Episode 3.1, "The Empty Hearse"

[sfmpco]

This bit from Ariane DeVere from ASIB:

 

SHERLOCK: Thank you. On hearing a smoke alarm, a mother would look towards her child. Amazing how fire exposes our priorities.

(He walks over to the fireplace and begins running his fingers underneath the mantelpiece. Finding a switch under there, he presses it and the mirror slides upwards, revealing a small wall safe behind it. Sherlock turns and looks at Irene as she stands up.)

SHERLOCK: Really hope you don’t have a baby in here.

 

Yet... fire exposed Sherlock's priorities as John was hidden in the "safe" of the bonfire, and Sherlock opened that "safe" to get him out.

 

[T.o.b.y]

 

This bit from Ariane DeVere from ASIB:

 

SHERLOCK: Thank you. On hearing a smoke alarm, a mother would look towards her child. Amazing how fire exposes our priorities.

(He walks over to the fireplace and begins running his fingers underneath the mantelpiece. Finding a switch under there, he presses it and the mirror slides upwards, revealing a small wall safe behind it. Sherlock turns and looks at Irene as she stands up.)

SHERLOCK: Really hope you don’t have a baby in here.

 

Yet... fire exposed Sherlock's priorities...

 

Exactly. I love how the episodes tie together like this. Nothing is worse than a series where you get the feeling that the writers of one season never saw the previous ones.

 

There are so many examples. Just think of Shan's line about what it means when an assassin cannot shoot straight and Mary's shot in His Last Vow, for example.

 

Fire is used a lot in Sherlock, at least metaphorically: "I'll burn the heart out of you" / "fire exposes our priorities" / "prepared to burn"... This is an idea of the BBC team, I think, or it must be borrowed from earlier adaptations. There is no big fire that I can remember in the old stories. The only thing that comes to mind is Dr Watson remarking in "The Hound of the Baskervilles" that Holmes had "hidden fires" behind his cold exterior.

 

The bonfire scene in The Empty Hearse is one of my favorites, and again, it's one that I wouldn't have thought much of if I'd only seen it in a script. It's pretty corny, actually, especially with the motorcycle thing before, but what the heck. I just love Sherlock's "hero moments". Only if they show him rushing into a fire yelling "John!" at the top of his lungs, the creators really cannot complain if part of the audience goes into love-story mode... And yes, I know, if somebody is in a fire, it really does not matter who it is, and Sherlock probably would plunge in and rescue a complete stranger, too, but still. In fiction, this stuff usually means something.

 

 

[Carol the Dabbler]

Fire is used a lot in Sherlock, at least metaphorically: "I'll burn the heart out of you" / "fire exposes our priorities" / "prepared to burn"... This is an idea of the BBC team, I think, or it must be borrowed from earlier adaptations. There is no big fire that I can remember in the old stories. The only thing that comes to mind is Dr Watson remarking in "The Hound of the Baskervilles" that Holmes had "hidden fires" behind his cold exterior.

 

There is actually at least one big fire in canon, in "The Norwood Builder."  The Jeremy Brett adaptation of "The Sussex Vampire" also has a big fire, but I don't believe it's in the original story.

 

[jesskayding]

Oh y'all forgot about John in the bonfire... Things are hotting up here.

[Bendydoodle Cantaloupe]

 

Yeah. I like Lestrade. I hope he & Molly begin dating in season 4. Oh, something shocking would be as they go in for a kiss, something happens with some type of explosion. They die happy.

 

Eh hem.  No.  Sherlock and Molly.  I am a Sherlolly shipper for sure.  LOL.  Plus, I think the show is building it into their canon.  There's even a theme music for the two of them.  Something's going down between them in S4.  

 

But there is always that scene with Sherlock and Moriarty..................

[sfmpco]

 

 

But there is always that scene with Sherlock and Moriarty..................

 

 

I think I just vomited a little my mouth.

[Carol the Dabbler]

Oh y'all forgot about John in the bonfire... Things are hotting up here.

 

 

Nope, couldn't forget him -- we would never do that to John Watson!  It's just that we were talking about the original Conan Doyle stories, and earlier adaptations.

[Caya]

But there is always that scene with Sherlock and Moriarty..................

 

I think I just vomited a little my mouth.

 

You gotta admit that they played it adorably .

 

 

Sherlock's eyebrows, Moriarty blinking rapidly and casting his eyes down ... .

[Bendydoodle Cantaloupe]

There was a rumor that went around that said Benedict didn't know it had to be a 'so close yet so far' shot so he actually kissed Andrew. Except it was just a rumor.

[T.o.b.y]

There was a rumor that went around that said Benedict didn't know it had to be a 'so close yet so far' shot so he actually kissed Andrew. Except it was just a rumor.

 

I don't want to know how many rumors there are about kiss scenes in movies... All I know is that if I were so fortunate as to shoot a near-intimate scene with Andrew Scott, I'd certainly go "ooops - didn't know this wasn't supposed to be for real, so sorry... ooops again..."

