Episode 3.1, "The Empty Hearse"

[Bakerstreet Irregular]

Plus there is that old, old saying:"You can never go home again."

 

   It doesn't mean that the old homestead doesn't still exist or even some of the same people. It's exactly the fact that time has passed. The memories may remain but what has gone is truly gone. By revisiting places of your childhood cannot bring back those people who have died. Old friends might have moved away or moved on, as John did. Sometimes old friendships can be rekindled....but often times.....not.

[T.o.b.y]

Sometimes old friendships can be rekindled....but often times.....not.

 

Well, thank goodness that's not the case here, is it? I was watching The Empty Hearse the other day and it really struck me how well they captured that "indeed like old times" feeling, in spite of all the changes. When John comes to Baker St after the fire and the first awkwardness has passed, Sherlock starts figuring out the (literal) "underground network" at lightening speed, John making his usual little comments and checking things on the computer the while, and it culminates in them reciting the "gunpowder, treason and plot" line together as if nothing but them solving crimes in that sitting room had ever happened.

 

By the way, isn't it great how Sherlock breaks into the underground area where the trains are and dozens of people just walk by, apparently neither noticing or caring?

[Bakerstreet Irregular]

 

Well, thank goodness that's not the case here, is it? I was watching The Empty Hearse the other day and it really struck me how well they captured that "indeed like old times" feeling, in spite of all the changes. When John comes to Baker St after the fire and the first awkwardness has passed, Sherlock starts figuring out the (literal) "underground network" at lightening speed, John making his usual little comments and checking things on the computer the while, and it culminates in them reciting the "gunpowder, treason and plot" line together as if nothing but them solving crimes in that sitting room had ever happened.

 

  Oh absolutely!  Pretty close to canon when Holmes sheds his "bookseller" disguise, Watson faints...demands to know how this all comes about but is so happy to see his old friend back again that he forgives Holmes for being "dead" for two years and then their off to capture Moran. At least in our version we get to see a very angry, upset, and honestly to god unforgiving John, at least for more then a few sentences.

 

 

By the way, isn't it great how Sherlock breaks into the underground area where the trains are and dozens of people just walk by, apparently neither noticing or caring?

 

  Yup, that's our boy, a power and law unto himself.

[Arcadia]

 

 Yup, that's our boy, a power and law unto himself.

 

And here I was thinking it was because the "normal" people were just being typically unobservant ...

[Bakerstreet Irregular]

 

And here I was thinking it was because the "normal" people were just being typically unobservant

 

     Well, yes, there is that of course, but even among "normal" people there is bound to be one or two that might notice a tall man in a good coat with a beautiful face carrying something like a crowbar and forcing a grate. Would they bother to inform anyone?  Perhaps....or not. But like posted above, Sherlock didn't care. He knew were he was going and doing it in broad daylight.

[Caya]

It might also have to do with the "highly developed English ability to ignore the unpleasantness of others" (@ Plaid Adder). Have you ever seen Trigger Happy TV?

 

 

 

[Arcadia]

Now I have this curious desire to see John and Sherlock in a horse suit.....

[Slithytove]

I suspect Caya is right. Not wanting to get involved or make a fuss would be a very strong incentive to turn a blind eye and keep walking, however intrigued we might be......But Sherlock, of course, wouldn't care. John, on the other hand, seems torn between his law-abiding instincts and the urge for adventure. Seems the latter wins out every time, when they're together.

[Bakerstreet Irregular]

Or maybe their just used to people cutting up once in a while just to release the yayas.

 

 

      

 

Photo call: Barristers protest at the Old Bailey today Picture: Jeremy Selwyn

 

 I saw this series of photos and thought it cute.

[sherlockandjohn]

 

Why did he change his mind? For the same reason that he fooled John in the first place, naturally.

 

Yes, well, I guess it's likely that Sherlock decided the least said about the whole thing in John's presence, the better, after all. He'd only just been forgiven (kind of), he probably wasn't keen on a discussion of particulars that could only enrage his friend anew.

 

This is my take on it as well. And it makes that scene when John asks Sherlock how he did it kind of heartbreaking.

 

I used to go crazy thinking, "How could Sherlock not tell John?" But the thing is, we had been waiting to find out. John hadn't. In his mind, Sherlock was dead, so when he shows up, of course John isn't going to care how Sherlock survived. When he finally shows interest, it still doesn't really matter, does it? I don't think so. Not for John, anyway, but of course for the audience it does.

