see a man about a dog
At long last, only like 5 weeks late, I am writing about Sherlock s2e03! The Hounds of Baskerville! As usual, lots of rambling and some graphics and links to appropriate gifsets on tumblr. ALSO. WARNING: SLIGHT SPOILERS FOR REICHENBACH. There are a couple bits in Hounds that I felt, looking back, tied in, so I mention that.
OTHERWISE. Onward!
cut text is my favorite quote from The Hound of the Baskervilles (the book) - which apparently is not actually a very famous quote, and I was sad that they didn't say it in the show. The book is one of the few Holmes stories I'd read, and the one I'd read most recently, but it still had been 5+ years, so I reread it right before I watched the episode for the first time. It was awesome to catch all the little details and references that I wouldn't have gotten otherwise.
Thinking about the series, I have to say Hounds might be my favorite episode. It's hard for me to have just one, but this is up there, for sure. Also, going through it again, it seriously could have been titled "How Married Are Sherlock And John, Holy Shit."
I fully admit to being creeped out by the opening, with the kid (though the bit with just Henry was odd)
sherlock with his harpooooooon. I love love love frustrated!sherlock. and John being consistent and clever. Sherlock's face when he says PLEASE. omg my heart. And how John rejects him more nicely after that. And he looks for the cigarettes in the Persian slipper! because in canon that's where he keeps his tobacco! And the "7 percent stronger" which is I assume a reference to his cocaine (I have also read The Sign of Four, now!) I also love that he mentions his blog about perfumes, since that was in the story too.
Also, the second button on his shirt comes undone when he goes over to the window - just in one shot. LOL POOR BENEDICT, THEY WON'T LET HIM WEAR SHIRTS THAT FIT.
I like that there is a tie in with the message on his site, but I do have to say, I wish there were more connection - the coincidence is a little Dickensian (not something in its favor, Gatiss.) JOHN'S VOICE WHEN HE SAYS NO TO CLUEDO. omg how CUTE and MARRIED are they? FOR REAL. They are SO MARRIED in this episode. LIKE WHEN THE BELL RINGS and John describes part of it and Sherlock describes part of it and then they look at each other, make the same hand gesture at the same time with their dominant (therefore, mirrored) hands, and say "client" TOGETHER. NOTHING COULD BE MORE MARRIED OMG.
I like that part of Henry's story is told via the news video, since in the book it's read in a letter and a story or similar. "Are you laughing at me, Mr Holmes?" "Why, are you joking?" ahh also I love how John keeps loooking at Sherlock like he wants to edit him. "Of course, I am a show-off, that's what we do!" omg how cute are they. and Sherlock SNIFFING Henry. *giggles* and then being snarky about John's girlfriends.
AH I love how Sherlock pretends he's not going to come (a la the book) and HE POUTS and it's ADORABLE. and then John has hid the cigarettes IN THE SKULL. and poor Henry keeps going back and forth because he's caught in the middle of a domestic and HOW MARRIED ARE THEY. I CAN'T EVEN HANDLE IT.
John carries their bags. Of course. I LOVE how they stand in this scene - Sherlock has just opened the door and/or is holding it for John, and John just stands in the circle of Sherlock's arm, like it's completely comfortable for both of them. MAAAARRRRRRIIIIEEEDDDDDD. also, Mrs Hudson you bamf. LOVE.
Okay, with Sherlock driving - I just watched the Great Game with commentary before I saw this the first time, and Mark actually says how he figures Sherlock can't drive. And I think in some interview or other Mark says that John SHOULD be driving. But Martin CAN'T drive and that's why Sherlock is, and I don't why that charms me so much BUT IT DOES.
the part on the rocks. THEY'RE TAKING THE HOBBITS TO ISENGARD. and oh my gosh, the Grimpen Mire becomes the Grimpen Mine Field. GENIUS. and "stay away from the moor if you value your lives" - like the anonymous letter, ahhh, love.
at the inn. THe guy only hands John one key, right? So does the room they have have two single beds? I DON'T GET HOTEL TERMINOLOGY, OKAY. I do enjoy the preponderance of "ta"s in this scene though. And Sherlock stalking around and John getting info from the guy. HE IS SUCH A CHARMER, JOHN WATSON. "is yours a snorer?" I admit, I giggled.