 

I would not make a very good actress.

 

[Bendydoodle Cantaloupe]

I wouldn't either. Unless you cast me as a crazy Asian teenager, then yeah, I'd make a pretty crap actress. Although I did fool my dad into thinking his computer had crashed once.

[Carol the Dabbler]

Ah -- then best cast you as an evil crazy Asian teenager!

 

[sherlockandjohn]

The scene where Sherlock laughs his head off because he's managed to fool John into thinking they were really going to blow up in two minutes...

Is that your favorite TEH scene, Toby. It is a nice one.

 

It's funny - that scene really shocked me first time around, especially when Sherlock says, "You said such sweet things; I never knew you cared." If I think too much of what Sherlock put John through, it might still make me mad, but then again, it's Sherlock. Who knows what he might do or say? He is the King of bad timing, but in the end, he just wanted things right again between him and John. I can completely agree! It's a great scene when John realises he's been manipulated into saying those "sweet things" and he doesn't even get angry with Sherlock about that part - what made him angry (well, so and so) was having been given the scare of his life.

 

 

 

Yeah. I like Lestrade. I hope he & Molly begin dating in season 4. Oh, something shocking would be as they go in for a kiss, something happens with some type of explosion. They die happy.

 

Eh hem.  No.  Sherlock and Molly.  I am a Sherlolly shipper for sure.  LOL.  Plus, I think the show is building it into their canon.  There's even a theme music for the two of them.  Something's going down between them in S4.  

 

 

I hope Sherlock will not end up with anyone, romantically speaking. But I'm all for more Sherlock/Molly friendship. Love Molly. Wouldn't mind seeing her with Lestrade, as long as would they stay together.

 

 

 

This bit from Ariane DeVere from ASIB:

 

SHERLOCK: Thank you. On hearing a smoke alarm, a mother would look towards her child. Amazing how fire exposes our priorities.

(He walks over to the fireplace and begins running his fingers underneath the mantelpiece. Finding a switch under there, he presses it and the mirror slides upwards, revealing a small wall safe behind it. Sherlock turns and looks at Irene as she stands up.)

SHERLOCK: Really hope you don’t have a baby in here.

 

Yet... fire exposed Sherlock's priorities...

 

Exactly. I love how the episodes tie together like this. Nothing is worse than a series where you get the feeling that the writers of one season never saw the previous ones.

 

There are so many examples. Just think of Shan's line about what it means when an assassin cannot shoot straight and Mary's shot in His Last Vow, for example.

 

Great example, thanks for that. I, too, love the way this show keeps some threads running through several episodes. Not always sure it's consciously done, but it does happen!

[sfmpco]

I have to think it's all conscious.  I don't think there's any angle in any episode they haven't discussed and run back and forth.  I think the more they do, the more threads they can pull and tie things together...

[Carol the Dabbler]

I suspect some of it's sheer coincidence and/or us fans reading too much into things.  But yeah, most of it does seem to be intentional.

 

[Bakerstreet Irregular]

It has been mentioned by Dr. Who fans that Mofftiss is very good about keeping track of different motifs and threads that run through that show and how they can pull things together that even tidy up things that fans were so very sure where plot holes. If they can do that with a show that has been running for 50 years, it shouldn't be difficult to do it with a show that has only aired 9 episodes in four years. 

[Carol the Dabbler]

It has been mentioned by Dr. Who fans that Mofftiss is very good about keeping track of different motifs and threads that run through that show and how they can pull things together that even tidy up things that fans were so very sure where plot holes....

 

Maybe they were plot holes!      No law says you can't fix an old plot hole, once you get a good idea for it.

 

It'd be interesting to see them tackle "Blind Banker"!

 

[sherlockandjohn]

 

It has been mentioned by Dr. Who fans that Mofftiss is very good about keeping track of different motifs and threads that run through that show and how they can pull things together that even tidy up things that fans were so very sure where plot holes....

 

Maybe they were plot holes!      No law says you can't fix an old plot hole, once you get a good idea for it.

 

It'd be interesting to see them tackle "Blind Banker"!

 

 

And I'm still thinking, "What plot holes?"

 

His Last Vow and The Empty Hearse had plot holes. I suppose I'm much more tuned in on character drama, and it's easy to make me believe in the detective story parts - never mind the plot holes in that regard!

 

On a different note, this is my 1000th post. Am mentally doing a little dance (can't be bothered to actually get up off the couch - that would be too ridiculous, too   ).

[Arcadia]

On a different note, this is my 1000th post. Am mentally doing a little dance (can't be bothered to actually get up off the couch - that would be too ridiculous, too   ).

Happy 1000th Post Day!!!

[T.o.b.y]

Yes, happy 1000th post day! And if you do perform a dance on the sofa after all, justify it to anybody who might have seen with the health benefits of exercise.

