Episode 1.1, "A Study In Pink"

[Carol the Dabbler]

Was that your original idea -- or is it from canon -- or did I miss when they said it on Sherlock?

[Bakerstreet Irregular]

I think it's from canon but don't quote me on that. I know Watson does comment on how Holmes pushed himself, not eating for days when he was on the hunt and how Holmes fainted more then anyone that Watson had ever met because of exhaustion.

 

And does Sherlock in the series say something about that too?  You mentioned the slowing of his brain work if he has to digest.

[Carol the Dabbler]

Right, I believe Sherlock says that digestion uses energy that could otherwise be used for thinking.  (Unfortunately that "everything else is just transport" speech is in the pilot).  But I can't think that we've ever seen him eat anything like an actual meal -- an apple, something from Mrs. Hudson's fridge that looked to me like a jelly donut but Ariane DeVere took to be a mince pie (which are apparently very small in the UK), and I'm thinking there may have been something like a cookie sometime.  And beverages just as occasionally -- coffee and some sort of bar drink in "Hounds."  Even though we see John eat (or at least attempt to eat) fairly often.

 

The canon Holmes, on the other hand, seems to eat more or less like a normal person when he's in good spirits but not actively involved in a case.  Seeing how bored he gets when he's had no case for a while, I suppose that boils down to him eating when he's just recently finished a case.

 

[Bakerstreet Irregular]

I've got to get to work and re-read the canon.....or pour over Klinger's Annotated volumes which I suppose amounts to the same thing.

[sfmpco]

Okay, so I have a friend who is just starting to watch Sherlock...and she has gotten through series 1, but she thinks there's a flaw in ASIP with how Sherlock knew how to run through the streets and take short cuts as to where to cabbie was headed... what are your thoughts?

[Arcadia]

I laughed at that the first time I saw it, I was like "yeah, right, uh-huh." But it's also one of my all time favorite scenes, it's so ridiculous and fun and high-spirited. It's just one of those crazy things that makes Sherlock the unlikely person he is, imo. I love it.

[Carol the Dabbler]

If your friend means, they couldn't really do that because that's not an accurate representation of how the streets are -- Sherlockology agrees.

[jesskayding]

Yeah, I seem to like some of the yeah right parts myself.

[sherlockandjohn]

Wow. Watched this episode again last night, and I had this weird feeling of almost watching it for the first time. I very rarely get that feeling about something I've watched... I don't know... maybe 14-15 times. Perhaps it has to do with having been so preoccupied lately with series 3, which has a very different feel to it; much more emotional. Not that 'A Study in Pink' is unemotional at all, just not "Sherlock-returning-from-the-dead" emotional. So, I watched it again, and got impressed - again - with the story of these two men, and how they connect (despite Sherlock's infuriatingly possesive behavior. I noticed how he first says, "there was no hurry," regarding John's arrival at Baker St., and then seconds later is pestering the man to send the text, and apparently now it can't go fast enough! Jerk     ). I wonder why Sherlock thinks he can get away with telling John what to do all the time, but then again, I suppose he's used to that with everyone. Look at the text he sends from John's phone: "If brother has green ladder, arrest brother". Sure, let's do that! Never mind evidence. Sherlock speaks, and people (well, some people) act. And if they don't, then they're just stupid, in Sherlock's eyes, and he can't be bothered with them. John, however, is clearly taken in by Sherlock's brilliance. Isn't it odd that he trusts him so quickly? But maybe it's the combination of Sherlock working on the good side, and the man's brilliance, that earns John's devotion.

 

It occurred to me how right John is in his assessment of their chase around London: "That was the most ridiculous thing I've ever done". Those two men are mad! Jumping from roof to roof, throwing themselves in front of cars. Insane. I'm starting to think that Sherlock is right in His Last Vow. John is abnormally attracted to danger. I feel bad for him when Mrs. Hudson says, "you're more the sitting down type, I can tell." Yeah, right!

 

The two men fit, but from a distance it wouldn't appear that way. It's funny that Stamford even brings up Sherlock when talking about a flatshare. One would think that living with Sherlock is impossible. I think that Stamford guy is quite smart, actually... Smart enough to put up with Sherlock, and to give the two men a chance, even though they don't seem a natural fit. (Who would seem a natural fit with Sherlock, anyway?)

 

'Pink' is a clever mystery, too; an intricate pattern of clues spread here and there. Best of all, the story is put together in a way that allows John to save Sherlock's life, and thereby establish a firm foundation for their friendship.

 

It's just woven together so perfectly; the mystery and the character drama. It is magical. It starts out quite subdued and a little sad, and it ends up with the foundation of a new friendship that is bound to change the lives of both men. That's what I love the most about this episode. Apart, Sherlock and John's lives are somewhat empty. Together, they find what they each need the most.

 

The drugs bust scene is one of the finest moments for Lestrade as well as for Sherlock. Oh, and Lestrade was actually the first to call Sherlock a child. "Well, I'm dealing with a child," he says, when Sherlock gets upset about the drugs bust. Sherlock has some great lines in this scene. The "high-functioning sociopath" one, "Anderson, don't talk out loud, you lower the IQ of the whole street", "Is it nice not being me? It must be so relaxing", "She's cleverer than you lot, and she's dead!" I could go on. His erratic behavior really stands out.

