TJLC Explained: [Episode 12] Numbers in Sherlock

Hi everyone! In this quick spring break bonus video I talk explain the meaning behind some of the numbers frequently mentioned in the TJLC community like 221, 57, and 1895. I hope you enjoy the video!
TJLC stands for The Johnlock Conspiracy or the belief that the writers of BBC Sherlock have intended for John and Sherlock to end up in a romantic relationship with each other since the start.
Thank you as always to Stacey! / martinfreemen
REFRENCES:
1. Shakespeare's Sonnet 57
www.poetryfound...
2. Why John's blog counter is at 1895
bakerstreet.wik...
3. "221b" by Vincent Starret
allpoetry.com/p...
4. 1895 in The Abominable Bride
johnlockpining....
5. "The Adventure of the Three Students" by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
sherlock-holm....
6. Mark Gatiss Interview
metro.co.uk/201...
7. Information is the power to change 1895
ughbenedict.tum...

[@sherlockianfannibal3280]

NB: I think you forgot something: John is also sherlocked! (His credit card in the supermarket)

[@jasminethompson8808]

what? now imma have to rewatch that episode!

[@SindriMjolnir]

Yeah, 7437 = SHER, which "coincidentally" is John's pin number. God, I love this show.

[@morgan7476]

+SaraMargret ha *cups hands*gaaaayyyy lmao

[@gkeller1031]

I'm sure this has been pointed out already, but in A Scandal in Belgravia, Irene's true phone passcode is strangely familiar.... "SHER" on a keypad translates to the number 7437, which, funnily enough, is John's PIN. In The Blind Banker when he is struggling with the self-checkout machine, he swipes his car and we see him press the buttons 7-4-3, and we don't see the last number but it is reasonable to assume it is a 7 and very unlikely a coincidence.

[@erisrose5313]

Among the numbers in BBC sherlock, I would also like to point out 1.29 on the bomb that was in the train scene. in the episode 2x01 (The Empty House), which symbolizes January 29 the day when John and Sherlock met for the firth time.

[@iamjohnlocked2532]

Aww that’s actually so cute

[@catfeldman3614]

I think the transition from Sherlock saying "I've always thought I was a man" in the victorian era to the modern day Baker Street is my favourite from the whole show.

[@jaymendham2109]

Another thing to do with 57, Shakespeare's 57th sonnet was supposedly about being in love with a man. There were also apparently 57 academics who believed it WAS about being in love with a man, as opposed to other academics who believe otherwise. It was also mentioned in Doctor Who, season 3 episode 3.

[@philmoonchild2628]

it took me so long to learn saying "the abominable bride". I feel you.

[@KM-xh9tt]

omg same

[@hannahbobanabanana]

Also a fun fact: Oscar Wilde and Doyle met at a dinner party back in 1889 and made a pact to continue writing their novels: this led to Doyle publishing The Sign of Four and Wilde publishing Dorian Gray with Lippincott's within two years of this meeting. (There is, of course, questioning of whether Doyle and Wilde became more distant once Wilde's reputation started to turn sour.)

[@seafoxfire]

Funny you should mention Shakespeare’s 57th sonnet, when coincidentally it’s also the same number of academics who theorized Shakespeare was bisexual

[@RenTheBarbarian]

*melts at the sonnet*

[@VesperDavid]

Hello Rebekah, just wanted to say thank you for all the videos. It feels like coming home watching them. You're doing a great job explaining the fairly obvious of the show which makes so much more sense now! I don't have enough time (due to my job) to look up all the information you're providing on the internet and that's why I'm endlessly grateful for the time you invest to entertain us Sherlock fans. Your charisma and charm make it pretty hard not to fall in some sort of love with a complete stranger ;) I wish you all the best. Greetings from Germany, Verena.