Sherlock trying to act like a normal guy is slightly creepy, ngl. Also, how John catches on to Sherlock's plan without missing a beat. all together now: MARRIED.
ohhhh the part at Baskerville. John being all circumspect "really? great. kettle's just boiled" and Sherlock just being confident and "Mycroft's name literally opens doors" and John being all ARMY and CASUALLY ORDERING people and SHERLOCK'S TINY SMILE after he does, oh my god. PLEASE I WANT TO SMUSH THEM. "Nice touch" "haven't pulled rank in ages" "enjoy it?" "oh yeah" AHHHH all muttered under their breath with completely straight expressions, I DON'T KNOW WHY I LOVE THIS SO MUCH.
Is this JJ Abrams' lab? Hello, lens flare! Also, curse you, Gatiss, for trying to be sneaky. Franklin isn't the uber!bad guy in the book, but Stapleton is, and he SWITCHED them. which I wasn't expecting (though I should have, since ACD does that and Mofftiss realllyyyy do this). LMAO the rabbit bit. Again, disappointed at the Dickensian coincidence, but I do like the "did we just break into a military base to investigate a rabbit?!"
JOhn Watson is such a BAMF with his improvising. and "that wasn't my hat" and JOHN'S FACE when Franklin compliments his blog. (I actually would follow Martin Freeman around like a lost puppy, I cannot tell you how much).
"I would love to tell you, but then I'd have to kill you" "That would be tremendously ambitious of you" OH SHERLOCK. YOU SASSY BITCH.
"you being all mysterious with your cheekbones and turning up your coat collar so you look cool" "I don't do that" "yes you do" MARRIED. ADORABLE, CUTE, SNARKY, MARRRIIEEEDDD. and Sherlock totally doesn't realize he does it, I love that. GIF SET.
"has she been working on something deadlier than a rabbit" "to be fair, that is quite a wide field" AND THEIR FACES.
at Henry's "are you rich?" "yeah" LOL. also, seriously this episode set up Reichenbach SO MUCH. with the "liberty in death, the only true freedom" (more later)
the morse code with the lights, ahhh JOHN IS SUCH A BAMF, OKAY? and Henry saying "well look at you and John" "what about us?"
in the dark with flashlights! it is like an x-files episode! :D okay, this part was creepy too, with the fog and the dark and the howling.
omg the part at the pub in front of the fire. the filming of it was cool but also sort of jarring (though possibly on purpose - and I like that they're both in focus at the same time). and John just rambles about everything he's seen and his theories, because he knows Sherlock will want all the details - and if he doesn't, he'll interrupt! and he's never seen sherlock upset so he doesn't expect it and can't wrap his head around it. OH BOYS.
yayyyyyy "once you've ruled out the impossible" famous quote!! which Spock said in STXI as well. and then John calls Sherlock 'Spock' 30 seconds later. CUTEST. and then John trying to comfort him by being rational and Sherlock trying to convince them both that he's okay when he's clearly not. and the "I don't have friends" "wonder why" OH MY GOD BREAK MY HEART. I love that John knows to just leave when Sherlock gets pissy (like in The Great Game beginning too), because he DOES love Sherlock but he can't always put up with him, so he leaves before they have a proper fight. &JOHN;
and YAY Selden red herring. And John says his texts out loud. LMAO Sherlock's first attempt at apology.
the part with Henry and the motion sensor lights? OH MY FUCKING GOD SCARIEST FUCKING THING EVER. IS THAT IN EVERY HORROR MOVIE NOW? BECAUSE IT SHOULD BE. IT IS LEGITIMATELY TERRIFYING, HOLY CRAP.
and John is flirting with Louise TO HELP SHERLOCK because he's WORRIED ABOUT him. oh Franklin, you cockblocker.
