Episode 3.2, "The Sign of Three"

[Van Buren Supernova]

I suspect Archie knows about him and probably requests for Sherlock, or only wants to do the task because he gets to deal with Sherlock. Because...Archie! He just likes... beheadings.. :p

[Pseudonym]

I wonder why Sherlock agreed. I think he likes Archie once he realises that he likes grotesque things, but I can't imagine him being thrilled with baby sitting duties. 

[Van Buren Supernova]

It's his 'duty', remember?

He takes himself very seriously as best man it's cute.

He oversees everything, I don't think he factors in the things he likes and not. (Although he does enjoy folding serviettes so much :p)

He is the best best man. Although not a fun one. At all. :D

 

But I'd feel flattered if he bothers to threaten someone to ensure my happiness. :D

[Redbeard]

Agreed!  Sherlock completely threw himself into that wedding didn't he? Heck he probably chose the Watsons' china pattern lol. 

[bedelia1984]

Sherlock would make an amazing wedding planner! It's pretty smart to make sure the kids behave, as I've been to some weddings where the kids were less than angelic, and it can really prove difficult especially screaming during the ceremony so loud you can't hear the vows, that kind of thing.

[Arcadia]

I figured Archie's Mum was simply downstairs having a chat with Mrs. Hudson.

[Carol the Dabbler]

Also, those who've mentioned it being Sherlock's duty as best man had a good point. When first seen, he's coaching Archie on his responsibilities as page boy (apparently what we'd call ring bearer here). So he wasn't babysitting as such.

[Pseudonym]

Can't remember if this belongs here or in TSo3. Feel free to move.

 

Do you think Sherlock is just trying to get into John's good books with the whole wedding planning shtick? 'Sherlock Holmes' and 'wedding planning' doesn't really go together. And he doesn't really seem happy whilst doing it. 

 

[SherlockedCAMPer]

Can't move it but the serviettes belong with TSo3.

[Carol the Dabbler]

And here we are, as if by magic!  

 

'Bout time, too!  I am appalled that the most recent posts here are from February (though at least it's *this* February).

[Artemis]

I don't think he's doing it to get into John's "good books", but I think he's doing it because he cares about John (and Mary) and wants to stay involved somehow; not because he cares about wedding planning.  When your close friends are going through a happy time like that you usually want to participate in a suitable way, which in Sherlock's case would be things like YouTubing how to make the best serviettes and scrutinizing the guest list.  I think it's important to him because it's important to John, and thus he wants to see to it that things run as smoothly as possible for them (especially seeing as John doesn't seem too interested in the details himself).

 

Of course, the other side of it is that he could be trying to distract himself from what the event will mean for his life by putting his focus into detail-oriented projects, and staying involved as much as possible because it may be the last time he gets to be so involved in John's life.

 

 

[J.P.]

It might be also a kind of saying sorry. Even though John wouldn't marry if Sherlock was around. :D
He has no idea about weddings so he buys a book, summons Lestrade, and works all the bullet points through. Because he is desperate to put up the best wedding in the world. The whole Smilie wall is full of plans and lists. I think there is even something about pollen forecast.

 

It is funny and endearing and tragic at the same time, and to me the greatest proof of Sherlock's friendship to John. And he even cannot enjoy the party he prepared.

[Arcadia]

I always felt it was his way of 1) showing John how much he cared about him; 2) expressing his gratitude for John's friendship, and 3) showing off as usual. :P No, that's not quite fair ... not showing off, but showing everybody that he's the best at whatever he sets his mind to. Except he really isn't, which is what makes it so funny.....

[J.P.]

And - as I have written somewhere already - it might be a desperate try to make John and Mary "keep" him. He's like a little kid who's afraid his parents could abandon him and tries to please them so they don't.

[Carol the Dabbler]

... it might be a desperate try to make John and Mary "keep" him. He's like a little kid who's afraid his parents could abandon him and tries to please them so they don't.

 

Oh, that's an interesting thought!  He's reacting to their marriage roughly the way kids often react to their parents' divorce -- because he fears it'll upset the status quo.

[J.P.]

Or to a single parent's marriage.

[Arcadia]

That's what Sherlock himself seems to think, with his "look at all the practice you've had" remark. Never liked that bit of dialog, by the way. Immature behavior from Sherlock is funny, but actually infantizing him, not so much .... (and I'm not even in a grumpy mood this morning, honest!)

[gerry]

Well if Sherlock knows he’s immature, then it makes mother Holmes’ calling him the “adult” in TFP even more ridiculous.

[Arcadia]

Yeah, I still don't get that either. Unless she said it to deliberately wound Mycroft, which wouldn't say much about her maturity either....

 

The only rationalization I can come up with is that Mummy thinks Sherlock's ability to empathize makes him the more mature of the two. Which I could buy if we'd seen more evidence of him feeling empathy, but we haven't. I don't deny he must have it, I just don't see him utilizing it well. But I suppose you could argue that Mycroft is even worse at it than Sherlock. I don't really believe any of that, though. I think they just wanted Mummy to put Mycroft in his place, and that's the line they came up with.