[@nichoenii]

I hope you don't think I'm creepy, but can I just say that you are adorable. :> I'm really loving these videos so far and I can't wait for A Scandal in Belgravia! (God, I never knew it was pronounced like that. XD) Also, I really want to join in on the livestream, but I can't, sadly, because where I live, it's going to be in the middle of the night. :< Will you be posting the livestream here though?

[@Royal_Chief_Architect]

"Well that was painful." As I lay across my computer keys..

[@KatzePiano]

Also, it's such a relief to hear you saying "Belgravia" correctly!

[@clairedeng7868]

I have just marathoned all your videos, and I would like to say WOW. The time and effort to make these videos is absolutely enormous, and your style is simple but straightforward. I had been pretty familiar to TJLC, but you have let me take an even deeper look. I will definitely need to rewatch the show. Thanks for all he feels and keep making videos, please!

[@sizdimitri]

I like to come back here and watch your videos because I know as much as you do that we weren't imagining anything. I really love you for explaining everything to us.

[@wandanemer2630]

I really, really hope Season 5 will clarify thing. Too many things make too much sense for it not to be true. There has to be something else in there...

[@seriousm.73]

Yes I miss Bekah. I don't think people should have given up so quickly, S.4 still supports tjlc. Didn't Rebekah say their going to try harder to throw us off the closer we get? Im not going to write everything I believe happened in S.4 but- I don't think there was a better way to switch back to john's prospective. (I plan on writing a hold meta on it.)

[@dodgethedoggo6664]

@@seriousm.73 yeah i dont think theres ganna be a season 5

[@leopoldgrolmus6658]

That beanie is so adorable! Also, I love these little tiny things and it makes me so happy that someone gets into them (and TJLC is a whole community!). When creating something, I always add small pieces of symbolism noone ever notices but deep in my heart I wish someone would. And while casuals think we are crazy, if Moftiss is in any way similar to me (and about 95% of other authors), they have to be ecstatic about this :)

[@faheyyou]

I LOVE THAT POEM OK

[@EwigeStudentin]

Love, love, LOVE your videos! I never needed any more johnlock proof after I'd seen it myself, but it feels great to see all the evidence that Moftiss are going to stick with the plan and show us a HE for the boys. My only concern is - what would they do afterwards? End the show? Shows tend to jump the shark when the main characters get together... About this particular bonus video of yours: I think it's also worth mentioning that Irene's texts number 16 in total - a far cry from John's 57. So John knows his statement is not entirely truthful, Sherlock knows that too but plays along. Both are just dancing around each other at this point.

[@lee1150]

its an awesome video! - but: the scene where Sherlock unlocks irenes phone, the password is Sher - and in cellphone numbers that is 7437 - which is Johns passcode (Idk which episode) holy-fred-geddit had a meta about this :3

[@lee1150]

ups somebody already wrote that here. sorry!

[@emz33]

Well I'm glad you wrote it too because I didn't see it lol

[@TheKlutz31013]

I hope this doesn't sound weird but I have been watching your videos for the last couple of days and I'm obsessed! After I finished watching Sherlock I went straight to another show but now you're making me come back to this fandom. There are so many things I never noticed until now so thank you so much! You're adorable, your voice is really calming and everything you say is so insightful! I can't wait to see what else you'll make until season 4 comes (:

[@Almostsinger1992]

If there's one thing that keeps me right during this year's hiatus, that'll be your channel. I love your videos and this one is no exception. Keep up the great work :)

[@milleliza1490]

I'm really happy that I found this poem (sonnet 57) from the sherlock fandom! We made a performance dedicated for this poem and got a perfect score!XD see! even fandoms are a benefit!

[@lisalavelle3608]

Great video! Speaking of 57, there is also this joke from Doctor Who: doctorwho.tumblr.com/post/33730723697/shakespeare-flirting-with-martha-and-the-doctor (the last three panels) I know Moffat didn't write that episode but I do think it strengthens the argument that 57 = bisexual in bbc shows. Because Shakespeare.

[@KatzePiano]

You missed the most important thing about Sonnet 57. It was about a man! The poem was literally about homosexual love and desire.

