Thinky thoughts about The Reichenbach Fall

[snycock]

Okay, now that I've watched The Reichenbach Fall three or four times, I realize that there are some things that are bothering me...

Comments

[lisafeld]

I wanna see it again so I can revisit some of the scenes and take in the nuances more. But I agree that confirmed bachelor really tweaked John, and I also think there's a difference between being in the paper or getting some fanmail and having the kind of celeb status where people make up stories about you, dig up dirt on you, and keep you from being able to get out your front door. It takes on a kind of rabid quality.

S and M have the conversation before Sherlock has to die, true, but after it's starting to look like his reputation is gone, that no one will ever believe him again when he's sure he's right about something. He may not be dead, but it's looking like his LIFE is over.

And I think he's feeling John out, pushing him to make sure of him. I think it's part and parcel with the way he always needles John, partly to see what John is feeling (or to actively lead him to a specific opinion), and partly to use John as a barometer of how an average person thinks. I don't think he disbelieves himself at that point.

And I see the thing with Mrs. Hudson from the other POV: Moriarty arranges the call because it will (a) put John in a predictable path for a sniper and (b) set him up as a nice carrot for Sherlock, a visual aid of what he needs to sacrifice himself for. And you can argue that Sherlock either predicted that part of Moriarty's plan, or that while Sherlock was planning on a public setup with lots of witnesses for Moriarty's benefit, he wasn't counting on John being one of those witnesses.

[snycock]

I wanna see it again so I can revisit some of the scenes and take in the nuances more. But I agree that confirmed bachelor really tweaked John, and I also think there's a difference between being in the paper or getting some fanmail and having the kind of celeb status where people make up stories about you, dig up dirt on you, and keep you from being able to get out your front door. It takes on a kind of rabid quality.

Hey, any time... just let me know. :-) Maybe if the game gets really boring tomorrow. And I guess that makes sense; that maybe the fame has gotten a bit out of hand. It's not just interesting cases now, it's photographers everywhere they go and paparazzi and people hounding them. It just seems a bit incongruous to me.

S and M have the conversation before Sherlock has to die, true, but after it's starting to look like his reputation is gone, that no one will ever believe him again when he's sure he's right about something. He may not be dead, but it's looking like his LIFE is over.

Actually, his reputation is still good at this point. I don't think anyone sees Sherlock as the reason Moriary walked. He's consulting on the kidnapping case; the ambassador has asked for him by name, "the Reichenbach hero". Lestrade even says, "Isn't it great to be working with a star?" I mean, yeah, he's being a little sarcastic, but still. The kid hasn't screamed, Donovan doesn't suspect (any more than she usually does). Kitty's article has been teased, but there's no breath of "fraud" yet.

It took me a few viewings, but when I realized that, it really confused me. We, the viewing audience, we know something bad is going to happen, because we've seen John being sad at the beginning. But no one in the show should be aware of that at this point... unless there's something else going on.

That makes sense about him needling John. But do you think there's a point where Sherlock actually disbelieves himself? Or is he just playing Moriarty?

And Moriarty making the call makes sense... although, if that's true, why would Sherlock let John go? What if Moriarty is leading John into an ambush? Or planning to kidnap him again? Or even just kill him?

[lisafeld]

I don't think Sherlock disbelieves himself here; Baskerville showed us what he looks like when he doesn't think he can trust his own perceptions of reality -- it freaking terrifies him. He's not terrified here.

I see what you mean about the timing of the discussion with Molly. Shoot! So clearly I need to watch it again, with an eye towards figuring out what Sherlock knows or suspects at that point. It's a terrible sacrifice, but I guess I'll have to make it. :) Wanna make it with me?