Episode 3.1, "The Empty Hearse"

[Arcadia]

Despite what he says, he IS still a child!

[Bakerstreet Irregular]

He's on his home turf and Mycroft is still the smarter older brother. Sibling rivalry, I suppose. And Mummy "understands very little". Sherlock has a list, Mycroft has a file.

[Carol the Dabbler]

Kids always think their parents (well, adults in general) are really, really dumb.  But they usually change their minds when they grow up themselves.  Which may explain why Sherlock and Mycroft still think Mummy is a dummy.

 

[sfmpco]

Was thinking last night (dangerous!) about how Molly and Jim dated 3 X, but for whatever reason that Moriarty was trying to get info on Sherlock through her, he missed her crush, which you would think he would not miss.  Yet somehow he discounted her as mattering to Sherlock, perhaps because he witnessed Sherlock's disinterest in the lab.  

[Bakerstreet Irregular]

 

Yet somehow he discounted her as mattering to Sherlock, perhaps because he witnessed Sherlock's disinterest in the lab. 

 

  Which worked well in both her and Sherlock's favor. Molly never became endangered by Moriarty and Molly was free to help Sherlock when it was most needed.

[Carol the Dabbler]

... he missed her crush, which you would think he would not miss.

 

Maybe he did notice her crush (perhaps even from her blog, before he actually met her) but since, as you mention, Sherlock's interest in her appeared to be in the negative figures, he assumed that her crush didn't matter.

 

[Arcadia]

Maybe her crush is why he courted her in the first place, hoping to use her to get closer to Sherlock. Which he sort of did. Close enough to leave his phone number, anyway.

[Bakerstreet Irregular]

That makes a lot of sense.....but since it seemed to be one sided.....that Sherlock didn't return her affections in anyway....she would be useless as a point of leverage, unlike John.

 

  Sherlock can come off as a callow twit but sometimes that's not a bad thing. Not at all.

[sfmpco]

Interesting that in TEH that when Sherlock asks Molly to solve crimes and she is hoping he'll ask her to dinner.  She's engaged and she's still hoping, and I'm sure she would have secretly taken her ring off if they had gone to dinner.  The scenes between them are so fun and all at once also delightfully awkward.  Lots of smiles and side glances.  And then, it's the end of the day and he invites her for fish & chips.  So, he has at least invited her out.  But instead of jumping on that, she asked him what the day was all about, and the conversation took a different route.  Molly, Molly, Molly.  Seize the moment and talk about the other stuff over dinner!  Sweetest, tenderest scene between them, and he's so genuine, not being manipulative at all.  One of his most "normal" and calm behavior scenes.

 

 

[T.o.b.y]

Interesting that in TEH that when Sherlock asks Molly to solve crimes and she is hoping he'll ask her to dinner.  She's engaged and she's still hoping, and I'm sure she would have secretly taken her ring off if they had gone to dinner.  The scenes between them are so fun and all at once also delightfully awkward.  Lots of smiles and side glances.  And then, it's the end of the day and he invites her for fish & chips.  So, he has at least invited her out.  But instead of jumping on that, she asked him what the day was all about, and the conversation took a different route.  Molly, Molly, Molly.  Seize the moment and talk about the other stuff over dinner!  Sweetest, tenderest scene between them, and he's so genuine, not being manipulative at all.  One of his most "normal" and calm behavior scenes.

 

Oh my, yes, that scene with Sherlock and Molly on the stairs is one of my favorites in the whole series. I was pretty disappointed with The Empty Hearse when I first saw it and quietly grumbling into my blankets until that point, and then I saw that scene and went wow, hey, they've still got it! That was great!

 

Molly does bring out the best in Sherlock, doesn't she? She has a very quiet power, based on the sheer goodness of her own character beneath that awkward exterior, and while this is a very old-fashioned concept of female might, I like it and I am more impressed with Molly than with many a gun-wielding "action woman".

 

I don't think she was too shy to finally accept Sherlock's invitation or too loyal towards Tom or anything. I think the reason she pulled out was that she realized no matter what Sherlock might say to her about being herself, she was being used as a substitute for John and Molly is too wise and not quite desperate enough to settle for that.

