A Better Story: [Part One] A Retrospective Look at BBC Sherlock & TJLC

It's been over five years since Series 4 first aired. While many of us shut away BBC Sherlock and our time with it as a result, I think a re-examination of both the show and the TJLC reading is long overdue. I wrote this retrospective to try to make peace with the show and its writers. Hopefully this series can help a few of you do the same.
This specific video reintroduces BBC Sherlock and the TJLC reading and discusses the various explanations for the writers motivations when writing Sherlock.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction
05:33 Re-Introducing BBC Sherlock
16:12 Explaining TJLC
25:15 Food as (Sexual) Intimacy
31:08 Drink Code
41:22 Phones as Hearts
43:18 The Elephant in the Room
45:27 Solving Crimes & Heart Injuries
49:08 Mirror Characters
59:16 Characters as Stand-Ins (M-Theory+)
01:06:31 Mark & Steven: So What's the Truth?
01:26:40 The Possible Explanations
01:34:42 Conclusion
From a Drop of Water
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Social Media
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Main Twitter: / legendofrebekah
Sources
Full source list can be viewed at:
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FAIR-USE COPYRIGHT DISCLAIMER:
Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, commenting, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.
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[@sarahuchoa4018]

Girl. Don't be ashamed. I only started to watch your videos 2 months ago and they are not only good, but also important and a master class of how to read subtext. We learn and grow with time, the important thing is to have good will.

[@mrlnxf8455]

During the last five years since the finale aired I have often thought of you and how you were doing etc. and I never once thought of you in a negative light or blamed you for my pain and disappointment. Before the finale your videos were a great inspiration to me and they confirmed that my queer and romantic reading of this relationship wasn't wrong or silly or whatever. They (you) always brought me joy and astonishment at all the new details you found that I didn't see myself. And after the disappointment, I never once felt like you had any part in my disappointment - on the contrary! I too stopped interacting with Sherlock for a long time, but when I came back after some years I came back to your videos first and rewatching them assured me once again that it has never only been in my mind, that there were details that could be interpreted the way we all did. Anyone who called you a monster or a cult leader couldn't have been more wrong and I hope you know that now. Thank you for everything!

[@lilliansunshine7499]

Rebekah you're a credit to the fandom and honestly a credit to Mofftiss that they could create something that inspired someone like you to try this hard. To my mind they definitely don't deserve it, but John and Sherlock definitely do.

[@ptowzapotato4157]

I hated Sherlock for a long time after season 4, but I never hated tjlc and definitely not you. Hearing the idea that, the subtext could have been on purpose to start a conversation and encourage analysis, makes so much sense to me, and makes me so happy. I'm excited to watch the rest of this series, maybe when it's over I'll let myself rewatch the show. Thank you

[@MoogieSRO]

TJLC meant a lot to me back when we were all watching this series air live. I'm so excited to see you producing new content after what must have been quite a devastating disappointment. We all learned valuable lessons from Sherlock's poor ending; about placing too much faith on the wrong people, and about wishing for something so hard it blinds us to what's really going on. But the one positive thing that came from it is all the incredible talent that blossomed from the fandom. Fic writers and theory crafters who proved there ARE people in the world who still know how to craft a proper story. People who know how to deliver on foreshadowing, who understand how to read and give subtext, and who will hopefully go on to write some incredible material of their own in the near future for us all to enjoy. You are, of course, top of that pile with your videos. Someday our boys will have the freedom they've always deserved. Keep the dream alive!

[@zoetevka4653]

♥️🏳️‍🌈♥️

[@butterflymilk6240]

I am just watching all of this and I am stunned. Honestly, I am. Still, all of the reading makes so much sense. I sometimes have to pause because I am so amazed by how well it fits. This has never been "seeing something that's not there"

[@whatever3440]

You changed my life. You honestly have no idea how important this channel was to me. I was young, alone, all I had was my shows and stories where I could just pretend, at least for a bit, that I wasn't. You gave me so much hope. You made me feel seen, safe, normal. Now, I accept who I am, I've grown up, and younger me will forever be grateful. Thank you, and I'm glad you're back 💗

[@krystleboss8573]

It was never your fault that Mofftiss gaslit everyone about their blatant subtext not existing at all despite *waves hands at everything but especially the wedding that’s all about John’s adoring men* nor that people lost their minds over the possibility. You didn’t cause the pain, the show did by queerbaiting so heinously, especially by a gay writer who literally laughed at fans for believing he wasn’t just joking. Those of us who have been in fandom for decades know that, even if an equivalent straight ship was never made canon, the subtext that looked the way Sherlock’s did would never have been denied. You keep being you & hoping for the future we want to see on tv ❤️ OFMD just proved it could be done!

[@christinman]

you’re one of the only people I would trust to tell this story. I have literally been waiting 5 years for this

[@franciscafigueroa5863]

Hi. I started watching BBC Sherlock exactly two weeks ago...Far past the series 4 finale. And I already knew going in that there wouldn't be any groundbreaking gay development between the main characters before I started the first episode. Around the time that I watched series 3. I admitted out loud to my girlfriend that I had never wanted any ship to sail more than Sherlock and John - as portrayed by Freeman and Cumberbatch. In the course of a week, and without knowing a single thing about TJLC, I went through every single emotion that the original fan base went through. I started googling fan fiction (something I've never done). I was certain that if I felt this strongly that others must have as well. AND BOY was I right. When I finally did a deep dive into the history of TJLC. I was shocked that I had independently come up with all of the same ideas years and years after this show was in its prime. This show, and more specifically, my hope that the tension between these two characters would be released on the screen, captured my imagination more quickly than any other work of fiction I've ever come across. I became instantaneously obsessed with it. While TJLC was clearly not the way the writers decided to go for whatever inexplicable reason, It's the only ending that I would have been satisfied with. I didn't watch your videos until today, so its impossible that your opinions or proclamations could have influenced my feelings. yet, I stand with you, as a total noob to the fandom. This isn't your fault.

[@mira-ih2yo]

return of the king

[@adrianoines521]

TW/// when I found your channel, I was going through a really rough time. I was 12 and my depression and anxiety were starting to get really bad, and on top of that I was struggling with an eating disorder. your videos, passion, and general love for this series kept me afloat until I could get the help I needed. I honestly don't know where I would be without the content you created and the comfort you provided me. Thank you.

[@TJLCExplained]

Thank you so much for sharing that with me! I'm so grateful I was able to help you through that time in any way. I hope you're in a better place now. 💛

[@teresaechevarria883]

I wonder what the creators would think if they watched these. It makes so much sense and it’s just so interesting to watch

[@aegicheezu]

Rebs you're an absolute treasure and I'm excited to watch the rest of your content, you know this already but I'm so proud of you for coming back and picking up your own pen again

[@TJLCExplained]

Thank you so much Kat

[@noahatlas5240]

Martin "I-Don't-Know-I'm-Just-In-It" Freeman 😭💀

[@krystleboss8573]

🤣🤣 I still think Martin didn’t get the memo about the show not being a slow-burn gay romance & he played John accordingly then went “Oh, fuck… erm, yeah, no… shit!”

