Episode 3.2, "The Sign of Three"

[MrsHudsonsbins]

Oh maaaaaannnn....

 

funny, sad, funny again...a bit silly and then break-your-heart sad.

 

And now I have a reaaaally bad feeling about episode 3 and then another two year bloody wait.  Feel depressed already.

 

Kate

[moth]

Oh, and the pregnancy was just the nail in Mary's coffin, as far as I'm concerned. They're setting it up to be even sadder when she dies. I hate it, because I love her more and more with every second. This is going to be heartbreaking. 

 

Absolutely...it feels like there's tragedy just around the corner 

[Karie]

So... was the end just sad because Sherlock was further highlighted as the lonely, uh, loner? Could anyone make out what he wrote on the music sheet? 

 

I keep seeing people talk about another 2 year hiatus, but is that guaranteed? I mean, I read somewhere that it was so long last time with the two leads being in such high demand to do other work... Star Trek, two Hobbit movies, etc.  Is it possible it won't be as long this time? Surely, Ben and Martin will always be in demand, but maybe they'll have a bit more time for filming series 4? 

[sherlockandjohn]

Karie, I'm not quite sure what happened, but I think it was a letter from Sherlock (or from someone else). It was definitely addressed to Mr. and Mrs. Watson.

 

So okay.... That happened. Just when I thought the episodes could not get any crazier. I mean, this was like something from an alternative universe. I have no idea how to feel about it. Part of me was wondering: Since when does fanfiction turn into Sherlock, and not the other way around? However, I loved Sherlock's speech sooooo much! I thought the stag night was overboard. I gotta admit - loved that John gave Sherlock a hug. I never expected it, so it really came off as a heart-warming surprise. The way Sherlock left the party alone at the end was a bit heart-breaking. There were actual tears in my eyes.

 

Despite all the warm, fuzzy feelings I got from it, I just feel this episode was 'off' for the Sherlock series, unfortunately. I LOVE the Sherlock/John friendship as much as anyone, but it's honestly more emotionally compelling for me, when it's Sherlock and John saving each other's lives, rather than Sherlock and John doing stuff that 'normal' buddies do

 

Well, will have to watch it again to make up my mind entirely. This definitely feels unreal right now.

[Karie]

And seriously, did that girl pass up a dance with his nibs to dance with that other dude? Is she crazy? I'll dance with you, Sherlock! Poor baby!  

[Caya]

Wow. Touching and funny and heartwarming.

 

But I have a very bad feeling about next week's episode. And Mary being pregnant ... oh dear.

[sherlockandjohn]

Good episode.But i loved the first one better.I found it a bit chaotic at times,and Sherlock was out of caracter most of the time.Relly hope Moffat brings back the old sociopath Sherlock in the last episode.But I also loved the way they put the wedding and ''off screen'' cases together.The end was heartbreaking.

 

Hi Lucid! Welcome to the forum. I think your response summes up my initial response pretty accurately. I also hope for more of the original Sherlock in the next episode. I mean, character development is great, but this feels more like both Sherlock and John having been reinvented.

The end had me in tears, though.

[shoot999]

This is not going to end well. Marys face when Sherlock reads out the telegram from CAM.

[TJP]

The look Sherlock gave Mary after he told her and john to dance, I didn't like that look. Next week won't be happy I'm sure! Also, to be clear, did sherlock actually solve the "ghost" date problem? I wasn't sure of that...

[T.o.b.y]

...Since when does fanfiction turn into Sherlock, and not the other way around?

 

That's exactly what I thought after The Empty Hearse. So that shock is over for me and I was able to enjoy this episode whole-heartedly. And did I ever. Sorry, I don't think I'm up to a rational discussion of it yet. I just loved it, craziness and all.

 

 

[Karie]

Just watching again now, and making the connection with Mrs. Hudson talking about her Maid of Honor who fell out of touch after the wedding.

 

"I remember she left early. Who leaves a wedding early? So sad." 

 

SHOW. DAMN YOU.

 

So I guess they are driving home the point that, despite his words, Sherlock feels lonely and alienated now that John is married, and he's becoming distant? 

[Karie]

This is not going to end well. Marys face when Sherlock reads out the telegram from CAM.

 

 

YES! 

 

CAM= Charles Agustus Magnussen! 

 

That, and the look that was on her face when she walked in on the arrest and that guy said,"I'm not the one you should be arresting!" 

Definitely something going on, I'm more convinced than ever. 

[Detective Prince]

I'm sure there's something going onand that we're leading up to something really sad next week. The episode was good but it felt like it was just the lead up to next week if that makes sense. But I'm really psyched for next week then. The news at the end took me by surprise but it's just adding to the heartbreaking pile. 

[T.o.b.y]

At least now we know what "His Last Vow" refers to!

