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Thoughts about Sherlock: The Sign of Three

So. Sherlock left London-dale, underwent the demon trials, and won his soul. For John. To give John what he deserves -- pure, unselfish love. Love that allows him to see and appreciate who John is, and what he does, and how he tries. Love that means sacrificing his own desires for John's happiness.

Hmmmm.

So yes, I loved it. Some minor issues, but I loved it. Loved it in all its meta, fanficcy glory.

Now, I get that the show, by virtue of its being based on existing canon, is actually fanfic. I just think that they've taken it a step further this season; that they're using the fanfic tropes we know and love in a very overt way. Last episode, I was slightly bothered by the weakness of the (bombing) case, and the case isn't really the point in this episode, either, despite its clever set-up and resolution. It feels to me, in fanfic terms, as if they've moved away from writing casefic, and are using cases as a backdrop for fic that is more about exploring the characters and their relationship to each other. From the little I've read (avoiding spoilers!), I know that some people are disappointed with the direction the show has taken. They want it as it was before -- a detective story, with maybe an undercurrent of oblivious/denial/UST. If you're in it for casefic, and instead you're being given slashy love (despite all the I'm-not-gay, see, I'm married and a father-to-be), I can understand the disappointment. But for me? It's fine. It's all fine.

What I loved (not an exhaustive list, believe it or not):

The continued look we're getting at the Sherlock-Mycroft relationship. Love Sherlock wanting Mycroft at the wedding for support. Love Mycroft's dire predictions. I think Mycroft really does believe that Sherlock's relationship with John will be much less meaningful post-marriage, and I think part of him is happy about it, because he'll have more of Sherlock if that occurs. But I think he's also warning Sherlock in a very protective way -- warning him to take care, and shield himself from the hurt that the connection with others makes inevitable.

This brings me to the issue of Sherlock's involvement in planning the wedding. This might have felt really OCC, but for me, it works for two reasons. One is the whole wanting-John-to-be-happy-despite-his-own-feelings thing. But it also works because of my head-canon, which I think has become closer to actual canon, about the Holmes boys' childhood. Mycroft and Sherlock had that conversation last ep about the foolishness of their parents wanting them to make friends with other children, with Mycroft's disdainful, "You go in for that sort of thing now." But I feel that for Mycroft, people have always been goldfish, whereas Sherlock actually craves companionship; and that Sherlock may have tried to fit in with other children, even studied their behavior, though it was foreign to him, and only adopted the pretense of having chosen to be a superior loner when he was unable to develop those relationships. So throwing himself into wedding planning -- learning about napkin-folding from YouTube, making himself a part of a ritual that other people feel strongly about though he doesn't really understand it -- feels very much in keeping with that childhood part of him. In a totally fanficcy way.

All Sherlock's sadness and fear about losing John -- looking at John's chair, his jealousy over John's "previous" commander -- sigh, sigh, sigh with happiness over pining!Sherlock.

The drunk scenes. OMG. First, the nostalgic romp through prior crime scenes, and then the drunken deductions ("sitty thing," and "sleeep"). J/S sleeping tucked up together on the stairs. Sherlock passing out on his elbows and knees with his butt in the air. I mean, please. There was a lot of touching, too; and I think John said something like, "I'm here if you want me." Is this the slashiest show ever, or what? I mean, next to AtS, of course.

John asking Sherlock to be his best man, and Sherlock's obliviousness, and shock about being John's best friend. John: "'Course you are. 'Course you're my best friend." Oh, gee. Sniffle. And Sherlock (in flashback) disappearing as John is explaining how much John loves him, and John calling him a dickhead.

Sherlock and the little boy, which felt so authentic to me. First, because kids respond to people who speak to them normally, and also because Sherlock wouldn't judge a child to be less intelligent than an adult, since he thinks most people are idiots, regardless of age. And anyone who likes picture of bodies crawling with maggots is okay by him.

Composing the waltz and playing it as his gift. Teaching John to dance behind closed curtains. They were dancing together!!!!!!

The speech. What can I say? It was an incredibly beautiful declaration of admiration, respect, and total love. And Sherlock's confusion when people responded emotionally -- "Did I do it wrong?" And the hug. It's the fanfic payoff of a long, developing relationship story (sans sex), and I'm stopping now, because really, the scene speaks for itself.

"We wouldn't do that to John Watson on his wedding day." Sherlock explaining to another person about not being selfish; about putting the needs of a person you care about before your own. Growth!

And Sherlock, isolated in the happy crowd, not even getting to dance, not fitting in, walking away alone once again. Leaving a wedding early is so sad, as Mrs. Hudson noted. So they gave us angst, too.

Minor issues:

The opener, with Lestrade responding to Sherlock's text. This seemed a bit stale to me, although it was sweet on Lestrade's part.

The pregnancy reveal felt bit overdone. But is there kidfic coming? Are John and Sherlock going to raise this baby together? Because what else was that vow about?

Really can't wait until episode 3!