 

Changing the subject rather abruptly: My mind seems to be on a dark trail these days. After thinking for a long while about Mary's possible death, I got to wondering why exactly that Serbian torture scene is such a red flag for me. And I think I've found an answer, which can be best explained by a comparison of these two screenshots:

 

 

 

Okay, so we've seen a character being, um, forcefully interrogated while Mycroft looks on before (look closely at the Moriarty picture and you'll see Mycroft's face). Now, leave aside the fact that one scene shows it happening to a bad guy and one to a good guy and just compare the imagery. It appears you can convey the idea of what is happening without stripping the victim half naked and arranging the light so that the audience gets the best possible view of his muscular shoulders. What they did with Sherlock is vaguely pornographic, if you ask me. It's the kind of fanservice I could very well do without. The sheet was one thing (you won't hear me complain about that), but this... I don't know. Was it really necessary? And Mycroft leaning back with his feet on the table is really the last straw. He showed a lot more respect for Moriarty. Even after the other man leaves and they are alone, Mycroft doesn't drop the act. Of course I would not expect a brotherly outburst of compassion, exactly, but his behavior still infuriates me to no end.

 

Now add to all this that we know from His Last Vow how when Mycroft looks at Sherlock, he sees him (sometimes, at least) as a little boy. UGH, right?

[sfmpco]

Well, I disagree about Mycroft seeing him as a little boy.  He never does.  The mind palace sequences are all Sherlock's view of himself.  Therefore, you can't change perspectives. That's what's called "the law of first mention." That's why the young Sherlock at the end is ALSO Sherlock's perspective - because that's how he feels about himself - the younger brother... but the younger self is crying and scared and looking to the older brother for help while the older Sherlock has sort of gone into shock over what he's done.

 

If I were able to make it to the HLV screening in Hertford on 5 Oct. with the Q&A with Freeman and Abbington afterwards, I would have specifically asked about that end moment.

[sfmpco]

This is a brilliant bit of fun.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=909TJ1pBH9U#t=128

[Bakerstreet Irregular]

Yes! Although I wish they would do another one.

[sherlockandjohn]

Okay, so we've seen a character being, um, forcefully interrogated while Mycroft looks on before (look closely at the Moriarty picture and you'll see Mycroft's face). Now, leave aside the fact that one scene shows it happening to a bad guy and one to a good guy and just compare the imagery. It appears you can convey the idea of what is happening without stripping the victim half naked and arranging the light so that the audience gets the best possible view of his muscular shoulders. What they did with Sherlock is vaguely pornographic, if you ask me. It's the kind of fanservice I could very well do without. The sheet was one thing (you won't hear me complain about that), but this... I don't know. Was it really necessary? And Mycroft leaning back with his feet on the table is really the last straw. He showed a lot more respect for Moriarty. Even after the other man leaves and they are alone, Mycroft doesn't drop the act. Of course I would not expect a brotherly outburst of compassion, exactly, but his behavior still infuriates me to no end.

 

Now add to all this that we know from His Last Vow how when Mycroft looks at Sherlock, he sees him (sometimes, at least) as a little boy. UGH, right?

 

Wow. Now that you put it that way... Ouch. It does seem needlessly callous for Mycroft to keep up appearances after the Serbian has left the room. Maybe he has to, for the sake of anyone that might be listening from the outside - but Mycroft actually yanks Sherlock's head up. This is a man who has just been tortured. It's pretty sick, isn't it? But I suppose it's the outcome of Sherlock's apparent invincibility and invulnerability. People aren't sensitive towards him most of the time. Not that he's sensitive towards them, mind you. I wonder how Sherlock would have treated Mycroft, if their roles had been switched.

 

Well, I disagree about Mycroft seeing him as a little boy.  He never does.  The mind palace sequences are all Sherlock's view of himself.  Therefore, you can't change perspectives. That's what's called "the law of first mention." That's why the young Sherlock at the end is ALSO Sherlock's perspective - because that's how he feels about himself - the younger brother... but the younger self is crying and scared and looking to the older brother for help while the older Sherlock has sort of gone into shock over what he's done.

 

Hm, yes, I tend to think that it's Sherlock's insecurities that are not only making him see himself as a child, but believing that Mycroft sees him that way. The sibling rivalry is at least partly about that, I believe; Sherlock feeling inferior to his brother in some way. It keeps resurfacing. Though, I can't tell if Mycroft does still see his little brother as a child.

 

This is a brilliant bit of fun.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=909TJ1pBH9U#t=128

 

I know! It's fun, and sweet, and outrageous. Just like The Empty Hearse

[sfmpco]

The way Sherlock is chained up as he is beaten to me looks a lot like a crucifiction without the benefit of a wooden cross for support.  Did you ever count the blows we hear him receive BEFORE doing his deduction on the torturer?  Seven.  The number isn't significant, just what it is.  There were probably plenty of blows we didnt' hear.  Then his torturer is about to smash him with a metal pipe... Mycroft would have allowed that?  Seriously?  Could have easily killed Sherlock with one blow to the head, and that's where it looked like he was going to aim.  I think even Sherlock knew he'd better act fast before being hit with that.