 

Can I be the first to point out one reference to "The Sign of the Four" that I really appreciated? Here's the original bit of text, which I've always liked in itself:

 

"He took up his violin from the corner, and as I stretched myself out he began to play some low, dreamy, melodious air, - his own, no doubt, for he had a remarkable gift for improvisation. I have a vague remembrance of his gaunt limbs, his earnest face, and the rise and fall of his bow. Then I seemed to be floated peacefully away upon a soft sea of sound, until I found myself in dream-land, with the sweet face of Mary Morstan looking down upon me."

 

I was reminded of this instantly when Sherlock played the violin for John and Mary while they danced.

[Caya]

Half a dozen new entries on John's blog.

[PVJ]

Can someone help me? The girls targeted by the mayfly man, what was their secret?

What did they have in common? How did that one know John's middle name?

We can't agree in the house!

[sherlockandjohn]

 

...Since when does fanfiction turn into Sherlock, and not the other way around?

 

That's exactly what I thought after The Empty Hearse. So that shock is over for me and I was able to enjoy this episode whole-heartedly. And did I ever. Sorry, I don't think I'm up to a rational discussion of it yet. I just loved it, craziness and all.

 

 

Funny, that!

 

The Empty Hearse had a much better reunion than any fanfic I've read on it, though Not to put down fanfiction, I've written some myself, as you know.

 

I'm surprised to see you love this episode, I must admit - don't you normally prefer Sherlock the Sociopath? He was so out of character in most of this episode... at least that's how I felt. I'm glad you and so many others loved it; I'm just not sure how I feel. Which kind of surprises even me, since I'm pretty sentimental.

[Lucid]

One thing we can be sure of, Moffat will always be there to make us cry.

[sherlockandjohn]

At least now we know what "His Last Vow" refers to!

 

Can I be the first to point out one reference to "The Sign of the Four" that I really appreciated? Here's the original bit of text, which I've always liked in itself:

 

"He took up his violin from the corner, and as I stretched myself out he began to play some low, dreamy, melodious air, - his own, no doubt, for he had a remarkable gift for improvisation. I have a vague remembrance of his gaunt limbs, his earnest face, and the rise and fall of his bow. Then I seemed to be floated peacefully away upon a soft sea of sound, until I found myself in dream-land, with the sweet face of Mary Morstan looking down upon me."

 

I was reminded of this instantly when Sherlock played the violin for John and Mary while they danced.

 

Lovely quote, thank you for that, and I just adored Sherlock playing the violin for them. So I guess there are things I love about the episode

[T.o.b.y]

 

I'm surprised to see you love this episode, I must admit - don't you normally prefer Sherlock the Sociopath? He was so out of character in most of this episode... at least that's how I felt.

 

You are right, I do. But most of him seems properly dead (as does the series I got used to under the name "Sherlock") ever since his first appearance in The Empty Hearse. So I've had my cry and moved on, I guess... Honestly, I can't tell you why this episode (and especially Sherlock in it) appealed so much to me, but it just really, really, really did. I don't know why. My brain is fried for tonight. Once I have the DVD safely at my home and can really sit down with it at leisure, I might be able to give a rational reason. But right now, I think all I can do is breathe into a bag...

 

[Caya]

 

 

 

 

(source)

 

That.was.perfect .

[Karie]

I think my favorite part of this episode, (and there are so, so many) was the fact that both John and Sherlock admitted out loud and to each other (and Sherlock to a room full of people) that they love each other.  

 

MY HEART IS FULL TO BURSTING. 

 

Which I'm sure was intended just to make it that much more devastating when it shatters into pieces next week.  Well played, Moffat. Well played. 

 

I'm currently on Amazon trying to find a qualifying purchase to add to my cart before I place this order.  If I was hesitating on purchasing the season 3 dvds, this episode was definitely the deciding factor. 

[Zain]

Well, ambivalent feelings about this episode. There were lots of good parts, interesting parts, well, but in the end it was kind of sad.

Funny how lots of anti-Mary fans proclaimed that she would "get between" John and Sherlock. In the end, the writers seem to agree on that. Sherlock's on his own again, and while people care (Molly looking at him, etc.) nobody reaches out to stop him from leaving. It makes for an interesting "stop" before the season's finale. Even Mycroft, who is often used as a sort of voice by Gatiss to lead through the seasons, comments upon that.

 

There's a storm coming, to misquote Sherlock Holmes. And I am actually looking forward to it. I haven't had a second look at the episode yet but I will.

[Karie]

 

 

 

 

(source)

 

That.was.perfect .

 

YES!! How great was it that Sherlock was interviewing the wedding guests and screening them for John's protection? It's clear there is nothing he won't do to protect John, which he reiterated with his "last vow". I'm just totally on eggshells about how he's going to end up having to keep that vow next week.  I know it's going to be bad, probably worse than we are all imagining.  My one wish is that the season ends with the two of them together, at least, and not separated on some cliffhanger again. I had enough of that last season! 

[Lucid]

http://i.imgur.com/vogPtbG.png        Are they trying to tell us something?