Sherlock's Disappointing Final Problem

Review for the Sherlock
Episode: Series 4 Episode 3
Title: The Final Problem
year: 2017

"The truth is rarely pure and never simple." - Oscar Wilde

[May contains spoiler for Sherlock Season 4]

Season 4 of Sherlock has come to a disappointing and hasty end. The Final Problem was a huge disappointment since I thought we would witness something spectacular to end a great season (or possibly the whole series). Rather than giving the characters a proper send off, this latest episode seemed to be full of aimless sound and fury. What was the point of the return of Moriarty? He was but a replaceable prop in the whole episode. The reveal about the truth of Redbeard didn't provide any more emotional context since we have already felt closer with the dog than anything or anyone else from Sherlock's childhood. The dog was already family; substituting it with an unknown child doesn't make it any more or less horrific.

There are some good moments here and there. Eurus was truly frightening; her intelligence, her ability to manipulate, and her indifference are all displayed in its full madness during the episode. And that's what makes it disappointing. A great multidimensional villain and a threat to both Holmes brother reduced to solving random puzzles to superficially amuse and distract the audience from a good plot. This renders the Moriarty appearance even more meaningless since Eurus, with her abilities, should be able to carry out whatever evil scheme all by herself. The resolution of her mental instability seemed quite hastily done and poorly executed. This was a waste of a great character.

It is hard to write a good ending that satisfy everyone. The premise was full of promises and possibilities and to see the ending any less than our expectation would be deemed disappointing. This was the case with Nolan's Dark Knight vs Dark Knight Rises and, more closer to home, Doctor Who's Heaven Sent vs Hell Bent. And I am one of the disappointing fans. And I am only disappointed because the previous episode was superb and I expected better. But despite how abrupt the beginning was, how confusing the middle was, or how badly it was resolved, I have to admit I like the somewhat happy ending: the interaction between Sherlock and Eurus through purely the sound of a violin, the chance of a recital for the Holmes family, the reaffirmation of Sherlock and John's friendship through Mary's voice over, and even the montage of future cases and Mrs Hudson and Molly. This just seemed like a prelude to the ultimate end.

I hope, selfishly, that this is not the end, partly because I know there are more great ideas that Moffat and Gatiss can come up with now that they are leaving Doctor Who but mainly because I simply want to be dazzled or even simply have a chance to be disappointed again by Sherlock and Friends.