30 Days of Sherlock: A picture that makes you go :D

Kelly: This entirely sums up Sherlock. In a nutshell. Plus, this scene sequence in Belgravia is my favorite dialogue in the entire series! It's silly, ridiculous and hilarious. It just goes to show you that even though Sherlock is indeed brilliant, he has his Honey Badger moments. You also get to see a bit more of the brotherly relationship between Sherlock and Mycroft. When I first saw this I was like that is SO me and Holly!!!

Holly: Yes, that's really what it says in the description.  I like this picture.

From what I remember about it (I found it on Pinterest), this was taken from the Sherlock set.  I like this picture because they look so chill.  They look like more than just co-actors on a show; they look like friends.  Plus, Martin Freeman has coffee and I like that too.

30 Days of Sherlock: Whatever you like!

Holly: Today is just a free-for-all, so I will post a goofy picture.  Because I like pictures and I like goofy.

Kelly: I was watching The Great Game a few days ago and Yoda was being super squirrely.  She kept getting in the way of the TV so I couldn't see some of it. She then proceeded to jump ONTO the TV and was watching the screen too. I took this picture below and it is timed perfectly! It looks like Sherlock is looking at her. Enjoy!

30 Days of Sherlock: Favorite Ship

Kelly: Oh....this is interesting. For those of you who don't know what a "ship" is, it is a internet term for a relationship. No, not just a casual one but...you know. There are some crazy and insane Sherlock fans who write fanfic/make drawings on DevianArt or are like "Sherlock and John make such a cute couple!" Then of course there's the infamous "Johnlock" that this fandom has also started. And yes there are several jabs in the series that suggest that Sherlock and John might be gay.

Um....no.

In my opinion, these fans are completely missing the point. It seems in today's culture that TV shows and movies are OBSESSED with relationships and with the fairy tale ending "and they lived happily ever after." But what attracts me to the show isn't the fact that there might be some sort of "relationship" that goes on between Sherlock and John, but that there isn't. I don't see flirting, being in a relationship or anything like that. I see friendship and the love and beauty that comes from that. They look out for each other, they have each other's back, they meet in the most unlikely of circumstances. They have inside jokes, they solve crimes together, and yes, they do live together. Yes, people in relationships do all of the above as well, but friends do that too. It's just silly to me. That's all.

Holly: 

Once again, my sister says everything perfectly.  STOP WITH THE SHIPS, Y'ALL!! Sherlock and John can be friends! That's it.  STAHP.

30 Days of Sherlock: Favorite Quote

Holly and Kelly: Naturally, because this show is so well-written (seriously...it is), we couldn't pick just one quote.  So we decided to just compile a big list of silly ones and not-so-silly ones.  Enjoy.  See if your favorite makes the list.

Silly:

"Anderson, don't talk out loud.  You lower the IQ of the entire street." ~Sherlock
"If I wanted poetry, I'd read John's emails to his girlfriend.  Much funnier."  ~Sherlock
"And exactly how many times did he fall out the window?" "Oh, it's all a bit of a blur, Detective Inspector.  I lost count."  ~Lestrade and Sherlock
"We can't giggle.  It's a crime scene." ~John
"Here to see the Queen?" (Mycroft walks in) "Apparently, yes." ~John and Sherlock
"Get off my sheet!" ~Sherlock
I'm disappointed in you, ORDINARY Sherlock!" ~Moriarty
"We solve crimes, I blog about it, and he forgets his pants." ~John
"Coffee.  I made coffee." ~Sherlock
"Laterz!" ~Sherlock
"Why didn't I think of that?" "Because you're an idiot." ~John and Sherlock
"I didn't get the shopping." "Why not?" "Because I had a row, in the shop, with a chip and pin machine." "You had a row with a machine?" "Well, it just kind of stood there while I shouted abuse at it." ~John and Sherlock

Not-so-silly:

