Molly's and John's violent outbursts 

 (Sherlock Meta by Ivy Blossom)

Anonymous asked:

What do you make of Sherlock's random segue to Molly's failed engagement when she was telling him off in 3.03? I think in part he was trying to deflect her criticism by putting her off her guard, but that still felt oddly personal and more malicious than we'd seen him behaving towards her since 2.02. He also mentioned Tom of his own accord in every episode in this latest series. Why do they keep going back to that, do you think?

Ivy Blossom:

I think Sherlock mentions Molly no longer being engaged after she slaps him because, a) he’s glad he’s not being slapped with metal, and b) it explains her overreaction.

And it is an overreaction. Not just one slap, but three? Everyone in the lab is a bit stunned her vehemence. I think when Sherlock points out that she’s no longer engaged, he’s quite wryly explaining why Molly is so very angry with him. It’s not the drugs, or not entirely the drugs. She’s slapping him because he’s the reason her engagement is off. Molly is still hopelessly in love with him, and it’s taking its toll on her personal life. She wants to move on, but she can’t, and that’s intensely frustrating.

Very often Molly is a mirror for John. So see also John’s reaction, which is an overreaction as well. We’ve seen John cancel plans out of fear of a danger night before, but he has not reacted with anger, only concern. But he stops doing what he came to the crack house to do as soon as he sees Sherlock; the kid wanders off and gets into Mary’s car, unnoticed. Sherlock and John are having a full-on domestic. And why? We know why. Because he’s been shutting John out, and while John, like Molly, wants to move on and has found someone to move on with, he’s also failing to do so. He wants to be happy in his marriage, but in bed with his beautiful wife, he’s dreaming about Sherlock. Just like Molly probably is. John is ready to bolt at a moment’s notice if Sherlock will have him, which Billy helpfully points out in the same scene.

Both Molly and John are feeling frustrated by their unresolved tension with Sherlock. Neither of them can have what they want, and neither of them can look away. In both cases it results in angry outbursts. Molly slaps Sherlock, John shouts at him and imagines him getting his head kicked in.

No one ever moves on from Sherlock Holmes. No one.