Last Vow - Unofficial News (beware, spoilers ahead!)

[Karie]

Hi, Sherson! Welcome to the forum!

 

Here is wikipedia's definition of canon:

 

 

 

In fiction, canon is the material accepted as "official" in a fictional universe. It is often contrasted with, or used as the basis for, works of fan fiction. The term "canon" can be used either as a noun, referring to "the original work from which the fan fiction author borrows,"or as an adjective to describe whether or not certain elements are accepted as authoritative parts of the fictional universe. Fan-fiction would be described as "non-canon," while an event from the official source material would be "canon." 

 

So, basically, when we talk about canon we are either talking about the events that transpired in the original works by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, or the events that have actually transpired in the show.  

 

For example, because Sherlock and Mycroft's parents were only hinted at in previous seasons, fans made certain speculations about them, i.e., that they were rich and aristocratic. But this was only conjecture, as it had not been made canon on the show.  

 

However, this season, we learned that they are actually very ordinary people.  THAT is canon. 

 

Sometimes sources outside the show (i.e., comic book spin-offs, or, in the case of Sherlock, John's blog) can be accepted into canon if the show runners state it to be so. 

[Karie]

Martin Freeman comments on His Last Vow: (not really spoilery)

 

 

Sherlock star Martin Freeman has described the last episode of Sherlock's third series as “one of the best scripts I’ve ever read”.

Written by Steven Moffat, ‘His Last Vow’ will air at 8.30pm on Sunday 12 January on BBC One.

Freeman commented: “It’s particularly important you end on a fantastic third one and the third episode in the third series is stellar. Everyone’s work on it is great and it’s a Steven Moffat special which is always good, but they are all so good! I was very, very excited when I read this one – it’s one of the best scripts I’ve ever read.”

The Hobbit actor also hinted at what to expect from the episode’s villain, Charles Augustus Magnussen: “Lars Mikkelsen is fantastic, he is a brilliant villain. For those who will miss Moriarty, which is totally understandable, we have another fantastic nemesis for Sherlock and John – he does it superbly.”

 

[Karie]

Cast list from HLV, with some suspicious credits highlighted.  

 

http://mycroftoffice.tumblr.com/post/72091818348/so-i-was-looking-at-the-imdb-page-for-his-last

[bborchar]

Wow, I won't give anything away.

 

But I am absolutely stunned by this episode.

 

Absolutely STUNNED.

 

(and I don't say that lightly)

[sherlockandjohn]

I've just read on mirror.co.uk that

"Doctor Watson... is off to solve his own little case of sorts, and this leads to fights and foul words between him and Sherlock"

 

I might need tissues!

[Sherson]

/>

Hi, Sherson! Welcome to the forum!

 

Here is wikipedia's definition of canon:

In fiction, canon is the material accepted as "official" in a fictional universe. It is often contrasted with, or used as the basis for, works of fan fiction. The term "canon" can be used either as a noun, referring to "the original work from which the fan fiction author borrows,"or as an adjective to describe whether or not certain elements are accepted as authoritative parts of the fictional universe. Fan-fiction would be described as "non-canon," while an event from the official source material would be "canon."

So, basically, when we talk about canon we are either talking about the events that transpired in the original works by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, or the events that have actually transpired in the show.

 

For example, because Sherlock and Mycroft's parents were only hinted at in previous seasons, fans made certain speculations about them, i.e., that they were rich and aristocratic. But this was only conjecture, as it had not been made canon on the show.

 

However, this season, we learned that they are actually very ordinary people. THAT is canon.

 

Sometimes sources outside the show (i.e., comic book spin-offs, or, in the case of Sherlock, John's blog) can be accepted into canon if the show runners state it to be so.

Hey!

