tjs_whatnot | My Girls: Not All About Bromance

Entry tags:

My Girls: Not All About Bromance

Just when I was starting to think that I am a horrible feminist (I am actually, but I'll get into that later in a different post) for loving the shows I love (heavy on the bromance with few if any awesome women roles) two things happened on those shows that made me exceedingly happy. One of them was totally expected and I totally predicted it would happen-- Elizabeth Burke KICKED MOTHERFUCKIN' ASS! ♥ I just love her so much. More on that later...

The second thing was that Molly Hooper fuckin' SHINED in Sherlock. I guess her character and transformations are open to interpretation, but I've chosen to see a bit of myself-- and a few other women I know-- in it, and will interpret her character through that filter. Others might see this other ways, and that's what makes for great dialogue and learning experiences. Please do share your own thoughts and interpretations. I'd love for this to be a place for discussion and insights.

Molly: You're a bit like my dad. He's dead. No... sorry.
sjf;asfjk Love how tongue tied she is, always. Even when she rocks it later...
Sherlock: Molly, please don't feel the need to make conversation, it's really not your area.
Ouch. And also, this is something that in the past might have gotten her to shut up or go away. Not today.
Molly: When he was dying, he was always cheerful, he was lovely, except when he thought no one could see. I saw him once, he looked... sad.
Sherlock: Molly.
Molly: You look sad... (looking towards John) when you think he can't see you. (Sherlock looks at her for the first time) You okay? And don't just say you are because I know what that means, looking sad when you think no one can see you.
Sherlock: You can see me.
Molly: I don't count.
*meep* And also, lol, at how confused he looks. I love when Molly just flummoxes him...
Molly: What I'm trying to say is, if there's anything I could do for you, anything you need, anything at all, you can have me... no, I just mean, if there's anything you need... it's fine.
Sherlock: Well, what could I need from you?
Molly: (mumbling) Nothing. Probably... you could probably say thank you, actually.
Sherlock: Thank you.

Man, there is just so much going on there. So much character growth and coming to terms to what exactly the relationship is and what it could ever be. This, to me, was very much Molly saying "I know who you are, I know what you want and I know where I stand and you know what? I'm okay with that. I'm willing to do what I can for you knowing that it won't change anything about your feelings towards me. I do this because I want to and because I value you, not because I want anything from you." And I also love the end of that when she tells him to say thank you. It reminds me so much of all those times John has to tell him that his speech or thoughts are a "bit not good." :)) Molly, just being there and being Sherlock's moral and/or social compass. alkdfja;lsjfasl;

Sherlock: You were wrong you know; you do count. You've always counted and I've always trusted you. But you were right. I'm not okay.
Molly: Tell me what's wrong.
Sherlock: Molly, I think I'm going to die.
Molly: What do you need?
alsfjas Love that she doesn't even stop to argue or ask for clarifications, just what can I do. ♥
Sherlock: I wasn't everything that you think I am, everything that I think that I am. Do you still want to help me?
Molly: What do you need?
Sherlock: You.
sfkjas;dfa GOD!

And of course you can see this as super romantic and your Sherlock/Molly shipper heart could flutter... and that's your right. But for me, this is just such a pay off for her transformation and how her growing up and letting go also transformed Sherlock. Remember how smarmy he was last season when he wanted something from her? "Oh, are you wearing lipstick?" UGH! That was sort of gross. But this time? Well, he didn't need to do that, he didn't need to charm her because he knew she actually respected him despite what a tool he could be. He spoke from the heart because he knew she'd understand what he was asking and what he could offer her and that it would be enough. No games. And therefore, no one was using or manipulating anyone. Oh, my heart! ♥

Not to mention there is just so much to speculate on for the next, what, year? How did she help him? How much did he tell her? Is she the only one that knows he's alive? If so, how does that affect/change their relationship? So much great speculation, character study and fic/art to come out of these two exchanges. CAN'T WAIT!

Now on to the glorious that is ELIZABETH BURKE!!

asdfja;sldfj I just hope I can articulate just how amazing she is. Some of it is so subtle, had been built up so quietly and just is so ingrained in the make up of her character that you don't even realize how amazing it is because it's just *shrug* that's just what she does. No big.

But for funsies, lets break it down.

First, just how calm she is. How she's doing everything that she's been taught from the FBI handbook. ♥

Also though, how fuckin' fearless. When Keller hands her the phone and warns her, no passing secret codes and then the first thing she does is "Hi, hon." asldfjka;sldk Which is only a true payoff to those of us who pay too much attention to these things. But it just gave me a warm feeling and brought me back to the last time Keller kidnapped a Burke. One of my favorite El/Peter moments and they weren't even together.

