The Empty Hearse - 5 Second Reaction Post
I've been staying off the Interwebs since the beginning of the year to avoid major spoilers for Sherlock S3 and I'll continue to do that until episode three. But having just seen The Empty Hearse I have a few very quick preliminary thoughts.
If it's a 22 episode season, okay. If it's a 90 minute fan service DVD extra, also okay. As one of only three episodes, not okay. At all.
That's not to say there weren't moments I liked. But generally speaking I almost always dislike supposed "fan service" episodes and this was no different. This was worse, actually. Because in some ways I felt like it retroactively cheapened some of the emotions from Reichenbach, which, admittedly, is another episode I had some issues with.
This was incredibly disjointed and nonsensical episode where we occasionally veer off into "how I did it" scenarios at random, interrupting the plot (what little there was) for no particularly good reason and returning to the present just as abruptly. It's hard to tell, but apparently there were no consequences for Lestrade's involvement with Sherlock despite Reichenbach's statement that there would be consequences and they would be severe. Anderson as a Sherlock Holmes worshiping fanboy is fine in fic, less fine when there's previously been no evidence for it in their canon. And then apparently his obsession or possibly guilt drives him insane? Sally isn't mentioned at all (I know the actress moved on to another show, but still).
I just wish the return had been treated more seriously without a lot less distracting fan service.
And it looks like a repeat of Hound in that Sherlock does something reprehensible to John who has a few angry words (and in this case some physical alteration) and then everything is magically forgiven even when Sherlock "earns" that forgiveness by doing something else shitty to John. What?
I did enjoy many of the moments with Mycroft, particularly the game of deduction and operation. And of course I loved seeing Sherlock/Ben's parents and I want to watch their scenes again. I also loved John's reaction, which, let's be honest, is the only reaction he could possibly have had.
I liked Molly playing John for a day as a way of saying thanks (and also, I suspect, testing the role)
It was lovely to see Not!Anthea back.
For the record, I adore Shocking Blanket's #not dead art and I actually did like Sherlock's "in short not dead" line.
Anyway, I really hope the other two episodes get back on track and when I've finally seen them I'll enjoy going back and reading everyone else's reactions.
If it's a 22 episode season, okay. If it's a 90 minute fan service DVD extra, also okay. As one of only three episodes, not okay. At all.
That's not to say there weren't moments I liked. But generally speaking I almost always dislike supposed "fan service" episodes and this was no different. This was worse, actually. Because in some ways I felt like it retroactively cheapened some of the emotions from Reichenbach, which, admittedly, is another episode I had some issues with.
This was incredibly disjointed and nonsensical episode where we occasionally veer off into "how I did it" scenarios at random, interrupting the plot (what little there was) for no particularly good reason and returning to the present just as abruptly. It's hard to tell, but apparently there were no consequences for Lestrade's involvement with Sherlock despite Reichenbach's statement that there would be consequences and they would be severe. Anderson as a Sherlock Holmes worshiping fanboy is fine in fic, less fine when there's previously been no evidence for it in their canon. And then apparently his obsession or possibly guilt drives him insane? Sally isn't mentioned at all (I know the actress moved on to another show, but still).
I just wish the return had been treated more seriously without a lot less distracting fan service.
And it looks like a repeat of Hound in that Sherlock does something reprehensible to John who has a few angry words (and in this case some physical alteration) and then everything is magically forgiven even when Sherlock "earns" that forgiveness by doing something else shitty to John. What?
I did enjoy many of the moments with Mycroft, particularly the game of deduction and operation. And of course I loved seeing Sherlock/Ben's parents and I want to watch their scenes again. I also loved John's reaction, which, let's be honest, is the only reaction he could possibly have had.
I liked Molly playing John for a day as a way of saying thanks (and also, I suspect, testing the role)
It was lovely to see Not!Anthea back.
For the record, I adore Shocking Blanket's #not dead art and I actually did like Sherlock's "in short not dead" line.
Anyway, I really hope the other two episodes get back on track and when I've finally seen them I'll enjoy going back and reading everyone else's reactions.