Thank you so much! I must congratulate you on how well you explained that for me! I was reading the original definition and was slightly bemused, but thank you to your excellent explanation It all makes perfect sense to me )

[Anna]

Ok this is me basically summing up all the rumors that I have heard/read so far:

 

 

1) It is pretty close to the canon
- Sherlock is helping Lady Elizabeth Smallwood (Lindsey Duncan) who is being blackmailed by media mogul Charles Augustus Magnussen
- John will find Sherlock in some sort of drug den (after not seeing him for an entire month)
- Sherlock will try to infiltrate Magnussen’s household by getting to closer to his maid
2) We will learn what Redbeard means
3) A younger version of Sherlock will be played by Louis Moffat
4) This episode is far more case orientated and much darker than the last two
5) Anderson and his wife feature in a cameo
6) It will be a really sad episode
7) CAM= Charles Augustus Magnussen. He is blackmailing Mary and threated to kill John (even had him nearly burn to death). My guess is that Mary is probably mixed up in something illegal and wanted to get out which is why they took John.
8) A major character will die
- According to the canon it is Mary but I have a very bad feeling and I think it might just be Mycroft or Molly.
- Killing Mary might be a bit “easy” as it is already in the canon and people will expect it. I’m not sure how I’m supposed to feel about the baby and whether it makes Molly’s survival more likely or not but I feel like they may just let her live for now.
- THEY JUST CAN’T KILL MRS. HUDSON
- Lestrade offers access to the police and I doubt Sherlock would get anybody else to cooperate with him in that way (especially considering that consulting outsiders is kind of illegal and so on). Plus making Mycroft or Molly die would be much sadder.
- Mycroft is a little bit like Sherlock’s safety net without him he would have much less protection. He is the Dumbledore of Sherlock with major influence and power and always having an eye on Sherlock. Without Mycroft Sherlock would have to grow up even more.
- Also I have read that some of the interactions between Mycroft and Sherlock are supposed to be very moving which can’t be a good sign and that he has quite a lot of time on screen unlike Molly.
- However, during this episode Molly has been described as both “fierce” and “very important”. This makes me think that she would go to extreme length to protect Sherlock.
- Plus, Molly is not actually part of the books and it would truly leave Sherlock shattered.
- Interestingly Sherlock and an unusual amount of heartfelt moments with both Molly and Mycroft during this season already which I think is another bad omen.

 

[bborchar]

Ok this is me basically summing up all the rumors that I have heard/read so far:

 

 

1) It is pretty close to the canon

- Sherlock is helping Lady Elizabeth Smallwood (Lindsey Duncan) who is being blackmailed by media mogul Charles Augustus Magnussen

- John will find Sherlock in some sort of drug den (after not seeing him for an entire month)

- Sherlock will try to infiltrate Magnussen’s household by getting to closer to his maid

2) We will learn what Redbeard means

3) A younger version of Sherlock will be played by Louis Moffat

4) This episode is far more case orientated and much darker than the last two

5) Anderson and his wife feature in a cameo

6) It will be a really sad episode

7) CAM= Charles Augustus Magnussen. He is blackmailing Mary and threated to kill John (even had him nearly burn to death). My guess is that Mary is probably mixed up in something illegal and wanted to get out which is why they took John.

8) A major character will die

- According to the canon it is Mary but I have a very bad feeling and I think it might just be Mycroft or Molly.

- Killing Mary might be a bit “easy” as it is already in the canon and people will expect it. I’m not sure how I’m supposed to feel about the baby and whether it makes Molly’s survival more likely or not but I feel like they may just let her live for now.

- THEY JUST CAN’T KILL MRS. HUDSON

- Lestrade offers access to the police and I doubt Sherlock would get anybody else to cooperate with him in that way (especially considering that consulting outsiders is kind of illegal and so on). Plus making Mycroft or Molly die would be much sadder.

- Mycroft is a little bit like Sherlock’s safety net without him he would have much less protection. He is the Dumbledore of Sherlock with major influence and power and always having an eye on Sherlock. Without Mycroft Sherlock would have to grow up even more.

- Also I have read that some of the interactions between Mycroft and Sherlock are supposed to be very moving which can’t be a good sign and that he has quite a lot of time on screen unlike Molly.

- However, during this episode Molly has been described as both “fierce” and “very important”. This makes me think that she would go to extreme length to protect Sherlock.

- Plus, Molly is not actually part of the books and it would truly leave Sherlock shattered.

- Interestingly Sherlock and an unusual amount of heartfelt moments with both Molly and Mycroft during this season already which I think is another bad omen.

 

 

 

 

In response to #8:

 

 

It is the character you absolutely least expect.

