Why did Sherlock call Molly “John”? 

 (Sherlock meta by gaelitabis)

This post came out longer than I had expected. Sorry.

Cumberbabeusa commented on my previous post: “So why in the hell did he call her John? I did not care for that part of the scene at all.”

These are my thoughts:

The scene ends with Sherlock dashing out of the crime scene and calling Molly “John”. What happened here?

Well, Sherlock has called her “John” before. He gets oblivious when he is working… But this is different.

During the fake crime scene Sherlock was clearly freaking out. So much that he literally had to run away from the room. The voice in his head was growing too loud. It was all too much.

I think he simply got carried away with the audible hallucination and started talking to John in his head. John is a friend who also provides comfort and guidance in times of need. Specially on things having to do with social interactions.

Sherlock didn’t simply misname Molly this time. He actually answered to the voice in his head. The man was f-r-e-a-k-i-n-g out.

But why was this so? That is the interesting question. What on earth could have possibly made Sherlock so distressed?

And the answer is: (drums) Molly!!!… being with her, enjoying her company, and knowing she is now off limits.

It is simply too much.

Lestrade’s presence in the scene made Sherlock feel on the spot. Not that Lestrade did anything to make him feel this way (he was being his usual adorable self). But his presence triggered Sherlock’s own feelings of inadequacy (Lestrade did question why Molly was tagging along and Sherlock felt put on a hot spot).

Sherlock found in Lestrade a clear reminder, first, of how Molly is perfectly capable of attracting other males’ attention (we all saw Lestrade gaping at her in the Christmas party), and, second, of how little Sherlock thinks of himself.

Sherlock has got the emotional skills of a small boy and his experience with women is… well… ZERO! So he’s freaking out when he has to face the fact that he has feelings for Molly, but she has finally moved on.

So has his best friend.

Both Molly and John have now got romantic partners. Unlike himself, who is alone. He is scared and hurt.

Even devoted Molly outgrew her crush on him. To his eyes, this proves that he *is* unlovable, after all. A freak. Meant to be forever alone. And why would Molly have ever wanted to be with someone like him, anyway?! She really didn’t (Sherlock is a bit of an asshole not being able to realize Molly is still attracted to him). So Sherlock freaks out in a “Poor little, me. Boo-hoo” fit.

However (and this is important), as soon as they leave the supposed crime scene things get better. They are on their own again and Sherlock gets his shit together. Of course, he’s put a sting on Molly (having called her John), but he is perfectly unaware of it.

Pay attention to the fact that he didn’t ditch Molly right there on the spot, like he has often done with John. He stuck with her. He wanted to spend as much time as he could with her. So they carried on and went to visit the next client, train-boy.

When they arrive to the train-boy apartment we see them in a very cheerful mood. Sherlock has got his shit together. No Lestrade around to make him think those stressing thoughts. Just Molly and a non-threatening stranger. Sweet Molly.

He will just enjoy being near her… as long as he can.