[@elizabetkiraly]

Just like Michael Sheen had confirmed he acted like Azirafael was in love with Crowley all throughout season 1 of Good omens, when even Neil Gaiman denied intentional love being portrayed on screen, just for their love to be confirmed in season 2 I am forever convinced we would not have gotten the shows and representation in the last years if it weren't for TJLC and the backlash after Sherlock

[@elizamusa4965]

Rebs! I don’t know if u remember me but we used to speak alot and during these 5 years of break with the sherlock fandom, I’ve always thought about you with love and gratitude! Thank you so much for doing this

[@etherealmoonlight-vt7yd]

WOOOWWW IS SO GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN!!! I'M SO EXCITED!!!! Hope you're okay ❤️

[@zoetevka4653]

♥️

[@donajivenegas1705]

I gotta say, that introduction moved me to the core, you are absolutely right with everything. I wasn't really big in the Fandom, I was a shy teen, but, as many others, I completely blocked it all, never to be seen again. Everything that reminded me of BBC Sherlock was painful, and filled with grief, couldn't even see a Study in Pink. I can only describe our emotions at the time as intense. I remember being worried about you for a while as you didn't deserve any attacks after season 4. I still think the TJLC version is better that the one we actually have. I confronted the show at the pandemic as well, it's not perfect like I used to believe but it was enjoyable, and then you came back as well. I think this journey is a necessary one to heal the old wounds and I'm sure you'll make it as safe and tender as you can.

[@janisyoung6251]

When I tell you I clicked on this IMMEDIATELY. Thank you so much for this- been reflecting a lot on this show lately and considering revisiting it.

[@bluecladchipmunk]

This is fantastic video and I'm looking forward to the rest of the series. I'm so glad to see that you're doing the healing that you needed. All of us in the early days right after season 4 ended went through so much whether we were prominent in the fandom or just lurking like I was... And there was a lot of hurt not only from other fans but internally as well. But all these years later I recently chose to make the exact same thing you're doing I revisiting this story and trying to find closure. Seeing what you're doing here is really fantastic and I'm looking forward to everything you continue to do. I know what this is going to be a hard journey to go through but I'm really proud of you for doing that. Also seeing the elephant in the background made me strangely emotional .

[@kingkim5020]

I'm so glad you came back to do all of this even though you didn't have to AND was very difficult to do so. I applaud you. This is great work you have done and tbh I'll always be here for tjlc, it's the only true reading to me 🥰

[@Dee010s]

And Ive been to Speedys and 221b in 2022!!! Im winning at Johnlock 😂❤🎉

[@carpefuego]

Am OG viewer. Still ❤ you and your efforts. Was going through a firefighter academy at the time (am 40 y.o. now) and it was such a nice escape from the stress. You actually helped make the show exponentially more enjoyable for me, and you taught me so much about storytelling in general, like you opened a door for me to even be curious about how stories are constructed and perceived. Thank you for how much heart and forthrightness you seem to give life. Is a kind of beacon of honesty. Best wishes for you in everything you do

[@TJLCExplained]

This is such a touching message, thank you! 💛

[@howlynnmartin1356]

Keep in mind the metaphors we talked about. Wells do not work like holding tanks. They work like putting a straw in a lake. You cannot fill one up. Therefore, either our writers are stupid, which I don't believe, or they were speaking in metaphor only. The well spoke of John's view of his world at that moment in time. A dark hopeless place, drowning, no escape other than to just give in and succumb... The cold stars in the night sky, his only hope. Sherlock in this ear, screaming for him to hang on, the slippery walls providing no respite for his struggle. A hole of guilt he can never claw his way out of alone, and too much of himself hidden for Sherlock to ever find him. A a metaphor that scene is quite lovely, and Sherlock always comes. As a scene on the surface, five minutes on the internet would tell anyone that wells don't work that way at all. But, maybe I am wrong, of course if I am then we have to accept that a nonexistent dog calmed Sherlock in his mind palace, keeping him alive by not going into shock, when Mary shot him? I think the bones of the boy in the well, had to be metaphor for a little boy named Sherlock. Sherlock had to be redbeard. He had the reddish curly hair. The other boy had to be yellowbeard. Why would the blond be redbeard and the aulburn be yellowbeard? If Victor was in the well, why would nobody look for a child fell down a well? If you watched Lassie or the news (Wells tend to be a first place to hunt... Think little Jessica?) So, the supposed bones in the well, were meant to be Sherlock's childhood. Where everything changed. That happy little brilliant boy died and was replaced with the high functioning sociopaths persona? (Everything you are, everything you have become) See, John is In the well, struggling with the darkness that nonfunctional "Well" represents, but Sherlock had spent his life there. Sherlock knows for a fact that only John can save him. John doesn't think Sherlock Will save him, because he doesn't deserve him to do so. Neither can escape the Well without the other. Time constraints didn't cut the rescue scene. Because they only needed to realize that they both were IN the well and only that, togetherness, that "You and me against the rest of the World" could get them OUT of the well if despair they exist in without the other. Do you see? Sometimes the dog not barking in the night tells us what is actually the important part. Sending lots of 💘 and I can't wait for your new video! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ Howlynn

[@butterflymilk6240]

wow, I love love love this interpretation

[@space_hobbit]

I'm so happy you are doing well! While I still have thoughts about BBC Sherlock I am also weirdly excited to see how I'm gonna feel going through it again and reevaluating it as an adult. So thank you so much for doing this project ^-^

[@zoetevka4653]

♥️🏳️‍🌈♥️

[@marijaneplacek3090]

you are right to do this. THANK YOU. They let us down.

[@jamesofglory]

Dude i JUST finished rewatching this series and had to go directly back to ep 1... I've officially rewatched this series more than the actual show

[@TJLCExplained]

Thats very flattering!

[@jaimeerindy4573]

I will forever appreciate you and all your videos! Ya, we were wrong about the ending, and it HURT. But that doesn't mean that we weren't right about a lot of things in a lot ways, and TJLC taught me to have a really deep love for media analysis that I still carry today, and a deeper understanding of how audiences interact with media ❤️

[@Zandalorscat]

❤️ I haven't watched the whole thing yet and I'll post something more eloquent later, but I just want to say that you have been an inspiration and have brought people together. TJLC as a whole has been an inspiration and has brought people together. The bad things don't cancel out all the good it did for many people. I am getting married to a wonderful woman who I would never have met if TJLC hadn't caused me to join tumblr, which then got me into Critical Role and D&D. This is the best thing that's ever happened to me.

