Sherlock and Molly’s relationship has been the most developed on the show

 (Sherlock meta by kathleenkellly)

Moffat and Gatiss have said that Sherlock is as much about relationships as it is a detective show. While with John the friendship is instantaneous, Sherlock and Molly’s relationship has been the most developed.

They start out at opposite ends of the spectrum. Molly has a crush on Sherlock and at first perhaps causes her a bit to turn a blind eye to some of his faults. But gradually it becomes impossible to ignore his comments and she finally calls him out on it at the Christmas party. She still loves him, but she doesn’t put him on a pedestal anymore. He’s flawed but she knows he’s capable of being a better person.

On the other hand, Sherlock barely acknowledges her in the beginning. He knows she’s smart and that they work well together but doesn’t see her as more than a working partner. He takes advantage of her willingness to help with his cases. When he gets called out at Christmas, I think that’s when he really first sees Molly as a person. He’s hurt her and it doesn’t feel good. His eyes are opened even further during the Reichenbach lab scene when she reads him exactly. He’s completely underestimated her.

In S3, Molly tries to move on with someone else and Sherlock is genuinely happy for her. But when Molly sees that Sherlock has changed, he’s kinder and tells her what she means to him, she knows it’s not going to work with Tom. She’s been trying to substitute him for the man she really loves. Meanwhile Sherlock gets shot and it is revealed that Molly has a prominent place in his mind palace. She keeps him calm and focused.

Now in the special we see Molly again in Sherlock’s mind palace. Confident, intelligent, determined. He acknowledges that he’s wronged her.

So with S4 it seems like they are meeting somewhere in the middle for the first time. There’s likely going to be repercussions for Sherlock for getting high again, but they seem to be heading towards a relationship that’s on more equal footing built on a foundation of mutual respect and understanding.

“Hooper.” “Holmes.” seemed like, at least in Sherlock’s mind, they’ve reached that point. It’s like he’s saying ‘you’ve seen me and now I see you’.