[Carol the Dabbler]

That's what Sherlock himself seems to think, with his "look at all the practice you've had" remark. Never liked that bit of dialog, by the way. Immature behavior from Sherlock is funny, but actually infantizing him, not so much ....

The writers aren't infantizing him, though, he's doing it himself -- besides, I'm pretty sure he's making a joke.

[Arcadia]

B-b-but, but ... the writers put the words in his mouth...!
 
Anyway, I'm embarrassed at how badly I bungled that word, it should've been infantilizing, so I think I'll just slink away now.... in an infantile manner....

[Carol the Dabbler]

It was clear what you meant anyhow (and I was too lazy to check what the correct word was).

 

In any case, I think he was meant to be joking to break the tension (and it worked).

[Arcadia]

Yeah, but they kept perpetuating the joke. I didn't like it in T6T, either, but since that episode pushes all the wrong buttons for me anyway, what's one more thing?

 

Hmmm, maybe that's another reason Mummy's "Sherlock's always been the adult" remark felt so out of left field; she's clearly the only one who thinks so....

 

Seriously, I think it was meant humorously, but I also think there was meant to be some truth to it ... Sherlock was going to be dealing with the world on his own for awhile after TSo3, and I think that remark was also there to set us up for that; I think they wanted us to have a sense he might be going a bit off the rails without John around to keep an eye on him. And what's the first thing he does? Get high for a case....

[Hikari]

Benedict's scene with his young Mini-me Archie (Adam Greaves-Neal) is one of my favorites out of that episode, or the whole series, really.  The young man couldn't have been more than 8 years old, but he was already an accomplished actor, mirroring BC's movements and demeanor perfectly.  The audience gets a brief glimpse, perhaps into "Sherlock 2.0 of the Future" or perhaps "Sherlock Was Just Like This When He Was 8.'  (Mycroft could confirm this.)

 

I'm sure Archie's mum was taking tea with Mrs. Hudson downstairs while the Best Man instructed her son on his duties as the ring bearer, guy-to-guy time.  If Sherlock Holmes is the best friend of Mary's affianced, a doctor of unimpeachable character, he must be all right, innit?  Mrs. H . would have vouched for him, too.   Sherl was meeting with all the male members of the wedding party in his role as best man, and it was rather charming that he was willing to treat Archie just like one of the blokes, even with his young age.  He was going to have a significant responsibility at this grown-up 'do, after all.  What could be more embarrassing than having one's *Mum* hovering while wedding party business was under discussion?

 

SH:  Basically, it's a cute smile to the bride's side, a cute smile to the groom's side, and then the rings.  And you have to wear the outfit.

A:  No.

SH:  You really have to wear the outfit.

A:  No.

SH:  You really do.

A: Why?

SH:  Because grownups like that sort of thing.

A: Why?

SH (sigh):  I don't know.  I'll ask one.

A:  . . . .You're a detective.

SH:  Yes . . .?

A:  And you investigate murders . .

SH:  Yup.

A:  Can I see?

SH (debating . . should I?  No, I really shouldn't .. ) . . Yeah, okay.

 

(Both lope over to the computer in identical fashion)

 

A:  (peering at photo)  What's all that stuff in his eye?

SH:  Maggots.

A: . . Cool!

SH: (regarding Archie with renewed interest:  Aha, young grasshopper!  A kindred spirit!)  Hmmm . . .

 

(Later)

 

SH has just been tackled in the receiving line by his young protégé.  He pats the nipper's head awkwardly.

 

SH:  Yes, well done in the service, Archie.

Archie's Mum (with hat):  He said you promised him some photos if he was good, as a treat.

A:  Beheadings!!

AM:  What . . ?

 

**************

 

Just as well Archie's mum wasn't around for the ocular maggot photos.

 

After playing young Archie, Adam G-N would be cast as young Jesus of Nazareth.  The kid's got something special.

[Boton]

And - as I have written somewhere already - it might be a desperate try to make John and Mary "keep" him. He's like a little kid who's afraid his parents could abandon him and tries to please them so they don't.

 

 

 

Hmmm, maybe that's another reason Mummy's "Sherlock's always been the adult" remark felt so out of left field; she's clearly the only one who thinks so....

 

 

 

 

A: Why?

SH:  Because grownups like that sort of thing.

A: Why?

SH (sigh):  I don't know.  I'll ask one.

 

 

If only we didn't have that complication of "Sherlock's always been the adult," we could almost pretend that Moftiss were setting up the S4 Victor-Eurus arc all along. Victor's death arrested Sherlock in a state of perpetual emotional childhood, and he's learned to "put on the clothes" of adulthood to make himself accepted but has never gotten over the (well-earned) fear that at any moment someone might swoop in and take his best friend away.

 

So what was Mummy Holmes on about, anyway?