[@TJLCExplained]

That is so sweet! I'm so glad it led to something good for you

[@rivkavermeij]

I wanna say thank you for making is, taking us along your journey of closure regarding Sherlock, whichever way it will lead us. I like that you're taking an open approach, and looking back, I'm thankful for your part in introducing me to recognising and reading symbolic meaning etc in a work of fiction. Whether to apply it to Sherlock or to other shows, films and books, the methods are valid, even if they don't work on Sherlock. For example, I enjoy watching theory videos on the MCU, where the writing does incorporate little nods to things in other films and MCU shows. I look forward to the other parts of this video series, and I just wanna say I still love your hair 😀👌🏻

[@trutrustories5223]

Dear Rebekah, your writing is briliant, and I love your approach to the show. I enjoyed revisiting all of the codes and subtexts. And I still think it´s a best possible reading of a show (whether it was intentional on writers part or not). Most of all, I'm inclined to the possibility that writers really do enjoy writing of the subtext and didn´t have any intentions to make their characters cofirm it in a text. And I think they didn't really understand (and didn´t try to) why lgbt+ people look at the homoerotic subtext in a show differently, than in the past. I think they were aware (or started to be after obvious ipact Johnlock had in 2012 on fans) they are atracting new people into the show because of that subtext. So by it´s definition, I believe, that it was queerbaiting. But at the same time, I don´t think they expected us to care as much as we (sadly) did. And I don´t have that much anger towards them, as I had in the past. There is also slight possibility, that they were presssured to not take it further, beyond the subtext. I had the oportuity to look on how production works and I work in television now, and so I cant´t deni, that there could have been some conversation about possible angry audience, that didn´t see it coming. And I´m talking about majority, regular and straight audience, that didn´t read into subtext at all. There is also a theory, that after series three came out, Ben and Matin stoped talk to each other and weren´t so excited to work side by side anymore. But I doubt, they would change whole screenplay because of feelings of actors, since... well, they are professional actors. At this point I honestly don´t care that much about fifth season. Actors are most likely disappointed and annoyed from how forth season turned out. And they have lots of project going on right now. I also, same as you, do not believe, that anything they would do with next season could change or fix much. They simply missed they chance to make televition history. However, I wouldn´t be angry, if they did come back and did actually make decent "sequel". I would give it a try and watch it. Side note: Can´t deni, that I would love older verions of these characters living with each other alone. At the time of their life, where Rosie is grown up and enjoying her life in college. Sherlock Holmes and John Watson would still solving crimes together. And they would quarrel like an old married couple, while slowly starting to relize, this is going for over fifteen years now, that they are being both staborn idiots, that should finaly propose and marry each other. Something like "Vicious" with Ian McKellen and Derek Jacobi but in a mystery/krimi genre :D I also have to say, that recent miracle series from David Jenkins and Taika Waititi help me incredibly in leaving any hopes for future Sherlock behind me. We are coming to the point in time, where people, that were told to "not make everything gay, and to "write something themself, if they want it so badly" finaly are getting there and have an opportunity to actually make something themself. And this beautifully silly little gay pirate show, that came up just few weeks ago is something, I used to think Sherlock was and now what I think that Sherlock could have been but missed the chance. And I´m bringing this up, because you were talking here about all those interviews and mixed messages from Steve and Moffat (also because I saw your posts on tumblr how very happy you were to have to watch and read all of them xD - which I think is incerdibly brave and selfless and you are my hero) I wanted to show you here a pieces of interviews that came up recently from creators of ofmd in complete contrast to what moffat and gatiss had to say, about their work: (I´m deliberately skipping the senteces with spoiler, if you decide to watch the show in the future) "I think I didn’t realize - because I see myself represented on camera, and I see myself falling in love in stories - I didn’t realize how deep the queerbaiting thing goes. Being made to feel stupid by stories, I guess. (…) I understand it much better now, and it’s like, oh, you were made to feel stupid by a bunch of shows - unintentionally, by and large, I think - but made to feel like “maybe I’m going to be up there. Maybe that’ll be me in this story.” And then at the end of it feeling like, “Aw. No, it’s not me. I’m not in this one.” That fucks with you at any age, I think, but especially when you’re young and impressionable. I know it would make me feel that I didn’t belong, and I think that’s part of where the response to the show comes from." - David Jenkins www.theverge.com/2022/4/15/23024365/our-flag-means-death-david-jenkins-interview and this: "...And then people being very afraid that we’re not going to do it, which is fair. I didn’t realize how deep that ran until, honestly, this week. After you watch the fifth episode.... ....and people still either don’t believe we’re playing it or don’t engage with it when they’re writing about the show, that… I didn’t expect that. I thought it was quite explicit... ...People are picking up on it, but they don’t actually believe that we’re going there." - David Jenkins www.indiewire.com/2022/03/our-flag-means-death-taika-waititi-finale-love-story-interview-rhys-darby-1234709947/ And also, the bit, where Waititi says about his colleague: "David just wants to piss off homophobic historians" ... "He just wants to hear them go, 'That never happened!" ew.com/tv/our-flag-means-death-finale-spoilers/ So... well I hopeI this made up for all those moffitts interviews (at least a little bit :) ) And to be clear I´m deffinitely NOT trying to entice you to watch the series... not at all! 🤣😅 Anyway, once again, Rebekah, YOU. ARE. AN. ABSOLUTE. GENIUS. I loved the writing, and editing. It is obvious, how much work and love you pour in it. I enjoyed every second of this episode, and cannot wait for the rest of it. I am sooo ready for week of tjlc therapy. And ready to make peace with Sherlock. I say this with all my respect, admiration and gratitude. Have a beautiful day! ♥ Tru

[@TJLCExplained]

Thank you Tru!!! OFMD is absolutely on my "To Watch" list I have only been hearing good things about it! and that first quote from David Jenkins is just so so cathartic to read. I also agree that I'm probably hairsplitting a bit too much here about what is and is not queerbaiting. For me trying to make peace with this, it did make a difference to consider their intent and whether it was only there specifically to mess with people or get them invested or whatever else, or if they also have a genuine enjoyment for the subtext, even if its for a completely different reason than I would want. But I think at the end of the day, what they meant in their hearts is 1. ultimately unknowable and 2. doesn't change what actually happened that much. People still have every right to be frustrated and angry, even if they didn't purposefully mean to hurt people. But I think I spent so long thinking that I had either made it all up or if the subtext was there, it was there for the cruelest possible reasons that I personally needed to make that distinction.

