Sherlocked (Spoiler-free)
I’ve heard both that the Sherlock episode that aired on Sunday was the last episode ever and that everyone would be open to continuing the series. I watched it, waiting the entire time for the ending so I could judge whether things felt neatly wrapped up. I decided that if things were neatly wrapped up, it would mean the series was over, and if there was a cliffhanger, the series would continue.
My mind only half-watched the episode. The other half was worrying about whether things would be ending.
I think we’ve established over the years that I’m not good with endings — even when I am looking forward to whatever is next. For instance, I start mourning books when I’m about midway through the novel. I start thinking about how happy I am with the characters, and how much fun it is to spend time with them, and how it will be sad when it all comes to an end and I will never ever find characters that I like as much as the characters in front of me. I think that even when I have numerous books lined up to read, all of which I am equally excited to tackle. I think that despite having proven myself wrong between the last book and the current book.
I don’t know why I do this every single time.
Sherlock is a weird show because there are long breaks between the episodes. The last one was last winter, and then the rest of the season unrolled over the last three weeks. Before that, you got three episodes every two years. So it’s not as if I’ve spent time with them, week after week, and now saying goodbye to them will mean an end to a routine.
Still, the idea of never seeing these characters come together in new storylines made me feel anxious through the whole episode. Movies come and go, but book characters and television characters get under my skin and start to feel like people I’m Facebook stalking; unable to interact with them but enjoying trying to figure out their life from a few photos.
It was nice to hang out with Sherlock and Watson for an hour and a half at a time.
And I have no clue if that was the last episode or not.
7 comments
I haven’t watched Sherlock but I have the same problem with endings. I am not watching Homeland this season but I have in the past. It’s a very intense show and always ends a season with uncertainty. I feel physically wrung out at the end and like I will never be able to wait the endless months for the next season. And yet. By the time it’s here I’ve almost forgotten the details of what happened. Tv series are weird like that.
I doubt if it is the end. But there is always the internet! The biggest problem with Masterpiece Theater, whether it be Sherlock or Downton Abbey, is that they are not certain if they have the funding to put out new episodes, so THEY don’t even know if they will continue or not. Sherlock is quite pricey, which is the reason the seasons are short and intermittent.
I’ve taken to avoiding info (trailers, articles, etc) for any movie or tv show that I’m really excited about because I found that I was getting distracted by what I already ‘knew’. I was surprised by the feeling of finality I got watching the Sherlock episode this weekend, but I’m glad I had no idea going in that it is being thought of as not only season finale, but possibly a series finale. I think my enjoyment of the episode would have been much less if I had known or been speculating about it going in. Of course, immediately after watching it I had to search for any info I could find about is it/isn’t it over forever.
I think because of the long gaps between short seasons I don’t have strong feelings over if this was a season or series finale. Sherlock is expensive and with the cast scheduling it could be impossible or at least years before it comes back. I’ve loved these characters and will miss them, but I’ve gotten used to the distance.
I really hope it was not the last episode of Sherlock! I am also feeling invested in the characters, especially after waiting for them to return. Plus, I have yet to find the perfect t-shirt.
Thank goodness that Call the Midwife has been renewed for at least three more seasons!
Big Sherlock fan here — I’ve watched every episode right from the beginning. (We also used to watch reruns of the Jeremy Brett series on PBS.) I missed part of the last episode but saw the last half & have the whole thing PVRd to watch later. I am hoping it’s not the end too. I think the ambiguity re: whether this really was the end (or not) is partly because of funding, but also has a good deal to do with trying to schedule shooting around the two stars’ increasingly busy schedules and whether they are both willing to commit to another season. Fingers crossed!!
It didn’t feel as though it was the last episode ever. We’ll see in two years time. At least we have Queen Victoria now to pacify us. Clara Oswald with blue eyes.