[@milleliza1490]

and the fact that the sonnet 57 was one of the evidences that Shakespeare was probably Bi.XD

[@RandomNexus]

Fun, though quite short, and thanks for the silliness at the end - glad I'm not the only one who's had trouble saying 'abominable bride'. :D

[@bvvc6341]

I seriously can't get enough of your videos

[@loner844]

re: TAB, I saw someone say that the feminism revolution seen in the episode wasn't a thing during the time TAB was set, but maybe setting it 10 years after 1885 *does* make a difference. I'm not saying it's the only reason; your answer is probably relevant too. But that was my initial impression, even before the fitting of Johnlock into it.

[@TheCyberwoman]

I don't necessarily or even probably think your theory is off on the importance of the year 1895. I did a quick search of all the important events of the year, and there are few other events that look like they could be of significance. I will offer one alternative, unfortunately it's not one related to tjlc...it's also the year of the first commercial moving picture. As filmmakers adapting a stories from that time to modern film/television, they may have found it significant. Because this show in this format may have not existed without it. Also, considering the tricks with lights and mirrors in the story, it's a plausible connection. I definitely don't think it's a better theory, but I was curious about the year and couldn't help but bring up the factoid when I found it.

[@sherlockianfannibal3280]

YAY! a bonus video, what else? :3 I love what you do, keep it up, dear johnlockian fellow.

[@aliyahmckoy7352]

I miss your Tumblr and videos Rebekah.

[@hlehman399]

BEGINNING IS GOALS THATS SO CUTE

[@kicica13212]

It's thought by a lot of academics that all of Shakespeare's sonnets until 127 (the beginning of the Dark Lady sonnets) were written for a man. For instance, take a look at sonnet 20: A woman's face with Nature's own hand painted Hast thou, the master-mistress of my passion; A woman's gentle heart, but not acquainted With shifting change, as is false women's fashion; An eye more bright than theirs, less false in rolling, Gilding the object whereupon it gazeth; A man in hue, all hues in his controlling, Much steals men's eyes and women's souls amazeth. And for a woman wert thou first created; Till Nature, as she wrought thee, fell a-doting, And by addition me of thee defeated, By adding one thing to my purpose nothing. But since she prick'd thee out for women's pleasure, Mine be thy love and thy love's use their treasure. The last few lines, specifically "prick'd thee out for women's pleasure" are quite telling (I mean, "pricked"? Come on now). Sonnet 57 is perhaps the most obvious, which is why it's been picked out time and time again. For instance, in Doctor Who they made reference to it, a fact pretty well known among this crowd, and while Moffat didn't write that episode we all know he and Gatiss love the show and definitely picked up on that line. The use of 57 is not merely a reference to Sonnet 57, it's a reminder of Shakespeare's sexuality and his views toward love of all forms.

[@elena---c1558]

Also sonnet 57 is one of the sonnets that academics think may have been written about a man

[@ludimilat.664]

I have that same book! I love your videos, thank you so much for making them. You're amazing!

[@snazztasticeagle8952]

I love seeing you read the same copy of sherlock Holmes as I have :D

[@GLAASJEMELC]

Dear Rebekah and TJLCers, I want to thank you all for introducing me to the beautiful love story that is BBC Sherlock. I won't be addressing the fourth season, because this should be a place for kindness. But you have tought me so much about good writing and the importance of LGBT representation, through your passion and caring for the show and its characters. I will never stop believing and am very grateful for being part of the TJLC community, even if it was only for the past two months.

[@jelebalxx8782]

I am 221B locked, it is brilliant.

[@yuireklamefrei284]

would you concider making a Video about the "previously on sherlock " thing before the abominable bride, the way they played with the footage (btw your videos are awesome :))

[@rockatansky3259]

i am the girlfriend... we are forever indebted thank you so much

[@xzaelin8976]

+Rebekah TJLC Explained it s me again thank u for the s/o :D

[@whatthefuckbenj]

I'll be so disappointed if this is all a coincidence and they're not nearly as brilliant as we cracked them up to be LOL Love your vids, you're adorable :)

[@Evie-fb5zw]

"The universe is rarely so lazy."

