In The Final Problem, Does Sherlock Really Love Molly? 

 (sherlock meta by QuackyWackyDuck)

In The Final Problem, Does Sherlock Really Love Molly? The scene in which Sherlock must get Molly to say she loves him in order to save her life is easily the most memorable, heart-wrenching scene in the entire episode. However, it is created in such a way that it can lead to several interpretations. Let's go over the scene first:

Eurus instructs Sherlock, Mycroft, and John into their next trial where they discover an empty coffin. Sherlock begins to use his powers of deduction before Mycroft discovers the lid to the coffin with the engraving of the words "I Love You." The coffin is for someone who loves Sherlock but who? Sherlock concludes its Molly due to her being "Unmarried, practical about death, alone." and "distant from her close relatives."

Think about it: Would Molly really be the one to engrave the words “I love you” on her own coffin? Isn’t it your loved ones who choose what words to engrave on your coffin/grave not you? And since Molly is alone and distant from her family, she would have no one to engrave those words on her coffin…other than Sherlock (or Lestrade or Watson – which is highly unlikely). Clever Eurus has an IQ that could rival Mycroft, Sherlock, and even Isaac Newton himself. She’s the only one obsessed with analyzing Sherlock’s emotional context and if she has accurately predicted terrorist attacks just by looking at Twitter then she can accurately predict that Sherlock really does love Molly.

Anyway, back to the story. Eurus tells Sherlock that Molly's flat is rigged to explode in 3 minutes unless he makes her admit that she loves him. Eurus uses Sherlock’s phone to call Molly and when she finally does pick up, Sherlock begs her to say those dreadful words. However, she wants him to say it first. And, with a great amount of difficulty and irritation, he says “I…I love you.” But it sounds forced and hesitant. What's more convincing is the second "I love you" which is said with a softer tone and a sudden look of realization crossing his features. Could it be the suppressed emotions he'd always pushed aside (possibly to make more room for his deductions) have finally and forcibly been thrust to the surface for him to confront head on? Or does he realize that Molly can see through his “bullshit” so he tries to be sound more convincing the second time?

Eventually, Molly says “I love you” back and her life is spared. Or at least that's what Sherlock thinks. Eurus reveals to him that there were no explosives; Molly’s life was never in any real danger.

"Look what you did to her," she says, "Look what you did to yourself. All those little emotions, I lost count." Sherlock takes the coffin lid, gently placing it back on top of the coffin, slightly stroking it (sentiment?) and then, with a remorseful huff, smashes the coffin to pieces all the while screaming in agony.

According to this article, "Sherlock Hulk-smashes the coffin with his fists in a primal rage, an indication that — as the entire series thus far has aimed to show us — the most impressive aspect of Sherlock Holmes is not his brain, but his heart. Sherlock is deeply emotional, and it’s gut-wrenching to see him so distraught over causing emotional harm to someone else, someone he used to slight without a moment’s hesitation or afterthought."

So what does this mean? This article points to one interpretation that Sherlock doesn’t love Molly (at least not romantically) and instead, cares for her deeply – so much so that he is emotionally distressed over manipulating her to believe he loves her in the way she wants him to love her. Or he’s just so upset that the whole rescue was in vain that he destroys the coffin in rage.

While previous interpretation sounds accurate, I believe Sherlock destroying the coffin is for different reasons. It could indicate his frustration over the realization of love for Molly since Sherlock had always prided himself on his cold, calculating mind and superiority to feelings like love (or he doesn't know how reciprocate this love for Molly that would guarantee her happiness). And it can’t be a coincidence that, at the end of the episode, I remember reading somewhere that the writers feel he finally realizes he has an advantage over Mycroft and Eurus – his heart.

In conclusion, there is no wrong interpretation of this scene since it is rather vague. But, for me, I prefer to see this scene as a demonstration of Sherlock’s character growth. I like the possibility that someone who is often stoic and calculating can romantically love (especially a seemingly "ordinary" girl like Molly and not an "highly intelligent" but over-sexualized Irene Adler t.t). Maybe Molly can be the romantic exception to his nature. In addition, I’m annoyed that there is no resolution after this emotional scene. It’s clear it tore both of them apart yet Molly pops in at the end with a smile on her face as if nothing happened - lazy writing on the show's behalf.

Also, something else I should point out - even if it is unrelated to this scene - is that in previous episodes there had been small scenes between Molly and Sherlock that could have led for him to develop romantic feelings for Molly. I think most significant is when she helped him frame his death, after that he really does become slightly more affectionate towards her - giving her a kiss on the cheek (If they were really "friends," why would he give her a kiss? Besides, Sherlock doesn't seem like one to lead someone on - at least someone he cares about).