[@trutrustories5223]

@@TJLCExplained That´s amazing, can´t wait for you to see it!!! (Can´t lie about it xD) and I really hope you will love it, and that it´ll bring you the exact happy feelings like it did to many others! This show is... well.. SOMETHING :D I absolutely understand your point of you. And I believe there IS genuine love for subtext. And for Gatiss it very probably came from his own experiences with film and tv. Personaly I feel that since queerbaiting as a term was just raising at that time, (and was made popular mainly because of this show (and supernatural)). Maybe they really didn´t see anything bad with making lgbt+ audience read into subtext. It could have been the case that they really had no clue, how badly it is gonna go. And what they were getting themself into :D So for me, it could have been a bit of both. PS: I´m starting Dracula today, so I can have whole picture, before your episode six will come up. Just to have, you know, best experince possible while watching that masterpiece of yours :D wish me luck!

[@Kris-fq9bi]

I have to do some annoying work right now, and this is the best thing ever to help me get through it. Yay! Edit to say, I don't care what happened, I still LOVE LOVE the holiday countdown you did, mostly because it was cool friend collabs, and were really inspiring to watch. As you said, showing all the people with interests similar to mine, that I dont get to encounter in my real life.

[@StrawberryLegacy]

Omg you're back! And you sound so well-reflected, mature and happy ☺️ I totally get what you mean with the shame and bitterness, I completely shut out that show from my life after 2017 and tried not to think about it anymore because it was too painful and I was feeling so stupid about it all. But I recently rewatched it for the first time since then and finally found some closure as well. Season 4 still makes me angry because of how bad it was at times and how out of character John was written but no longer because Johnlock didn't become canon. And season 1-3 I can finally appreciate again, which is great, because that show, as you said, played a huge role in my life for a few years and will always be a part of me :)

[@TheFFilipp]

Haven’t watched the new videos yet (I’m about to), but I just wanted to say I’m so happy you’re back and I’m grateful for your sunny presence in the community!

[@peacearena]

The retrospective I have been waiting for! ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

[@rekindlefitness]

Rebekah, this video is fantastic. It's a real pleasure to listen to you, you're seriously my favorite literature teacher, I wish I had you in school. Your TJLC series added a huge amount of flavor, depth and spice to watching the show, season 4 and all. The TJLC together with the show also inspired countless Johnlock fanfiction, which I spent many more hours reading than watching the show itself. You have a wonderful gift for literary interpretation and transferring that enthusiasm to others. Thank you for sharing it.

[@alloftheabove202]

I've only just stumbled across this but I have to say this is all so interesting to me. As someone who was a fan of the show in my teens and now a lover of critical analysis in my 20s this is all fantastic to me

[@ananananabop]

Oh! This reminds me to go read the chapters of your fic I haven’t gotten to yet! Looking forward to that and to seeing your video.

[@butterflymilk6240]

do it, the fic is absolutely awesome. i cried reading it

[@tamaraaaaaaaaaa4262]

Omg what is the name of the fic I need to read it

[@butterflymilk6240]

@@tamaraaaaaaaaaa4262 From A Drop Of Water, it's linked in the description!

[@kimberkingdon5170]

The TJLC Explained series opened me up to reading subtext and being interested in literary analysis. I hope that you feel proud of what you made-even if you’ve grown and changed since then, and things look differently in retrospect. The work and passion you’ve put forward is beautiful.

[@ameliereads]

I accidentally started watching sherlock again after many years (I’ve watched one or two episodes once mostly for a laugh). Like most people, I had to completely put the show and all of the random aside after season 4. I’ve yet to rewatch that season ever, but perhaps I will now. I’m at somewhat of a low point right now and it tends to make me revisit things for nostalgia. Wasn’t expecting Sherlock to be one of them, but looks like it might be. What I really want to say with this comment, though, is that rewatching made me remember this channel and I was happy to find new(ish) videos on here. And probably exactly what I need right now, to look at the show with new eyes in a way. Or at least with some distance and perspective I didn’t have back then. I also have to say how nice it is to look at a show through this kind of analytical lens again. I’ve really missed that, as a former literature BA student. I’m sorry you had such a rough fallout from the show, worse than most of only because of how nuanced it was for you. I’ve only watched half of this video but I hope you’ve found some peace with this project. Thank you for the time, effort and love you’ve put into the random, then and now(ish).

[@butterflymilk6240]

this makes me emotional and incredibly excited

[@illusiveaxeman9164]

I was wondering what happened to you after the series ended, I'm glad to see you're alright!

[@xFadingStarsx]

You've clearly given this so much thought and effort and care! I was one of those TJLC-ers back in the day who was absolutely devastated when season 4 happened. I completely divorced myself from the show so getting a reminder that I wasn't completely insane and the show wasn't inherently awful is really nice. The burn the heart out of you line... never gonna get over that one. I never expected to watch something about Sherlock again but I thoroughly enjoyed this and will be watching the rest!

[@ddotzil]

i was randomly thinking today about johnlock/tjlc and looked up your channel, to find this video uploaded only days ago! it is great to see you again, and i am very excited to watch this series 😊

[@Sandra_aschenbach_doyle]

I still am in the introduction. But I respect that you are willing to face your own mistakes. I remember seeing your videos back then, thinking “poor girl gets all upset about a trash show that don’t care for her.” Glad to see you’re doing well

[@majaskorska2600]

What a time to be alive 🥺 I'm happy I stuck around long enough to see your comeback ♥️

[@heatweve]

25:28 i'm pausing just to comment that back in time, i never thought about extrapolating this principle (well, what grasp on media literacy did i have at age 13), but as you spoke i can totally see this applied now outside of sherlock - it came to mind more recently the example of good omens, in which food is not only a corruption of the holy body of an angel, but it clearly works as a moment of intimacy and communion.

[@alucard52186]

I watched your videos back in the day on repeat, and I don't regret being a part of TJLC. Thanks for your contributions

[@jamesofglory]

this series is now officially part of my christmas tradition -- kind of like rewatching sherlock used to be. I remember watching all the old videos around christmas for the first time, waiting for january when season 4 would finally drop. while it was disappointing in the end, i'm glad i found your channel when i did. because although i never fully bought into the tjlc theory, i found it eminently fascinating and your videos enhanced my viewing experience of the show proper. now when i think about bbc sherlock instead of thinking of a show that i got invested in but ultimately let me down, i think about you and the fandom and all the good times it gave me. thanks for all your hard work on both this series and the s4 rewrite, and i hope you're doing well out there whatever you're getting up to!

[@christinademps374]

Excited to see what the series has in store. Haven’t been back to his fandom since the show ended and now at 24 it 3:57 different but just as exciting.

[@totalbookworm]

So happy to see you back! Can't wait for the next parts!

