What would you like to see in series 4?

[Janine M. Adler]

i've a feeling that they'd do an asaptation for valley of fear. 

[T.o.b.y]

Well, it's the only novel they haven't done anything yet and the only other story that mentions Moriarty, so I'd say that's a fairly educated guess. Plus the case involves a gunshot murder and a corpse with a fake identity.

[Carol the Dabbler]

I agree, since they've adapted one novel per series so far -- A Study in Scarlet, The Hound of the Baskervilles, and The Sign of (the) Four.

 

So what do y'all think they might call the Valley of Fear episode?  A fairly straightforward "Valley of Terror"?  A slightly punnish "Valley of Tears"?  A switcheroo like "Mountain of Fear"?  Or a much worse pun like "Sally of Terriers" (wherein Donovan opens a pet shop)?

 

[Caya]

I agree, since they've adapted one novel per series so far -- A Study in Scarlet, The Hound of the Baskervilles, and The Sign of (the) Four.

 

So what do y'all think they might call the Valley of Fear episode?  A fairly straightforward "Valley of Terror"?  A slightly punnish "Valley of Tears"?  A switcheroo like "Mountain of Fear"?  Or a much worse pun like "Sally of Terriers" (wherein Donovan opens a pet shop)?

 

 

[Carol the Dabbler]

Or for a more plausible guess, how about "Volley of Fire" (possibly a flashback to John's days in Afghanistan)?

 

[T.o.b.y]

"Valley of Tears" sounds dire...

[Caya]

I now so want to see that Donovan and the pet shop scene . Actually that Valley of Fear title is rife for groan-worthy puns: Trolley of Beer (they hunt down a criminal at the Oktoberfest)  - Brolly of Cashmere (why is Mycroft so fond of his umbrella?) - Molly of Revere (Sherlock finally appreciates her).

[T.o.b.y]

Oh god, stop giving them ideas!

[Arcadia]

What I THINK will happen in Season 4:
I will be totally unprepared for whatever happens, reduced to screaming "what!?!?!" at the television screen and watching each episode six times before I understand my feelings about it. Also I expect to be reduced to tears at least once.


What I FEAR will happen:
The plots will become so manipulative and/or preposterous that they're no longer fun.


What I HOPE will happen:
I will laugh my head off, clutch my blanket in an agony of suspense, watch Martin and Benedict act circles around the rest of the known universe, and beg for more when it's over. And be reduced to tears at least once.

[Slithytove]

I like Jim a lot - he is so ridiculously evil. So I hope he is alive. I know it invalidates a lot of the rooftop scene, but so does most of Sherlock's explanation. (Why was he so upset, if his plan was working? Was the whole thing staged for John's benefit? Why did he do it all, if the sniper had been arrested?.....)

 

However, I suspect it will turn out to be a trick. So.....

 

I hope Mary will turn out to be the next Big Bad. I hope we don't get an explanation of why she had to become an assassin to rescue or avenge her family, or something feeble like that. I hope they have the guts to let her be a criminal mastermind with an evil empire as vast as the (possibly) late Moriarty's. Better that than the little wife weeping in hubby's arms and being put aside so the menfolk can go and sort out her problems....

 

What I suspect we will get is more emotional arm-twisting to like her. The baby will probably get in on that act too. Wouldn't be surprised if Mary has to sacrifice herself to save someone else's life, thus supposedly redeeming herself. (Not in my eyes, though..... )

 

I won't stop watching if she becomes part of the crime solving team, but it will enrage me.

 

I would like to see Lestrade get to play a bigger role in some stories. Anderson too - in S3, he had mellowed from an irritating prat into a human being.

 

And, of course, I love Molly, so I hope we get to see plenty more of the lovely little scenes between her and Sherlock.

[T.o.b.y]

I hope Mary will turn out to be the next Big Bad. I hope we don't get an explanation of why she had to become an assassin to rescue or avenge her family, or something feeble like that. I hope they have the guts to let her be a criminal mastermind with an evil empire as vast as the (possibly) late Moriarty's. Better that than the little wife weeping in hubby's arms and being put aside so the menfolk can go and sort out her problems....

 

Yes, while I don't think I relish the "evil mastermind" scenario, either, we've certainly had enough of that.

 

I was kind of disappointed that the text message Magnussen sent her seemed to mean nothing apart from the skip code. I'd like it if they came up with the full text having some kind of meaning, too.

 

 

[sherlockandjohn]

I find it really hard to guess what will happen in series 4. What's up with Moriarty? Where will the writers take Mary? She could go in any or all directions at once; the housewife, the action hero, the protective mother, the assasin resurrected. Will they kill her as ACD did? How will the baby fit in to the show?

