Sherlock: 10 Ingenious Pieces Of Foreshadowing You Never Noticed

5. There Is No Vault At Appledore

Of all the twists in 'His Last Vow', from Mary's identity, to John finding out, and from Sherlock shooting Magnusson, to Moriarty's return, perhaps the most heartbreaking of all was seeing the look in Sherlock's eyes when he realised that there was no such thing as the Appledore Vaults after all. It was all in Magnussen's mind. Should we have guessed that though? There's an offhand mention early in the episode, when Sherlock claims that the doorbell is in the fridge. "Oh Sherlock," Mrs Hudson says, "That isn't a vault." It's a reference to the bizarre objects that Sherlock keeps in there, but it isn't the first time that Sherlock will confuse himself what a vault actually is or isn't, in the episode. Later on, he plans to meet Mary somewhere only she'd know to ask about: Leinster Gardens. Leinster Gardens is a street that looked like any other normal street to the naked eye, but is actually, completely empty on the inside side. Rather like a certain room of Mr Magnussen's house. The fact that Sherlock knew Mary would know to find him at Leinster Gardens is also significant, as it's because of Mary that Sherlock risks everything. There are some beautiful references in Series 3, to things you wouldn't expect to be empty; and surely the ultimate one, is the hearse?