Cheerio1021

Yes, this is how I feel. I'm all about unspoken messages in scenes and reading between the lines. But I have to have something to work with, and in that scene the show doesn't give us much other than Sherlock obviously choking back emotion and John basically saying "So... bye." Again, I can totally imagine John being emotionally numb, shutting down, battered from Sherlock already leaving him and returning. But for me personally, to interpret the scene that way I need to see some basis for it, however subtle, onscreen. And as hard as I squint, I'm not seeing it.

Also I thought it was said that he's going to be gone for six months (Sherlock may think there's a chance he won't be coming back but he doesn't share that). Sherlock says he'll be doing undercover work in eastern Europe for six months, and John asks him "And then what?" and Sherlock replies, "Who knows?" Sherlock then tells John he needs to tell him something "since it's unlikely we'll ever meet again." So even allowing for the possibility of some Holmesian trickery, John's on notice that there's a decent chance this will be his last conversation with Sherlock.

Can I just comment that I'm so relieved that I'm not the only person wishing death on Mary and her unborn child? When I said last week that I wanted both of them to die, I felt like it made me a bit weird and callous, but now it seems that I'm far from alone. And for what it's worth, I think Mary's a goner in Series 4 (whether in the first episode or the last), but I suspect mining the dramatic potential of a baby will be too alluring for Moftiss to resist. Think of all the plots that could revolve around John's baby! Is it alive or dead? Is it really John's? Kidnapping! Held hostage! Switched at birth! And as much as I'd hate to see my favorite show devolve into a soap opera, I doubt I'd be able to resist those opportunities as a writer, either.

To me, he doesn't come across as chilly. More like dazed. As if he can't really realize what is happening. I think he is touched and sad non the less. I love how he says he can't think of anything to say. And the gruff remarks (about the naming of his daughter, for example) might be a John-ish defense against emotion which he just wouldn't feel up to facing at that time. Especially in front of Mycroft Holmes and a bunch of other people. You're absolutely right that's it's very subjective. And I want to believe your interpretation that he was dazed, touched, sad, and covering up some strong emotions. I just wish the show (and/or Freeman) had given me more reason to believe that. Because personally, it's hard for me to see past the chilliness. I love John Watson and I'm not angry with him like some fans seem to be today, but wow, it's hard to have that be the last we see of John interacting with Sherlock for two years. I much preferred the graveside speech. Like you, I assume John doesn't know Sherlock is going to his death.* Pretty clear Sherlock doesn't want him to know. Still, he had to have heard Sherlock tell Mycroft that it's the last time Sherlock is going to talk to John Watson. So in John's mind it should be their last conversation. Of course, as you say, John's seen Sherlock resurrect himself before. Still, if that's the reason for his apparent indifference in the scene, I wish they'd made it a little clearer what's going on in John's head. They certainly spent enough time on the workings of John's head in the rest of the episode. * Of course, who really believes Mycroft would let Sherlock die?

Watched the goodbye scene again and I still don't like it. John does the following: - Says he can't think of anything to say - Tells Sherlock tersely: "The game is over." - Inquires almost casually about where Sherlock's going - Acts almost like he doesn't even want to look at Sherlock. - Reiterates "We're not naming our daughter after you." - Shakes Sherlock's hand and watches him walk away And that's it. John is quite chilly in this scene. No real emotion, not even the sense that he's choking back a lot of emotion. I mean, I know John's supposed to be stoic, but between the dialogue and the way Martin Freeman plays him in this scene, it's almost like he doesn't even give a $#*% that his friendship with Sherlock is over and he's never even going to see his best friend again. John doesn't even say "Thank you" to the man who just gave John's assassin wife a fresh start -- the same wife who nearly killed Sherlock -- and who now has to get on a plane and disappear because of it. I'm not saying I'd expect a big slobbering emotional hug-fest, but really? Is this the John we know? The one who made the speech at Sherlock's grave? Who called him the wisest and best man he'd ever known? You can certainly see emotion coming from Sherlock in this scene -- and I think Cumberbatch plays it beautifully -- but it's as if it just bounces off of John. I don't get the sense that John is returning any of it. I don't know what to make of it. Like I said, it's a combination of the dialogue and Martin Freeman's acting (and of course how the scene was edited), so the coldness must have been intentional. I just don't understand it in the context of this episode or their relationship.

