My thoughts on the ILY Scene

 (Sherlock meta by mybrainrots)

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That scene is painful to watch, but it’s not because of Molly’s pain, not really. Because after telling him that she can’t say that and he knows why (which is obviously agonizing for her), she takes control of the conversation. I’d argue that although it’s still painful for Molly, from that point on it’s beautiful and affirming too. At that point, when she says “You say it first” it becomes affirmative.

We all know that she loves Sherlock, has loved him for 7 years, but since S3, I think Sherlock has loved Molly back, whether he was aware of it or not. Since S3, Molly has had the control in almost every interaction with Sherlock and certainly does here too. She forces him to confront and admit his feelings, and it is painful, intense and agonizing for her, but EVEN MORE SO FOR SHERLOCK. Just look at his face during the scene…

Does this look AT ALL like Sherlock is using Molly? (Remember, Molly can’t see him, so there’s no point in acting these emotions for her benefit) Does it look like he doesn’t appreciate her? No, he’s terrified of losing her. He’s willing to do anything to save her. The conversation is clearly more difficult for Sherlock.

Molly actually actually smiles a bit when he says it the first time.

Yes, it’s painful for her, but ultimately affirming. Sherlock, on the other hand, comes completely undone. In the past, when Sherlock put on an act to get what he wants, as soon as it’s accomplished, the act is dropped and he’s back to unemotional Sherlock moving on to the next step in the game.

But this wasn’t an act. The proof (there’s a lot of proof, but just one example) is Sherlock’s reaction when she finally says it. Yes, he’s relieved his friend isn’t dead, but it’s so much more than that. He tries to do what he always does, shake it off, get back to business, “I won. I saved Molly Hooper. Let me talk to the girl on the plane.” but he can’t. All the emotional turmoil of admitting his love for Molly bubbles back up. He tries to put it back in the box, and HE CAN’T.

That’s the kind of love I want for Molly. I want Molly to be with someone who loves her so intensely and powerfully that he would not only destroy a coffin with his bare hands, but also destroy the carefully constructed walls he’s built around his heart, not because her life was in danger, but because SHE ASKED HIM TO. 

People keep saying Molly deserves better, but seriously, how could anyone ever give her anything better than Sherlock completely stripping himself bare and offering his heart to her? It’s not reductive in the least.