 

[Karie]

Finally, some fan reviews from people who got to see the screening! Not spoilery enough in my opinion, but still a lot more so than the press stuff! 

 

YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!  

 

 

 

• The episode is written by Steven Moffat and directed by Nick Hurran who directed the Doctor Who 50th episode
• It’s based on The Adventure of Charles Augustus Milverton and follows the canon pretty closely so it’s worth you reading the story before Sunday or at the least having a flick through this wiki entry
• For anyone who’s been a bit dismayed at the favouring of the characters over the cases this episode is tonally much more in keeping with series 2. It’s all case, all business.
• Lars Mikkelsen as Charles Augustus Magnussen is an utterly terrifying villain. Dead eyed, completely still, softly spoken and prone to utterly humiliating his victims he is a truly horrible specimen. There was one point during the screening when I could barely look at the screen while he was being vicious. He’s truly unpleasant.
• CAM has the coolest evil villain lair I’ve ever seen.
• Lindsey Duncan guest stars & is glorious as ever.
• There’s lots and lots of canon references to please the Doyle purists.
• John is finding the domesticity of married life really rather chafing…
• Louise Brealey once again gets the best moment of the episode for me. Molly’s role is smaller in this episode but her moments are lovely and so emotionally true.The sheer degree of character development that we’ve seen this series for Molly who is really a secondary character is staggering. So beautifully played by Louise.
• Anderson and his wife feature in a cameo.
• Theres Something About Mary…
• We find out what Redbeard means.
• Sherlock takes his vow very seriously
• The interaction between Sherlock and Mycroft in this episode is profoundly moving 
• We get to see a younger version of Sherlock and he’s played by Louis Moffat
• We find out Sherlock’s full name.
• The episode is an absolute emotional rollercoaster and proves without question again that Martin Freeman and Benedict Cumberbatch are the best actors in Britain working today. They are extraordinary in this. 
• This isn’t Reichenbach. It will break your heart, it did make me cry, it will leave you feeling utterly exhausted like you’ve been put through the emotional wringer but it’s a different beast alltogether.
• Make sure you watch right until the end. I cannot stress this enough. Because just when you think the episode is over. Well, those last 60 seconds. Oh goodness those last 60 seconds.I wanted to stand up and applaud…

Quick edit to add two more things I just thought about:

• Fans of a rare pairing will be delighted. Brief on screen time!
• Throw out your preconceptions about the ending. All the speculation you’ve read? WRONG!

 

 

1) If the warmer, more human Sherlock in The Sign of Three left you unnerved, fear not: he’s as close to stone-cold sociopath as he’s ever been for at least 30% of this episode.  

2) “Facts are for history books. I work in news.” 

3) An early scene parallels the very first moments of ‘A Study in Pink’.

4) We knew that Steven Moffat’s script was based on the short story ‘Charles Augustus Milverton’, but it also draws heavily on elements from ‘His Last Bow’, the chronologically final Holmes story.

5) There is at least one very significant character death.

6) A lot of ‘The Sign of Three’ will play very differently on a re-watch in light of the events of ‘His Last Vow’. 

7) “Here be dragons.”

8) Despite being series three’s most plot-heavy episode, ‘His Last Vow’ is also a character goldmine, delving deep into the psychology of Sherlock and especially John.

9) Molly is fierce. 

10) You may already have heard whispers of a shocking development in Sherlock’s life, but it won’t be so shocking to anyone who has read ‘Charles Augustus Milverton’.

11) “It won’t be the first time your habit has interfered with their line dancing.” 

12) We always knew John Watson was a badass, but here he’s given perhaps his most straight-up BAMF moment to date. It’s really, really great.

 

[Karie]

And the Guardian review: 

 

 

 

The final episode blows away the semblance of Dr Watson’s retreat into  a semi-conventional happy, married life with his pregnant partner Mary, which was the centrepiece of last Sunday’s The Sign of Three. Sherlock – who appears to have found a girlfriend – is facing mortal danger once again, but this time at the hands of a new villain, Charles August Magnussen, played by The Killing’s Danish actor Lars Mikkelsen.

We also catch our first sighting of Sherlock in a crackhouse – a reference to the original detective’s use of drugs – which Watson visits to find a neighbour’s son.  

