IMPERTINENT AND OFFENSIVE

In The Abominable Bride, Sherlock and John find the notion of eloping impertinent and offensive? But why? They don’t really look offended by the insinuation of being a couple. Still it is impertinent because it is not proper.

MORIARTY: Why don’t you two just elope, for God’s sake?

WATSON: Impertinent.

HOLMES: Offensive.





I RESENT YOU IMPLICATION OF IMPROPRIETY

A similar situation is paralleled in Doctor Who’s episode “The Snowmen” written by Moffat, in a conversation between Madam Vastra and Jenny, the Sherlock Holmes and John Watson of Doctor Who’s universe, and Doctor Simeon, which is referred to as Moriarty in the same episode.

SIMEON: You realise Doctor Doyle is almost certainly basing his fantastical tales on your own exploits? With a few choice alterations, of course. I doubt the readers of The Strand magazine would accept that the great detective is, in reality a woman. And her suspiciously intimate companion.

VASTRA: I resent your implication of impropriety. We are married.

“Impertinent” and “Offensive” are a parallel to Vastra’s “I resent your implication of impropriety. We are married”.