Sherlock series three, episode one: The Empty Hearse

[pandoras_chaos]

My review:
[Spoiler (click to open)]
I have extremely mixed feelings on this episode, and after letting it marinade for a few days (and re-watching it twice) here's my conclusions as posted in the sherlockbbc discussion post

Comments

[jcporter1]

The only honest scene (to me) was John and Mrs. Hudson. She was rightfully angry. He was rightfully guitly. He shared good news, she was surprised and happy. There was a laugh.
After that it fell off a cliff.
Obviously the tube scene, has litterally caused me to remove this show from My Mind Palace. (I watched A Game of Shadows last night just to see a relationship between Holmes and Watson that didnlt border on domestic violence and battered wife syndrome. What a relief. God I hope RDJude take this stumble by Moffat-Gatiss and interject Their 3rd episode and post RF reunion. At least something good would come out of E7.)
The final scene. John has complained the whole show that Sherlock told Everyone but him. John says, "I asked you to not be dead" "I heard you,"
"Ok. Then Why Did You Not Tell Me!" was the line left out. Should have been the last line of the show.

[pandoras_chaos]

I just don't understand why Sherlock and John were so incredibly out of character with each other. I get that John's angry, and that he won't talk to Sherlock at first (that scene with Sherlock talking to Mrs Hudson, and John at the clinic "fffff-cough" was the kind of humor I've gotten used to out of Gatiss), and I actually had some pretty high hopes after seeing Sherlock internalize John during the fake Jack the Ripper case, but beyond that it seemed like they didn't take their reunion and subsequent forgiveness seriously. At all. I wanted to see Sherlock realize that John was Not Okay with what happened. I wanted to see the kind of vulnerability and humanity we've come to expect from him since Study In Pink, for christ's sake

[jcporter1]

Indeed! A waste. And worse! Since its already "in the can" as they say, there is nothing to be done. If they have taken a wrong turn, do we wait 2 more years for a right turn?
I was nervous going in because in the lasts six weeks BC mentiuoned several times that he "hoped he got it right"
Of course its hardly his fault. He reads the lines and follows direction.
Poor MF looked absolutely adrift at sea. I've never seen him so uncomfortable in a role. The tube scene fell flat as a man hole cover. You could hear the "clang" as the lines were delivered.
Alas.

[jcporter1]

I am a little worried for BC.
Remember the pictures after the preview, when MF was patting his shoulder and holding his face and AA was also stroking his back? We thought it was the fanfic fiasco. But what if that was the first time he saw the E7? What if he realized they got it all wrong?
I hope he doesn't blame himself.

[pandoras_chaos]

OK, so I just watched it again at my best friend's house, and all I can say is it gets better every time I see it. I watched specifically for the subtlety in Benedict's acting and picked up on WAY more emotion from Sherlock this time around, especially regarding John. That tube car scene is a lot better now that I can watch for the exact moment he turns the bomb off (because you can actually physically see it happen) and every moment after that is totally obviously contrived. He did an amazing job with subtlety, but it's there for sure. The only proper emotion that crosses his face is when John actually tells him how bloody amazing he is (can't recalled the exact wording), when Sherlock looks up with that familiar shock and gratitude. Beyond that, it's all so obviously hammed up if you're looking for it. That made me feel better.

[jcporter1]

I'm glad it got better. I downloaded it to watch again. But I haven't had the nerve yet. It was such a let down the first time, and I was ready to love it and forgive any blemishes, that I'm afraid I would really hate it this time.
It may have to do with my being gay, so things like kissing Molly don't give me a thrill. And while I see they made Mary so we would like her, she doesn't seem like a real person. Maybe she is supposed to be a villain later. I am glad that it improves. I feel like I didn't have to work this hard to enjoy the first six shows. Still. Anything that gives joy to people, even if it's not me, is a good thing.

[pandoras_chaos]

Definitely give it another go (or two!). It gets better every time I watch it, which bodes exceedingly well. It also seemed smoother this time around, probably because I stopped trying to catch everything at once. I was specifically watching for character content this time around, and there was quite a lot of it there if you're looking properly.

Watch Benedict. Watch the way Sherlock watches John.
Trust me, it's worth it.