 

[sfmpco]

 

Interesting that in TEH that when Sherlock asks Molly to solve crimes and she is hoping he'll ask her to dinner.  She's engaged and she's still hoping, and I'm sure she would have secretly taken her ring off if they had gone to dinner.  The scenes between them are so fun and all at once also delightfully awkward.  Lots of smiles and side glances.  And then, it's the end of the day and he invites her for fish & chips.  So, he has at least invited her out.  But instead of jumping on that, she asked him what the day was all about, and the conversation took a different route.  Molly, Molly, Molly.  Seize the moment and talk about the other stuff over dinner!  Sweetest, tenderest scene between them, and he's so genuine, not being manipulative at all.  One of his most "normal" and calm behavior scenes.

 

Oh my, yes, that scene with Sherlock and Molly on the stairs is one of my favorites in the whole series. I was pretty disappointed with The Empty Hearse when I first saw it and quietly grumbling into my blankets until that point, and then I saw that scene and went wow, hey, they've still got it! That was great!

 

Molly does bring out the best in Sherlock, doesn't she? She has a very quiet power, based on the sheer goodness of her own character beneath that awkward exterior, and while this is a very old-fashioned concept of female might, I like it and I am more impressed with Molly than with many a gun-wielding "action woman".

 

I don't think she was too shy to finally accept Sherlock's invitation or too loyal towards Tom or anything. I think the reason she pulled out was that she realized no matter what Sherlock might say to her about being herself, she was being used as a substitute for John and Molly is too wise and not quite desperate enough to settle for that.

 

 

 

 

When Sherlock asks her if she would like to solve crimes, she is wearing gloves.  He doesn't see the ring.  He apparently doesn't notice it all the times she is taking notes on those squirrely cases that flip by, and she covers it up with her other hand in the first part of the scene when they visit they guy who wipes the security footage of the trains.  

 

Well, if you look at the last clip of Molly in TSoT, she is not wearing the engagement ring anymore.  Looked to me like she was trying to take it off during the deduction.  I think that's where her engagement ended.  Of course, in HLV she really lays into him about doing drugs and no one, not even he, stops her.  After he gets shot and goes to his mind palace for help, Molly is the one to tell him to fall on his back to survive.  It's the kind of thing she would know, and he listens to her and falls on his back.  So in a sense she saves him again.

 

BTW, I love how Sherlock grins when he says he didn't solve a murder, just helped the guy put up some shelves.  Not really the kind of activity you'd ever think of him doing, and he seems tickled at the idea.

[sfmpco]

Maybe her crush is why he courted her in the first place, hoping to use her to get closer to Sherlock. Which he sort of did. Close enough to leave his phone number, anyway.

 

A phone number which Sherlock may have discounted at this point because he thought "gay" Jim Brooks was making an advance on him.  

[T.o.b.y]

Jumping to a different topic one again, sorry... But this just crossed my mind:

 

I would like to believe the explanation Sherlock gave Anderson, just to have a definite answer, no matter how... disappointing, but there is just too much that nags me about it. I do think it's meant to be what "really" happened, but I wish they'd have thought it through a little more. Not only does the body double seem superfluous, but also, how come Mycroft and Sherlock apparently had a plan ("Lazarus") ready that only works if Moriarty is dead, yet Sherlock claims Moriarty shooting himself was the one thing he did not foresee?

[sfmpco]

Jumping to a different topic one again, sorry... But this just crossed my mind:

 

I would like to believe the explanation Sherlock gave Anderson, just to have a definite answer, no matter how... disappointing, but there is just too much that nags me about it. I do think it's meant to be what "really" happened, but I wish they'd have thought it through a little more. Not only does the body double seem superfluous, but also, how come Mycroft and Sherlock apparently had a plan ("Lazarus") ready that only works if Moriarty is dead, yet Sherlock claims Moriarty shooting himself was the one thing he did not foresee?

 

I think Sherlock is genuinely mortified that Moriarty has just blown his brains out, and I don't think that was a part of any plan.

