Molly Hooper: Attributes vs. Actions 

(Sherlock meta by jengi-tumbl, theleftpill and likingthistoomuch)

jengi-tumbl:

One thing I’ve noticed about Molly Hooper that stands out from all the other characters in Sherlock is her response to the times when Sherlock is unfeeling, inappropriate, or just truly being a jerk.

 She calls out his actions. She never attacks him. 

Not once do you hear Molly say something along the lines of “Sherlock, you’re a terrible person” or one of the many name-calling options John has employed to describe Sherlock (ex: smart-arse, etc.) And not only John, but others who have decided to rip into Sherlock with insults as well, even if some of them (like most of John’s, I would argue) aren’t meant to be truly derogatory (ex: freak, bastard, psychopath, dick/dickhead, stupid, etc.)

There were so many times when Molly could have lashed out at him as a person, but even in her most heated moments, she chooses to call out his actions.

The Great Game: “He’s not gay! Why do you always have to spoil- He’s not!” 

A Scandal in Belgravia: “You always say such horrible things… every time…” * 

His Last Vow: “How dare you throw away the beautiful gifts you were born with… And how dare you betray the love of your friends!” 

(I guess you could technically argue that she does attack him here with the slaps, [...] but that’s besides the point I’m trying to make.)

I find it so interesting because there is a power in calling someone out on what they do rather than who they are. In general, if someone is perpetually called freak, bastard, dick, sociopath, they start to believe it. And if they believe it, they take it on as part of their identity.

Molly steps in and breaks this pattern. She sees Sherlock, the real Sherlock, deeply, and in a way no one else has been able to before. Her responses echo a quote from one of my favorite books, Grace for the Good Girl by Emily P. Freeman:

“You’re not this way. This may be how you cope, but this is not who you are.” 

I believe this is partially why Sherlock considers Molly such a safe place (or a bolt-hole, if you will…) She’s a place of comfort, safety, and rest, even if he doesn’t realize it. The person who loves him because of, and in spite of all he really is. The one who believes in him.

Just an observation.

Also, they need to be together. Like, yesterday.

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*(When I first watched A Scandal in Belgravia, oh my gosh, this scene was wonderful because Molly could have just called Sherlock all kinds of nasty names, but she chose those words instead. Ugh, love it. So powerful. It’s when I thought, “Oh she’s different. This girl is gonna be a game-changer.”)

theleftpill: 

Brilliant point - and so crucial for her character. I was surprised (and thrilled) also by the ASiB moment for a different reason though - I expected her to break down (in tears/frustration/anger) and instead she stands with head held high and directly calls him on his shit. But that shouldn’t have surprised me, precisely because of what jengi-tumbl so wisely points out. Her strength was always there - and I didn’t recognize it. So many of us didn’t.

But Sherlock did.

I’ll never understand why/how people can dismiss Molly Hooper. She’s a total Emotional BAMF.

likingthistoomuch:

So well put. Molly’s strength was always in seeing as well as observing, she saw Sherlock as a whole and observed his actions, calling out on them when they became hurtful. She always held her head high, always knew where she stood and has always been such a BAMF.