Episode 3.2, "The Sign of Three"

[Arcadia]

I'll have number one, please. With a side of number 2.

 

I agree about Magnussen; I still think that action was prompted by love and fueled by fury, not hard cold reason. The consequence of caring.

[Inge l-w]

When Van Buren posted above, something caught my eye: the wallpaper behind them shows a flight of magpies! Someone has a great sense of humour and a taste for subtle innuendo!

[Arcadia]

Someone has a sense of humor and a taste for innuendo, but it's not the person who chose the wallpaper! :D
 
In the interest of truth, justice, and the Sherlockian way, those are swallows ... magpies don't have forked tails. Swallows are sometimes associated with Aphrodite, the love goddess. Here's a clearer shot:


And may I just point out that Sherlock looks rather stunning in this shot ...

[Inge l-w]

Thanks for the clearer image, dear Arcadia, and they are definitely not swallows, too slim, too wide from wingtip to wingtip, definitely no separation of feathers, and two of them have no forked tails, as for the one on the extreme right, it could be the end of one wing that gives that impression, and the two-tone arrangement is all wrong for swallows. I have some real ones nesting beneath the eaves of the house right now, so I double checked.

But you're quite right about our favourite character, and check out the looks on Mary and Janine's faces!

[Arcadia]

Good point, so I took a third look ... it could be any number of different birds! Right now I'm leaning toward the fork-tailed flycatcher (in which case I wonder if they are chasing the butterflies which are also on the wallpaper) (and I can't even imagine what the symbolism of THAT might be! ) I'll let you viewers decide for yourselves....

[Boswell]

When Van Buren posted above, something caught my eye: the wallpaper behind them shows a flight of magpies! Someone has a great sense of humour and a taste for subtle innuendo!

Sorry, what is the humorous association with magpies here? It could be a cultural thing that i am ignorant of ..but dying to know

[Arcadia]

 

When Van Buren posted above, something caught my eye: the wallpaper behind them shows a flight of magpies! Someone has a great sense of humour and a taste for subtle innuendo!

Sorry, what is the humorous association with magpies here? It could be a cultural thing that i am ignorant of ..but dying to know

 

 

Mmmm, it's not quite that. It starts here, if you want to understand.

[J.P.]

And here is the theme taken to the extreme. Not to be taken too seriously. :D

[Arcadia]

Oh yeah, that too! Not the same thing, but yeah, I've seen that in other places too, JP, so maybe there's something to it?

[Carol the Dabbler]

Dr Watson says quite clearly :"YOUR inbox is bursting, the phone he's holding is NOT Sherlock's black iPhone 5, if I had to hazard a guess from its square camera, I would say either a Samsung or an LG model, but not the iPhone, which he uses to contact Mycroft during the reception.

 

So -- you're saying the phone could be John's, yet he explicitly refers to Sherlock's inbox?  As somebody suggested a while back, Sherlock might have given John his password -- but I have my doubts about that!  My best guess is that John is using the word "your" figuratively, meaning something like "the inbox for the blog that I write about your cases."

 

Mmmm, I think it means what we all thought it meant at the beginning, that he was disappointed to find out even Janine had moved on and left him behind ... simply because it fits with the narrative, and him suddenly realizing he's happier without all that human interaction doesn't fit with the narrative.

 

But -- that all depends on what one believes the actual narrative to be, hmmm?

 

[Van Buren Supernova]

When Van Buren posted above, something caught my eye: the wallpaper behind them shows a flight of magpies! Someone has a great sense of humour and a taste for subtle innuendo!

 

Mmmm, it's not quite that. It starts here, if you want to understand.

 

And here is the theme taken to the extreme. Not to be taken too seriously. :D

Hold.. hold..

 

Someone here has to defend the reputation of those birdies, misunderstood for 200 years..

magpies are not thieves

XD

[Inge l-w]

Well, tell that to Rossini, whose music of La Gazza Ladra (The Thieving Magpie) was played as Jim danced in the Crown Jewels sequence in TRF! That's where I got the idea from, the creators themselves. In particular, Mr Moffat was involved in the TinTin film, and La Gazza Laddra figures heavily in the album about Castafiore's Jewels.

[Van Buren Supernova]

Well, tell that to Rossini, whose music of La Gazza Ladra (The Thieving Magpie) was played as Jim danced in the Crown Jewels sequence in TRF! That's where I got the idea from, the creators themselves.

Beside tedious (imagine the time travelling, the people!) that would not be necessary.

You miss the point of my post.

[J.P.]