 

I wasn't sure for a while that I still loved this episode as much as I used to... I think the emotional impact of series 3 was stronger... but yesterday cleared my doubts. This is close to being the best episode of them all. Gosh, it's just brilliant!

[sherlockandjohn]

Noticed one more thing: Just before the GPS locates the mobile, John is about to leave the flat - with his cane. Hadn't noticed that until now. When he sees the location of the mobile, he rushes off, of course without the cane.

[Carol the Dabbler]

I'd never noticed that either.  Darn!  Now I'll have to watch it again! 

[T.o.b.y]

I wasn't sure for a while that I still loved this episode as much as I used to... I think the emotional impact of series 3 was stronger... but yesterday cleared my doubts. This is close to being the best episode of them all. Gosh, it's just brilliant!

 

It's certainly the most complete of them all. It can stand alone very well. If at some point they mess up the series, this first episode at least will remain. You could ignore everything that came after (it would be a shame, but you could) and still be left with a perfectly fine movie.

 

 

[sherlockandjohn]

Hm, I'm not sure I'd be able to ignore everything that follows, even if I'd want to. But, yes, it stands well on its' own, though the ending doesn't feel entirely like an ending. More like a beginning

[Arcadia]

That's my favorite kind of ending! "And the story begins......" I always feel blue when I reach the end of Lord of the Rings, for example, because of the finality of the ending. Especially if you read the appendixes:

They all die! :cry:
Except for the elves and a couple friends, who run off to paradise and leave all us mortals behind -- to DIE. Ingrates.

 

[sherlockandjohn]

That's my favorite kind of ending! "And the story begins......" I always feel blue when I reach the end of Lord of the Rings, for example, because of the finality of the ending. Especially if you read the appendixes:

 

 

They all die! :cry:

Except for the elves and a couple friends, who run off to paradise and leave all us mortals behind -- to DIE. Ingrates.

 

 

Oh, I know! I've cried my eyes out more than once when watching the farewell scene. I'm almost as big a fan of LoTR as I am of Sherlock, but not quite.

 

I haven't read the appendices (never got farther than half-way through The Two Towers), but I've heard that

Sam ends up travelling to The Undying Lands and is reunited with Frodo. I was so glad to hear that. It was so hard seeing those two separated. It's nearly as bad as separating John and Sherlock - but, again, not quite.

 

[Caya]

Er, I hate to be that gal, but, as Carol pointed out to me,

 

 

 

In his novels, J.R.R. Tolkien made a point of establishing that mortals remain mortal, even if they are permitted to enter the Undying Lands (excepting Tuor, who, according to tradition, was allowed by Eru to join the Elves and became immortal as they are.)

So it's not even guaranteed that Frodo was still alive by that time Sam made the journey. I sure hope so, though.

 

 

[Arcadia]

I haven't read the appendices (never got farther than half-way through The Two Towers), but I've heard that

Sam ends up travelling to The Undying Lands and is reunited with Frodo. I was so glad to hear that. It was so hard seeing those two separated. It's nearly as bad as separating John and Sherlock - but, again, not quite.

 

Wow, I had forgotten that! Good call!

[Arcadia]

Er, I hate to be that gal, but, as Carol pointed out to me,

 

 

 

In his novels, J.R.R. Tolkien made a point of establishing that mortals remain mortal, even if they are permitted to enter the Undying Lands (excepting Tuor, who, according to tradition, was allowed by Eru to join the Elves and became immortal as they are.)

So it's not even guaranteed that Frodo was still alive by that time Sam made the journey. I sure hope so, though.

 

 

I'd always assumed that, otherwise it seemed rather cruel to take him there!

[sherlockandjohn]

Er, I hate to be that gal, but, as Carol pointed out to me,

 

 

 

In his novels, J.R.R. Tolkien made a point of establishing that mortals remain mortal, even if they are permitted to enter the Undying Lands (excepting Tuor, who, according to tradition, was allowed by Eru to join the Elves and became immortal as they are.)

So it's not even guaranteed that Frodo was still alive by that time Sam made the journey. I sure hope so, though.

 

 

 

Yeah, I hope so, too. Actually, I get to believe what I like, so...

