#the cipher was indeed way too simple tho

[hikarry]

Oh, now we’re talking. The homosexuality undertones on this bitch were devilish (it was 2010. I know we complain a lot but, realistically, it's nice we even had undertones of gay in a big project like this back then with big house name actors like Benedict and Freeman).

Watson's dry humour on this one scratched such a good itch on my brain (*High stakes situation*: 'How would you describe me?'/'Late?'). God, he's delightful.

First, let’s address this little moment: Someone is shooting at you in a museum -> Your reaction: 'Careful! Some of those skulls are over 200,000 years old. Have a bit of respect. Thank you'. I know we in Sherlock territory here, but that scene is so fucking Aziraphale coded. In the Sherlock AU I'm writing, I have Aziraphale as Watson and Crowley as Sherlock, but that line made me stop on my tracks to reconsider my choices.

Anyway *clears throat* focus on the plot, shall we?

The episode opens with some threatening graffiti, and a string of murders. Promising start. Yet, sometimes it feel like Sherlock forgot to press fast-forward on his own brain on this one (but I choose to overlook that because of that little smile he pulls in this episode. You know the one. I said I was going to review everything, but I never said I would be fair or unbiased.)

I have very bad memory, so, even though this is one of my favorite shows and I've watched this more times than I care to count, I don't remember any of the resolutions of any case, so I just sit here trying to deduce things before Sherlock and usually I fall short (because I'm dumb, mostly. I have the brain power of an old steam train) but the cipher was child’s play—took me five minutes to cracked it with a cocktail in hand.

Sherlock and John are still the best part of the show tho (watch my tune change drastically when we get to season 2 and I lay my eyes once again in the masterpiece that is Irene Adler). Their bickering and banter carried this episode on its back. I particularly always enjoy Sherlock being utterly useless at basic human interaction. Watching him try to connect with other humans is like watching me trying to dance— can be endearing, but it's mostly awkward, and mildly painful.

That said, I did love the vibes. The shadowy atmosphere, the eerie museum, and Sherlock's limited combat skills? All excellent. I thrive on aesthetic chaos and incompetence, and this episode has enough to keep me entertained.

Final verdict? Gave it 5 out of 5 even though I should have given 4 again cause I always offer bonus points for sword fighting.