[@benjalucian1515]

So happy with your new series! While I came to TJLC late, after the fact, I very much enjoyed your theories and how you backed up your theory. However, I always knew it would never be the "Ellen" for our generation. Reason for that, is your reason #3 - because, the series, heavily based on the Billy Wilder movie where the love is "desperately unspoken" was going to be exactly that. No matter how blatant the dialogue, symbolism, score, scenes, acting, ad infinitum, was the love storyline was ALWAYS going to remain "desperately unspoken". I'd like to believe your theory #5, where the 'game is still on', because of the PS DVD that Mary leaves the Baker Street Boys "what you could become" [Sherlock looking at John meaningfully], but who knows? Might be pie in the sky for many years, as Moffat recently said about Series 5, that he and the other producers/writers would do it in a minute, but Martin and Benedict, with their flourishing careers, might be done with Sherlock, despite their loyalty to the show when it was "the lowest paying job they had". Maybe when they're graying and slowing down, we might see Series 5 and the theory be mentioned casually in hindsight, that they did eventually get together, but that was long in the past now....who knows?

[@butterflymilk6240]

Actually this is my theory as well. They most likely never will be called a couple on screen, but maybe we get season 5 some day (Ben and Martin both said that Sherlock is not officially over, it's just "a long pause" - that means nobody ever fully cancelled season 5) and it will provide some closure. Even more subtext, most likely, but in a way that makes people no longer wonder "are they in love?" but "are they together?" instead, at least the ones who listen. I am finally in peace with the ending we got because everything is a possibility from that point. We decide how their story goes on. Still, season 5 (as strange as it sounds) might happen some day, and if it ever does, there will be more subtext FOR SURE. I don't wanna say it definitely will happen because we just don't know

[@evielong4050]

OMG. I watched EVERY one of your TJLC videos and was obsessed with The M Theory and Loudest Subtext. I'm definitely gonna be watching this series. I loved your series back then. It was truly amazing and so well done.

[@lexcience1281]

I’m very excited to see you making this series. I was never a TJLC-er and only moderately invested in the show, but I honestly really loved your “TJLC Explained” series from an academic/literary standpoint. I’m happy for you: That you’re returning to this space and showing folks that they can grow from mistakes, that mistakes not failures but a means of gaining valuable perspective. I think it’s really powerful and takes tremendous courage. Thank you.

[@bunbungabriel]

Rebekah, I'm so glad you're back! I still remember when the finale came out at first I was mad about how everything ended but then I was mostly worried about you especially when you deleted everything I'm happy you're now working through everything again, bc I still think you did great work with your series Also as a side note: you look amazing!

[@AlienZizi]

not to get parasocial but i love you and tjlc. i feel safe here. this has only enriched my life

[@mori5509]

Oh my goooood, i remember the tjlc days so well! I loved being a part of it back then, even though i look back on it now and cringe a but ;) so happy to have you back (yes, I'm late). This video does lessen the regret of being in TJLC a bit and for the first time since S4, i actually kinda wanna rewatch it

[@susyycarlyle]

So proud of you Rebs!! Your videos meant so much to me (and still do) and I’m so excited for this new series💕💕💕

[@helloliriels153]

If I haven't yet said. This is beyond brilliant. And lovely how much care you put into crafting it. 💕

[@ananasgirl]

I have always remained rather silent in the comments, but here I needed to express my feelings : I am so happy to have watched this video ! I'm so glad you're back ! And I'm so glad you're turning the page in a positive way ! I was really moved during this video, I smiled a lot, there were times when I said to myself « omg yes it's true ! » And when I saw that you were going to redo a TJLC episode, I was so thrilled ! Thank you very much Rebecca, I wish you well 🧡 Kisses from france !

[@mariacohen9248]

Rebekah, I am a new viewer to the channel but I am also a fellow analyst. Your views and previous videos are really in depth. And honestly. I think your original point of the show ending with them together did happen. If season 5 happens. Honestly. It's 50/50 of will they won't they. Watching your videos has allowed me to watch with more analytics (which I love doing) and I love seeing more of the story then ever before. Your amazing. And Johnlock will be Canon one day ❤️

[@Dee010s]

Omg, im so happy to see you again. I think of you and your videos sometimes, fondly. I hope you are well. Ty for making new content.

[@maria_helenaa]

I can’t tell you how excited I am. Thank you for doing this, Rebekah 💕

[@anouklichtenberg6885]

It's so good to see you again! I used to be obsessed with your video's! Thank you for sharing your perspective and feelings about TJLC and the series, i feel like it is indeed some sort of closure to the falling apart of a fandom after the ending of the series, and it is making me feel very nostalgic

[@elliotmydude]

I remember seeing posts about TJLC on instagram around 2016 when i first got in the fandom (rough year to show up haha) and didn't have a lot of context around how the fandom had been treated in and outside the show, but i was so excited to be part of something that felt so big. I've since had details filled in about just how awful the whole situation was, and the betrayal i feel on behalf of my younger self grows with each new slight I've learned about. Your content, and other fan theories were the happiest, most meaningful part of the entire experience and the only part i remember fondly. While it ended in such a bitter way, i still see the value in the excitement so many people had to be a part of telling a mainstream queer story, between 2 main characters. I'm typing all of this before actually watching the video, but thank you for all the effort you've put in towards a show that never deserved it. It still meant something to me. It had importance.

[@teaganlee4219]

Damn, I never expected to be back on this channel, but so far I’m glad I am! I recently decided to rewatch bits of Sherlock after not touching it since S4 aired, and I’m glad to say that I haven’t felt the same kind of hurt and anger as I did before when I was entrenched in the fandom. I think I’ve grown up and I can see it more clearly now, and I can say that I don’t like S4 regardless of what it made me feel in regards to TJLC. Having said that, TJLC was a huge thing in my life as it was for many other lonely queer teens, and I think this retrospective is going to be an excellent final stop on the road to closure. Really glad I decided to look you up again Rebekah, glad to see you’re doing better too. And thank you for then and now on helping me learn about literature devices - it has helped me a lot in my own writing over the years!

[@tamarbeker1701]

I just want you to know that i love your analysis. I really do. I don't care if this was silly or misguided. The fact that your honestly, wonderful ideas are still here, in and if itself, made it all worth it.

[@karolinaj.8656]

Oh my God! First of all, hi! I am an LGBTQ+ buddy from small and homophobic town and Sherlock (both in books and on the screen), the chemistry between Sherlock and John (or how I learned later Johnlock) were always my comfort, my safe space. Then BBC's Sherlock came out and I was sold, then I found Your channel (which is a literal MASTERPIECE) and learned there are others like me! I remember watching all of Your videos religiously, I had a tracker that counted to the episodes of Season 4 and I was SO exited! Until "The Final Problem" was aired...It honest to God broke my heart...My first thought was "And it always will be 1895", my second thought was "Oh God, what is happening to Rebekah?!" and for some reason I couldn''t find Your channel. I felt betrayed by writers and producers. I couldn't bring myself to watch BBC Sherlock or anything under Moffat or Gatiss after that. Yesterday was actually the first time since 2017 that I was able to watch "A study in Pink" on TV and I realised I was smiling the whole time and today I found Your channel again and I am SO HAPPY!🥺🥺❤Ok, the rant is over, thank You for coming to my TED talk I guess😂

[@jamiecahill9846]