[@bandobendi87crosby]

Wow is the price really set to 1895?

[@tiffanypersaud3518]

I love Irene. I feel the writers could have done more with her tho. The way she stumped Sherlock made me chuckle. I wonder if he never thought to fit John’s name in as the password. So many fans would freak out.

[@Yoyomeyo]

I like your outfit :'D (And of course the video too like always!!)

[@traci3868]

I really like that watercolor painting you've got up there, did you paint that yourself? :) And I love the little white ceramic elephant! I was looking to see if I could find one of my own, but apparently every white ceramic elephant I come across online is out of stock! I guess they go quickly. :p

[@enticements]

Happy you're saying Belgravia right this time, haha. :)

[@enticements]

+Rebekah TJLC Explained As someone who has family from Belgravia, you are quite forgiven!

[@hollyhock9638]

I really like your TJLC analysis videos sometimes you make points I don't understand though. Like how did you get Shakespeare's sonnet 57 from what John said there was no other reference in the room to have gotten that from (that I could see at least) so how did you draw that conclusion? Cuz couldn't 57 mean just about anything or nothing at all how did you know that it would have been a reference to Shakespeare specifically was there something else going on in the scene to indicate that or like was one of the writers into Shakespeare or something?

[@ThuPham-fj3vu]

Hey if you use Nokia, 57 on the key pad is J and S :) Just saying..

[@evalina777]

Look it's me

[@soundoflovenotes]

amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (as usual ♥♥♥) -clueingforlooks

[@Gwyndall]

This video is unlisted. Is that intentional? What else have I missed?!? Abominable Bride... Penguins.

[@lima1536]

oh my god I thought I was the one pronouncing belgravia wrong

[@kathellenmelo]

I need subtitles in portuguese, my english is so bad :(

[@sallyreid1046]

Wonderful as usual

[@frofrofrofro900]

Binge watching again 😁

[@olgaelagina9640]

Speaking of numbers, could you perhaps look into possible financial impact of featuring main gay characters in such a popular show (meaning an open gay relationship, not hints and innuendo)? Which markets/audiences are likely to be lost/gained? If this topic is of interest to you, of course

[@alexandram.1303]

These are amazing omg

[@heap_o_sheep]

What is the time/date of the live stream? I must have missed hearing it in your video.

[@izzie2194]

Yes! 0 thumbs down! Like it should be.

[@melodytannerclark]

Brilliant, as ever.

[@kyotoaly2]

Also, the registration mark of the car who took Sherlock to the airplane in Scandal in Belgravia, has the number "GF II KOX"..aham.. i see what you they did there :)) ikr, it couldn't be more gayfriends to co-...you know

[@aliriv2299]

And what's that meta that says 221b represents john watson...

[@emohedgehog2635]

oH GOD ITS ALWAYS SONNET 57 brb gotta blast

[@Lucata6240]

you are adorable! keep up the good work :)

[@tilinapple]

thank god you exist

[@georgerogers6348]

I am NOT happy. Here in England the livesteam tonight is at, like, eleven, and I'll be way too busy studying to watch ;-;

[@mamigordita]

HOW CONVENIENT

[@nellyweston6128]

I can't say T.A.B either... my god... :')

[@parkergarvin]

Don't worry. I can't say abominable either. Thanks! That was fun.

[@lotus4972]

Okay but what if John and Sherlock are in this never-ending loop because of 1895? Like, they will forever be stuck in 1895 until something changes, that something being their inevitable romantic relationship. And as of right now, they're still stuck in 1895 until someone makes them canonically gay. BBC, get onto this. Free John and Sherlock from 1895.

[@D1sc0rd-]

JOHNLOCK IS REAL

[@sunn7045]

7:14 - 7:33 when you just can't english