5. The End of an Era
All good things have to come to an end. I know none of us want this to be true, but this next series may well be the end of Sherlock, as the third of the three teaser words given my Moffat and Gatiss was bow. Now depending on how you interpret this word, many speculate that this is in relation to The Last Bow, a collection of stories written at the end of the canon chronology, when the great detective retires. This may come as quite a shock as the show is only coming up to its third outing, but it needs to be appreciated that each episode is practically a feature film and with both Martin Freeman and Benedict Cumberbatch becoming big Hollywood actors, it seems a fitting place to end. The question is how will Sherlock retire? Knowing Moffat and Gatiss theyll have something big planned for the finale, something that will end the show with a bang, something that the audience wont suspect. Surely, they cant kill Sherlock off again (properly this time), but what if he wasnt the one to die? What if Watson was the casualty and it was Sherlocks fault? I know this wouldnt be following Arthur Conan Doyles canon, but it would make one hell of an ending for the show and the audience will definitely not predict that. Having grown so attached to John over the course of the three series, would Sherlock be able to live with the guilt? Would he be able to carry on as normal, without his witty, down-to-earth companion? Could he stay on at 221B Baker Street, or would he leave London forever. Maybe maybe not. I guess well just have to wait and find out, but for me, the wait could not be longer. All things said, whether this is the end or not, Sherlock has been a marvel of British Television and wont be forgotten for a very, very long time.