 

 

So, it's interesting that

John is apparently already having marital trouble...? Or this is in reference to whatever dark secret we're going to find out about Mary. Unless that's misleading. I'm guessing he's probably starting to have some of the same issues he was having in the pilot... a nervous tremor, maybe.  Missing the "action" since he's supposedly not seen Sherlock for a month when this episode takes place.

 

 

A quick question for any mods who may be reading... are we supposed to still use the spoiler boxes in this thread, since it's a His Last Vow thread and it's marked spoilers in the title? I've been using them anyway just in case, but is it necessary?  Thanks!  

 

 

[Mandyilana]

Ok not really spoiler just one of my ideas

 

 

What if they let Molly kill CAM?

 

 

My god, I don't know what's worse, waiting for the last Vow, thinking about what's going to happen, or the knowledge that after sunday we will have to wait again?

 

When it's again two years my faith will be the same as Anderson.........

[Karie]

Well, I read a wiki article on the ACD story that concerns "Milverton" (Magnussen), and it said that

while Sherlock and John are hiding in Milverton's house, a woman comes in (some random person whom he has blackmailed), has an altercation with him and ends up shooting him dead.  John nearly runs out of their hiding place to intervene, but Sherlock stops him. As far as he is concerned, it's not their concern and justice has been done. So I'm guessing Magnussen dies in the episode, but I don't think that's the death everyone is talking about.  I've read that a "significant" character will die, so I'm assuming it's one of our recurring characters.  Everyone says it's "who you don't expect" so maybe not Mary. We have that clip in the trailer of the hand twitching and the doctor looking surprised, so maybe someone else who supposedly dies turns out not to be dead.  

 

I really want to know who dies.  I hope it's not another Sherlock or John is maybe dead but we don't know type thing.  Because it's not like they'd really kill off either one of them, so let's not bother with the fake outs anymore.  

 

There aren't any recurring characters I'd want to part with (except maybe Donovan), but my hard limits are Lestrade and Mycroft. They'd better be OK! It would hurt to lose anyone else, but I think I could survive it. But you leave those two alone, show!!!

 

 

I'm planning to read the Milverton story this weekend before the show airs. I wanted to read everything in order, but I guess I'll have to skip ahead this once!  

[Karie]

So,

"A lot of ‘The Sign of Three’ will play very differently on a re-watch in light of the events of 'His Last Vow'." 

 

I'm guessing that, like with TRF, we're going to learn that Sherlock knew a lot of stuff already about Magnussen and what's going to happen in HLV, and was preparing for that. Maybe him leaving at the end and not seeing John for a month is actually not so much about him being lonely, but about him distancing himself from John to protect him from what he knows is coming. I hope not, though. Don't give us good character material like that and then take it away, Moffat!

 

 

 

[Karie]

Another interesting tidbit:

"One stunning scene takes up deeper into Sherlock’s mind palace then every before, with secrets from Sherlock’s past revealed and a big cameo treat for fans."

[sherlockandjohn]

Finally, some fan reviews from people who got to see the screening! Not spoilery enough in my opinion, but still a lot more so than the press stuff! 

 

YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!

 

 

 

• The episode is written by Steven Moffat and directed by Nick Hurran who directed the Doctor Who 50th episode
• It’s based on The Adventure of Charles Augustus Milverton and follows the canon pretty closely so it’s worth you reading the story before Sunday or at the least having a flick through this wiki entry
• For anyone who’s been a bit dismayed at the favouring of the characters over the cases this episode is tonally much more in keeping with series 2. It’s all case, all business.
• Lars Mikkelsen as Charles Augustus Magnussen is an utterly terrifying villain. Dead eyed, completely still, softly spoken and prone to utterly humiliating his victims he is a truly horrible specimen. There was one point during the screening when I could barely look at the screen while he was being vicious. He’s truly unpleasant.
• CAM has the coolest evil villain lair I’ve ever seen.
• Lindsey Duncan guest stars & is glorious as ever.
• There’s lots and lots of canon references to please the Doyle purists.
• John is finding the domesticity of married life really rather chafing…
• Louise Brealey once again gets the best moment of the episode for me. Molly’s role is smaller in this episode but her moments are lovely and so emotionally true.The sheer degree of character development that we’ve seen this series for Molly who is really a secondary character is staggering. So beautifully played by Louise.
• Anderson and his wife feature in a cameo.
• Theres Something About Mary…
• We find out what Redbeard means.
• Sherlock takes his vow very seriously
• The interaction between Sherlock and Mycroft in this episode is profoundly moving 
• We get to see a younger version of Sherlock and he’s played by Louis Moffat
• We find out Sherlock’s full name.
• The episode is an absolute emotional rollercoaster and proves without question again that Martin Freeman and Benedict Cumberbatch are the best actors in Britain working today. They are extraordinary in this. 
• This isn’t Reichenbach. It will break your heart, it did make me cry, it will leave you feeling utterly exhausted like you’ve been put through the emotional wringer but it’s a different beast alltogether.
• Make sure you watch right until the end. I cannot stress this enough. Because just when you think the episode is over. Well, those last 60 seconds. Oh goodness those last 60 seconds.I wanted to stand up and applaud…

