Getting into 221B without a key

[Carol the Dabbler]

Oops, slight mis-statement there.  It turns out that it's only one segment of West Smithfield that's about a block long -- so several other streets in the area are also named West Smithfield!  But here's a link to a view of the roof that John was looking at -- it's in the center, just south of the big tree, across from the south end of the ambulance building (you can also see the little bus shelter).  Clearly not the roof that Sherlock and Jim were on (but we knew that already).

[Julia Mae]

The doorjamb is splintered next to the deadbolt throw. I will point out from my former cop persona, that is splintered very realistically - but in the wrong direction!  That door opens in - not out - they could have forced it in, and that very realistic damage would have been on the inside of the door.  No way to get that damage the way it appears.  But that's TV for you - so we  just Sherschlock on!

 

 

Oops, slight mis-statement there.  It turns out that it's only one segment of West Smithfield that's about a block long -- so several other streets in the area are also named West Smithfield!  But here's a link to a view of the roof that John was looking at -- it's in the center, just south of the big tree, across from the south end of the ambulance building (you can also see the little bus shelter).  Clearly not the roof that Sherlock and Jim were on (but we knew that already).

 

I'll try a Google search later tonight.  So, that link, that picture, that's the hospital?  The real hospital?  You went there? 
 

[Carol the Dabbler]

I see -- if they'd shown the door damage realistically, there wouldn't have been anything to see (from the outside) -- so they fudged it.  I still didn't notice it (too busy reading the note), but that's not their fault!

 

Yes, that's the real St. Bart's.  The roof with what appears to be a pyramidal structure is the one that John was looking up at.  I was there several times this May (but on the ground, of course, not on the roof).  If you watch the episode or look at Alex's photos of St. Bart's in the Our Vacation in the UK thread, you should be able to match things up with the satellite shot.

 

[Alice Holmes]

Sorry, going back to the Lestrade/key thing...I think the most plausable theory is that Moffat forgot there wasn't a doorknob.

[Carol the Dabbler]

That's entirely possible -- but even so, wouldn't they normally keep the downstairs door locked?

 

[Alice Holmes]

Sherlock doesn't do anything normally.

[Carol the Dabbler]

True -- but it was Mrs. Hudson that closed the door in "Study in Pink."

 

[Julia Mae]

True -- but it was Mrs. Hudson that closed the door in "Study in Pink."

 

It's a deadbolt, so you have to turn something to lock it.  Maybe she thought John would be coming right back down and just didn't bother.

 

Maybe Mr. Chattergee was having tea with her and snuck out after she went upstairs, leaving the door unlocked.

 

Maybe she's  just an old bag like me and thought she locked it and forgot.  (Yesterday I put the salad away in the freezer.)

[Alice Holmes]

I think a lot of people leave their doors unlocked, especially if they've got people running in and out all the time. My back door is almost never locked. I'm constantly taking my small, yappy black dog in and out.

[aely]

I always use the knocker to close my door. Just thought I'd tell you.

 

It's a hanging bat btw... 

 

[Carol the Dabbler]

I always use the knocker to close my door. Just thought I'd tell you.

 

It's a hanging bat btw... 

 

 

Cool!

 

[Julia Mae]

 

In Canon, Mycroft keeps up the payments on the flat.  She never could rent out the basement.  Maybe she finally started locking the front door. 

 

Imagine, after all this time, she hears a key in the lock. 

[Alice Holmes]

A bat? Nice. Mine has some sort of upside-down donkey head. I'm not sure. I don't actually own it, so it's not my problem if it brings some horrible fate to the homeowner.

[Pamela]

Just thought I'd point in someone else who waltzed in - Irene Adler.

[Carol the Dabbler]

Oh, right -- though she apparently came in through the window.  Twice.