Okay, But Saying “i Owe You” Is Basically A Wedding Vow So…

Analysing the Great Game PART 2: The Pool Scene

The pool scene was something that always confused me, but to be fair, I never really paid attention. in this post(all the parts, there will be like 5) I’m going to analyse it chronologically (if you call 10 minutes of tv history) based only on what we know from series 1, with some occasional (extremely rare and brief) references to later episodes. I did this because I haven’t analysed them and because I believe series 1 had the strongest vision and characterisation of Sherlock, Moriarty and John. I also wanted to stay as focused on the scene(and episode) as possible, and not let things that I know influence my analysis too much. so yes, some things might sound crazy in the context of what we know, but if you isolate this episode and series 1 it makes sense.

why does Sherlock choose the pool as a place for meeting? It’s a connection to Carl Powers - first crime, first case, first meeting (first date). Moriarty mentions it as being a nice touch – pretty romantic. Sherlock wanted a private meeting with Moriarty, as we can understand from him hiding the fact that he was texting Jim from John. He was even willing to risk the country’s safety(missile plans). And yet Moriarty uses John for Sherlock’s final test.

let the flirting begin. Sherlock: “Bought you a little getting-to-know-you present”. The way Sherlock so casually offers the plans is almost like he’s proving that “yeah, I don’t think it’s that deep either”. And during the whole conversation the plans only came up again when Sherlock wanted Moriarty to release John. And even then Moriarty dismisses them(“I could have gotten those anywhere”).

Sherlock wrongly assumes that Moriarty created the game (“of 5 pips” if you will) to distract him from dealing with the missile plans case. and I should mention that Mycroft’s role in this episode is interesting as well. throughout the whole episode he’s been nagging John about it, who was lying to Mycroft that Sherlock is working on it. it might’ve been just a red herring for the viewers which I accept wholeheartedly, but it could also be the first hint of Mycroft’s association with Moriarty. But this isn’t about Mycroft as few things are.

Sherlock looks unhappy when he sees John. naturally 1. John is in danger 2. he wanted to meet his rival privately. the distain in his face can be explained by his sudden realisation that he will have to keep up appearances, act in front of John.

now, in the whole scene sherlock doesn’t seem too worried about John’s safety and not at all angry at Moriarty for involving him in this. so he either feels safe or is indifferent about safety.

“I gave you my number, I thought you might call” I find it interesting that Moriarty actually called sherlock multiple times during their game, but he only did so as a criminal mastermind. He had the victims talk for him and all the dialogue meant business. To me this line is a subtle hint at needing an increased level of intimacy. in a way it’s Moriarty’s invitation for Sherlock to see behind his constructed personas. Let’s also take in account that he said this line in a sort of sing-song, which later will be very clear that it’s a way to deflect, avoid vulnerability. now he was talking to Sherlock as Jim, not some puppet master. he was implying that this relationship they share transcends the classic villain-hero dynamic. They share their untreatable boredom and loneliness though being misunderstood. Something so simple – a phone call - is the crumb of tenderness needed to free their connection from the boxes of their roles. now that the game was over they could allow themselves to be less formal about it, less conventional(in their interaction as Hero and Villain).

But then again there’s the issue of John being there. which seems counterintuitive. why would, if not only to raise the stakes, Moriarty involve john in this intimate meeting? 

One possibility is that Moriarty simply isn’t ashamed of his eccentricity(which in Moriarty’s and Sherlock’s case is the fact that danger, risks and proving their intelligence turns them on) and wants to encourage Sherlock to also embrace that darker part of him. he put Sherlock in a situation where he has to face his internalized need to conform. But, if that’s the case, then it’s odd that Moriarty doesn’t fight the performance that Sherlock makes for John. He expects Sherlock to be a hero who wants to defeat the villain and save the day and Sherlock acts accordingly. Even if it's obvious later that it is just theatre. Moriarty plays his part perfectly and possibly only because he respects Sherlock more. More than he wants Sherlock to become someone who lives like him, that's selflessness right there. Moriarty understands that Sherlock needs it, he needs to feel right by John and thus - society.