Quick edit to add two more things I just thought about:

• Fans of a rare pairing will be delighted. Brief on screen time!
• Throw out your preconceptions about the ending. All the speculation you’ve read? WRONG!

 

 

1) If the warmer, more human Sherlock in The Sign of Three left you unnerved, fear not: he’s as close to stone-cold sociopath as he’s ever been for at least 30% of this episode.  

2) “Facts are for history books. I work in news.” 

 

3) An early scene parallels the very first moments of ‘A Study in Pink’.

 

4) We knew that Steven Moffat’s script was based on the short story ‘Charles Augustus Milverton’, but it also draws heavily on elements from ‘His Last Bow’, the chronologically final Holmes story.

5) There is at least one very significant character death.

 

6) A lot of ‘The Sign of Three’ will play very differently on a re-watch in light of the events of ‘His Last Vow’. 

 

7) “Here be dragons.”

 

8) Despite being series three’s most plot-heavy episode, ‘His Last Vow’ is also a character goldmine, delving deep into the psychology of Sherlock and especially John.

9) Molly is fierce. 

 

10) You may already have heard whispers of a shocking development in Sherlock’s life, but it won’t be so shocking to anyone who has read ‘Charles Augustus Milverton’.

 

11) “It won’t be the first time your habit has interfered with their line dancing.” 

 

12) We always knew John Watson was a badass, but here he’s given perhaps his most straight-up BAMF moment to date. It’s really, really great.

 

 

I think I just had several heart attacks, and I haven't even seen the episode yet. Some of it sounds incredibly promising, like this:

 

 

• Sherlock takes his vow very seriously.
• The interaction between Sherlock and Mycroft in this episode is profoundly moving.
• We always knew John Watson was a badass, but here he’s given perhaps his most straight-up BAMF moment to date. It’s really, really great.
• Despite being series three’s most plot-heavy episode, ‘His Last Vow’ is also a character goldmine, delving deep into the psychology of Sherlock and especially John.
• We get to see a younger version of Sherlock and he’s played by Louis Moffat.
• We find out Sherlock’s full name. (Small detail, but I've hoped to find out since we heard John's middle name.)

And some obviously not so promising:

 

 

• There is at least one very significant character death. Well, this is really the only horribly sad spoiler I've read, but what a horrible one indeed. I don't want any of the regular cast to die, I think they are brilliant. This is the most well put-together set of regulars in any TV series I've seen. Mycroft, Lestrade, Mrs. Hudson, and Molly. Now also Mary. I love them all - even Mycroft And then of course there's John and Sherlock, but they'll never kill off either of them.

[bborchar]

 

And some obviously not so promising:

 

 

• There is at least one very significant character death. Well, this is really the only horribly sad spoiler I've read, but what a horrible one indeed. I don't want any of the regular cast to die, I think they are brilliant. This is the most well put-together set of regulars in any TV series I've seen. Mycroft, Lestrade, Mrs. Hudson, and Molly. Now also Mary. I love them all - even Mycroft And then of course there's John and Sherlock, but they'll never kill off either of them.

 

 

SPOILER!