This series has honestly been so healing

[@rozensabaku]

I'm so happy since you start posting again, I still think you analisis videos have a great value, they show me tools of analisis that are so usefull for people like me who likes to write. I'm glad you are doing better and even more glad for this long video

[@natashasalvador3706]

I never would've known or cared about a TJLC reading if it wasn't for your channel. And i wanna geniuenly, from the bottom of my heart, thank you for it. The experience of the TJLC community, and everything that came with it, was an amazing one, a thrillling one, an instructive one, and one I genuenly enjoyed and still enjoy today, even if for some months in the middle it caused me pain (or temporary insanity). It has shaped a lot of the ways i approach my art (im an actress), a lot of the ways I approach media, and it has made me a better media analyser, and taught me a lot about media analysys but also about group thinking, about emotional maturity, and about what i and isn't right from a lot of people/positions/persepctives. I genuenly think it has made me a better person, a kinder human, a more thoughtful consumer, and allowed me to enjoy fandom wholly, because I know what things just lead to toxicity or pain if taken to the extreme, and I know i dont need to do them or engage in them to enjoy my readings. And I also think it has made me a better storyteller and story analyzer. I am thankful every day for the fateful moment I looked up TJLCE on youtube and I will never stop being grateful. And I hope you know that, from where I'm standing, everything you ever did only put more good into this world. I love you and I hope this brings you all the closure and comfort you hope and more

[@eileensburner]

Thank you for this because I still feel crazy and this has helped and it was nice to see you again lol. Can’t wait for the rest! Thank you thank you thank you for your hard work!

[@ashiraecho2039]

I just want to say thank you so much for coming back and doing this. I'm so sorry you blamed yourself for what went down with TJLC. I do hope you know that I and many others never blamed you for bait or anything. We were all in this together and we were all hurt by disappointment. I'm so glad your back making the best of all that time we all spent with TJLC. I did miss it a lot. I hope after all the TJLC videos you stay on youtube and make more videos about other shows ( if you want ) cause I love your style and discussions.

[@h0lehearted]

Thank you so much for putting this all together. I can't wait for the next part 💖

[@layapark]

только сейчас увидела новые видео и очень рада вновь видеть и слышать вас я два года не смотрела шерлока после выхода 4 сезона, а потом, когда все же решила пересмотреть, смотрела только первые три сезона я ненавидела этот сериал, но всегда была благодарна вам и остальным, кто были в tjlc смотря ваши видео я словно возвращаюсь в то самое ХОРОШЕЕ прошлое, спасибо вам

[@monaszko2870]

Dear Rebekah, don’t be too hard on yourself. You’re a wonderful and insightful person. Your channel still inspires people and is fun to watch. I only discovered the show in January this year and was instantly hooked. The idea of Johnlock got me out of a 4 years lasting writer’s block and I started writing fanfiction again. Then I found your channel and I love watching your theories and explanations. When I watched the show as a whole for the first time, I didn’t truly expect Johnlock to happen, but that’s okay, because that’s what fanfiction is for. I turned 40 this year and when I grew up, watching Buffy and the kiss between Willow and Tara was as good as it gets. I’ve always been a fangirl of different fandoms and my fantasy is running wild - and that’s the fun part. Of course, it would have been amazing, if Johnlock had happened on the show. But your enthusiasm shown in TJLC is wonderful and you shouldn’t be ashamed of it. I for one am glad you didn’t shut your channel down, because it’s still fun to watch even now, for newbies like I am, because there’s so much to discover. Thank you for all your work and heart you put into it. Johnlock is worth the effort. Take care and a big hug from Germany!

[@EmilyParagraph]

as someone who watched one ep of sherlock back in 2010 and thought it was boring and who didn't know tjlc existed until the sarah z video despite being on tumblr for just over a decade, this is fascinating. im glad to watch a retrospective of this sub-fandom from someone who was deep in it. thanks for making this!

[@sirenadingo2553]

Really happy to see your new videos and that you are making content again ! :) Your reading and the TJLC story meant a lot to me and it changed my life for the better, decisively. Seriously, seriously, if you hadn't made these videos in the past, I wouldn't be in the same place I am today. I teared up watching this video, I was sad to hear that you were so devastated before, but I'm glad you are feeling better. Your talents, your sincerity are a gift that bring many people solace and joy

[@christinechapman2074]

You have outdone yourself, this video is a masterpiece and I can't wait for the rest (but pacing myself). I experienced so many emotions in this retrospective, like reliving the last 10 years since I first started watching the show. The things that stuck with me the most though were your point about the stories we tell ourselves and how the ending of the show caused you and many of the fans to tell ourselves a story that we had been wrong, had misread things, couldn't trust ourselves and the implications of that being the story we were telling ourselves. Like many, my time as a Sherlock fandom corresponded with me discovering and embracing my queer identity and in 2017 I remember trying to express mid-IRL-arguments that the events of series 4 were causing me to question my own identify and personal growth. Was it even meaningful or real if all this had been wrong? But I was 24 then I'm 30 now, I've learned to love myself and to trust myself. I've had other fan heartbreaks and what I continue to believe is the best of fandom is the other fans. We were brought together because of the show we all loved, yes, but we stayed together and we were drawn into the theories, the art, the videos, the memes, because of each other. The part of rewriting my story in light of the heartbreak I'm still working on is that I do think I've held myself back from fully diving into other fandoms and I regret that. Revisiting all this reminded me how much fun we once had and I hope I can find new fandom spaces where I want to participate wholeheartedly again. Thank you for refreshing us on all the details, the theories, the interviews. It's so fun looking back and so sad as well. Excited for the next episodes.

[@isabeau8907]

so good rebs! watching this amidst study breaks so i'm only at the billy/gary mirrors part so far but i am loving this as a trip down memory lane. it is so lovely to see you back and hear more about the way you view the show now

[@anotherway917]

I was rewatching BBC Sherlock lately because I was reading the original ACD novel, and as my first watch of BBC Sherlock was after season 4 aired the pain had not be too significant while I have always wondered how people even survived the wait from season 1 to season 2. When I rewatched the BBC show while reading the novel, there are contrasts so interesting that, I believe if the writers wanted to avoid people reading the story in a queer way there are indeed some places they could have just “followed the original story”; while there are other places where, if the show followed some lines of the original story, it would be “gayer” than the show: Imagine BBC Sherlock saying to Watson “If we could fly out of that window hand in hand”?? In other words, queer subtext could be found everywhere and noticing and interpreting it alone is just what a normal human being would do. And about being “so sure” of things, please really don’t blame yourself because everyone’s minds are free to hold opinions. Audience holds a big role in any shows, just like “geniouses would need an audience”. Even in a irl relationship, we could always have trusted something so much that we think it is true, until something inconsistent happens. Believing something is true at the time we cannot see the actual thing that we want it to happen could be a kind of trust, just that now we know it is not religion, and when we lose hopes dear to us we just need to find a way to get back up on our feet. As writers, the creators do have in general a control on the plot, and the hurt only proved that while what we believe had not taken shape in the way we wanted, what we felt has always been real! I have only actually watched till 12:26 of the whole series but crying like an idiot because of how deep your words touch and the choice of words are just beautiful. I cannot say “I understand you” however I wanted to because I know I have not gone through the same pain of waiting, but as a shipper of gay/les couples and identifying myself as “not straight”, and still starving for stories that would speak my heart, what you said is something very close to what I experienced for a lot of years. At last what I learned is just to not expect any other people will tell “my story” just as everyone is unique. I will sit back and see through your thoughts, and I hope I will be allowed to see the original TJLC serious just as you have still allowed them to exist on your channel. Thank you so much for producing these videos, I hope the best for you :)