 

One thing still bothers me, and has bothered me all along. Sherlock apparently heard John's words at his grave, which makes it hard for me to fully understand how Sherlock could not know how badly John was hurt. When Sherlock says, "I heard you," he says it in a tone of voice that moves me, but I can't really reconcile that with the meaning of the words.

[Bakerstreet Irregular]

 

One thing still bothers me, and has bothered me all along. Sherlock apparently heard John's words at his grave, which makes it hard for me to fully understand how Sherlock could not know how badly John was hurt. When Sherlock says, "I heard you," he says it in a tone of voice that moves me, but I can't really reconcile that with the meaning of the words.

 

  Which has prompted metas on the subject and more then one poster to wonder if Sherlock wasn't putting on more then a bit of bravado when he acts surprised when Mycroft says that John is no longer at Baker Street and has moved on. Yes, he strides into that restaurant pretty cocky but it really doesn't take long at all for John's shock and slow burn to get through to him. So he himself might not have been all that sure of his footing with John.

[sherlockandjohn]

... And was using John for the "Lazarus" plan really mostly Mycroft's idea? ...

 

So that's what you believe John is asking about, then, when he says, "I don't care how you faked it. I wanna know why"? I've wondered about that. Does he mean "why did you make me watch" or "why didn't you tell me right away that it was fake" - or maybe both?

 

 

Funnily, when I watch TEH nowadays, I feel like Sherlock is the character most affected by the fall. 

 

Yes, it is a bit as if he did die, somehow. The Fall was truly "the end of an era", not John and Mary's marriage.

 

There we'll have to agree to disagree. To me, the wedding is the turning point. John declared his change of priorities at this point.

 

I think "the end of an era" came twice, so to speak: First with Sherlock's fall, then with John's marriage. Upon Sherlock's return, it is clear that things aren't the same, and they never will be entirely. The fall had repercussions, obviously. Yet it's also evident that Sherlock and John return to some form of "normality" (for them), and that, while there are still issues to deal with, the friendship goes on much as before. If not for Mary's place in John's life. John does change his priorities, to some degree. Yet even this is not detrimental to his friendship with Sherlock.

 

So, yes, both events turn their lives around somewhat, and bring change for better and for worse, but neither destroys the bond.

[Arcadia]

 

Sherlock didn't care. He knew were he was going and doing it in broad daylight.

And presumably, so did the police, since Sherlock actually had the sense to call them and tell them where he was going. They may have been flooded with calls from alarmed passersby! "Yes, ma'am, a tall beautiful man in a fantastic coat, you say? Breaking and entering? Yes ma'am, we know all about him, please keep calm and carry on."

[Arcadia]

I suspect Caya is right. Not wanting to get involved or make a fuss would be a very strong incentive to turn a blind eye and keep walking, however intrigued we might be......But Sherlock, of course, wouldn't care. John, on the other hand, seems torn between his law-abiding instincts and the urge for adventure. Seems the latter wins out every time, when they're together.

The urge for adventure, and loyalty to Sherlock. I love John for that.

[Arcadia]

 

 

One thing still bothers me, and has bothered me all along. Sherlock apparently heard John's words at his grave, which makes it hard for me to fully understand how Sherlock could not know how badly John was hurt. When Sherlock says, "I heard you," he says it in a tone of voice that moves me, but I can't really reconcile that with the meaning of the words.

 

  Which has prompted metas on the subject and more then one poster to wonder if Sherlock wasn't putting on more then a bit of bravado when he acts surprised when Mycroft says that John is no longer at Baker Street and has moved on. Yes, he strides into that restaurant pretty cocky but it really doesn't take long at all for John's shock and slow burn to get through to him. So he himself might not have been all that sure of his footing with John.

 

I've puzzled over the same thing. I can only guess that he knew John was hurt, but didn't think about how that would cause John to react. After all, if the situation had been reversed, I'm sure Sherlock would have acted very logically and calmly welcomed his friend back. (NOT! But I bet Sherlock likes to think that's how he'd react!)

 

I like the bravado theory too. Notice how Sherlock loses his nerve the moment he claps eyes on John in the restaurant, and opts for the silly waiter trick. So he's not as sure of himself as he's pretending to be. Oh, Sherlock, you loon.....

[Arcadia]

 

... And was using John for the "Lazarus" plan really mostly Mycroft's idea? ...

 

So that's what you believe John is asking about, then, when he says, "I don't care how you faked it. I wanna know why"? I've wondered about that. Does he mean "why did you make me watch" or "why didn't you tell me right away that it was fake" - or maybe both?