 

 

I wouldn't be so sure about that last bit

 

[Karie]

 

 

And some obviously not so promising:

 

 

• There is at least one very significant character death. Well, this is really the only horribly sad spoiler I've read, but what a horrible one indeed. I don't want any of the regular cast to die, I think they are brilliant. This is the most well put-together set of regulars in any TV series I've seen. Mycroft, Lestrade, Mrs. Hudson, and Molly. Now also Mary. I love them all - even Mycroft And then of course there's John and Sherlock, but they'll never kill off either of them.

 

 

SPOILER!

 

 

I wouldn't be so sure about that last bit

 

 

 

Oh, great. That makes me feel like they probably are going to

do another fake out, or have one of them gravely injured.  Like I said, they would never actually kill off either John or Sherlock, as there is no show without the two of them, so this is just another fake-out.  I hope that at least this time it's John who is fake-dying. At least it would be different in that we get to see the affect of his supposed loss on Sherlock. Because if it's John thinking he's losing Sherlock all over again (which of course, he isn't going to) then I could just go back and watch TRF again. Wash, rinse, repeat.  This is starting to feel a lot like Moffat's work on Doctor Who. He will kill every major character 100 times only to magically undo it. There stops being any real emotional involvement after a while.

 

[sherlockandjohn]

So,

"A lot of ‘The Sign of Three’ will play very differently on a re-watch in light of the events of 'His Last Vow'." 

 

I'm guessing that, like with TRF, we're going to learn that Sherlock knew a lot of stuff already about Magnussen and what's going to happen in HLV, and was preparing for that. Maybe him leaving at the end and not seeing John for a month is actually not so much about him being lonely, but about him distancing himself from John to protect him from what he knows is coming. I hope not, though. Don't give us good character material like that and then take it away, Moffat!

 

 

My thoughts exactly! They better not do that again.

 

I think I will be watching TSoT on repeat this weekend prior to the airing of HLV... just so I get to enjoy it as much as possible now, in case I'll love it less after Sunday night. That's what's happened a bit with TRF, but at least I'd watched that about 10 times before seeing TEH. TRF was my fav episode before series 3. Now I think it's TSoT, so I really hope the difference will not be bad... just different.

 

[bborchar]

 

 

 

And some obviously not so promising:

 

 

• There is at least one very significant character death. Well, this is really the only horribly sad spoiler I've read, but what a horrible one indeed. I don't want any of the regular cast to die, I think they are brilliant. This is the most well put-together set of regulars in any TV series I've seen. Mycroft, Lestrade, Mrs. Hudson, and Molly. Now also Mary. I love them all - even Mycroft And then of course there's John and Sherlock, but they'll never kill off either of them.

 

 

SPOILER!

 

 

I wouldn't be so sure about that last bit

 

 

 

Oh, great. That makes me feel like they probably are going to

do another fake out, or have one of them gravely injured.  Like I said, they would never actually kill off either John or Sherlock, as there is no show without the two of them, so this is just another fake-out.  I hope that at least this time it's John who is fake-dying. At least it would be different in that we get to see the affect of his supposed loss on Sherlock. Because if it's John thinking he's losing Sherlock all over again (which of course, he isn't going to) then I could just go back and watch TRF again. Wash, rinse, repeat.  This is starting to feel a lot like Moffat's work on Doctor Who. He will kill every major character 100 times only to magically undo it. There stops being any real emotional involvement after a while.

 

 

 

SPOILER:

 

 

Nothing fake about it. But not portrayed the way you might think. Actually, it's very important.

 

[sherlockandjohn]

 

 

And some obviously not so promising:

 

 

• There is at least one very significant character death. Well, this is really the only horribly sad spoiler I've read, but what a horrible one indeed. I don't want any of the regular cast to die, I think they are brilliant. This is the most well put-together set of regulars in any TV series I've seen. Mycroft, Lestrade, Mrs. Hudson, and Molly. Now also Mary. I love them all - even Mycroft And then of course there's John and Sherlock, but they'll never kill off either of them.

 

 

SPOILER!

 

 

I wouldn't be so sure about that last bit

 

 

 

You've got to be kidding me! Either you're pulling my chain, or

it will seem like either John or Sherlock (probably John) is dead until the very last minute. Of course, John almost dying would create some tremendously emotional drama, and I love that, but if there is going to be an actual character death - not a fake one - there's no way it's John. Period. Even if he should appear for all to be dead.

