Arcadia

Why did he change his mind? For the same reason that he fooled John in the first place, naturally. Just for the heck of it, here are some possible answers, which I in no way stand by. By the time he told Anderson, his survival was all over the news anyway, so there was no more point in keeping it a secret. (When did this taping actually occur, btw?) Maybe he told Anderson out of kindness? Okay, never mind, forget that one. Maybe he was just idly reminiscing when he was talking to Mycroft about the Serbian network? And he wanted to make a point that he'd been gone for two years because he figured Mycroft was too disinterested to notice? And maybe he did finally tell John, but it happened off screen because, uh, because, they ran out of film. Or something. *goes and whimpers quietly in corner*

This should help. _ o _’t/ _ _ _ _ _;/ _ _ st/ _ oo _/ _ _ _ _ _ t _ _ _ _/ a _ _ / sc _ tt _ _.

I probably shouldn't admit this, but I've read very few of the stories, and not that one. Tried, just can't get into them too much. But then, I've never been much for short stories anyway. Tried Study in Scarlet but it was .... oddly structured, shall we say? I suppose I should give Hounds a try.

I just noticed your dragon's outfit. Nah, we don't want to see a repeat of Elementary, do we? But I like the flashback idea -- except it doesn't explain "Miss me?" So somebody has to be doing something in the present. Two Moriarty's, one in the past, one in the present? No, wait, didn't Star Trek do that already? Urgh, everytime I get lured into thinking about this my head explodes....

Just one _ _ _’t/ _ _ _ _ _;/ _ _ st/ _ _ _ _/ _ _ _ _ _ t _ _ _ _/ a _ _ / s _ _ tt _ _.

Welcome Raya! Canadian? We're practically cousins!

Not a main character (or is it?) -- but I love the character of London! So much of the first two seasons, especially, seemed an homage to that great, historic city. And as a bonus, I actually met London once. But I was way too young for it, alas.....

I know, the scene between Irene and John still confuses the heck out of me. But it's great dialogue, whatever it means! And it's really a beautiful show to look at. And listen to. And laugh at!

S's and T's aplenty! _ _ _’t/ _ _ _ _ _;/ _ _ st/ _ _ _ _/ _ _ _ _ _ t _ _ _ _/ _ _ _ / s _ _ tt _ _. Still can't remember the quote in context (!) -- clearly I must now watch the whole series again as compensation.

The Mycroft idea was my first theory, but I can't really see how they'd use Andrew Scott again if that were the case. Unless everything's done in flashback? Hmmmmm.... Actually, I don't have another theory! I'm not devious enough to think of one that works...

Egad, I must be losing it. Still don't recognize it. Maybe some sleep would help. In the meantime, here's the next one. Dragonslayer, jump in here! _ _ _’_/ _ _ _ _ _;/ _ _ _ _/ _ _ _ _/ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _/ _ _ _ / _ _ _ _ _ _ _.

Yes, that is my understanding. Sherlock has a very good memory, it seems!

Hi there iron-bell! I read your theory, and I must say it's as likely as any others I've seen! It makes sense, although I don't really hear the spray sound, but I don't have really good speakers either. But I can see how it might work. No idea if it's even close to being right, though!

I noticed that too but darned if I know what to make of it. Why fall back on sloppy writing in what is arguably the most important scene in the episode? But if it's intentional, why jerk the audience around on such a trivial point as the number of coats Sherlock owns? It's a madhouse. A madhoussssse!

Aw, I want one!

Because it's what John likes? >:-) Lord, now even I'm starting to think John's a psychopath ....

Aha! By George, I think I got it. But I still can't remember where it's from.... ?

I guess he showed them!

Interesting observation... Now I'll "have to" go and watch series 3 yet again and see whether I think that is true. Of course, it would make a lot of sense. Sherlock never did tell John why he used him as a witness for his fake suicide and left him in the dark for two years. So I suppose "he's just a hopeless sociopath who doesn't know any better" is the best explanation John could come up with on his own. It is also the least hurtful. (By the way, I wish Sherlock had at least let the audience know.) Only, if John still thinks so by the time the Magnussen case comes around, then where was his brain at the wedding? I mean, how more obvious can you get? John was sort of rejecting the notion that Sherlock had "normal" feelings even before S3, wasn't he? I'm thinking about a sequence between him and Mycroft in Scandal .... I can't remember it exactly, but Mycroft was wondering if Sherlock would be upset to learn that Irene was dead, and John says "he doesn't feel things like that." And earlier he said something similar to Irene. And before, they'd had that argument in TGG about having feelings.... Altho after Hounds you'd think John would've gotten a clue that not all is as it seems .... Not going anywhere with this, it just suddenly struck me in light of what you and Zain have been saying.

Zain, I reread your post and it makes even more sense to me this time. Especially the part I quoted above ... of course John would be shattered by Sherlock's "death." But learning it was all a trick would really strain his belief in Sherlock's decency. Very interesting. I was remarking somewhere else that one of the key scenes, for me, in the whole series, was Lestrade's remark: "some day, if we're lucky, Sherlock will be a good man." That's what I keep waiting to find out, I think; if Sherlock can learn the value of "goodness" over "greatness." And since I identify John as representing the audience in the story, I naturally look to him to make that call; to decide if Sherlock is "a good man", or merely a great one. So right now I would say the jury's still out, but possibly leaning towards "greatness", not "goodness." Which was sort of the conclusion I was coming to anyway, but I think I see the "why" more clearly now. Thank you. It IS a little sad, isn't it? That's okay, I enjoy sad stories too. One thing I love about this show is the way it tugs at your heart strings.

R? Glad to see you, Dragonslayer, I was afraid we'd scared off all the other players!

Drat, I think I have everything but the 7th word! I?

Thanks, Zain! I do see your point. I did notice John was more restrained in some way, but haven't put careful thought into it. Do you think it would be fair to say, that when Sherlock said "don't put me on a pedestal", that John took him at his word? And so they have a more equal relationship now?

N?

That's a good guess! I'm opting for "a swirling mixture of emotions", because that's what I feel...