 

There is so much they could do, and I predict as Arcadia that I will be extremely surprised either way. Series 3 certainly shocked me again and again.

 

I hope to see a return to form for Sherlock, in that I want him and John to go off on cases together more. I want a plausible explanation to the Moriarty mystery, not some crazy idea about how it's possible to survive a bullet to one's brain. I kind of like the idea that it wasn't Moriarty on the rooftop, but his brother... on the other hand; why would that man kill himself? Anyway, I'm looking forward to see what they will do with Andrew Scott, as I'm pretty sure they're bringing him back. I think I'd like to see Mary and Sherlock's friendship develop, but not as in them teaming up, so to speak. I'd like to see them get along, but not without difficulties. Also, I'd like less sadness than in series 3.

[sherlockandjohn]

I would also like for Sherlock to insult people more than he did in series 3. It's just too funny He should insult John, Mary, Anderson, Mycroft (obviously), but not Molly - unless she strikes back!

[Bakerstreet Irregular]

Oh yeah. I do like that new more feisty side of Molly. And I like how Sherlock let her get away with it. He really does appreciate her.

[Oatcake]

Like many people I'm concerned about the effect too much Mary+baby could have... but I would like them around long enough to see BC act something along these lines...

 

Sherlock turns up unannounced at the Watson's to whisk John away on a case - but the doctor is out doing some essential doctoring.  Sherlock really needs an 'asssistant' - so Mary goes, complete with baby.  Opportunity for some "actually we're not a couple..." humour.  Somehow they get separated and Sherlock is left literally holding the baby.  Now imagine Sherlock's face when people call him daddy and he realises that people think he is responsible for that squirming little bundle of humanity...

[Arcadia]

For some reason that appeals to me as well ... aghgghghgh, I'm going soft......

[T.o.b.y]

Ugh, I don't know. Personally, I think Sherlock has been "humanized" quite enough. While I do like to know that he has a "great heart" tucked away somewhere behind layers of coat and self-importance, I don't need to see proof of it all the time. I'd rather they got back to the genius sociopath crime solver.

[Arcadia]

Maybe he could solve the mystery of the baby's missing binky, that way we get both at once.

[T.o.b.y]

Oh dear. What's a binky?

 

The decision to let Mary have a child is one of the strangest they've made so far. I can't imagine how a baby will fit into the "Sherlock" cast. A kid, yes, maybe, but an infant? Oh well, maybe they're planning to take so long until series 4 that Miss Watson will be half grown up by the time we meet her...

[Carol the Dabbler]

Maybe in college.

 

The word "binky" generally seems to mean a pacifier, a rubber nipple without a bottle attached.  But I think it sometimes refers to a kid's security blanket.  Either way works.

 

[Bakerstreet Irregular]

Maybe Baby Watson will be Sherlock's new protege along with Archie! Wouldn't that tick John off no end but it would be funny!  His child more like Sherlock Holmes then a sensible, down to earth Watson.  I can just imagine the teenage cosplay!

[T.o.b.y]

Well, if she takes after her mother, Miss Watson might be good for some unexpected surprises. I do wonder what her name will be.

[sherlockandjohn]

It is a strange decision to bring a baby/child into the cast, and I'm very curious (in a slightly sceptical way) about what they will do with her. I too hope that Sherlock will return to form, be eccentric and outrageous and brilliant.

 

Speaking of which, I just thought of the scene in TSoT when Sherlock asks 'Scotland Yard' to give his theory. It's so funny hearing Lestrade's stuttering answer, and then the quick and efficient knock-out from Sherlock: "Brilliant." "Really?" "No."

 

That scene is so typically Sherlock that I rejoice when I watch it! I'd love more of that.

[sherlockandjohn]

Well, if she takes after her mother, Miss Watson might be good for some unexpected surprises. I do wonder what her name will be.

 

How about Irene? Though I got the feeling that John didn't particularly like Miss Adler, so I doubt it.

 

Or maybe we'll learn Mary's real first name, and they'll name the baby after her? Hmmm, probably not likely, either. It's fun guessing, though.

 

Do we know Mrs. Hudson's first name?

[T.o.b.y]

There was actually plenty of "that" in series 3. Take the analogy between marriage and murder in the wedding speech. Or what Sherlock did to Janine. True, he's less insulting to people in general, but then, it makes sense that he'd learn socially acceptable behavior eventually - after all, he's highly intelligent and it must help in most cases. The original Mr Holmes became very polished in the later stories. That only makes the character more dangerous, I think, because what he says isn't necessarily what he thinks and it becomes even harder than before to guess what he's really planning, let alone feeling.