Please bear with me anyone who’s reading as this is going to be long. Even after watching the episode twice, its still hard to process what happened. I wasn't expecting a character death right in the first episode but then a realised it's Sherlock. Who am I kidding? 3 episodes per season, they might as well kill 5 characters in one go and we aren't supposed raise an eyebrow.
I like how this show maintains the essence of the books with its main theme being the same and intricately and intelligently weave their own stories around it. I must admit I never quite trusted Mary myself as no disclosure of her past always troubled me. I just went by Sherlock's faith because when he puts his faith into someone, he has a bloody good reason to.
The first time Sherlock said Mary's under his protection, I KNEW she was going to die. The more and more he began making promises, the more certain I became. Its only then did it hit me that I'm terribly going to miss Mary and her death will be a huge blow to John and Sherlock's friendship other than causing them both personal trauma. What's with most of the writers though? Can't make a kick ass female character make it alive to the end? Urgh. -.-
As for John, that's exactly how I expected him to react. True to his character. Personally, I'd be done with my best friend too had I known he/she is even remotely responsible for the death of my loved one. And truth to be told, Sherlock was responsible in a way. Not entirely but a little. I don't for a moment doubt that Sherlock loved Mary with all his heart, he genuinely wanted to protect her and possibly get rid of her past for once and for all so that his friends could lead a peaceful life. Sherlock never wanted it, he never meant to and he never intended to and that’s all I needed to know. He tried his best to keep his vow but alas, fate and destiny play larger roles.
Although, the thing is Sherlock's uncontrollable need 'to know it all and show it off’, he tends to make some mistakes that potentially prove to be very costly later on. That's what happened, in his race to solve the mystery, to protect Mary, to wipe off her past, some casualties were the result. Specifically at the moment where, Mary kept interrupting Sherlock, warning him to just stop when he got too involved in seeing through Norbury because she probably knew he's going to piss her off.
But no, Sherlock being Sherlock couldn't stop until he had established the motive causing the woman to shoot. Pretty sure she knew Mary would take the bullet to save Sherlock. 'Ah, surprise!' was a clear enough indication that the bullet was meant for Mary but aimed at Sherlock to give him a rather terrible surprise. One bullet, two targets, job done. Why didn't Mycroft, Lestrade and team come better prepared? -.- Is that how efficient British government and the police are? I hate how that woman made it alive through that place.
John came in only after Mary had been shot, he didn't hear the conversation, he didn't know what happened and how it happened. He has every reason to hate Sherlock and every right to be goddamn mad at him. My heart broke for all of them, John, Sherlock, Mary, Mrs.Hudson, Molly and baby Rosie. :( Rest in peace, Mary.
The constant references to Appointment in Samarra and Death make me think Mary's death won't be the last character death this season. Also, the fact that Mary asked Sherlock to 'save John' didn't quite appear to me as only saving him from the personal trauma. The one's who wanted AGRA dead could very well want John dead too or there could be a whole new Sherlock angle to it all. His enemies wanting to destroy him and what a better way to give him a choice between John and Mycroft? Which eventually leads me to thinking that Sherlock would probably kill Mycroft over John if it ever comes to it as he had a vow to fulfil, something he couldn't do with Mary. Or he could just shoot himself. Yes, clearly my brain seems too affected that I can’t stop thinking.