I'm just glad this wasn't pointed out to me 4 years ago That's when I first watched the films. I've gotten tolerably over the ending by now

[jesskayding]

Wow. Watched this episode again last night, and I had this weird feeling of almost watching it for the first time. I very rarely get that feeling about something I've watched... I don't know... maybe 14-15 times. Perhaps it has to do with having been so preoccupied lately with series 3, which has a very different feel to it; much more emotional. Not that 'A Study in Pink' is unemotional at all, just not "Sherlock-returning-from-the-dead" emotional. So, I watched it again, and got impressed - again - with the story of these two men, and how they connect (despite Sherlock's infuriatingly possesive behavior. I noticed how he first says, "there was no hurry," regarding John's arrival at Baker St., and then seconds later is pestering the man to send the text, and apparently now it can't go fast enough! Jerk ). I wonder why Sherlock thinks he can get away with telling John what to do all the time, but then again, I suppose he's used to that with everyone. Look at the text he sends from John's phone: "If brother has green ladder, arrest brother". Sure, let's do that! Never mind evidence. Sherlock speaks, and people (well, some people) act. And if they don't, then they're just stupid, in Sherlock's eyes, and he can't be bothered with them. John, however, is clearly taken in by Sherlock's brilliance. Isn't it odd that he trusts him so quickly? But maybe it's the combination of Sherlock working on the good side, and the man's brilliance, that earns John's devotion.

 

It occurred to me how right John is in his assessment of their chase around London: "That was the most ridiculous thing I've ever done". Those two men are mad! Jumping from roof to roof, throwing themselves in front of cars. Insane. I'm starting to think that Sherlock is right in His Last Vow. John is abnormally attracted to danger. I feel bad for him when Mrs. Hudson says, "you're more the sitting down type, I can tell." Yeah, right!

 

The two men fit, but from a distance it wouldn't appear that way. It's funny that Stamford even brings up Sherlock when talking about a flatshare. One would think that living with Sherlock is impossible. I think that Stamford guy is quite smart, actually... Smart enough to put up with Sherlock, and to give the two men a chance, even though they don't seem a natural fit. (Who would seem a natural fit with Sherlock, anyway?)

 

'Pink' is a clever mystery, too; an intricate pattern of clues spread here and there. Best of all, the story is put together in a way that allows John to save Sherlock's life, and thereby establish a firm foundation for their friendship.

 

It's just woven together so perfectly; the mystery and the character drama. It is magical. It starts out quite subdued and a little sad, and it ends up with the foundation of a new friendship that is bound to change the lives of both men. That's what I love the most about this episode. Apart, Sherlock and John's lives are somewhat empty. Together, they find what they each need the most.

 

The drugs bust scene is one of the finest moments for Lestrade as well as for Sherlock. Oh, and Lestrade was actually the first to call Sherlock a child. "Well, I'm dealing with a child," he says, when Sherlock gets upset about the drugs bust. Sherlock has some great lines in this scene. The "high-functioning sociopath" one, "Anderson, don't talk out loud, you lower the IQ of the whole street", "Is it nice not being me? It must be so relaxing", "She's cleverer than you lot, and she's dead!" I could go on. His erratic behavior really stands out.

 

I wasn't sure for a while that I still loved this episode as much as I used to... I think the emotional impact of series 3 was stronger... but yesterday cleared my doubts. This is close to being the best episode of them all. Gosh, it's just brilliant!

 

We must be thinking alike. I watched SIP last night too!

[jesskayding]

Hm, I'm not sure I'd be able to ignore everything that follows, even if I'd want to. But, yes, it stands well on its' own, though the ending doesn't feel entirely like an ending. More like a beginning

 

 

I agree!

[jesskayding]

Y'all are so silly with spoiler alerts for shows that are so old now!

[Bendydoodle Cantaloupe]

Noticed one more thing: Just before the GPS locates the mobile, John is about to leave the flat - with his cane. Hadn't noticed that until now. When he sees the location of the mobile, he rushes off, of course without the cane.

 

Might just be force of habit, from having a limp for so long? Or it is an error along the same lines as the whole Mary-running-off-cut-to-her-getting-up thing in TSoT?

[Carol the Dabbler]

Noticed one more thing: Just before the GPS locates the mobile, John is about to leave the flat - with his cane. Hadn't noticed that until now. When he sees the location of the mobile, he rushes off, of course without the cane.

 

Might just be force of habit, from having a limp for so long? Or it is an error along the same lines as the whole Mary-running-off-cut-to-her-getting-up thing in TSoT?

 

I think force of habit, yes, but then something happens to take his mind off the leg, and he forgets the cane.  Neat!  Hopefully that's the last we'll see of that cane.

 

That's my favorite kind of ending! "And the story begins......" I always feel blue when I reach the end of Lord of the Rings, for example, because of the finality of the ending. Especially if you read the appendixes:

 

 

They all die! :cry:

Except for the elves and a couple friends, who run off to paradise and leave all us mortals behind -- to DIE. Ingrates.

 

 

Yeah, basically the same thing applies to The Hobbit as well.  As Martina pointed out,

even Bilbo isn't really exempt, just postponed a bit

.

 

Y'all are so silly with spoiler alerts for shows that are so old now!

 

Well, just in case, y'know.  It doesn't hurt.  Someone might read this and think -- oh, I've been meaning to watch those movies (or read those books), and might not want to know how they end.

[sherlockandjohn]

Y'all are so silly with spoiler alerts for shows that are so old now!

 

I know but I also know that it took me 9 years to get around to watch 'Fellowship of the Ring'! (Silly me, what was I thinking?!) And there may be a younger audience around on the forum who haven't got there yet...