SHerlock at Henry's SO BIZARRELY CUTE. his fake smiles are ADORABLE. also, oh oh so clever that it was the fact that he said "hound" that was why sherlock took the case - and that it has a lot to do with what happens. i LOVE it. because you would never call it the "dog of the Baskervilles" but "hound" really IS archaic. I APPROVE.
I love the part in the graveyard. You can see Sherlock feels bad and wants to apologize and doesn't know how, but he clearly had LISTENED to John about the morse code. and SHerlock BEING FUNNY and saying that he needs to "break the ice" and John saying how funny doesn't suit him, stick to ice BECAUSE THAT'S HOW SHERLOCK IS. and then POSSESSIVE ARM GRAB. and John makes him work for forgiveness, oh my god, please can I keep them.
of course OF COURSE the "I don't have friends. I've just got one." <33333333333333333 MY HEARRRRRRRRRRRTTTTT. GIFSETS: this one and this one. and then Sherlock calling JOhn amazing and fantastic and running up to him and then the part about him being a conductor of light (from the beginning of the book), and John doesn't get that it's a bit of an insult at first, ahhh THEY ARE ADORBS.
LESTRADE!! this is hysterical - Sherlock's face when John calls Lestrade Greg
It is totally a "when did you meet without me" "how am I not most important always" look of confusion. OH SHERLOCK. LET ME HUG YOU. I also like that we get a glimpse that Mycroft has kidnapped Lestrade in the past and regularly calls on him to see what Sherlock is up to, too.
The part with Sherlock making coffee. The first time I saw this I thought it was just mottsy and adorable, but now every time I giggle and go "YOU BITCH!" and okay, I'm not the only one who absolutely did NOT believe that they had the dog put down, right? From what Billy says, anyway. Lestrade's "Hilarious"
John totally understands Sherlock. and for some reason I am also charmed that he says "Asperger's". And Sherlock keeps looking at John to see if the drug is having an effect. Oh Sherlock. And Lestrade says about "getting London out of your lungs" - from the book! and then asking MYCROFT for HELP so he could have LABORATORY CONDITIONS for his experiment. and he says "could be dangerous" so John will be sure to do it. and Sherlock says to the Major "it's what I've.... negotiated" - with Mycroft, clearly. And you KNOW that he BEGGED Mycroft for this. SHERLOCKKKKK YOU ARE SO IN LOVEEEE.
The lab part was super creepy. I KNEW something was up with the room marked do not enter, and the smoke. But I liked how the LIGHTS were the creepy part.
John on the phone with Sherlock, omg MARTIN FREEMAN, ALL THE BAFTAS. He is begging for help and his voice breaks and kadlg;fjald;gfj RESCUE HIM, SHERLOCK. and then he does and ALL THE HAND-ON-SHOULDER GIFS PLEASE.
Oh, oh, "we have eaten and drunk exactly the same thing since we got to Grimpen apart from ONE thing: YOU don't take sugar in your coffee" OH, EATING THE SAME THING, ARE WE? HELLO, AGAIN, MARRIED-NESS. (also once they go into the other lab and Sherlock just says "John" and he knows to watch the door.)
and then, of course, THE MIND PALACE. I love it, it's SO MESMERIZING. it's like a dance. AND HE DOES AN ELVIS MOVE TO HOUND DOG and it aired ON ELVIS' BIRTHDAY (you sly dog, Gatiss) (har har)
I was all ready to be totally skeptical about Sherlock figuring out the password while sitting at Barrymore's desk... but then I realize he probably could guess some of my passwords (and my dad's) by sitting at our desks. and then I felt a little stupid.
Sherlock's STARE at John when he's on the phone. He is TOTAL BODY FOCUS on John.
at the Hollow. OMG. INTENSE. and and THE GAS MASK. HOLY HELL, WHAT THE FUCK. and then the dog. GAHHHH. and Sherlock and John are scared but trying to be rational, and then the guy comes and SHERLOCK SEES MORIARTY. MY HEART. What are you really afraid of, bb. Then John being a bamf fucking shot. and Sherlock makes Henry see it's just a dog, ahh, GOOD MAN. omg, GUEST STAR BAFTA, RUSSELL TOVEY.
and okay, set up for Reichenbach part 2: "why didn't you just kill me?" "because dead men get listened to. he needed to do more than kill you. he had to discredit every word you ever said..." BRILLIANT.
and Sherlock being all excited about the cleverness. and John being his human quotient and the "not good?" just like ASiP. awwwwwwwwwwwwww. and then Franklin runnign away and dying in the Mine Field, like Stapleton does in the Mire. yesssssssssss.