 

I think there was some truth in what Sherlock told Anderson.  The air bag, the fake body.  Notice that Sherlock does not jump off the same ledge (a wider ledge) that he first steps up onto when Moriarty is still alive.  He steps up onto a narrower ledge.  Different part of the building.  

 

John is the only one of all those players that isn't in on the scheme.  What if John hadn't come back to that area?  In fact, perhaps John's return and Sherlock seeing him and knowing how he has to deceive him, is what's important.  When you look back at how indifferent Sherlock was about hearing Mrs. Hudson had been shot and might be dying, that ruse may have in fact been to get John out of the way for the entire thing.  That John comes back puts a little monkey wrench in the efficiency of Sherlock's fake suicide.

[T.o.b.y]

 

John is the only one of all those players that isn't in on the scheme.  What if John hadn't come back to that area?  In fact, perhaps John's return and Sherlock seeing him and knowing how he has to deceive him, is what's important.  When you look back at how indifferent Sherlock was about hearing Mrs. Hudson had been shot and might be dying, that ruse may have in fact been to get John out of the way for the entire thing.  That John comes back puts a little monkey wrench in the efficiency of Sherlock's fake suicide.

 

Oh, I am sure the news about Mrs Hudson was set up by Sherlock (or Mycroft) to get John out of the way long enough for Sherlock to meet up with Moriarty. I mean, how else would he have gotten away with doing that? "John, stay here and make yourself a cup of tea, I have a date with a homicidal maniac who hates my guts on Bart's rooftop"? Um... not a good plan.

 

But John's presence at the time of The Fall seems necessary. Because if the whole street was closed off, there were no (credible) witnesses for the whole thing, were there? They needed somebody to give a convincing report of Sherlock's death. No, no, I am quite sure that his being there was essential, that the phone call was premeditated long in advance and that the cyclist was not improvised, either. God knows what they had planned to do with Moriarty. Kill him themselves, maybe?

 

This brings me round to the sniper who was aiming at John and whom Mycroft's people allegedly "invited to reconsider". Of course nobody could be the least bit sure that Moriarty would stick to his side of the deal, i.e. refrain from shooting Sherlock's friends if he jumped. He could have had them killed anyway, out of mere spite - John especially. So maybe Mycroft made sure that the one potential victim really needed for their plan to work (John) at least would stay alive no matter what and the other two can thank their lucky stars the snipers didn't pull the trigger...

 

 

[sfmpco]

 

 

John is the only one of all those players that isn't in on the scheme.  What if John hadn't come back to that area?  In fact, perhaps John's return and Sherlock seeing him and knowing how he has to deceive him, is what's important.  When you look back at how indifferent Sherlock was about hearing Mrs. Hudson had been shot and might be dying, that ruse may have in fact been to get John out of the way for the entire thing.  That John comes back puts a little monkey wrench in the efficiency of Sherlock's fake suicide.

 

Oh, I am sure the news about Mrs Hudson was set up by Sherlock (or Mycroft) to get John out of the way long enough for Sherlock to meet up with Moriarty. I mean, how else would he have gotten away with doing that? "John, stay here and make yourself a cup of tea, I have a date with a homicidal maniac who hates my guts on Bart's rooftop"? Um... not a good plan.

 

But John's presence at the time of The Fall seems necessary. Because if the whole street was closed off, there were no (credible) witnesses for the whole thing, were there? They needed somebody to give a convincing report of Sherlock's death. No, no, I am quite sure that his being there was essential, that the phone call was premeditated long in advance and that the cyclist was not improvised, either. God knows what they had planned to do with Moriarty. Kill him themselves, maybe?

 

This brings me round to the sniper who was aiming at John and whom Mycroft's people allegedly "invited to reconsider". Of course nobody could be the least bit sure that Moriarty would stick to his side of the deal, i.e. refrain from shooting Sherlock's friends if he jumped. He could have had them killed anyway, out of mere spite - John especially. So maybe Mycroft made sure that the one potential victim really needed for their plan to work (John) at least would stay alive no matter what and the other two can thank their lucky stars the snipers didn't pull the trigger...

