Well, that’s a wrap on all the Sherlock action that we’re getting for about 3 or 4 years. Sherlock‘s fourth series was definitely a controversial one, to say the least.

Despite all of that, we would all be quite devastated if the show weren’t to come back for a next season. Because despite Cumberbatch being signed on for a fifth season, Cumberbatch has stated that this season might have been his last.

So, let’s take a look at what our panelists had to say about what was, possibly the final episode of Sherlock. As usual, a question will be directed towards the panelists and they will answer it one by one. Then we’ll move on to the next question.

Panelists:

Irtesam , Editor and Staff Writer, Writer at TellTaleTV and TVOvermind

, Editor and Staff Writer, Writer at TellTaleTV and TVOvermind Abdul Hadi , Graphics Designer and Staff Writer

, Graphics Designer and Staff Writer Hassan, Staff Writer

What’s your no nonsense, honest and straight-forward opinion of this episode?

Irtesam: From a certain perspective, “The Final Problem” isn’t the standout grand finale that we were expecting. It’s not the best villain, not the most engaging plot or the most well-written dialogue. “The Reichenbach Fall” had the most well written dialogue, Moriarty has always been the most menacing villain and both the Season 1 and 2 finales had the most engaging plot. In fact, what makes this episode great is that it had everything that makes Sherlock great in small helpings. In short, “The Final Problem”, despite its flaws is the perfect Sherlock episode, if not the best.

Hassan: Well, after getting bombarded by all that information in a matter of minutes, I say for better or for worse it is a finale to be remembered. I was on the edge of my seat the whole episode. This episode, we didn’t get to see Sherlock solve a case but instead come to terms with his extraordinary family. Sherlock gets put in a dilemma to choose between friends and family, with the looming threat of a falling plane filled with people. We see Sherlock tested rigorously and coming through in the end.

Abdul Hadi: Honestly, in my opinion, it was the best episode of Season Four and they tried to conclude it in the best way. It’s not exactly perfect. There were some flaws, but it was a thrilling episode. Also for me, Sherlock is portrayed as an untouchable detective, who can solve any problem. I would agree with my both colleagues that he was in this complex situation where there was a little girl on one hand, who was asking for help from Sherlock and on the other hand, he had to choose between family and friend. Grim circumstances for our grim protagonist.

What did you like the most about this episode?

Irtesam: I’m watching Sherlock thinking that Moriarty might pop up during the middle or perhaps, towards the end and all of a sudden BOOM! James friggin’ Moriarty pops up and then there’s the five years earlier bombshell. Hell if I care, because Andrew Scott delivers just as he has in the past. His mere presence just made the episode a lot more tense, which is exactly what it needed. I wished we could have seen more of him but then again…It is what it is. Other than that, I love the references to past episodes. Lestrade’s words, Miss Me?, Mind the gap, Molly’s love for Sherlock the synchronized violin playing at the end. It was kind of melancholic.

Hassan: Exploring Sherlock’s past was the best thing about it. We got to relive his past as he remembered it. Solving Eurus’s puzzles was interesting at the least. Sherlock getting stuck in a dilemma, made to choose between friend and family with a the added threat of a plane crash was a teeth grinding ordeal, gluing our eyes to the screen.

Abdul Hadi: I didn’t know about Sherlock’s past, and everyone wanted to know about his childhood. I personally enjoyed that.

What did you dislike the most about this episode?

Irtesam: That one shot of Sherlock and Watson jumping out the window really ruined my immersion. As we all know, that one frame has been quite controversial, with critics circlejerking the show for becoming too much like James Bond. I don’t really pay attention but I’m not sure if the showrunners were parodying or if they were actually serious about it when they shot that.

Hassan: Eurus’s character was a bit underwhelming. They introduced her in the most cliche manner imaginable. Making her this extraordinarily gifted girl, capable of mind control, best to be kept away from society. It’s the villain of every over-the-top action flick.

