An explanation for John's reaction as Sherlock says “I Love You” to Molly

 (Sherlock meta by Ivy Blossom)

Q: Ok but what other explanation is there for this reaction from John as Sherlock says “I Love You” to Molly? I really want to try and figure out what other reading I can glean from this because…. Why? He looks similar to when Sherlock proposed to Jeanine (although John is more upset in this photo). Why would Martin select this acting choice for this scene. What other meaning can there be?

A: [...] To me, this is a pretty important moment to pay attention to when you’re trying to work out where the relationship between Sherlock and John is at this point in the story. We know already that it’s changed; John’s long-awaited moment of honesty at the end of The Lying Detective and Sherlock’s subsequent acceptance and embrace is a profound turning point, so where are they now?

It’s honestly a bit hard to tell, because The Final Problem is a non-stop action adventure, and Sherlock and John have no scenes properly alone together. It’s also the first episode that isn’t about Sherlock and John’s relationship, which is super interesting. Why would that be? Because that relationship is now resolved and it has settled into its fated state, and we are seeing it at it’s birth. Literally: this new relationship between them began on Sherlock’s birthday.

So how does this moment help us understand what the new state of affairs between Sherlock and John is?

John doesn’t appear to be jealous; his flat out jealousy comes with a trademark angry smile. Is he devastated? Perhaps. Could it be empathy? Empathy for whom?

If John is feeling empathy for Molly, it means that he understands what it feels like to have to speak the most painful truth imaginable to the person it hurts the most to tell. We know John does understand how that feels, because he did the same thing at the end of The Lying Detective. It’s possible that he’s remembering that very damp and devestating moment.

Or: John is feeling empathy for Sherlock. Does that mean he knows what it’s like to cause someone you care about unbearable pain? He certainly does. Is it understanding that Sherlock knows he can’t give Molly what she want from him, he can’t be the person she wishes he were? He knows all about that!

But I think there’s something else at work here.

I think it’s is hard to John to watch Sherlock hurt Molly because he knows exactly how this much it hurts Sherlock to do so. Again. Because now, finally, after years of thinking Sherlock didn’t feel things, John knows that that’s not the case. He knows that Sherlock is not proud of the cold and casually cruel way he’s behaved most of his life. John and Molly, two people who love Sherlock most, have received the brunt of this in recent years. Sherlock pretended to be dead for the lulz, for one. Sherlock also created a near-replica of this “I love you” scene at a Christmas party at 221b and hurt Molly terribly. Sherlock has repeatedly hurt the people he cares about in ways that will never fully heal, and he knows that.

Sherlock wants to be a good man. He is trying very hard to be. But this situation is forcing him back into the horrible fake-sociopath shell from whence he’s just emerged. Going back to that, to confront the depths of his own past callousness, hurts him. And John knows that.

Who should be hurting the most here? Molly, obviously. But it’s Sherlock who combusts in an emotional frenzy and destroys the coffin.

John: Look, I know this is difficult and I know you’re being tortured. 

This is new. For a long time, John has assumed that Sherlock is pretty impervious to emotional pain, and certainly not harmed by casually destroying people, even people he knows well (including John). He’ll do it in a pinch. He’ll do it for a case. He’ll do it because it’s the best decision in the moment, right? Not anymore.

John says: “I know you’re being tortured.” He knows Sherlock far better in this scene than he ever has. He knows the inner workings of Sherlock’s heart. He knows what hurts, and he knows why.

What has passed between them since The Lying Detective to give John this much insight into Sherlock’s most private world?

I think what you’re seeing on John’s face is both empathy and love.