Yeah, now that you bring it up, I'm curious about that too.

 

I've also wondered; Sherlock arranged for John to be absent during his confrontation with Jim. Did John return too soon and complicate matters? Or was John's presence on the street essential to his plan? Grrrrr, like we'll ever know...

[T.o.b.y]

 

One thing still bothers me, and has bothered me all along. Sherlock apparently heard John's words at his grave, which makes it hard for me to fully understand how Sherlock could not know how badly John was hurt. When Sherlock says, "I heard you," he says it in a tone of voice that moves me, but I can't really reconcile that with the meaning of the words.

 

I love that little scene, because I had wondered all along whether Sherlock actually heard that speech or whether he was standing too far away. So there's at least one of the minor little mysteries cleared up.

 

I firmly believe that Sherlock, on some level, must have known perfectly well how "not good" the whole performance was and that it would not be a piece of cake to confront John again. I mean, Sherlock isn't stupid. But he's probably very, very extremely good at rationalizing things around in his funny old brain until they make sense the way they're supposed to. So I suppose Sherlock reasoned that first of all, what he did was necessary. Secondly, it was clever and it worked beautifully, so he deserved to be proud of it, and if John knew, he should be full of admiration, if anything. Besides, John asked him not to be dead. Fine, he wouldn't be dead any more some day and then John would naturally be happy again and everything would be fine, they'd have a good laugh and then move on to the next case. Right? Because it was so funny how he fooled him and such a good joke, right? Better than if he had really died, in any case, right? And anyway, Sherlock is a sociopath and sentiment is useless and now off to work.

 

Something like that.

 

I guess "I heard you" could mean any or all of the following:

 

- "I am perfectly aware of what you said when you thought I was dead, so you really don't have to embarrass yourself any more by repeating it, I understand you, I know all this honest stuff is not your area, it's fine, I understand anyway. I just wanted you to remember yourself so you'd forgive me and you have, apparently, so lets just move on."

 

- "I heard you say you wanted me not to be dead and I did as you asked, so I did something right for a change, didn't I?"

 

- "Thank you for liking me"

 

Something like that. Or maybe something completely different that went straight over my tiny little brain.

 

 

[sherlockandjohn]

 

 

One thing still bothers me, and has bothered me all along. Sherlock apparently heard John's words at his grave, which makes it hard for me to fully understand how Sherlock could not know how badly John was hurt. When Sherlock says, "I heard you," he says it in a tone of voice that moves me, but I can't really reconcile that with the meaning of the words.

 

I love that little scene, because I had wondered all along whether Sherlock actually heard that speech or whether he was standing too far away. So there's at least one of the minor little mysteries cleared up.

 

I firmly believe that Sherlock, on some level, must have known perfectly well how "not good" the whole performance was and that it would not be a piece of cake to confront John again. I mean, Sherlock isn't stupid. But he's probably very, very extremely good at rationalizing things around in his funny old brain until they make sense the way they're supposed to. So I suppose Sherlock reasoned that first of all, what he did was necessary. Secondly, it was clever and it worked beautifully, so he deserved to be proud of it, and if John knew, he should be full of admiration, if anything. Besides, John asked him not to be dead. Fine, he wouldn't be dead any more some day and then John would naturally be happy again and everything would be fine, they'd have a good laugh and then move on to the next case. Right? Because it was so funny how he fooled him and such a good joke, right? Better than if he had really died, in any case, right? And anyway, Sherlock is a sociopath and sentiment is useless and now off to work.

 

Something like that.

 

I think you're right that he has been "reasoning" the situation in his mind until, over time, and far away from John, he is so out of touch with reality that he gets a rude awakening upon his return.

 

 

 

I guess "I heard you" could mean any or all of the following:

 

- "I am perfectly aware of what you said when you thought I was dead, so you really don't have to embarrass yourself any more by repeating it, I understand you, I know all this honest stuff is not your area, it's fine, I understand anyway. I just wanted you to remember yourself so you'd forgive me and you have, apparently, so lets just move on."

 

- "I heard you say you wanted me not to be dead and I did as you asked, so I did something right for a change, didn't I?"

 

- "Thank you for liking me"

 

So that's why I get all emotional when Sherlock says "I heard you" I feel myself tearing up again.

[sherlockandjohn]

 

 

 

One thing still bothers me, and has bothered me all along. Sherlock apparently heard John's words at his grave, which makes it hard for me to fully understand how Sherlock could not know how badly John was hurt. When Sherlock says, "I heard you," he says it in a tone of voice that moves me, but I can't really reconcile that with the meaning of the words.

