Why watch Sherlock? 

(Sherlock meta by shylocks and theleftpill)

shylocks:

I’m just so confused about people that watch Sherlock and don’t care about the relationship between Sherlock and John? That’s what the show is about? What do you watch for the cases? Sherlock Holmes has never been about the cases and in [s3] we had what 2 decent complete cases in the entire last season? You watch for the 3 minutes of Molly and Lestrade? What?

"It's about the two of them. The whole way this show is written, shot; everything is about the two of them."

                - Martin Freeman in Unlocking Sherlock

 theleftpill:

The show is about Sherlock growing up and gaining his humanity. His relationship with John is the major force of that - but not the only one. That’s where the change starts (his rescue of John even as John rescues him), but as he matures, that extends to other people. His extended family - and I don’t think anyone will disagree that they all are a family - become a stronger part of that as he (and the story) progresses. So that’s the story angle.

From the production angle, as the show itself progresses the secondary characters are given more time to play. They gain a more vital role in the main story that enriches not only the main character but also the narrative itself. You need to flesh out other characters to keep the story fresh; that makes for a better show that more people want to watch. I would [love] to know Mrs. Hudson’s exotic dancing backstory. She’s a perfect example: you get a quick hint in the very first episode with her “herbal soothers” that there’s more under the surface with her, while the story is focused on John & Sherlock coming together. Now that their relationship is established, she serves to push the narrative even further with her stories about her wedding and her husband’s criminal past. Think how empty the moment Sherlock leaves the wedding would be if we didn’t have her context. Secondary characters allow the main ones to tell a better story, and when they’re written and performed at this level are a joy unto themselves. Mycroft I adore without reservation. If the show was only Sherlock/John we wouldn’t have all his deliciousness.

Rich, complex secondary characters make the show much more compelling to watch and one of the reasons Sherlock is such a good show. Watching these characters play off each other is sheer delight. Other reasons I watch that have nothing to do with Johnlock: the whip-smart writing and comedy; the amazing editing; the breathtaking cinematography; the twists and turns within the cases; Moriarty’s insanity; the “modernization” and twisting of the canon stories; Mycroft and Sherlock’s growing relationship; watching a damaged, vicious, frail human being become “a good man.”

So you’re welcome to watch the show through such a narrow focus and enjoy it that way; I prefer to wallow in the whole. There’s so much more to enjoy.

(And yes, Sherlock has always been about the cases, don’t know where you’re getting that from.)