Bits and Pieces:

 

Spotted sniffing: 1x
Twiddling: none

The intro is a bit too elaborate. Every time I'm expecting that it will be some follow up to it. Plus Greg behaves like a real AH, hitting Donovan with the car's door. I mean - WHAT?  

On the other hand, as he's getting Sherlock's texts... I thought it must be lovely to have someone who would run to your rescue engaging all available forces. Gosh, so much care! I'm a bit jealous I think...

We have a subtitle saying 18 months ago, than 21, 6 and 3 months. Does it mean that it started while Sherlock was still abroad? He would solve the case in 5 minutes... I think I need a timeline. Funnily enough the newspapers' (shown in a new graphical way, btw) headlines suggest winter, but the trees are green (okay, in this universe it doesn't have to mean anything ;))

At the morning Sherlock is trying very hard to diminish the meaning of the big day: Again, his facial expressions are precious.

Funny and annoyed with Mrs Hudson... and not so funny anymore, when he stays alone with his thoughts.

When he says into battle - it is a rare moment when I actually hear Ben's voice.

As Sherlock is dressing, Sholto is shown as simultanously putting on his uniform in the hotel room. How comes that John didn't know he's there, and what took him so long to appear at the party?

The wedding is set in May, but it is a blooming magnolia in the sight, so it's shot in March/April.

They should have made the crew members into guests at that wedding. :D

Archie is not credited, but he would make a great little Sherlock too.  Well he is a kind of little Sherlock anyway, with his inquisitive behavior, weird interest and his mother saying he had "come out of his shell"

Just look at them!

 

Sex might not alarm Sherlock, but the word "sex" apparently does. His face as Janine mentions it. :D

Sherlock is sooooo jealous of Sholto. :D After the dialogue with Mary about it, he immediately calls Mycroft. Wanting a backup from someone who definitely belongs to him? Feeling suddenly alone? And then there is the scene on the bench, when he's asking questions until John starts to wonder. Even later, he still looks him up online, but probably it is also the reason, why he was able to make the final deduction about Sholto being the victim.

The episode is full of love expressions - finally and maybe a bit too late. Sherlock introducing John as "My Friend John Watson".
John telling Sherlock: "I want to be up there with two people that I love and care about most in the world." Well, John - FINALLY!
"John, you are sitting (...) between two people who love you most in all this world."
And also Sherlock self reflecting his being "special" - it is so surprisingly mature. (and I doubt it comes from Lestrade who he asked for help) I wrote about Sherlock being so grown-up enough times before, don't want to repeat myself.

Eye-Tee: I noticed a big mistake I made making one of the T-shirts. Had to put the design down and I'm currently working on a correct one. It's not surprisingly good but surprisingly okay.   That eye btw, looks similar to Sherlock's)

The rapport between Sherlock and Mary is still great. It's such fun to watch them sorting her friends out.

In the shows and movies full of things made the wrong way, I often feel cheerful when something is done right. A very little snippet: Sherlock walks upstairs in the barracks building and sees soldiers passing by. He just turns around and hides his face. Face is his brightest area and people are genetically programmed for spotting faces and eyes, also on from the corner of their eyes. Too much movement (like running back) would call attention too.

In the barracks' bathroom: Sherlock looks at John clearly impressed by his calmness and professional behavior.

Molly for the first time clearly stands up to Sherlock about drinking. Good one, Molly.
But what the heck is that crazy collage about?!? (I hear heavy subtext approaching)

 

The stag night: funny, funny, funny. Lot of Special Defects used for the blurred looks. Wonder what they have done to the lenses this time.

The cylinders Sherlock uses for beer. He should have cleaned them after the latest experiment. Bleh...

The guessing game: "I'm you, aren't I?" Fantastic deduction, Sherlock :D

The feelings: this pic I found online sums it up the best.

 

The Mind Courtroom scene: Sherlock says about Irene: "God knows where she is." So they don't meet that often, Mr. Moffat.

There is an continuity issue in the scene when Sherlock switches between 221B and the Mind Courtroom. Watch John's clothes. A Johnlocker wrote a whole text about it, but it is worth to have a closer look also without subtext.

I'm still impressed with the leap Sherlock takes over the table. It looks so... effortless. Wonder what kind of special gadget was provided by Danny H. Or Ben can fly.

 

And then he gives Mary a kiss!
 

 

Now comes the WTF part.

And it's Sherlock's behavior towards Janine.

He is a bit perplexed at the beginning but then: He teach her how to dance, humming the melody. Have you ever seen him doing something like this?
 

