was probably trying to get them both to see things from the other's point of view. But wasn't that a bit fast? I feel it was. Anyway, I don't generally dislike Mary; she's just not a character that I love.

[sherlockandjohn]

I happily disagree with you sherlockandjohn

I liked Mary since I first saw her in TEH and then even more when she said she liked Sherlock. I've never felt she got between Sherlock and John and even when she shot Sherlock in HLV I just can't hate her.

I think she's a very interesting character. It would have been so boring if they'd made her as sweet and innocent as she was in ACD's books. I understand why some people can't get over the fact that she's an assassin but I have no problem with that.

Of course if it was in real life I definitely wouldn't want to meet someone like her. And I wouldn't want to meet someone like Sherlock either. But this is fiction and I'm looking forward to see what happens with her in S4. I hope she won't die.

 

Well, I certainly don't hate her I just feel that either she or Sherlock becomes the 'third wheel', and that she has somewhat disrupted the dynamic between Sherlock and John. Not that she comes between then as in keeping them apart - she tries the exact opposite - but her presense in John's life means that John's priorities have shifted and that Sherlock now seems to have one more "best friend". They get on a little too well for my taste...

 

If there is going to continue to be a "trio", I at least hope they'll introduce some conflict to it. Like they did a little in TSoT: "Get your wife under control" ... "She's right" ... "Oh, you've changed!" I thought that scene was great.

[T.o.b.y]

Well, I certainly don't hate her I just feel that either she or Sherlock becomes the 'third wheel', and that she has somewhat disrupted the dynamic between Sherlock and John. Not that she comes between then as in keeping them apart - she tries the exact opposite - but her presense in John's life means that John's priorities have shifted and that Sherlock now seems to have one more "best friend". They get on a little too well for my taste...

 

Mm. I know what you mean. I was afraid series 3 would be so harmonious I would scream. But the trio worked surprisingly well for me. And His Last Vow would not have had such an impact if there had been more (visible) tension before it.

 

 

[Bakerstreet Irregular]

Early on Gatiss said that keeping John at 221b would be lazy and cheap. Sherlock and John continued their friendship and working relationship through many years of John Watson being married. So there isn't any reason to suspect this is going to change in this series.

[sherlockandjohn]

Yes, but to my knowledge (which is very limited, I'll grant you) Mary - and any other wife - was only mentioned in the passing. Moffat and Gatiss have brought her in more actively in HLV. I'm just wondering how well it will work if they continue in that direction, but of course we don't know what they'll do.

[Carol the Dabbler]

... of course we don't know what they'll do.

 

Now there is an understatement! 

[Bakerstreet Irregular]

The wives may have been mentioned in passing but the fact that John Watson was absent from Baker Street is mentioned many times. The two friends might go weeks, even months without seeing each other. But like in "His Last Vow" even though it had been a month since John had seen Sherlock they still were pretty busy and working together and even in 221b. So it seems it can be worked out.

[sherlockandjohn]

Oh, okay. Well, then I know what to expect

[Carol the Dabbler]

Regardless of who's living where, I would certainly hope that every couple of years the writers could come up with 4-1/2 hours of stuff that Sherlock and John do together.  (I spend more time than that with my cousin who lives in North Carolina!)