Ah well, my imagination may be running wild, but that's no wonder with these spoilers.

[bborchar]

 

 

 

And some obviously not so promising:

 

 

• There is at least one very significant character death. Well, this is really the only horribly sad spoiler I've read, but what a horrible one indeed. I don't want any of the regular cast to die, I think they are brilliant. This is the most well put-together set of regulars in any TV series I've seen. Mycroft, Lestrade, Mrs. Hudson, and Molly. Now also Mary. I love them all - even Mycroft And then of course there's John and Sherlock, but they'll never kill off either of them.

 

 

SPOILER!

 

 

I wouldn't be so sure about that last bit

 

 

 

You've got to be kidding me! Either you're pulling my chain, or

it will seem like either John or Sherlock (probably John) is dead until the very last minute. Of course, John almost dying would create some tremendously emotional drama, and I love that, but if there is going to be an actual character death - not a fake one - there's no way it's John. Period. Even if he should appear for all to be dead.

Ah well, my imagination may be running wild, but that's no wonder with these spoilers.

 

 

Dead serious

 

 

Watch the trailer, and you'll see what I'm talking about.

 

[Karie]

CultFix review (I don't think I've done this one yet, but they're all starting to run together!

 

 

The nature of a spoiler-free review means we can’t talk about the shocking twist about one of the cast members. Let’s just say you will never see this one coming and it brings out some big performances of our key players. Look again through the first two episodes, the clues were there all along (as the episode is keen to show you through flashback).

The humanising of Sherlock continues and this finale pushes it the furthest yet. Early on when we see a side to Sherlock quite unlike any other. Cumberbatch will also be breaking some Tumblr fan’s hearts, but remember, appearances can be deceiving. It’s not just Sherlock though who has transformed this series – Watson proves here more than any other he’s far more than just a comic foil. This could very well be Martin Freeman’s best performance on the show

One stunning scene takes up deeper into Sherlock’s mind palace then every before, with secrets from Sherlock’s past revealed and a big cameo treat for fans.

As with all finales so far this one ends on a cliffhanger. The denouement pulls out one last trick that will leave everyone incredibly excited by the prospect of what lies ahead. Come Sunday night fans will be talking about the ending as they were two years back and this time they’ll be asking, “So just how on earth is…

[spoiler redacted]

?” Time to rewind 

that

 scene again….

 

[sherlockandjohn]

 

 

 

 

And some obviously not so promising:

 

 

• There is at least one very significant character death. Well, this is really the only horribly sad spoiler I've read, but what a horrible one indeed. I don't want any of the regular cast to die, I think they are brilliant. This is the most well put-together set of regulars in any TV series I've seen. Mycroft, Lestrade, Mrs. Hudson, and Molly. Now also Mary. I love them all - even Mycroft And then of course there's John and Sherlock, but they'll never kill off either of them.

 

 

SPOILER!

 

 

I wouldn't be so sure about that last bit

 

 

 

Oh, great. That makes me feel like they probably are going to

do another fake out, or have one of them gravely injured.  Like I said, they would never actually kill off either John or Sherlock, as there is no show without the two of them, so this is just another fake-out.  I hope that at least this time it's John who is fake-dying. At least it would be different in that we get to see the affect of his supposed loss on Sherlock. Because if it's John thinking he's losing Sherlock all over again (which of course, he isn't going to) then I could just go back and watch TRF again. Wash, rinse, repeat.  This is starting to feel a lot like Moffat's work on Doctor Who. He will kill every major character 100 times only to magically undo it. There stops being any real emotional involvement after a while.

 

 

 

SPOILER:

 

 

Nothing fake about it. But not portrayed the way you might think. Actually, it's very important.

 

 

 

Okay, I'll risk no more guesses, but all of this makes me feel like we could be in for the best episode yet, or at least the most emotionally dramatic one.

[bborchar]

 

 

 

 

 

And some obviously not so promising:

 

 

• There is at least one very significant character death. Well, this is really the only horribly sad spoiler I've read, but what a horrible one indeed. I don't want any of the regular cast to die, I think they are brilliant. This is the most well put-together set of regulars in any TV series I've seen. Mycroft, Lestrade, Mrs. Hudson, and Molly. Now also Mary. I love them all - even Mycroft And then of course there's John and Sherlock, but they'll never kill off either of them.