Peter: El and I had a fight today, I didn't say hon.
Neal: o____O You understand how real fighting works, right? (paraphrasing)
Peter: It's our short hand. When we first got married it was I love you, honey. Then it was love ya, hon and now all we have to say is hon.
Me: *melts*

So, right out of the gate she disregards Keller, then she passes on the information that not only is she a fuckin' bad ass but their dog is like AMAZINGLY fearless too. ♥SATCHMO♥ And really, without that information they would have like, NEVER FOUND HER... so, yes, she didn't get to save the day entirely (no, another bad ass girl got to do that ♥DIANA♥) still, she got to be plenty bad ass. Like how she just...lala, "You might be almost dead from that dog bite, you know, if you start sweating...go ahead, google that shit..." as she casually just turned up the heat. Then the ring! ♥ "Thanks, honey." ♥♥

Then finally:

Elizabeth: Did you get Keller?
Peter: He's with Neal.
Elizabeth: Go get him. And then come home to me.

asdkfjas;lfjksa Alright, she might have been talking about getting Keller (and the only sad thing was that Keller didn't get drop kicked from EVERY SINGLE CHARACTER especially her) but the OT3er in me likes to think she was talking about Neal. ♥♥

Which is why my almost favorite part of that whole episode was this:

Peter: Why didn't you run.
Neal: You... Elizabeth, ~~Sara~~, the view from that porch, getting off the elevator Monday morning...I have a life here.

Of course, I have many, many more thoughts on this entire episode and especially ♥MOZZIE♥ but for now, I'll just leave you with that, and also this:

Peter: So you're saying you care?
Mozzie: About Mrs. Suit... and...

asdklfjas;lfkjsdal;

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I swear, if you look up "Too Fucking Dumb To Fucking Live," there's got to be a picture of Keller there. "It doesn't matter. I'll get her again, and again, and again!" Keller, you do realize that's your "Get Stomped Into A Gooey Spot By Peter, Meal And Mozzie Free" card you're drawing from that deck, right?

EVERYBODY loves Mrs. Suit!

(Did you know Tiffani Amber Thiessen watches fancies? Jeff Eastin retweeted a lovely Peter/El box she e-mailed him a link to!)6

Edited 2012-01-24 02:26 (UTC)

Right? He's so ridiculous. But, I got to admit, I am totally curious about all he and Neal's "Old times."

Mrs. Suit is amazing!

What are fancies? Like fanvids? I can see her loving those. I really love this Funny or Die thing she did about the Saved by the Bell reunion. So cute!

♥

Fancies are fanvids that my phone subjects to Autocorrect without me noticing.

Haha, happens to me all the time!

Oh yeah, and absolutely off topic, but did you see that I wrote a Sports Night/West Wing story? I thought of you when I wrote it, even if it were for Yuletide.

♥

God, yes. I just loved those two interactions between Molly and Sherlock so much! And I really like the way you wrote out your thoughts about it -- I agree with so much of it.

Molly. ♥ Molly. ♥

♥MOLLY♥

I'm so glad that made her awesome. I just couldn't take anymore of her being stepped on. :(( And GOD, I hope they continue to let her shine next year.

♥♥

I think what gets me about that first interaction in Study in Pink where we see Sherlock and Molly...Sherlock totally doesn't understand that he is so disrespectful. He's just stating his observations: you're wearing lipstick...oh, now you're not, your lips look small.

LOL.

And then, she is compensating with the size of her lips and breasts with the way she wrapped her present, Molly standing up for herself and saying that he hurt her. And then he apologizes.

This is not the same Sherlock who commented that her lips looked small and did not connect the obvious fact that she put on lipstick FOR HIM. Oh, you idiot, Sherlock.

Oh, Sherlock. You still have a lot of growth to do, but at least now he knows that Molly *does* count.

I almost, *almost* want to ship Sherlock/Molly.

Oh, okay, then it wasn't that one... there was a time where he actively complimented her to get something from her (maybe her hair?)... and then there was the time where he just didn't even get that she's getting all gussied up for him. Oh, you stupid, stupid man. ♥

I would ship them too if it weren't obvious that even Molly ships Sherlock/John. ♥ And she's totes smart, so, you know. :))

Yes, he has so much to learn, but he's got three years hanging with her to get it together... or something. WHAT, WHAT WILL become of them?!?!?!

They're in the queue in the canteen and he compliments her on her hair being different and suiting her so that she'll let him see the bodies to check the feet in The Blind Banker. I may have watched that a few times. Ahem.

YES! That was it. So smarmy.

♥

There are very few good female characters. Maybe I would actually write het if they existed more frequently.

I agree with the above person about shipping Molly and Sherlock. That there would be a very interesting character study. She really has grown from (paraphrased):
Molly: Would you like (to go out for) a coffee?
Sherlock: Black, two sugars

I think only her and the HHN (Holmes Homeless Network) knows that Sherlock is alive. And Moriarty if he fake his death.

I really hope Molly gets some good screen time next series. Maybe even participating a little on the actual cases.

And El is great, too. She is almost unbelievable in how much she cares for Neal. We see so few people like that, let alone women who let their hubbys run off to play with other men (haha).

There have been a few other series (Suits, A Gifted Man) where there are awesome secretaries, which I love to see. Not major characters, though.

I know. :(( And sometimes I wonder if it's just that I'm rarely drawn to ones that do feature strong women, or if there really just aren't that many. There are a few (A Good Wife, The Closer and such) and I love those, but there not things that sustains my interest over the long haul. SUCH A BAD GIRL!