Another reason for John being there could also be that Moriarty wanted to create the contrast between someone who is doomed to misunderstand Sherlock - John and someone who gets him perfectly - himself. which considering the emotional subtextual subtlety of the whole scene feels more likely. although they’re not mutually exclusive. 

on a more surface level note I do think the line was supposed to just be a hint that he was Jim from IT. but at the same time, he was behind a door, and we, and only we as viewers could see his face. which in film usually means that the emotion is genuine, because there’s no one to perform to. and in that moment, he was doing his detached, creepy thing, which for me always read as very raw and desperate. Pretending to be scary, especially in privacy, is a coping mechanism. maybe there was a part of Moriarty that wanted a more “normal” relationship with Sherlock. Moriarty is conflicted about how much freedom he can create for himself and someone just like him, how far can he break the system and defy what's "meant" for him (being treated like a psychopath and nothing else). that's what this moment means. Sherlock and Moriarty share a unique bond that is often seen as wrong or sick, by people like John. perhaps here Moriarty was willing to be Sherlock's true friend or partner, even if it was just the residue of what’s expected of him by society. Something that’s understood by others, something rooted in proximity and mundanity, something more proper than their intellectual game. because doesn’t every outcast dream of being normal, even if just for a moment of weakness?

Jim Moriarty telling you to lock the fuck in

that’s one of the most interesting things about Sherlock too. i think in most ways he’s very cat-like, which makes it hard to really pinpoint how masculine/feminine he is. we know his disapproval of conventionality, so he of course doesn’t believe in many traditional masculine things (gun, truck, war… idk i’m just a girl + sherlock likes guns so this example sucks ass), in many of which (not the ones listed probably) believes John. Sherlock moves with a lot of agility (cat) he’s uninterested in women (castrated cat) very elegant, english and wears silk robes (??? fancy cat). anyway i forgor what i wanted to say 💀

sherlock is just however masculine/feminine an elegant english sassy man can be, or he’s just a cat…

and he 100% was bullied cuz look at him. NERD

<3

and moriarty probably killed those ppl after tbh

nice to have a stalker who cares 🥰

Sherlock isn’t feminine (by social standards, define feminine however you want obviously) but he isn't exactly what society likes to view as muscline, so I'm almost certain that men weren't the nicest to him to say the least. Of course, like donnavan there were women with terrible intention but I imagine guys took more direct measure to "bully" him. And I'm also almost sure that it happened way before he found anyone he could trust besides his family. Certainly before he met John but before he met Mrs Hudson or Lestrade. He's not stong now by any means but he was weaker, he was more vulnerable. I can’t imagine all the things that he went through that made him act the way he does now.

it’s a shame sherlock got cancelled after series 2 😕

but hey, good thing they didn’t completely butcher it by adding a few more seasons!! ☺️

Dear Irene Adler,

I am writing to inform you of your duck nails, it hurts my eyes every time I watch A Scandal In Belgravia. Please seek professional help.

I am looking forward to skipping that part of the episode.

Regards,

Chesie

That would probably explain it best. I think considering how good of an actor he is and that no one did anything to change it means that the moment was real enough to be kept in. they probably saw the value in his real emotion while being so connected to the character.

Remember when Mary died (r.i.p. 🕊️) and then John did some weird angry grunts instead of crying like a normal person? Yeah, that’s my 13th reason (the 12th being Irene’s duck nails), i fucking hate that sound.

No cuz explain to me - why? Who was like “she dies in your arms, now act that you’re a dog who’s chew toy is being taken from it”

Remember when Mary died (r.i.p. 🕊️) and then John did some weird angry grunts instead of crying like a normal person? Yeah, that’s my 13th reason (the 12th being Irene’s duck nails), i fucking hate that sound.

No cuz explain to me - why? Who was like “she dies in your arms, now act that you’re a dog who’s chew toy is being taken from it”

when he hires snipers to kill anyone that touches you 😍

guess who’s back. after a lengthy 2 or so months of static in my brain i decided to be of service and to post the full analysis of TGG. BUT i need someone to help me (although i now realise i could just google) with video clips. there is a limit of how many i can add and i think they’re important to illustrate my points. if anyone knows anything i would be extremely grateful, because i’m not going to be half-assing this one (i’m very proud of my yap :3 ) thank you!!

guys… that’s just the pool scene. a. ten. minute. scene. i am very serious about my gays 😿