The breakfast scene is one of my favorites in the WHOLE SERIES. Sherlock bringing John coffee.
John's 'purple shirt of sex!' Sherlock not getting the sentiment bit, and John knowing that he doesn't get it, because John KNOWS Sherlock FOR REAL. (100%)
and Sherlock trying to distract John from figuring out what happened at the lab, and offering him the sauce, YOU ARE SO CUTE I DON'T EVEN KNOW. and Sherlock's LOOK when he shushes John about the experiment. "it was all totally scientific, all laboratory conditions, well, literally" HE DID IT BECAUSE HE LOVES JOHN.
well, not the experimenting part, I mean, he did that because he knows John and it was convenient. but he really tried to make it SAFE for him and he DEFS begged Mycroft somehow to get Barrymore to let him use the lab. it's how Sherlock would show his love. It's how he DOES show his love. YOU WILL NOT CONVINCE ME OTHERWISE. even the "I knew what effect it had on a superior mind so I needed to try it on an average one. You know what I mean." MAAARRRRIIIEEEEDDDDDD. and he apologizes for being wrong. LOL
and THEY SHARE A GIGGLE OVER BATHROOM JOKES. WHAT EVEN ARE YOU. also, fully admit I had to look up the "gotta see a man about a dog" reference, because I didn't know what it meant. oops. NOW IT'S EVEN FUNNIER. also the innkeeper guy is wearing a purple shirt of sex, too. It was a good night at the Cross Keys, eh?
ah and then the Moriarty bit. FREAKY AS HELL and I never watch it when I rewatch this episode - esp as it apaprently takes place well into the next episode! I defs was all... uh, what is Mycroft doing. >:O DNW. but it works quite nicely with anticipating Reichenbach.
Ahhh. I love this show. I love the characters. happysigh.
OTHERWISE. Onward!
cut text is my favorite quote from The Hound of the Baskervilles (the book) - which apparently is not actually a very famous quote, and I was sad that they didn't say it in the show. The book is one of the few Holmes stories I'd read, and the one I'd read most recently, but it still had been 5+ years, so I reread it right before I watched the episode for the first time. It was awesome to catch all the little details and references that I wouldn't have gotten otherwise.
Thinking about the series, I have to say Hounds might be my favorite episode. It's hard for me to have just one, but this is up there, for sure. Also, going through it again, it seriously could have been titled "How Married Are Sherlock And John, Holy Shit."
I fully admit to being creeped out by the opening, with the kid (though the bit with just Henry was odd)
sherlock with his harpooooooon. I love love love frustrated!sherlock. and John being consistent and clever. Sherlock's face when he says PLEASE. omg my heart. And how John rejects him more nicely after that. And he looks for the cigarettes in the Persian slipper! because in canon that's where he keeps his tobacco! And the "7 percent stronger" which is I assume a reference to his cocaine (I have also read The Sign of Four, now!) I also love that he mentions his blog about perfumes, since that was in the story too.
Also, the second button on his shirt comes undone when he goes over to the window - just in one shot. LOL POOR BENEDICT, THEY WON'T LET HIM WEAR SHIRTS THAT FIT.
I like that there is a tie in with the message on his site, but I do have to say, I wish there were more connection - the coincidence is a little Dickensian (not something in its favor, Gatiss.) JOHN'S VOICE WHEN HE SAYS NO TO CLUEDO. omg how CUTE and MARRIED are they? FOR REAL. They are SO MARRIED in this episode. LIKE WHEN THE BELL RINGS and John describes part of it and Sherlock describes part of it and then they look at each other, make the same hand gesture at the same time with their dominant (therefore, mirrored) hands, and say "client" TOGETHER. NOTHING COULD BE MORE MARRIED OMG.