Meh. I am underwhelmed. I loved it up until John forgave Mary, and then it all seemed to deteriorate rapidly. The ending was just a weird jumble... unsatisfying, and not in a cliffhanger-y way. 1.) Really, we have to bring Moriarty back? I loved him; he was a great villian. But bringing him back after the rooftop scene just... explodes credulity. It's a bit of an eye-roll moment for me. 2.) I want Mary gone. I was hoping it would happen in this episode. It SHOULD have happened in this episode. Interesting character, good acting by AA, but I want her gone. 3.) Except now she's having John's baby and he's forgiven her (!) for nearly killing his best friend. So it feels like we're stuck with her, or at least stuck with domesticated (but dark!) John. Bleh. 4.) I hated both Mary's and John's goodbyes to Sherlock. Mary kissed him like he was going on vacation, and John... shook his hand. And emphasized repeatedly that he wasn't going to name his baby after him. I've only seen it once, but that entire scene left me cold. Other than Sherlock, the emotional portrayals just seemed all wrong. 5.) And then four minutes later, the plane turns around and he comes back! I get that otherwise it would have been a LOT like TRF, but I think I'd have preferred even that to this mish-mash. 6.) As usual, I loved every scene Mycroft was in. I'd been worried they were humanizing his relationship to Sherlock only to kill him off. Thank goodness that wasn't the case. 7.) Molly was... fine. From some of the spoiler-y things I read I'd assumed her role would be a bit more meaningful. The slapping scene didn't blow me away. Happy she's not marrying Tom -- but did anyone ever think she would? 8.) More Lestrade would have been a plus, as always. 9.) General complaint I have about Series 3: Sherlock's and John's importance to each other was constantly talked about (by John, Sherlock, Mary, Magnusson, etc.), but not DEMONSTRATED enough. I feel like so much time was spent pounding into our heads: "Sherlock cares. SHERLOCK CARES," that it didn't leave enough space to put their relationship into a dramatic context the way Series 1 and 2 did. I find I care far less what happens next than I did after either Series 1 or 2. Which makes me a little sad.

You're right that it would really be putting John through the wringer for two seasons in a row. Doyle wasn't much kinder to the poor guy, though. Watson lost Holmes and then lost Mary even before Holmes came back. At least this John has Sherlock back now.

The introduction of the baby plot just further cemented my belief that Mary is going to die. For me, it was like an anvil falling. "Oh, it's going to be devastating to John when we kill Mary! But... not MOFFAT-level devastating. What could we do to make it sadder? Oh, I know! We'll make her pregnant! So, not only will he lose his wife, but also his unborn child! That'll send him (and the fans) right off the deep end! They'll be sobbing under their beds! Brilliant!" Good point. I hope you're right! (Terrible person. Terrible.)

I agree with the general consensus that this is one of the weaker episodes (if not the weakest). I loved Study in Pink so much (it's still my favorite episode) that anything that came after it was bound to be a bit of a come-down, but even with that in mind this one still disappointed. All the Chinese gang stuff got positively cheesy. BUT having just re-watched it, I will say this: For those of us who love The Coat, this episode is a great gift. There is so much swirling and twirling and flourishing and so many full-length shots of Sherlock in his Belstaff. I feel like whoever directed it truly appreciated the wonder that is The Coat, and for that this episode will always occupy a soft spot in my heart.

I think the writers have done a brilliant job with the Mary character, and Amanda Abbington has played her wonderfully. But I must admit: I want Mary gone. Gone, gone, GONE. The idea of a crime-solving trio, or even her in the background, doesn't appeal to me. I want John living back at 221B, and I want the focus to be on their awesome partnership and the mischief they prevent/create. I feel like the last three episodes have been about Things Separating John And Sherlock, and as dramatically compelling as that's been, I wish the writers would head in a different direction and one that is a bit more in tune with what ACD did. My personal hope is that Mary has been working for/with CAM all along and was sent to seduce John, but has truly fallen in love with him and gives up her life to save him and Sherlock, leaving John devasted and Sherlock feeling guilty. As for the baby, I don't know. I guess I'm a terrible person, but I don't think I'd be unduly bothered by the death of a fictional unborn child. Hard to imagine the writers doing that, though. Maybe she isn't really pregnant (and was just playing Sherlock with her "symptoms"), or the baby isn't John's (Mycroft's, oh Lord! That would be twisted). But I don't want John to be a father because I want him back with in 221B with Sherlock and I think the flat would be really hard to child-proof. (Like I said, I'm a terrible person.)

Oh, and I forgot to add re the song lyrics: When Sherlock's giving Mary that weird/sad look, we hear "As I recall, it ended much too soon." Her pregnancy? Her life? The marriage? ACK!

I can't stop watching the scene where Sherlock, John, and Mary are on the dance floor talking about Mary's pregnancy. A few observations: 1.) Though it's completely normal for a woman to show some ambivalence upon finding out she's pregnant (even if it's welcome news) I think we are definitely meant to make something of Mary's consternation over the news. These scenes are very carefully blocked and edited, and I can't believe the "oh crap" look we see on her face is accidental. 2.) Similarly, there's a point where Sherlock looks at Mary for several beats, almost like he's worried about her, or sorry for her. Not sure what this means, but it's one of many things that make me worry about Mary's fate. 3.) I can't help but match up the lyrics to the song (on repeat as I type this!) to the interactions on screen. "I didn't even know her name, but I was never going to be the same" with a shot of John (In my head this means the baby is a girl, and John doesn't even know her name yet but his life is changed -- probably ridiculous conjecture on my part) AND the line "hypnotizing, mesmerizing me" with one of those classic long glances between Sherlock and John.