"I don't count." ~Molly (then Sherlock's confused face)
"I don't have friends.  I've just got one." ~Sherlock
"Nobody could be that clever." "You could." ~Sherlock and John
"If I wasn't everything you think I am, or I think I am, would you still want to help me?" "What do you need?"  "You." ~Sherlock and Molly
"You look sad, when you think he can't see you." ~Molly, to Sherlock
"This is your heart, and you should never let it rule your head." ~Sherlock
"The stuff you wanted to say, but didn't say it..." "Yeah." "Say it now." "....I can't.  I'm sorry.  I can't." ~John and his therapist
"She's dying, you machine! Sod this.  Sod this, you stay here if you want.  On your own." "Alone is what I have.  Alone protects me." "No.  Friends protect people." ~John and Sherlock (we like this one so much because Martin Freeman improvised this line.  Yep. Just made it up)
"You told me once that you weren't a hero.  There were times that I didn't even think you were human.  But let me tell you this, you were the best man, and the most human...human being that I have ever known, and no one will ever convince me you told me a lie.  So...there.  I was so alone, and I owe you so much.  Please, there's just one more thing, one more thing, one more miracle; don't...be....dead.  Would you do that, just for me? Just stop it.  Just stop it, stop this..." ~John, to Sherlock's grave :(

P.S. We wish all of our dear readers a very happy 4th of July! Please stay safe and have fun!

30 Days of Sherlock: Favorite minor character

Holly: I had to think for a while about this one, but then it struck me later and now it's no surprise.

WARNING: spoilers revealed below if you've never watched.  Proceed with caution.

Molly Hooper, aka the pathologist at St. Barts.  Unfortunately, we don't see much of her in the series, but when we do see her she is always helping Sherlock.  Despite this, she does have to put up with a lot of his crap: forcing her to cancel plans, humiliating her at the Christmas party, etc.  Even when Sherlock reaches his near breaking point, she still asks him, with the utmost sincerity "What do you need?"  Sherlock is a bit brash toward her, but he does trust her, and always will.  I know for a fact that she had something to do with Sherlock faking his death.  I'm also looking forward to what Season 3 will bring for her.  I really hope we do see more of her.

Kelly: Molly is also one of my favorite minor character, but Lestrade is another favorite of mine too. He is so incredibly skeptical of Sherlock and his "abilities" but knows that without him Scotland Yard would not have been able to get anywhere in solving the many cases he summoned Sherlock's help for.
"But you NEED me."
"Yes...yes I do. God help me."
Not to mention, Sherlock and Lestrade have such wonderful chemistry, and their banter definitely puts on a lighter tone to some of the dark themes that sometimes occur in the series.
"Well don't take it personally, Sherlock, but I always feel like screaming every time you walk into the room." Unfortunately, at the end of Reichenbach, Lestrade starts to lose faith in Sherlock and starts believing two of his other colleagues when they hint that Sherlock may be involved in a case. When he arrives at 221B Baker Street with the arrest warrant, you can tell he looks so pained by what he is about to do. However, I have my suspicions. I think Lestrade knows Sherlock faked his death.

30 Days of Sherlock: Favorite Main character

Kelly: My favorite character is John Watson, for a lot of reasons. His back story is the first one you see right in the beginning of the series. Army veteran, invalided from home, clearly showing physical (mostly psychosomatic but they appear that way) and emotional scars from his time in Afghanistan. He is introduced to Sherlock by a mutual friend of theirs when the question is asked "who would want me for a flat mate?" (Well...I would for starters!) It is at this first meeting that Sherlock is able to deduce John's time in the service, along with the fact he has an estranged sister, she's in a failed relationship and has poor drinking habits. The day after they meet, John is taken hostage by Mycroft and is offered a large sum of money to keep tabs on Sherlock.
"No."
"You're very loyal."
"No, I'm just not interested."

But he IS very loyal, even after knowing Sherlock for less than a day. It was said in the beginning of the first episode that John had "trust issues." But as the series progresses, you see the transformation of not only John as a person but their relationship changes. The relationship between Sherlock and John begins as merely colleagues and flat mates to friends. Best friends. Let's face it; John had nowhere to go after his time in Afghanistan. But he put his trust in Sherlock, even after warnings of him being a "freak" and being told to stay away from him. And another reason why I love John? He's a medical man, like me...except I'm not a man. Haha. Plus he's played by Martin Freeman who is without a shred of doubt one of my favorite actors! John is the type of person you would want on your side, trust me.