 

 

SPOILER!

 

 

I wouldn't be so sure about that last bit

 

 

 

Oh, great. That makes me feel like they probably are going to

do another fake out, or have one of them gravely injured.  Like I said, they would never actually kill off either John or Sherlock, as there is no show without the two of them, so this is just another fake-out.  I hope that at least this time it's John who is fake-dying. At least it would be different in that we get to see the affect of his supposed loss on Sherlock. Because if it's John thinking he's losing Sherlock all over again (which of course, he isn't going to) then I could just go back and watch TRF again. Wash, rinse, repeat.  This is starting to feel a lot like Moffat's work on Doctor Who. He will kill every major character 100 times only to magically undo it. There stops being any real emotional involvement after a while.

 

 

 

SPOILER:

 

 

Nothing fake about it. But not portrayed the way you might think. Actually, it's very important.

 

 

 

Okay, I'll risk no more guesses, but all of this makes me feel like we could be in for the best episode yet, or at least the most emotionally dramatic one.

 

 

That is definitely, DEFINITELY true

[Karie]

 

So,

"A lot of ‘The Sign of Three’ will play very differently on a re-watch in light of the events of 'His Last Vow'." 

 

I'm guessing that, like with TRF, we're going to learn that Sherlock knew a lot of stuff already about Magnussen and what's going to happen in HLV, and was preparing for that. Maybe him leaving at the end and not seeing John for a month is actually not so much about him being lonely, but about him distancing himself from John to protect him from what he knows is coming. I hope not, though. Don't give us good character material like that and then take it away, Moffat!

 

 

My thoughts exactly! They better not do that again.

 

I think I will be watching TSoT on repeat this weekend prior to the airing of HLV... just so I get to enjoy it as much as possible now, in case I'll love it less after Sunday night. That's what's happened a bit with TRF, but at least I'd watched that about 10 times before seeing TEH. TRF was my fav episode before series 3. Now I think it's TSoT, so I really hope the difference will not be bad... just different.

 

 

 

Yeah, TSoT is now my favorite episode out of all of them.  I really don't want them to go back and undermine that. I'm going to be really, really upset if they do. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And some obviously not so promising:

 

 

• There is at least one very significant character death. Well, this is really the only horribly sad spoiler I've read, but what a horrible one indeed. I don't want any of the regular cast to die, I think they are brilliant. This is the most well put-together set of regulars in any TV series I've seen. Mycroft, Lestrade, Mrs. Hudson, and Molly. Now also Mary. I love them all - even Mycroft And then of course there's John and Sherlock, but they'll never kill off either of them.

 

 

SPOILER!

 

 

I wouldn't be so sure about that last bit

 

 

 

Oh, great. That makes me feel like they probably are going to

do another fake out, or have one of them gravely injured.  Like I said, they would never actually kill off either John or Sherlock, as there is no show without the two of them, so this is just another fake-out.  I hope that at least this time it's John who is fake-dying. At least it would be different in that we get to see the affect of his supposed loss on Sherlock. Because if it's John thinking he's losing Sherlock all over again (which of course, he isn't going to) then I could just go back and watch TRF again. Wash, rinse, repeat.  This is starting to feel a lot like Moffat's work on Doctor Who. He will kill every major character 100 times only to magically undo it. There stops being any real emotional involvement after a while.

 

 

 

SPOILER:

 

 

Nothing fake about it. But not portrayed the way you might think. Actually, it's very important.

 

 

 

Yeah, except, like I said,

THEY WILL NEVER REALLY KILL OFF JOHN OR SHERLOCK. Not permanently, anyway. I'm guessing one of them appears to be dead, goes to the morgue (that casting sheet that included "assistant coroner") and in the last second, we see that finger twitch and the shocked face of the guy in the mask. Exactly as I was saying... it's not really emotionally hard-hitting (well, to the other one who doesn't "die", but not to the fans), because we know it's not going to stick. I swear, if the cliffhanger is YET AGAIN either John or Sherlock left thinking the other is dead, I'm going to cut somebody. TELL ME ANOTHER ONE, MOFFAT!