 

 

 

Moffat said repeatedly after the episode initially aired that there was a clue everyone missed.  Since it has likely been discussed in minutia since then, I'm wondering what he was referring to.

[Carol the Dabbler]

Who knows?  As I recall, he said that very shortly after "Reichenbach" aired (and then people quoted him ad infinitum), so whatever it was may not have been missed for very long.  I'm thinking maybe the rubber ball that Sherlock was playing with in the lab.

 

If he's explained (now that "Empty Hearse" has aired), I haven't heard about it.  Hopefully someone will ask him at a Q&A one of these days.

 

[Arcadia]

 

Maybe her crush is why he courted her in the first place, hoping to use her to get closer to Sherlock. Which he sort of did. Close enough to leave his phone number, anyway.

 

A phone number which Sherlock may have discounted at this point because he thought "gay" Jim Brooks was making an advance on him.

 

Which he was, just not quite in that way...

[sfmpco]

Who knows?  As I recall, he said that very shortly after "Reichenbach" aired (and then people quoted him ad infinitum), so whatever it was may not have been missed for very long.  I'm thinking maybe the rubber ball that Sherlock was playing with in the lab.

 

If he's explained (now that "Empty Hearse" has aired), I haven't heard about it.  Hopefully someone will ask him at a Q&A one of these days.

 

True...why would he have that rubber ball, but I don't know.  Somewhere out there it has been guessed and discussed.

 

I'm sort of glad I missed all that furor of speculation and came into this discovery of Sherlock 4 years after it all started because I get to discover it for myself.  And I see what all the craziness is about... I've had a bad case of Sherlock-itis for the last month!

[Carol the Dabbler]

Having Sherlockitis in such a concentrated form (three series at once!) must be -- interesting?

 

If you mean that you missed the explanation of the rubber ball, that was actually in "Empty Hearse" (though I think most fans figured it out during the two-year hiatus) -- Sherlock squeezed it into his armpit to temporarily stop the pulse in the only wrist that John was allowed to touch.  Anyhow, I suspect that may have been the "missed" clue that Moffat was talking about.

 

[sfmpco]

Having Sherlockitis in such a concentrated form (three series at once!) must be -- interesting?

 

If you mean that you missed the explanation of the rubber ball, that was actually in "Empty Hearse" (though I think most fans figured it out during the two-year hiatus) -- Sherlock squeezed it into his armpit to temporarily stop the pulse in the only wrist that John was allowed to touch.  Anyhow, I suspect that may have been the "missed" clue that Moffat was talking about.

 

Oh, I didn't miss that.   There is a 1-hr interview on Youtube where Louise Brealy inteviews Cumberbatch, and the quality is terrible as is the sound, and the ball does come up in conversation, but I couldn't understand it.   Someone in the audience asked him if there was hope for Molly and he said there was always hope for Molly.  

 

What is Sherlockitis like in such a concentrated form?  Intoxicating.  Think I'll go have some more.

[Bakerstreet Irregular]

I promised myself that when "The Empty Hearse" was finally televised that I would watch "TRF" and "TEH" back to back. I finally did that tonight. I heard something interesting voiced by Moriarty when he was talking to Sherlock about the "Final Problem".....he called John Watson.....Sherlock's pressure point.  My, my.....who has Moriarty been talking to?

[sfmpco]

I promised myself that when "The Empty Hearse" was finally televised that I would watch "TRF" and "TEH" back to back. I finally did that tonight. I heard something interesting voiced by Moriarty when he was talking to Sherlock about the "Final Problem".....he called John Watson.....Sherlock's pressure point.  My, my.....who has Moriarty been talking to?

 

Exactly.

[sfmpco]

Is there a place somewhere where all the episodes have been broken down in bullet points for important themes, points, snarky dialogue?  Or should I just make my own?

[Arcadia]

Is there a place somewhere where all the episodes have been broken down in bullet points for important themes, points, snarky dialogue?  Or should I just make my own?

If you find one, or make one, let me know, I need as much help as I can get!