[@KajsaBernhardina]

This is the video we all waited so many years for, hoping you would be back and provide this kind of closure for the ex-fans of the show. What this channel was missing all these years was exactly this kind of self-sacrificing gesture, that you would be back for our sake, when the creators of the show left us hanging, that you wouldn't be like them, that you wouldn't leave us hanging too. Although I wish you would have done this sooner, I can tell from the way you processed this event, the right time was always now - enough time has gone for you to be able to look back on the situation with a clearer perspective. I think many people feel, myself included, that you always were the one besides the writers who could give this story a happy ending and I'm so glad you decided to do that. Even though it took a long time, you did it and that was the right thing to do. I don't know if you remember but I wrote some months ago to tell you I've been in your shoes but it was another fandom, another show and another time. Since then, I've started writing again, something I was incapable of doing for an entire year because of what happened. It's so empowering to hear you, a fellow storyteller, in these new videos, to see you work through it, and it has helped me with my own recovery. I've definitely come a long way and your videos are part of that journey, your voice is like mentoring me at this point :) Thank you for that. Just like you shouldn't underestimate the impact the show has had on you, you should not underestimate the impact you're having right now with your work, by coming back, by finishing what you started and thereby proving your strength. It is not just inspirational in the hard work you put in, but in bravery. Please don't ever doubt again how powerful your voice is, even when it feels like you've made a fool out of yourself. Your voice matters to others more than you will ever be able to understand, just like this show mattered to its fans more than the writers could ever comprehend. I think the true lesson here is that whenever we doubt ourselves or hold ourselves back, it always leads to more suffering for everyone. We don't think it does, because we tend to think WE DON'T MATTER - that's so wrong!! Everything we do matters to others. We matter, our stories, our journeys. And it's good to be humbled by that. My guess is that's what happened to the show. There was this lack of humility on the part of the writers. I don't actually think what we ended up getting was the story they always wanted to tell. They held themselves back immensely. I remember while watching The Final Problem, there was this underlying hint of restraint, a bitterness that I had never encountered in any of the other episodes. Somewhat hidden by the production, nontheless there for those who truly loved the show to pick up on. The love of storytelling was just... gone. At least that was my intuitive interpretation the first (and only) time I watched series 4. It looked to me like they were just winging it with one crazy idea after the next. Possibly the writers were forced by greed and contracts and all the business aspects of television to change what they originally had in mind (the romance) - and they weren't happy about it, and that's where it gets truly ugly. Resentment sparks vengeance, and a little vengefulness can be quite fun, "alright, let's give these corporate bastards the heteronormative bull they want" - until you realize you just hurt those who love you most. When Mark Gatiss talks in that interview about fans becoming too emotionally invested in a TV-show, I felt that. As writers, we have no idea if our stories engage readers to the point they would be crushed or devastated by a certain outcome. And we have to remove ourselves from that to some extent. But characters come alive in people's hearts and that's why we love stories. By deconstructing an established thematic journey, i.e. by removing the "love" from the "love story", we don't know what kind of damage we're causing. In some sense, once a story is out there, it no longer belongs to the author, but to those who love it. But it isn't something writers generally understand. We think that ultimately, it doesn't matter, because WE don't matter. We writers and other artists always have really low confidence in our work. When in fact, often we're more loved than most. Readers don't fall in love with words or sentences or even the journey itself. They fall in love with the heart of the story, the little nuances, the humanity in it - and all of that comes from the writer. Had they not held back,had the writers created a series 4 that truly came from the heart, had they acted as if their story truly mattered, and approached the restraints that were placed on them with gratitude, instead of resentment for their CEO's, I don't think it would have been possible to make anyone disappointed. And it doesn't have to be more complicated than that. Maybe it's the idealist in me speaking, but I strongly believe that when we act from a place of humility and gratitude, it is literally impossible to disappoint or hurt those who love us.

[@KajsaBernhardina]

ps! sorry about the long ranty comment but it was a long ranty and very enjoyable video !!! now onto the next :)

[@ukallii]

Honestly, explanation 4 seems the most credible given the inconsistencies between the first 10 episodes and the 4th season. Like how they had a blog post of the Three Thatchers case and then did something completely different for the 4.1 episode of that case. And they said they wanted to tell an authentic Holmesian story and then added the non-canon sister. Series 4 just doesn't work narratively. Sherlock would never have caused permanent damage to himself through drugs that shortened his life that significantly, and John would never have been unfaithful to his wife with some random woman who smiled at him on a bus (maybe with another assassin woman he met on a case, but not some random girl). They just went really out of character and canon-divergent with the 4th series, and on top of that, the timeline doesn't add up. If you actually add up the amount of time that occurs from episode 1 to the last episode, it's about 6 years. Yet, the Moriarty flashback in 4.3 says it was 5 years (it can't be 5 years, the math doesn't hold), and Lestrade in 4.1 says he's known Sherlock for 10 years compared to the 3 years he said in 1.1 equating to 7 years. So how much time actually passed over the course of the series? 5, 6, or 7 years? And all of the inconsistencies only occur during series 4. The show adds up until that. It's like everything makes sense until series 4 - then it derails. And that's not even considering the queer reading.

[@cortneyperfume_madness480]

The only people who didn't think Sherlock and John weren't going to be together were hetero normality people who think two people of the same sex can't romantically fall in love. Season 4 was a shock. A SHOCK! It didn't even feel like Sherlock and John were friends anymore.

[@sb8923]

Dear Rebekah, I am so glad that I found you again....I watched your videos a lot and although I am not part of the queer community I can say that I was truely disappointed after series 4... And do not be so harsh on yourself, I am much older than you are and can say from experience: everything you do defines you and helps you on your way to your true self..... and everything you did and still do is full of passion, true interest and very thoughtfull.... so thank you for everything....