SHERLOCK (quietly, leaning towards her again): I’ll let you in on something, Janine.
JANINE (in a whisper): Go on, then.
SHERLOCK: I love dancing. I’ve always loved it.
JANINE: Seriously?
SHERLOCK (quietly): Watch out.
(Looking around to make sure that nobody else can see him, he swings both of his arms to the left, takes a sharp breath, rises onto his left foot and does a full-circle pirouette.)

 

Janine, standing beside Sherlock, leans closer and speaks quietly without looking at him.)
JANINE: Do you always carry handcuffs?
SHERLOCK: Down, girl.

I mean - WHAT?!?

He throws flowers at Janine. Which is probably not even a tradition.

He is DEFINITELY flirting with her. This is not a grown up Sherlock, no Sherlock changed by 2 years undercover. It must be Sherlock that's up to something, because even if he was attracted to her, acting this out is totally out of character.

The only explanation... nah, two explanations: 1 he had something in his morning tea. 2 he is already on CAM's heels.

And then - Mycroft mentions Redbeard, And CAM mentions him too. How can CAM know, when not from Mycroft? Moriarty via Mycroft? The parents? (now that's a chilling thought)

[J.P.]

That smile again!

 

 

 

Is he looking at me?

 

 

 

Sherlock's typical reaction to a hug.

 

 

 

No comment

 

 

[J.P.]

A jawdrop

 

 

 

The cavalry has arrived.

 

 

 

Into battle.

 

 

 

The Kiss.

 

 

[Carol the Dabbler]

The intro is a bit too elaborate. Every time I'm expecting that it will be some follow up to it. Plus Greg behaves like a real AH, hitting Donovan with the car's door. I mean - WHAT?

I agree -- for what's basically just a throw-away scene to set up Greg's "rescue" of Sherlock, it's far too long. I would at least like to know if they made the charges stick that last time, and it wouldn't even need to slow down the episode -- just stick a newspaper headline in the background and we'll notice it!

 

But I don't see Greg as engaging in any real AHery. He's frustrated and therefore angry, so he opens the car door with more force than necessary. And his anger has made him a bit oblivious to his surroundings -- I don't think he realizes that he's hit Sally, even after the fact.

 

We have a subtitle saying 18 months ago, than 21, 6 and 3 months. Does it mean that it started while Sherlock was still abroad? He would solve the case in 5 minutes.

Yes, must have started while Sherlock was "dead," since there's less than a year between "Empty Hearse" and "Sign." He's been back for the most recent incident or two, but maybe Greg doesn't think it's Sherlock's kinda case. And he may well be correct.

 

As Sherlock is dressing, Sholto is shown as simultanously putting on his uniform in the hotel room. How comes that John didn't know he's there, and what took him so long to appear at the party?

How could John know that he's in town unless Sholto told him, which he apparently did not. And he's a bit of a recluse, so maybe he purposely arrived just before the meal and formal program, so he wouldn't be expected to mingle.  (God knows I've done that a few times.)

 

The wedding is set in May, but it is a blooming magnolia in the sight, so it's shot in March/April.

I never noticed the magnolia -- where is it, at the church? Bloom time depends on the specific type of magnolia tree, plus everything seems to bloom later in the UK, presumably due to the slow season changes of their northern maritime climate (versus the continental climate in places like most of the US and Germany). And last but not least, the episode was filmed in May.  ;)

 

Archie is not credited....

He is credited, but as "Page Boy" (more or less the English equivalent of "ring bearer") rather than by name.  This may have been intentional, to foreshadow the young actor's appearance in the Special -- as Mrs. Hudson's household page boy!

 

There is an continuity issue in the scene when Sherlock switches between 221B and the Mind Courtroom. Watch John's clothes. A Johnlocker wrote a whole text about it, but it is worth to have a closer look also without subtext.

I've never been able to focus on the clothing in that scene, but someone posted (in a blog, I think) that John was wearing one set of clothing in the physical world and a different set in Sherlock's mind palace. Does that jibe with what you saw?

[J.P.]

 

I've never been able to focus on the clothing in that scene, but someone posted (in a blog, I think) that John was wearing one set of clothing in the physical world and a different set in Sherlock's mind palace. Does that jibe with what you saw?

 

Yes. But the reality seems to be different then we assume first.

 

The boy is credited at IMDB, but not in the episode's credits.

[Arcadia]

 

Mmmm, I think it means what we all thought it meant at the beginning, that he was disappointed to find out even Janine had moved on and left him behind ... simply because it fits with the narrative, and him suddenly realizing he's happier without all that human interaction doesn't fit with the narrative.

 

But -- that all depends on what one believes the actual narrative to be, hmmm?

 

Good golly, woman, I wrote that four days ago, you expect me to stay consistent THAT long!?!?!  As I read it now ... yes, of course. At the time I wrote that, I think I thought I had a better point than I apparently did .... 