I'd love to read fic that explores a relationship (either friendship, romance of convenience or more) about Sherlock and Molly. I could never be a OTPer, not even in a show where it is sooooo freakin' there for you. ♥

Ahhhh, I didn't even think of the HHN... though I can't imagine too many people knowing and it remaining a secret. And, as much as I sort of feel for Moriarty as a creeptastic villain, I think I'd be done with this series if it turns out that he faked his death. Just, really??

I really hope Molly gets some good screen time, or at the very least, they sustain her growth and don't mess with her for the sake of the arc of the boys. :((

ELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!

I love, love, love how secure she is in her marriage that she isn't even phased to not be the 100% at all times center of his life. And that she understands that he has friends... pretty, pretty friends... ♥

Edited 2012-01-24 05:10 (UTC)

As far as Moriarty faking his death, I think that is the easiest thing to explain lol.
In my brain, and in a fic I am trying to write, Sherlock has to stay hidden until he can track down Moriarty. Only then will John be completely safe so that Sherlock can come out of hiding.
Did you see the news report on BBC News? No body was mentioned.

Another show is In Plain Sight. That is the only show I watch that has a lead female character that I enjoy.

Haha, can't wait to read your fic. But I'm going to hold on to the canon reasons even though none of Moriarty's henchmen were featured...

No, I didn't see that. They are a cagey bunch, aren't they? ♥

Yes! I really like In Plain Sight. She's pretty kick ass, but also sooo very messed up.

Here's the BBC News video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nek9DlNggPw

Haha, that's awesome. But so sad. :((

Poor Sherlock.

;______;

Mrs Burke is totally made of fucking WIN. So is Satchmo Burke. Just loved how Satchmo was all "Mutha Fucker, break into my house and steal my mummy I'm gonna rip into your hand, and get yo dumb ass DNA on my chin, so Daddy can track your ass down". They are the Burke 3 period.

I've always taken it as she meant get Neal, in fact I've never even thought abotu ti the other way until you pointed it out in this post LOL.

I loved Peter's wry smile when Moz *almost* confessed to caring about him; we all know he does.

♥BURKE THREE♥

Yes, this exactly. But, lol, when Peter was all, "I love my wife" when he discovered her clue, I was all, "WHAT ABOUT SATCHMO, BUDDY?!?!" He did all the work. ♥

"Mutha Fucker, break into my house and steal my mummy I'm gonna rip into your hand, and get yo dumb ass DNA on my chin, so Daddy can track your ass down"

asdkfjasd;flk Yes, those were his EXACT thoughts!

Heehee, I always thought he meant Neal too, but on re-watching a few ~~dozen~~ times, it finally dawned on me that, oh yeah, she's probably at least equally concerned with Keller getting away. :)) Still, I'm glad it's Neal that he brings home with him ♥ And Mozzie of course.

Oh, he totally confessed caring about Peter! A confession of omission is still a confession. "Survival is overrated." *meep* I LOVE YOU SO MUCH MOZ!! ♥

♥ BURKE THREE ♥ OMG they my new OTP

Satch is all "Daddy, you pick up my shit and walk around NYC with it in a bag. I pawn you" so he's OK with Peter saying that ;)

As fans we need footage of Satch pawning Grant.

Yeah, I love Moz too.

I was a little disappointed in how Diana and Jones were a little underused in this epi (I guess I'd have preferred us to have a 2 parter that was aired consecutively so it was a little more strung out) but I still really enjoyed it.

The Burkes. So who I want to be in my next life. ♥

I would love to see Satch gnarling up that thug!

And yeah, it would have been nice to see Jones and Diana shine a bit more... I was just sad to again realize that poor Jones had again been left out of the loop on the whole loot thing, like he had been about the Fowler thing before. :((

*need a Satch icon*
*and an El one*

1) About being a terrible feminist - read this http://www.thefword.org.uk/blog/2012/01/where_do_you_dr?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

2) I love Molly so so much. She is so damn clever. I love how Sherlock realises that finally, and that he can trust her and she can help him. I'm choosing to believe that she knows his whole plan and is the only person who does. And I love that he chose her to be that person. God, so much. I've always loved Holmes faking his death to save his skin, not being able to tell Watson, needing Mycroft's help, etc. And to give Molly that role just makes me die.

Look, you made me fangirl.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THAT ARTICLE.

it could just be because I'm a massive hypocrite who wants to have her lefty-activist-vegan-carbon-neutral-fairtrade-dalek-shaped cake and eat it.

That. Exactly. Though my cake would be shaped like boys kissing. :))

Haha, I didn't make you fangirl, Molly did. And rightfully so. I totally believe that she's the only one who knows and I LOVE SO MUCH THAT SHE'S THE ONE! ♥♥ Mycroft doesn't deserve it!

YES. THIS. Thank you for singing Molly's praises here. I agree with you 100%. I also love how they're weirdly protective of Mrs. Hudson and that Sherlock doesn't underestimate her. He knows she's tough.

♥MOLLY♥

I also adore Mrs Hudson and love the care they give her. I also love how Sherlock is with her, so different than anyone else. I would love to read ~~write~~ a story that touches on their backstory.

♥

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

My Girls: Not All About Bromance

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject