TJLC Explained: [Episode 3] The Unaired Pilot

As a Valentine's Day Special I thought I'd surprise you all and cover Sherlock's Unaired Pilot a week early! It's a bit longer than the other videos, but I want to cover the episodes in depth. I hope you like it!
And no, I didn't add that music to the rooftop scene. That was actually there. I can't believe it either.
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 relationship since the start.
SOURCES
1.Portrayal of Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual People on the BBC, 2010
www.bbc.co.uk/diversity/audien...
2. Oscar Wilde's Trial
law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects...
3. Steven Moffat for IGN, Feb 2014
www.ign.com/articles/2014/02/0...
4. Steven Moffat & Mark Gatiss Mystery Masterpiece Chat 2010
www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/s...
DISCLAIMER:
All content belongs to its original owners and I do not claim ownership for the clips shown. Outside clips are used to support my analysis and commentary under fair use.
Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted.
"Fair Use" guidelines: www.copyright.gov/fls/fl102.html

[@Raindr0psssssssss]

The unaired pilot is like a study in pink got drunk and made it's sober intentions too obvious

[@isabeau8907]

stag night and asip got confused

[@sam-yb4yd]

AHAHHAHA

[@dellagondwana5504]

+

[@emmamiele5850]

it feels a bit like a parody of the actual show.

[@lillyandrews8879]

"But I need an assistant." The way his eyes look so soft and I just- I'm in pain.

[@tinyvibe6921]

Lilly Writes yes

[@zest1513]

Lilly Writes Aww I know! He's just like, "Lestrade, please find me a friend for I am so very smol and lonely...but not Anderson though, anyone but Anderson because Anderson is just awful."

[@yoonahkang7384]

I actually always get surprised at how cold benedict gets to appear to others while having... Well, eyes like that

[@722amber]

i really like the fact that sherlock is softer in the unaired pilot.hes a bit more sad, a bit more human, less angry, and a bit less shielded. its almost like they were showing us a clearer window into sherlocks mind before blocking the view.

[@tiffanypersaud3518]

Well said and agreed.

[@harinirajesh3838]

it's like a version of sherlock without the trauma of his childhood (redbeard).

[@eely16]

My favourite part of this videos is when you said "sherlock starts jumping in with his deductions" but it sounded like you said "seductions" and I was like "ah, same thing".

[@evalina777]

+Carlee I heard the same. Hahah

[@dellagondwana5504]

I was looking for this comment

[@Sophie-is3jh]

I can't get over how they go out for dinner twice in the same night........ like WHAT

[@sophienewjersey9476]

Also, notice how John first sais girlfriends feed you up but then later he wants Sherlock to eat...

[@lyricbot8513]

QueenSophie Stylinson LOL

[@wandanemer2630]

☻

[@lauradelgadomelero6300]

I just noticed something! When John tells Sherlock he wasn't asking him out he looks at both sides and lowers his voice like he's ashamed anyone could hear their conversation and assume he's gay. I think that's exactly what a closeted man would do in his situation.

[@rorycline8374]

Did anyone else notice the John and Sherlock Pops kissing on the shelf??

[@leadisterrible]

Yes I did it made me so happy

[@Anonymous-zw9ud]

I read "killing" and had a coughing fit

[@Mossy-Kat]

16:14 Sherlock's face when Angelo hugs him is just "Stop, you're embarrassing me."

[@rachstone9491]

Benedict is so smol in the pilot 🙊 I can't.

[@teddy9770]

Sherlock talks so much faster in the final version. Also, his hair is straighter.

[@Daniela3969]

Teddy 97 Everything is straighter in the show...

[@georgerogers6348]

I swear those vinyl figures get closer every week.

[@rozensabaku]

+Ruby Rogers The last episode they are not in the frame ¬w¬ you know that I mean (?)

[@devikalitara9832]

+rozensabaku lol!

[@illusiveaxeman9164]

"They've already been married for three years, adopted a dog and go out for romantic dinners every night." That's an au I have yet to see

[@sashawallace1916]

Is it just me but the way Cumberbatch says "But I need an assistance." is so much more needy than the way it is in the aired pilot (sorry if that's wrong, dyslexia is a hinderence). In this pilot Sherlock seems so much more needy for lack of a better term for someone. I now slightly want a version of Sherlock with this Sherlock.

[@novac.4747]

Sasha Wallace (I don't see any errors in your writing btw) but I saw it more as whiny than needy, because he doesn't like Anderson

[@sashawallace1916]

Nova C. Fair point but It would be interesting as it is a departure from the Sherlock we have now. (I'm always aware of the fact I can't spell thank you for telling me I didn't spell anything wrong)

[@leafoww7750]

I also like that fact that when John asks Sherlock if he has a girlfriend, he says 'no, not really my area'. Then John asks if he has a boyfriend but then Sherlock just says 'no'. He never says anything about it not being his area.

[@hannah-mn9eg]

*cough* I'm gay *cough*

[@reiwelsch]

No shit Sherlock

[@antonia7463]

Now why don't you tell the writers to stop pretending otherwise?? XD

[@luanders5232]

We know, Sherlock. We know.

[@joyzzo]

We know it, Sherlock. We know it.

[@onyoutuve]

Sherlock Holmes spoilersssss 😂

[@artaction3578]

Did anyone else realise Sherlock said "To you its an arrest, to them, its a *coming out party*"? around 15:38

[@ashktz797]

sherlock is so cute and sweet in the pilot, its not decent XD

[@frofro7134]

true

[@crowteeth9135]

The pilot is like A Study in Pink rewritten by a johnlock-shipping fan girl/boy

[@firstnamesurname7640]

Koii Fiishii It is. A Study In Pink is too. The pilot is just written less subtly.

[@hazapilgrim]

the whole series is written by two Johnlock fan boys lol

[@namenlos3574]

At the end of the pilot Sherlock has really a "girlfriend" who feed him up. :D

[@rozensabaku]

Miss Hudson is the mother of the johnlock's shipping... XD and I totally love her (I love your videos, you explain all with evidence and not just the feeling of fangirl)

[@UnsightlyThinker]

17:45 *“I wasn’t asking you out.”* Oh…dear…God… 23:24 *“don’t-just don’t- …what did you do with the gun?”* Exasperated old married couple energy.

[@Jerry113]

as a straight man i never knew how excited i could become at this possibility but congrats you did it, GET HYPE

[@Made4for4XFiles]

Wow, you're the first straight guy I see who is excited about it!:) So great to see a comment like yours.

[@onyoutuve]

K.S. Morgan if this is sarcastic (as I certainly hope) I love this comment

[@Roach_the_villain]

Okay but this episode is so beautiful. He seems more human and I love it.

[@localtrashpatrick.8066]

The unaired pilot and the actual pilot cinematic filming is so different, damn

[@mori5509]

I'm glad they got a bigger budget :D

[@kayleighryan6583]

These videos are going to sustain me until s4 airs god bless you rebekah you're doing the lord's work

[@Trysmiling]

Yes! I am so excited to have found your channel. I have been binge watching all night. It is now 4:15 am Lol. Questions...is that a different actress playing Sally in the unaired pilot and where can I actually find the unaired pilot to watch?

[@MiotaLee]

I see I'm not the only one getting my "fix"

[@strongsarah]

the pilot is part of the S1 box set. I think you're right, Sally is played by a different actress.

[@emz33]

It's making it worse for me haha. I already hardcore shipped Johnlock and it's easily the one ship that I'm the most passionate about. Seeing these videos are just strengthening it even more with things I didn't know about the show. I didn't even know there was an unaired pilot, I never follow Gatiss or Moffat's panels or read the blogs, so seeing it all backed up in text and video is just slowly murdering me... in a good way :) Now that I'm armed with this and after seeing that season 4 trailer I'm literally vibrating with excitement! At least I found these videos literally 4 days before the premiere so I don't have to wait long!

[@Anonymous-zw9ud]

Oh honey

[@Royal_Chief_Architect]

I died when Sherlock was on the roof. Like I fell out laughing and dropped my damn pc.

[@firstnamesurname7640]

Okay, I'm not sure if he does this in the aired version, but... Just before Sherlock asks John "Dinner?", he chews on his lip and his eyes flick downwards, as if checking that John's okay, or just checking him out for the sake of it. It's adorable.

[@emmamiele5850]

I love Sherlock in the unaired pilot. he's just all soft and his hair is lighter than in the series and his eyes are beautiful and it's just so good.

[@addangel]

God...the unaired pilot is made of all out johnlock dreams :-D

[@Thomas_Winters]

the only difference between this and Disney is that they didn't get married after a day.

[@martinezlarkaivana.-12hums8]

"Somewhere, in a parallel universe where none of us were fortunate enough to be born in, Sherlock and John have already been married for three years, have adopted a dog, and go out for romantic dinners every Friday night. When will we be so lucky?" IKRRRR????

[@maithriswamy6054]

Also, when they walk off together, they are walking so much closer and seem so comfortable! Yes, this episode was so much more raw and tender compared to the released version.

[@SH-xe2yz]

4:36 IM CRYING AHHH MRS HUDSON GIVING SHERLOCK THE BIGGEST HUG

[@Mxtthlg]

im obsessed with your little pop figures in the background, theyre always in a different pose, or different ones up there.

[@nerdieone1]

Is it weird that I like the mood/lighting of the pilot more then the actual show? lol.

[@jessicaparkergarvin1291]

I tell you, you whipper-snapper TJLC-ers give me faith in the future of humanity! You are willing to see the world free from the stifling boundaries of past generations. Boundaries that hurt so many people. What a wonderful world it would be if everyone possessed such open, loving curiosity! And spoken as a 41-year-old women who did not study anything in college that would have informed me even remotely about subtext, character archs, tropes and anything close to queer theory (music conservatory with next to NO non-music classes; and I wasn't reading much, either, just practicing like all my friends) I feel like I've gotten a liberal arts degree worth of education about lit and film analysis. And mostly by people young enough to be my own teen-pregnancy children! It is pretty awesome. And these videos you have made are a wonderful addition. Thank you! Long live TJLC! And RIP LSiT, wherever you are. You are sadly missed.

[@blima589]

in the back there are dolls of Sherlock and John kissing me

[@teddy9770]

So Angelo and Mrs. Hudson and Mycroft all think both Sherlock and John are gay and into each other. Sherlock thinks John's into him and John thinks Sherlock's gay. Irene thinks John's into Sherlock. Moriarty thinks Sherlock's into John. All of John's girlfriends think John's into Sherlock. John's therapist thinks John's into Sherlock. I mean... are they kidding us?

[@wandanemer2630]

Seriously tho. HOW THE FUCK IS THERE ANY PLAUSIBLE DENIABILITY HERE I MEAN COME ON!

[@ohheyitstoby6181]

am i the only one who frieaked when john scremed "damn my leg!"

[@Aster_Walk]

I swear I flinched so hard I almost hit my head on the wall 😅 something about someone so calm having an outburst like that freaks me out

[@spac3y910]

I know this it's weird to comment about something that might have been pointed out already but when Sherlock is in his flat with the killer, the part where his rear end is fully seen by the camera we see his underwear. Remember Sherlock's deduction on how Jim was gay, "Then there's his underwear, visible above the waist very visible, very particular brand." This little tidbit of findings probably doesn't matter but I found it worth screeching about... maybe it's because of my nervousness for the new season...

[@celinak5062]

Monochromaticx +

[@ellw7830]

THIS

[@katarinaschulzeck7392]

I love how every episode you have your POP dolls positioned differently, and noticed them this time and laughed and started clapping out loud, but then had to remember I have head phones on and other people can hear me.

[@liraz28.]

Ok but the pops you got on the shelf are just 😩🤌

[@sporesims9303]

when i first watch the gay pilot i have to stop the show for a moment. The room looks like a) a secret love nest b) like a room in a red-light district. I laugh so hard. Yeah absolutly, not love story ;)

[@yamiatemyugi]

I wish the part where Sherlock goes over to John and asks if he's alright after he realises that John saved his life stayed in the aired pilot even if it was just the dialogue, it's so much better then what we ended up getting. God I ABSOLUTELY love the end of the unaired pilot, it makes so much more sense

[@OctagonalGolbat]

After everything that's happened since I first watched this series, it's still really solid analysis. It taught me a lot about how film works as well as how to "read" a piece of media - skills I'm using every day for my literature degree. All things said and done though, I think I prefer this series and the pilot to the s4 we actually got.

[@kaemart3465]

Pov: you're here in 2021 reliving your youth

[@rowan6650]

Me: I need to go to bed, I have to get up in a few hours... Me to Me: But don't you want to learn how food=sex? Me: Shit you're right. *watches ten more episodes*

[@tinyvibe6921]

Rebecca Free you are me

[@philmoonchild2628]

please never stop making these videos

[@milo1728]

“I’ll sleep fine tonight” “Quite right” In what world can this be interpreted as at all straight

[@laineykrusemark2974]

is that two of those one figures of john and sherlock in the background kissing

[@mirasheikh4717]

And I thought ASIP screamed of Johnlock. (On another note, Pilot Sherlock is so much softer and he acts so much sweeter and his eyes aren't so cold and ahhhhh)

[@kloud8447]

Lol I so love your show! God, idk how many times I saw the unaired pilot. You have voiced my fangirl screams into understandable speech. Keep up the good work!

[@ghostbones8345]

PHANDOM!

[@kloud8447]

AmazingMadeleineisnotonfire :D PULL OUT THE LADDER HANDS!🖐🏼👈🏼

[@ghostbones8345]

WOO LADDER PARTY!!!

[@leviosanotleviosa1205]

When Sherlock first meets Moriarty he deduces him as gay, also mentioning his underwear being visible above his waistline. You can see Sherlock‘s underwear at 20:27

[@wandanemer2630]

*Very visible, very particular brand.*

[@EveryDayALittleDeath]

I hadn't seen the unaired pilot before. I am quite the happy fangirl, seeing a bunch of subtext become practically text here. Also, new to your channel and loving it.

[@accordingtolyd]

I SEE THOSE POP FUNKOS IN THE BACKGROUND YOU CANT HIDE FROM ME

[@maryanlerose9438]

My biggest wish is that we will actually see them ending up together in the show some day 😔❤️

[@zest1513]

Sherlock's little smile after John says they don't even know each other yet is my favorite thing. He's just like, "OMG look how adorable he is, I must have him and carry him around in my pocket forever! His name is Jawn and he shall be mine and he shall be my Jawn."

[@wandanemer2630]

I accept this as canon now.

[@martinmarmalade1651]

there are reasons if it's called the GAY pilot lol

[@tangent7078]

i think that this is my favorite episode

[@strongsarah]

mine too, I kind of wish I could see THIS series... sigh.

[@casandrap2809]

When John says ''I'll sleep fine tonight''. Sherlock smirks, "Yes you will". Hot hot hot. Love rewatching your videos Rebekah you're brilliant and beautiful

[@noralewis3440]

martin and ben look so small and pure in this oMG

[@cierrapurcell908]

I LOVE THE UNAIRED PILOT EPISODE OMG

[@lyricbot8513]

Cierra Purcell people literally call it the gay pilot

[@annascholle9572]

ALSO THE KISSING JOHN AND SHERLOCK POP VINYL FIGURES WAS ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS I NOTICED xD

[@emz33]

I think it's better that they're going the subtle route and letting people deny that JL exists at all. It will be that much more powerful when they "pull out the rug from underneath" and people wake up and realize that it's been staring them in the face the whole time. Not to mention I looooooooooooove slow burn romance

[@Made4for4XFiles]

I just can imagine how Mark sarsactically says, 'In the course of the first 40 minutes, Sherlock asked John to live with him, winked at him when he had just rejected Molly ealrier, told him women aren't his area and that currently he doesn't have a boyfriend. And you're really surprised he's gay?'

[@emz33]

K.S. Morgan And you think the first episode was bad? Just watch the unaired pilot hahaha **sexy saxophone music plays while mysterious handsome man is on the rooftop bathed in moonlight**

[@ellw7830]

YES BUT IT'S BEEN EIGHTY-FOUR YEARS

[@ellw7830]

Well eight but THAT'S A LONG TIME FOR A TELEVISION SHOW

[@EB0612]

@@ellw7830 is there going to even be a 5th season or did the ending of season 4 kinda ruin something?

[@obsidianlady1439]

*whispers* hes wearing the purple shirt of sex when they first meet

[@camerynb.7535]

I swear this is the best thing on KZbin rn

[@xd-io9sy]

i just wanna share that i rewatched the empty hearse tonight with my family, and my very straight cousin just asked me (the scene where john and sherlock were having an emotional conversation in the carriage trying to defuse a bomb) “are they going to say i love you to each other now?” and he’s not one to do this shit I SWEAR TO GOD

[@thatgirllena3044]

I love how Sherlock and John are casually snogging in the back.

[@moon_raker1062]

this is so great! I think my favourite ever quote about the gay pilot is when Ben Stephenson, the gay man who commissioned Sherlock, said at a RTS event that when they screentested the pilot audiences didn't like Sherlock'd first appearance by they said sherlock whipping the corpse "Made him gay" *cue knowing look at Mark*. The fact they not only left that scene in but now joke about it gives me life.

[@anagram425]

oh everything is from 5 years ago:(

[@KyuuKirigaya]

rebekah: here we go BESTIE I-

[@gracewatches]

Question! The argument was made that Moftiss always wanted to make their Sherlock show explicitly gay, and that this pilot was made without any expectation that the show would be greenlit for an even bigger production. So why wasn't the pilot even more explicit? I mean if that's all they thought they were going to get, why is it dancing around the gay factor? I'm assuming I've got something wrong like "well actually they expected to end up being approved for a total of 3 one hour episodes and the love story would have played out in its entirety over the course of those three episodes". Thanks!

[@nolonger2885]

The unaired pilot IS more explicit than the 90 minutes pilot, but it's not like they would've made them get together by the first one, like, they just met the day before so that would be a little too fast. It's obvious that if it wasn't 3 episodes per season, John & Sherlock would've gotten together way before but the show wouldn't have been such a success and a cultural phenomenon because it would've been written off as a gay show from the start and the fanboys probably would've hated it the way they hated the special.

[@nolonger2885]

They could've made them get together but it wouldn't have been really logical....? + they're not really 'dancing around the gay factor', it's more obvious with saying that 'a girlfriend to feed you up' then having john make sure he's fed (that wasn't in ASiP), John asking him if he 'does anything', the "quite right" with the warm smile too, the "I could do anything I want with you" with Sherlock's face in the ground with his backside up and his shirt riding up, the scene with the Porn music playing and John looking up at Sherlock in awe (it's obviously not in ASiP (fun fact (if you're not aware, because I assume you're new to this..) : some fans think that music might play during their kiss)), also their expressions are more closed in ASiP than here and they're more put together and reserved.

[@strongsarah]

what Alia said, also, I think Moffat & Gatiss wanted it to be more "incidentally" gay rather than "explicit", ie, it's a detective show where the detective happens to be gay, but that's not the main feature of the show. I think if the unaired pilot version of the show had gone forward, with 6 episodes of 1 hour each in a series, it would have been more of a typical murder-of-the-week format, with the relationship evolving along with. But probably more fluff/romance and less angst/heartbreak than what we got with the actual series. In a way, I kind of wish we got to watch that series... but I also love the one we did get.

[@krystaltardif269]

Okay, THANK YOU for talking about this! 'Cause I NEVER see ANYONE talking about the unaired pilot! SO THANK YOU.

[@sophiam.1549]

oh my gosh thank you for this! this is such a great series

[@xd-io9sy]

damn. i mean, molly came on to sherlock with “would you like to have coffee” and got dismissed but john’s “unnatached like me” gets the double take. SHERLOCK, MY SON 💕

[@lollie9324]

Oh my gosh you're SO adorable! I love seeing these scenes again with all the JL pointed out...it gets more obvious with each viewing.

[@teddy9770]

I will never ever in eternity recover from the scene in which Sherlock is standing on the roof in the moonlight and the gayest music earth has heard is played while John looks up at him with admiration. Never. Ever.

[@jogreer9814]

You are quickly becoming my favorite person in the world.

[@alright2194]

love how you have your POP! John and Sherlock figures kissing in the background

[@aziraphaletheprincipality4657]

you wonderful person!! these videos are critical to tjlc, the hiatus won't feel quite as long with your brilliant channel. I want to show these to all of my doubting friends-- thanks so much for this! 🐝

[@francesca1477]

I spent 27 minutes gasping and squealing and screeching bc of all the Johnlock feels you provided us with this video THANK YOU

[@steemdup]

I always preferred the unaired pilot to the aired pilot. just sayin'. I recall not liking Sherlock in this episode, but I liked John from the start - I relate to him so much. Btw, I see your Funko John and Sherlock kissing on the bookshelf in the background. lol (Oh! the continuity issues with canon explain why ACD named Prof Moriarty's younger brother James Moriarty also! Mystery solved!) And of course Sherlock is gay, because Mrs Hudson wouldn't make that kind of assumption about bedrooms with Sherlock bringing John home to share the flat. And Sherlock doesn't correct people's assumptions because people who assume are idiots. Clearly Angelo knows Sherlock is gay, as well. And since Sherlock is above hateful ignorance like prejudice or racism, he wouldn't have a problem with people who are perceived as "different." I love when Sally asks John, "Did he follow you home?" lmao!!!Regarding the restaurant scene: I can understand John being interested in the person he's just agreed to live with, but why start with Sherlock's relationship status? And yes, we all notice that Sherlock is calling out for John in his moment of need with the crazy cabbie. After Sherlock realizes who shot the cabbie, I love that "John's theme" plays when he spots John standing off to the side. How could he not fall for a virtual stranger who finds him amazing, and who just killed someone to save his life? Hell, who wouldn't? All of this writing is in support of your TJLC, which is real. It's real, I tell ye!

[@peachanddaisygirls]

The scene where John compliments Sherlock is so sweet, it really captures the original ACD Holmes quote, "My companion flushed up with pleasure at my words, and the earnest way in which I uttered them. I had already observed that he was a sensitive to flattery on the score of his art as any girl could be of her beauty." He seems genuinely taken aback.

[@internetjunky4327]

13:43 I just started laughing histerically non stop. It's like it Warson is looking at his Superman flying to save people.

[@loner844]

"He needs to eat?" He's letting John feed him up. That's what boyfriends do.

[@FraPoppet]

Hi, Rebekah! You're videos are amazing, and I can't wait for the big johnlock moment. It's happening! Can't wait. *-* Thank you so much! Keep making these videos because I love them

[@nairelysnavarro7093]

I'm so thankful for the subs, the videos, the channel, freakin' tjlc, everything!

[@sherlockholmes2809]

oh my god.. this is a dream come true!!! i have been looking everywhere for your videos and thought you've deleted them. huhuhu I haven't been the same since the mess of *season 4* cough/. I hope you're doing very well. and stay safe!

[@juljul184]

These videos are the only things keeping me from crying about season 4 honestly. I love them so much and I'm so glad you decided to do them in this format. I like to read meta, but sometimes I just want to watch a vid instead. Good luck with the rest of your videos and I can't wait to see more!! :)

[@GagsyDeshpande]

How did I miss the 'sherlock against moon' shot in the pilot.. OMG

[@bilge9545]

gosh you're so blessed for doing this, you know?? You and your friends are amazing!!!!!

[@rockweedgirl]

Once I understood that the series "proper" was to be a slower, more "delicate" burn (which I agree with, btw, however unfortunately as a reflection of our social realities), it always amused me to compare the giant candle placed on the table when Sherlock and John first go to dinner to watch for suspicious activity (and have their glorious "not really my area" conversation) in the unaired pilot with the tiny little tea light one in the actual series, and where no candles again reach such height of flame until the candelabra Sherlock played the violin behind in the Sign of Three. I just love how I can notice these things and not assume them to be arbitrary.....maybe the are, but quite possibly they're decidedly not....

[@maurapukiki]

YAY ❤️❤️❤️ brilliant job, again! i'm so happy you're making this series 🎉🎉🎉

[@MsMarioWASD]

I can't watch this video without hitting pause constantly, this is too intense.

[@albiesmith110]

I couldn't stop being giddy over this. ❤

[@onyoutuve]

I hate 221B with pink wallpaper 😂

[@TykoBrian7]

Hooray! Another video. Keep up the good work.

[@wanderinglana8292]

I was only going to watch part of this...here I am at the end wondering how I got here. I ain't even mad. You're a gem-thanks for your work!