 

  Which has prompted metas on the subject and more then one poster to wonder if Sherlock wasn't putting on more then a bit of bravado when he acts surprised when Mycroft says that John is no longer at Baker Street and has moved on. Yes, he strides into that restaurant pretty cocky but it really doesn't take long at all for John's shock and slow burn to get through to him. So he himself might not have been all that sure of his footing with John.

 

I've puzzled over the same thing. I can only guess that he knew John was hurt, but didn't think about how that would cause John to react. After all, if the situation had been reversed, I'm sure Sherlock would have acted very logically and calmly welcomed his friend back. (NOT! But I bet Sherlock likes to think that's how he'd react!)

 

I like the bravado theory too. Notice how Sherlock loses his nerve the moment he claps eyes on John in the restaurant, and opts for the silly waiter trick. So he's not as sure of himself as he's pretending to be. Oh, Sherlock, you loon.....

 

 

Oh, yes. Love it. Love the reunion scene (the whole of it) to pieces. So much subtle - and not so subtle - emotion.

 

 

[sfmpco]

I find it so interesting that after Sherlock first puts on his coat again and the next scene he is high up somewhere surveying London - just instantly reminds me of Batman surveying Gotham City.

[sfmpco]

Ah, THIS is why I now only watch with subtitles on - I catch things that even after several viewings  that I have missed - like in Sherlock and Molly's tender moment when he thanks her and then congratulates her on her engagement he says, "After all, not all the men you fall for can turn out to be sociopaths." Wow, that puts a different dynamic on it for me because it means he was very aware that she was in love with him all that time.  Love it.

[T.o.b.y]

Ah, THIS is why I now only watch with subtitles on - I catch things that even after several viewings  that I have missed - like in Sherlock and Molly's tender moment when he thanks her and then congratulates her on her engagement he says, "After all, not all the men you fall for can turn out to be sociopaths." Wow, that puts a different dynamic on it for me because it means he was very aware that she was in love with him all that time.  Love it.

 

Oh, I think Sherlock knew perfectly well that Molly was in love with him for a long time. At the very latest, he realized it in A Scandal in Belgravia when he made that deduction about her present.

 

[sfmpco]

 

Ah, THIS is why I now only watch with subtitles on - I catch things that even after several viewings  that I have missed - like in Sherlock and Molly's tender moment when he thanks her and then congratulates her on her engagement he says, "After all, not all the men you fall for can turn out to be sociopaths." Wow, that puts a different dynamic on it for me because it means he was very aware that she was in love with him all that time.  Love it.

 

Oh, I think Sherlock knew perfectly well that Molly was in love with him for a long time. At the very latest, he realized it in A Scandal in Belgravia when he made that deduction about her present.

 

 

 

Yes, he got the message loud and clear when she gave him the gift but his response of an apology was one of being being a jerk.  The kiss on the cheek was part apology and part thank you.  So if you take the fact that she has at least written "love" to him on that gift card and apply that knowledge that he has of that moment to every other situation the two of them are in, it colors things a little differently.  Why did Anderson's version of Sherlock's fall survival include that big smacker for Molly? Anderson wouldn't have known of anything Molly/Sherlock.  

 

Molly's engagement to Tom - a Sherlock  stand in - love the way she turn's her engagement ring around when Sherlock is making the deduction at Johns reception, love the way she stabs Tom's hand without looking at him while keeping her eyes focused on Sherlock.  Love the way she stands up to Sherlock after he fakes his urine test, and I love the way he takes it from her.  

[Arcadia]

 

 Anderson wouldn't have known of anything Molly/Sherlock.  

Oh, I don't know, people love to gossip, I can imagine word getting around that she has a crush on him. After all, she's pretty obvious about it (even Sherlock noticed!) And Anderson seems to have been stalking Sherlock....

[Redbeard]

 And was using John for the "Lazarus" plan really mostly Mycroft's idea? Or is that just an excuse of Sherlock's so he will appear less cruel? (If the latter, then it is a pretty bad one and it does not exactly make Sherlock look more admirable - "it was my brother's idea and I had neither the guts to stand up to him nor the intelligence to come up with a better alternative" is not exactly a statement that calls forth a lot of sympathy, is it?)

 

 

Excuse!  Kind of like the smoking on Christmas ("It was Mycroft!").  If Sherlock can pitch the blame over onto his big brother to get himself off the hook, he will.