I like that part of Henry's story is told via the news video, since in the book it's read in a letter and a story or similar. "Are you laughing at me, Mr Holmes?" "Why, are you joking?" ahh also I love how John keeps loooking at Sherlock like he wants to edit him. "Of course, I am a show-off, that's what we do!" omg how cute are they. and Sherlock SNIFFING Henry. *giggles* and then being snarky about John's girlfriends.
AH I love how Sherlock pretends he's not going to come (a la the book) and HE POUTS and it's ADORABLE. and then John has hid the cigarettes IN THE SKULL. and poor Henry keeps going back and forth because he's caught in the middle of a domestic and HOW MARRIED ARE THEY. I CAN'T EVEN HANDLE IT.
John carries their bags. Of course. I LOVE how they stand in this scene - Sherlock has just opened the door and/or is holding it for John, and John just stands in the circle of Sherlock's arm, like it's completely comfortable for both of them. MAAAARRRRRRIIIIEEEDDDDDD. also, Mrs Hudson you bamf. LOVE.
Okay, with Sherlock driving - I just watched the Great Game with commentary before I saw this the first time, and Mark actually says how he figures Sherlock can't drive. And I think in some interview or other Mark says that John SHOULD be driving. But Martin CAN'T drive and that's why Sherlock is, and I don't why that charms me so much BUT IT DOES.
the part on the rocks. THEY'RE TAKING THE HOBBITS TO ISENGARD. and oh my gosh, the Grimpen Mire becomes the Grimpen Mine Field. GENIUS. and "stay away from the moor if you value your lives" - like the anonymous letter, ahhh, love.
at the inn. THe guy only hands John one key, right? So does the room they have have two single beds? I DON'T GET HOTEL TERMINOLOGY, OKAY. I do enjoy the preponderance of "ta"s in this scene though. And Sherlock stalking around and John getting info from the guy. HE IS SUCH A CHARMER, JOHN WATSON. "is yours a snorer?" I admit, I giggled.
Sherlock trying to act like a normal guy is slightly creepy, ngl. Also, how John catches on to Sherlock's plan without missing a beat. all together now: MARRIED.
ohhhh the part at Baskerville. John being all circumspect "really? great. kettle's just boiled" and Sherlock just being confident and "Mycroft's name literally opens doors" and John being all ARMY and CASUALLY ORDERING people and SHERLOCK'S TINY SMILE after he does, oh my god. PLEASE I WANT TO SMUSH THEM. "Nice touch" "haven't pulled rank in ages" "enjoy it?" "oh yeah" AHHHH all muttered under their breath with completely straight expressions, I DON'T KNOW WHY I LOVE THIS SO MUCH.
Is this JJ Abrams' lab? Hello, lens flare! Also, curse you, Gatiss, for trying to be sneaky. Franklin isn't the uber!bad guy in the book, but Stapleton is, and he SWITCHED them. which I wasn't expecting (though I should have, since ACD does that and Mofftiss realllyyyy do this). LMAO the rabbit bit. Again, disappointed at the Dickensian coincidence, but I do like the "did we just break into a military base to investigate a rabbit?!"
JOhn Watson is such a BAMF with his improvising. and "that wasn't my hat" and JOHN'S FACE when Franklin compliments his blog. (I actually would follow Martin Freeman around like a lost puppy, I cannot tell you how much).
"I would love to tell you, but then I'd have to kill you" "That would be tremendously ambitious of you" OH SHERLOCK. YOU SASSY BITCH.
"you being all mysterious with your cheekbones and turning up your coat collar so you look cool" "I don't do that" "yes you do" MARRIED. ADORABLE, CUTE, SNARKY, MARRRIIEEEDDD. and Sherlock totally doesn't realize he does it, I love that. GIF SET.