Holly: My favorite character is also John Watson, and I was going to add something, but Kelly has summed him up perfectly.  We all have that one person in our lives who we know has our back no matter what.  For Sherlock, that person is John: when it's all said and done, John is the only one who stays by Sherlock, even when his world is threatening to be destroyed bit by bit.  Sherlock is even annoyed with him by how much he is concerned about what others think of him, but the truth is that he cares so much about what others think of him because he cares so much about him!  John's fierce loyalty and trust for his friend is what makes him a great character to watch, and a great character to relate to.  I honestly cannot wait to see where, after the end of Reichenbach, their relationship will go from here.

30 Days of Sherlock: Your favorite episode

Before we get started, we'll give a brief intro. Holly and I started watching BBC Sherlock around this time last year, due to our current roommate being interested in it. Ever since we've been hooked! There are only two seasons; the third is due out supposedly in October, but the producers have neither confirmed nor denied this date. We decided to do this for the month of July because, if you don't know, Sherlock first started in July of 2010. Anyway, let's get started with 30 days of Sherlock!!!!!!!!

Kelly: I have two favorite episodes. The first one is The Great Game. The Great Game is the last episode in the first series, and I chose this one as my favorite because I think it is really well written. There are so many sub-plots and stories, yet they all come together in the end with a Sherlock, John and Moriarty show down. Plus it's when we are first introduced to Moriarty, and even though he is the antagonist of the series you really get to see his brilliance. It's the villain you love to hate! Also, in the beginning of the episode, I enjoy seeing the relationship between Sherlock and John start to form, and some of Sherlock's quirks start to come out. It's very amusing and a great episode!

My second favorite is the Reichenbach Fall, which is the last episode in the second series (each series only has 3 episodes). The acting in this one is absolutely incredible; you're 100% in within the first two minutes of the episode. Holly and I watched it last night, and I actually rewound after the title credits came on just to watch the intro again; yeah, it's THAT good. The end is also what sells it as well, as last night I realized something. Throughout the series we see that Sherlock is often very cold, doesn't care to show "feelings" and is rather arrogant. Without trying to spoil so much, I think that he did what he did because he cared about his friends. The reason I don't want to spoil so much is because I guarantee that at least one of our readers will start watching the show by the end of this 30 day sequence. Challenge accepted!

Holly: One of the reasons I love being a twin is that while we usually love the same things, we have very different reasons as to why we usually love the same things.  This is one of them.

WARNING: reveals major spoilers if you've never watched.  Proceed with caution.

I have a two-way tie for my favorite episode, and they both fall in season 2: A Scandal in Belgravia and The Reichenbach Fall.  Scandal is the first ep in season 2, and one of the main reasons I enjoy this story is because we start to see what is, in my opinion, a season-wide revelation of Sherlock's human side.  When Sherlock first meets Irene Adler, he can't "deduce" her.  He even glances over to John to make sure he can still use his powers of deduction; he can, but with Irene, it's a big mystery.  Proof that he isn't immune to the opposite sex (aren't we all??? lol).  Later, when she is presumed dead, he falls into what one might see as a depression: he starts composing sad violin music and doesn't eat.  He denies it up and down later, but we all know that Sherlock did fall in love with Irene Adler, even if it was just for a short time.  The way it's written and portrayed just adds to the beauty.

We just watched Reichenbach last night, and what strikes me the most about this episode is how Sherlock and John's relationship has progressed from the pilot to now.  In the pilot, John is nobody, Sherlock's flatmate, "colleague" and not much else.  It goes to the opener of Reichenbach, where John is talking to his therapist, and it takes everything in him to muster out "my best friend, Sherlock Holmes, is dead."  It's not just his friend...it's his BEST friend.  He is visibly shaken and deeply hurt by the loss of his friend.  In six episodes, they're merely flatmates to friends.  John's soliloquy at Sherlock's grave at the end is just so powerful: "I was so alone, and I owe you so much"; he's later pleading for him to not be dead.  Honestly, it's so raw and real it makes me ache inside.  I really can't wait to see how John will react in the third season opener; part of me wants him to just beat the living snot out of him, help him up, and then just hug him.  Really hard.  All will be revealed in time, I reckon.

Readers: if any of you are Sherlockians, what's your favorite episode? We'd love for you all to chime in!