[@peachanddaisygirls]

Thank you for being so open and honest with your feelings. I could tell it was not easy, but appreciated. This felt like a therapy session for the BBC johnlock community 😂🩵

[@irgendeinname5871]

I loved your tjlc videos back when season 4 was announced and I remember watching all of them multiple times. I was so angry and disappointed in the show as well. After the last episode aired I forcibly shoved that show out of my mind for a while. At some point I wanted to come back to your videos, they where my comfort-content regarding this show and I remember having them saved in a playlist so I could still watch some of the unlisted ones. At some point the videos where gone completely and I was honestly kind of sad to see something vanish that I kept so close to my heart and that was once such an important part in my life. I kept wondering where you went and how you are, bc I also really enjoyed your personality and I am so happy to see you again after all those years. I haven't rewatched sherlock ever since, but I happily watched your video(s) now. Super interested stuff thank you so much for coming back!

[@elizabetkiraly]

Why is this the most interesting video i've seen in months?

[@howlynnmartin1356]

Loved the new look, but I honestly feel you never had anything to apologize for in any way. We were all allowed to look at your opinion and follow our own idea about if it was reasonable or not. I still find many of your analysis points sound even if they didn't turn out to be true. I adore how you put yourself out there, and yes, your genuine enthusiasm is contagious, but It makes my heart ache that you have been through such a wringer over something that was just so fun. So what, you and tons of others were wrong, but if you look at how many fanfics there are and the percentage of them written as Johnlock, well, you were not close to being alone in not getting it all exactly right. The eerie bit for me is when writing future looks at series 3 for the break after 2, was literally how much I got right down to several lines that ended up in series 3. It wasn't magic. It was simple predictive analysis of plot points. (And knowing ACD canon ) Strange isnt it that 4 would be so outlandish that zero of my predictions came close? I don't apologize for it. Lol, and let me guarantee that none of my post 4 fix its will ever come close should we get a 5. 😜😏😂 I am just unable to convey how tickled I am too have you back, because it never fails that we have many similar ideas and you always pick up on some point I totally didn't see or better voice something's counter to something I did that makes me find another leap. So long as you are talking, I am going to be listening. Many Hugs. Howlynn

[@luisalbertosoria9146]

Solo para decirte que te apoyamos desde México Reb, amamos a nuestra reina

[@azamboknee7322]

im so glad that i was born just a little later so that my proper fandom phase started just after 2017. joined the sherlock fandom in late 2018. was disappointed initially but NOTH8NG CLOSE to the absolute heartache i'd have felt if i had been active before season 4 aired. the theories are all so sound. but because i watched sherlock after the fact, knowing that its over and knowing that its not canon, i was spared the heartache. a part of me wishes that i couldve been there, in the wild days of the fandom still being alive. but i honestly think its healthier like this. i can still edit sherlock and read johnlock fics and watch and rewatch and make playlists and have them be thar little safe space in my mind. im not one to engage in community too much so it doenst bother me for the most part. but if i could time travel, and had experienced like all the major historical events that interested me, spending some time on tumblr in the mid 2010s on the johnlock tag wouldnt be at the bottom of my list...

[@kawalkarda32]

TJLC and your videos have always meant so much to me. As a closeted person I found so much comfort in the community despite the ups and downs we all experienced and a lot of it was because I found your videos at the time. It is such a painful thing to look back to even now, but I am so thankful that you are taking the time to reflect on this era for us all. This retrospective series really was something I needed, and I could not be happier that its coming from you and this channel! Your videos made me feel so much more sane for not feeling alone about reading into the queer subtext, and to this day I still look back to this time, the community, the videos, fondly, and the first time when I felt that its okay to be queer and read into mediums with a queer lens. I cannot wait for the rest of the videos in this series! Thank you so much once again for posting these and being so kind about the topic. 💕 I cannot emphasis how much I didn't realize I needed this until I started watching.

[@rosemaryherrick9273]

Welcome and thank you!🤗. I have nothing to add to what others have said, so I look forward to the rest of this! Happy Spring💐

[@scarletnight1077]

Half way through this video and it deserves so many more views omg this is amazing

[@chelle9431]

That part about the three truths/lies is infuriating. I thin that's what made me the angriest aside from the assaination of John's character.

[@oliviathomas8818]

Oh man, wish these were on spotify so I can listen on the go. Holy cow I'm excited.

[@badlypostedeverything]

me, who watched this show casually in my early teens and didnt know any of this was happening listening to the introduction:

[@sofivear]

I look back to TJLC and the aftermath of series 4 as a formative experience, it was in a way my first real contact with online community, at least to that level of engagement, and I see the impact that’s had on me as well (lonely queer person here, indeed). It breaks my heart every time you mention how it all has affected you in the last five years but I’m so glad we’re at this point and that we get to hear this thoughtful retrospective from you!! While for me the hurt associated with the show is practically gone, whenever I stop and try to make sense of whatever happened in the end and the story we got, I never get to a neat solution. And maybe I never will, but your methodic approach here helps put all of that contradictory jumble in a kind of order, which I really appreciate. I’m eager to watch the rest of these!! You always have me coming back. :)

[@sofivear]

btw watching this unearthed so many memories that had me grinning like mad, because it really did make so much sense and it was never not a reasonable reading! It’s so loud! btw btw! Love the wider points of contact to literary analysis TJLC has always had that you point out, and that Resurrections is part of the examples. Looking forward to those potential Matrix analyses

[@tothebbarricades]

How To Read Literature Like a Professor omg let me tell you I ALSO HAD TO READ THAT for one of my summer assignments and then write a bit on it. One of the topics I wrote on was the Food/Communion one and my brain immediately went to your TJLC reading (this was a few years ago). The universe is rarely so lazy 😄

[@hugging_a_namujoon]

What I find interesting, and rather painful to know too, is that in a way, what happened with the fandom after season four was in a few points so similar to the show itself. Feeling betrayed by the ones you loved when suddenly your world came crashing down around you like John experienced with Sherlock, trying to move on from it but never quite managing it because you're cutting it all off or ignoring it, blaming yourself for what had happened somewhat as much as the people responsible -also like John. Then again acting like Anderson, making up the wildest theories to steer away from the fact that you'd gotten too carried away and that there was no real happy end in this whole thing. And finally finding some closure by accepting what's happened, embracing it but not as something bad but as something human, "it is what it is", and being able to move on. Quite a tragic story, actually.

[@elizabetkiraly]

12 minutes in and I decided to watch all of the videos on this channel. Your work is a goldmine for internet historians and queer people who have lived through the 2010s. I am so sorry for the pain this caused you. Looking back at TJLC after Our flag means death and Good omens s2 shows such a different picture. After Sherlock really anything is possible. And it happened. I am convinced that if it wasn't for the TJLC fandom, we would have never gotten the series i have just mentioned. Streaming services had seen that the queer community and associated fanfirls are a powerful group that is worth catering to. And this eventually, through long years of tiny steps have led to good representation and this path will lead to even greater representation in the future. You helped achieve this. Please never be ashamed of something that made you happy.