Abdul Hadi: In every Sherlock episode, there was always a character playing the role of a villain and Sherlock had to deal with it but this time, he was standing against his sister and she was testing Sherlock‘s ability at every step. The thing I disliked was Mycroft’s dishonesty. He’s supposed to be smarter than Sherlock. But letting Eurus meet Moriarty was a pretty uncharacteristic move for him.

What are your thoughts on Eurus’s character arc throughout the episode? Was justice done?



Irtesam: I think it was excellently done. It all came together in the end as it always does on Sherlock. The best thing I liked about her was that she wasn’t your typical villain. In the end, she was just Sherlock‘s sister. Fun fact: she’s the first Sherlock villain who hasn’t had her brains blown out. I think that definitely counts for something. I think that the fairy-tale-esque ending that she got was definitely spot on. Overall, I think justice was definitely done when writing the third Holmes sibling.

Hassan: She was there to explain the “Miss Me?” video at the end of season 3, nothing more. The writers couldn’t think of a clever way out so they made up a new Holmes sibling. Anyways, what’s done is done. Her arc was amazing. She posed a great challenge for Sherlock. I loved that they covered her introduction and development in the same episode. Truly, justice was done.

Abdul Hadi: In my point of view, she was introduced in such a good way. The phrase “Miss Me” turned out to be endgame. I think she wanted to tell Sherlock that he had a sibling, as Sherlock totally forgot about his sister. She was extraordinary, to say the least. I think she wanted to play with Sherlock as she had played all by herself in her childhood. It was more of a fantastic moment when Sherlock solved the case and went to see her in her room. So according to my angle, justice was done.

If you knew this was the final episode of Sherlock, would you satisfied by how it all ended?

Irtesam: Honestly, no. I like my series finales with closure for the characters. And the finale definitely implied that there were stories left to tell. If this were the final season, it would keep me awake at night knowing that Sherlock didn’t close the book like it should have. Either we get a proper finale or Sherlock comes back for more.

Hassan: I still have unanswered questions. What happened at the end of episode 2? Did Sherlock tell Molly that he didn’t mean it? Is there a season 5? The ending was certainly not satisfying. Over the years, Sherlock has lost its charm that is solving cases pure and simple. We didn’t get to see much of that this season unfortunately.

Abdul Hadi: No, I am not satisfied. I want more. There are so many questions in the episode. I’m pretty sure the viewers are also not satisfied with this ending. Each and every plothole that they’ve created in previous episodes should be closed.

If Sherlock were to come back in some way, be it a movie, a TV movie, an occasional christmas special or another season, what would you like to see?

Irtesam: Enough with the big villains! At this point, I think they’re doing more harm than good. There’s literally no character development that can be eked out of the show at this point. So? Let’s just have some episodes with Sherlock and Watson solving cases like the ones in Doyle’s short stories. That’s what I want to see. Because, if Magnussen and Eurus have taught us one thing, it’s that no one can possibly top Moriarty.

Hassan: Yes, I would watch it. But like Irtesam said, I want to see some classic cases being solved. No more world threatening villains!

Abdul Hadi: I want to see some of the stories that Doyle wrote. But I do wish that Sherlock would come back in any form. I think the fans would love that.

What was favorite moment/quote from the episode?

Irtesam: Mary’s entire epilogue is pretty emotional. It perfectly sums up what makes Sherlock so great. Despite it not being enough to end the series with closure, it definitely did a great job of capping off the season. Another great moment that I liked was Mycroft dressing up as that old man. If you’ve read the Doyle classics, you would know that classic Sherlock often disguised himself that way and managed to fool both John and the entire Scotland Yard. It felt like a nice little reference.

Hassan: Sherlock‘s flashbacks to the past were really amazing. In particular, the scene where Sherlock learns that Redbeard wasn’t a dog but his friend was masterfully executed with his head serving as the cut between the transition from dog to person. I liked the revelation of the absence of a glass wall between Sherlock and Eurus. It had me good.

Abdul Hadi: The final moments where Sherlock went to Eurus and played the violin, that showed the bond of love between the two sibling. That tone made the ending more melancholic and lovely. So I really loved the ending.

Sherlock‘s future is currently not yet decided. Stay tuned for more!