"has she been working on something deadlier than a rabbit" "to be fair, that is quite a wide field" AND THEIR FACES.
at Henry's "are you rich?" "yeah" LOL. also, seriously this episode set up Reichenbach SO MUCH. with the "liberty in death, the only true freedom" (more later)
the morse code with the lights, ahhh JOHN IS SUCH A BAMF, OKAY? and Henry saying "well look at you and John" "what about us?"
in the dark with flashlights! it is like an x-files episode! :D okay, this part was creepy too, with the fog and the dark and the howling.
omg the part at the pub in front of the fire. the filming of it was cool but also sort of jarring (though possibly on purpose - and I like that they're both in focus at the same time). and John just rambles about everything he's seen and his theories, because he knows Sherlock will want all the details - and if he doesn't, he'll interrupt! and he's never seen sherlock upset so he doesn't expect it and can't wrap his head around it. OH BOYS.
yayyyyyy "once you've ruled out the impossible" famous quote!! which Spock said in STXI as well. and then John calls Sherlock 'Spock' 30 seconds later. CUTEST. and then John trying to comfort him by being rational and Sherlock trying to convince them both that he's okay when he's clearly not. and the "I don't have friends" "wonder why" OH MY GOD BREAK MY HEART. I love that John knows to just leave when Sherlock gets pissy (like in The Great Game beginning too), because he DOES love Sherlock but he can't always put up with him, so he leaves before they have a proper fight. &JOHN;
and YAY Selden red herring. And John says his texts out loud. LMAO Sherlock's first attempt at apology.
the part with Henry and the motion sensor lights? OH MY FUCKING GOD SCARIEST FUCKING THING EVER. IS THAT IN EVERY HORROR MOVIE NOW? BECAUSE IT SHOULD BE. IT IS LEGITIMATELY TERRIFYING, HOLY CRAP.
and John is flirting with Louise TO HELP SHERLOCK because he's WORRIED ABOUT him. oh Franklin, you cockblocker.
SHerlock at Henry's SO BIZARRELY CUTE. his fake smiles are ADORABLE. also, oh oh so clever that it was the fact that he said "hound" that was why sherlock took the case - and that it has a lot to do with what happens. i LOVE it. because you would never call it the "dog of the Baskervilles" but "hound" really IS archaic. I APPROVE.
I love the part in the graveyard. You can see Sherlock feels bad and wants to apologize and doesn't know how, but he clearly had LISTENED to John about the morse code. and SHerlock BEING FUNNY and saying that he needs to "break the ice" and John saying how funny doesn't suit him, stick to ice BECAUSE THAT'S HOW SHERLOCK IS. and then POSSESSIVE ARM GRAB. and John makes him work for forgiveness, oh my god, please can I keep them.
of course OF COURSE the "I don't have friends. I've just got one." <33333333333333333 MY HEARRRRRRRRRRRTTTTT. GIFSETS: this one and this one. and then Sherlock calling JOhn amazing and fantastic and running up to him and then the part about him being a conductor of light (from the beginning of the book), and John doesn't get that it's a bit of an insult at first, ahhh THEY ARE ADORBS.
LESTRADE!! this is hysterical - Sherlock's face when John calls Lestrade Greg
It is totally a "when did you meet without me" "how am I not most important always" look of confusion. OH SHERLOCK. LET ME HUG YOU. I also like that we get a glimpse that Mycroft has kidnapped Lestrade in the past and regularly calls on him to see what Sherlock is up to, too.
The part with Sherlock making coffee. The first time I saw this I thought it was just mottsy and adorable, but now every time I giggle and go "YOU BITCH!" and okay, I'm not the only one who absolutely did NOT believe that they had the dog put down, right? From what Billy says, anyway. Lestrade's "Hilarious"
John totally understands Sherlock. and for some reason I am also charmed that he says "Asperger's". And Sherlock keeps looking at John to see if the drug is having an effect. Oh Sherlock. And Lestrade says about "getting London out of your lungs" - from the book! and then asking MYCROFT for HELP so he could have LABORATORY CONDITIONS for his experiment. and he says "could be dangerous" so John will be sure to do it. and Sherlock says to the Major "it's what I've.... negotiated" - with Mycroft, clearly. And you KNOW that he BEGGED Mycroft for this. SHERLOCKKKKK YOU ARE SO IN LOVEEEE.