 

Hold.. hold..

Someone here has to defend the reputation of those birdies, misunderstood for 200 years..

magpies are not thieves

XD

 

Bits and Pieces:

 

Spotted sniffing: 1x

Twiddling: none

The intro is a bit too elaborate. Every time I'm expecting that it will be some follow up to it. Plus Greg behaves like a real AH, hitting Donovan with the car's door. I mean - WHAT?

Plus it's a really obvious joke. Agreed, not my favorite moment in the show.

 

BRING BACK THE TWIDDLING!!!!

 

Now comes the WTF part.

And it's Sherlock's behavior towards Janine.

He is a bit perplexed at the beginning but then: He teach her how to dance, humming the melody. Have you ever seen him doing something like this?

.....

He is DEFINITELY flirting with her. This is not a grown up Sherlock, no Sherlock changed by 2 years undercover. It must be Sherlock that's up to something, because even if he was attracted to her, acting this out is totally out of character.

The only explanation... nah, two explanations: 1 he had something in his morning tea. 2 he is already on CAM's heels.

Besides the obvious fact that the Moftisses are jus' messin' with us...    ...I prefer to think he's been carried away by the moment and is just indulging his human side for awhile. After all, Janine is safe; it's not like he was ever going to see her again, as far as he knew. (Assuming he wasn't on CAM heels yet, of course.)

 

The cavalry has arrived.

 

You'd think the most observant man in the world would notice a helicopter outside his window before this, wouldn't you? :P

[T.o.b.y]

He throws flowers at Janine. Which is probably not even a tradition.

 

Well, to be fair, it was probably the first wedding Sherlock ever attended (properly). And he does seem to have gotten the bride's and the best man's roles a little bit confused... So maybe the bouquet-throwing happened as a result of that. :P

 

I mean - WHAT?!?

 

He is DEFINITELY flirting with her. This is not a grown up Sherlock, no Sherlock changed by 2 years undercover. It must be Sherlock that's up to something, because even if he was attracted to her, acting this out is totally out of character.

 

The only explanation... nah, two explanations: 1 he had something in his morning tea. 2 he is already on CAM's heels.

 

 

Well, Sherlock researched all the wedding guests, didn't he, so of course he must have already known who Janine worked for, and even if he had not accepted Lady Smallwood's case yet, he would of course seize the opportunity to get his foot in the door there.

 

But I think that something else is going on as well. I think that ever since Sherlock came back and found that both John and Molly had "moved on" to romantic partners, he's been feeling lonely and unsure whether his and Mycroft's lifestyle isn't maybe a big mistake. I think he flirts with Janine in part to try out "being normal", and if he doesn't like it, to prove to himself and others that he could in fact find himself a girlfriend if he wanted one, that he's alone by choice, not because he has no other options.

 

But what the heck is that crazy collage about?!?

 

:lol: I know, right? Makes you wonder what other hobbies Sherlock might have. Also, whether he's pasted the head of everyone he knows onto some work of art. I do wonder what he did with his brother's photo...

 

Poor Sherlock. How terminally bored must he have been when he made that?

[J.P.]

 

You'd think the most observant man in the world would notice a helicopter outside his window before this, wouldn't you? :P

 

He was busy. He muted everything else out.

[Carol the Dabbler]

Molly for the first time clearly stands up to Sherlock about drinking. Good one, Molly.

But what the heck is that crazy collage about?!? (I hear heavy subtext approaching)

 

 

Good grief -- is that an actual screencap? Please tell me it's just a fan concoction!

[Inge l-w]

Dear J.P. , not "muted", filtered everything else out! He has Mrs Hudson on semi-permanent mute in HLV

Dear Carol, that is straight from the beginning of the stag night, when he seeks Molly's advice, you hadn't noticed before that he had pasted John's face on the DaVinci rendition of the Vitruvian Man?

And THIS proves that ShadowDweller's quiz is partly correct, blast it!

[Fantasy Lover]

I couldn't, and still can't believe Sherlock pasted John's face on the Vitruvian man

[Carol the Dabbler]

Dear Carol, that is straight from the beginning of the stag night, when he seeks Molly's advice, you hadn't noticed before that he had pasted John's face on the DaVinci Man?

 

I may have blocked that!

 

I couldn't, and still can't believe Sherlock pasted John's face on the Vitruvian man

 

Me neither, but alas, Ariane DeVere has this comment in her transcript:  He hands her a picture of Vitruvian Man [click for image] with a photograph of John’s head stuck over the original head.

 

Is nothing sacred?!