The lab part was super creepy. I KNEW something was up with the room marked do not enter, and the smoke. But I liked how the LIGHTS were the creepy part.
John on the phone with Sherlock, omg MARTIN FREEMAN, ALL THE BAFTAS. He is begging for help and his voice breaks and kadlg;fjald;gfj RESCUE HIM, SHERLOCK. and then he does and ALL THE HAND-ON-SHOULDER GIFS PLEASE.
Oh, oh, "we have eaten and drunk exactly the same thing since we got to Grimpen apart from ONE thing: YOU don't take sugar in your coffee" OH, EATING THE SAME THING, ARE WE? HELLO, AGAIN, MARRIED-NESS. (also once they go into the other lab and Sherlock just says "John" and he knows to watch the door.)
and then, of course, THE MIND PALACE. I love it, it's SO MESMERIZING. it's like a dance. AND HE DOES AN ELVIS MOVE TO HOUND DOG and it aired ON ELVIS' BIRTHDAY (you sly dog, Gatiss) (har har)
I was all ready to be totally skeptical about Sherlock figuring out the password while sitting at Barrymore's desk... but then I realize he probably could guess some of my passwords (and my dad's) by sitting at our desks. and then I felt a little stupid.
Sherlock's STARE at John when he's on the phone. He is TOTAL BODY FOCUS on John.
at the Hollow. OMG. INTENSE. and and THE GAS MASK. HOLY HELL, WHAT THE FUCK. and then the dog. GAHHHH. and Sherlock and John are scared but trying to be rational, and then the guy comes and SHERLOCK SEES MORIARTY. MY HEART. What are you really afraid of, bb. Then John being a bamf fucking shot. and Sherlock makes Henry see it's just a dog, ahh, GOOD MAN. omg, GUEST STAR BAFTA, RUSSELL TOVEY.
and okay, set up for Reichenbach part 2: "why didn't you just kill me?" "because dead men get listened to. he needed to do more than kill you. he had to discredit every word you ever said..." BRILLIANT.
and Sherlock being all excited about the cleverness. and John being his human quotient and the "not good?" just like ASiP. awwwwwwwwwwwwww. and then Franklin runnign away and dying in the Mine Field, like Stapleton does in the Mire. yesssssssssss.
The breakfast scene is one of my favorites in the WHOLE SERIES. Sherlock bringing John coffee.
John's 'purple shirt of sex!' Sherlock not getting the sentiment bit, and John knowing that he doesn't get it, because John KNOWS Sherlock FOR REAL. (100%)
and Sherlock trying to distract John from figuring out what happened at the lab, and offering him the sauce, YOU ARE SO CUTE I DON'T EVEN KNOW. and Sherlock's LOOK when he shushes John about the experiment. "it was all totally scientific, all laboratory conditions, well, literally" HE DID IT BECAUSE HE LOVES JOHN.
well, not the experimenting part, I mean, he did that because he knows John and it was convenient. but he really tried to make it SAFE for him and he DEFS begged Mycroft somehow to get Barrymore to let him use the lab. it's how Sherlock would show his love. It's how he DOES show his love. YOU WILL NOT CONVINCE ME OTHERWISE. even the "I knew what effect it had on a superior mind so I needed to try it on an average one. You know what I mean." MAAARRRRIIIEEEEDDDDDD. and he apologizes for being wrong. LOL
and THEY SHARE A GIGGLE OVER BATHROOM JOKES. WHAT EVEN ARE YOU. also, fully admit I had to look up the "gotta see a man about a dog" reference, because I didn't know what it meant. oops. NOW IT'S EVEN FUNNIER. also the innkeeper guy is wearing a purple shirt of sex, too. It was a good night at the Cross Keys, eh?
ah and then the Moriarty bit. FREAKY AS HELL and I never watch it when I rewatch this episode - esp as it apaprently takes place well into the next episode! I defs was all... uh, what is Mycroft doing. >:O DNW. but it works quite nicely with anticipating Reichenbach.
Ahhh. I love this show. I love the characters. happysigh.