Yes it's really very tiresome. I was disappointed for Benedict last night but unfortunately not that surprised for the reasons you've given. I liked Dara's gag at the end - something like "For those who didn't win, your work was just as good. It's all political".

Why did Mrs Brown's Boys win then? That's a pile of shite (unless I'm missing something - granted I've only seen the odd nano second that flashed before my eyes before I managed to locate the remote).

And last year's winner for best male was the privately educated Daniel Rigby in the light drama about Eric and Ernie so the theory doesn't really hold.

I haven't seen the Fred West drama (not really my thing) and I absolutely love Sherlock but it occurs to me that overall Dominic West is a stronger actor than Benedict Cumberbatch (though I like both). Maybe that's why he won?

Maybe it fits into the 'subject matter not middle class' category as described above.

I love this thread! So many great theories, I cannot wait to see if any one of you actually guessed the correct answer

However, I must say I am slightly worried about what the real outcome will be. Moffat and Gatiss are both huge fans of the original Sherlock Holmes, and thus they live and write by the paradigm that what remains after eliminating the impossible, however improbable it may be, is your answer.

As for myself, I have always been more of a Douglas Adams fan, and therefore prefer the Dirk Gently approach:

In other words, I am worried that we will get another "mystery of river song"-type solution, which answers all questions except "why on earth would anybody do that?" - in which case I will be very disappointed.
I really hope that they can deliver a solution that is not only a physically possible way for Sherlock to have survived, but one that is actually plausible as well, that feels right.

For me, the best detective stories are those that have solutions which make you think "why didn't I see that, it was staring me in the face all along!".

The thing is that Dr Who is sci-fi in which you can make almost anything possible. The guy is an alien with a time machine.

Sherlock is a borderline crazy, eccentric, exceptionally smart human. Lets hope that they don't mix the two genres up.

Hi all, just a quick post to say I have a Sherlock t-shirt design up for voting and any help would be appreciated.

IOU - Vote here

I love all the talk in this thread and although I don't have much to add it is always good to read everyones thoughts.

could Watson be Moriarty and Moriarty be Watson?

Hello, I am new to this posting lark but have quietly relished these comments and theories over the past few months.

Feeling dumb, but can anyone explain how the numbers for Irene's pulse rate translate into the letters "sher" in "sher-locked"?

Hello Orange Blossom,

It works like this. Sherlock took her pulse. When he interacted with her, her pulse elevated. This told him she was emotionally reacting to him. Emotions lead to bad choices, tempt you to be clever.

Her cleverness undid her. Instead of selecting a random number sequence, she chose a terrible pun. One that referred to her connection to him, to taunt him over the months he had the device.

He used her pulse to estimate how rash she'd be -- coming to the conclusion that she would, in fact, resort to wordplay over safety.

Ah, thank you! I thought each letter represented a number of some sort. Maybe even Sherlock isn't *that* clever

Yay!! So glad I've discovered this thread I absolutely love Sherlock and cant wait for season 3.

Has it been mentioned that both Irene and Moriarty say "off you pop"? Might this be of relevance?

Well done to Benedict Cumberbatch for winning a best actor award at the US Critics Choice TV Awards, and also well done to Sherlock for winning best movie or mini series category.

Mark Gattis and Steven Moffat reveal the three clues for next year at the EdTV Fest for Series 3: Rat, Wedding, and Bow. Filming to begin in January with August air date. So, let the speculation commence!

So the Adventure of The Sussex Vampire, A Case Of Identity and His Last Bow then?

So much for Cumberbatch proclaiming he'd like to do the series for the next ten years if his schedule permitted. I'm guessing he's getting too expensive and busy now he's cracked Hollywood with Star Trek and he's already moved on the Parade's End which BBC have an interest in as co-producers so it makes sense.

Rat could be the Giant Rat of Sumatra a story which Watson refers to but doesn't give any detail and wedding could be Sign of Four where Watson gets married. Bow could just be one of the stories from the book His Last Bow. I really hope this won't be the last series.

People on here are such pessimists, at the same time as announcing these clues they said that since there are so many stories for them to work from they the show could run and run.

As for Cumberbatch being "too busy or expensive", the scheduling means the actors can do other projects between series meaning they're more likely to stay with the show longer. When they talk about wanting to do Sherlock for years I believe them because it's a steady job, but still allows them to do other things, they'll be idiots to quit.

Giant Rat Of Sumatra is mentioned in ... Sussex Vampire, I believe the actual story was not written by Conan Doyle but by *AMAZON BOOK CHECK* Allan Venneman. I believe Moffatt and Gattiss have said they plan to adapt the Conan Doyle stuff, not the various Sherlock tales not written by him. Could be I suppose but it might deviate from their previous intent.

I think Gattiss said he was a fan of Sign Of Four so you may be right there, I thought Case Of Identity due to the missing fiance...

I don't know about idiots. Agents look after their clients interests and if between The Hobbit and Star Trek it's not like either Freeman or Cumberbatch's stars are in decline currently. As for steady work... well, they've already put off production because of Freeman and Cumberbatch's busy schedules until the end of this year, haven't they? Which is why the series isn't going to run from in December as it did before. So it's not like the signs aren't already there.

I'm surprised they're not adapting The Adventures of the Empty House which is the return of Sherlock Holmes.

I don't think they pushed it back, there was around 18 months between Series 1 and 2 and there will be around 18 months Series 2 and 3.


They are, Gatiss confirmed it as the first episode a while back.

And how does that relate to "rat","wedding" or "bow" ?

The success of Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman may mean that the third season of Sherlock will be its last. The Daily Express quotes an insider on the show as saying that the growing stars of Cumberbatch and Freeman, who play Holmes and Watson respectively, means that their schedules will not permit more of the series. Cumberbatch is playing the villain in the upcoming Star Trek sequel and will play Smaug in The Hobbit, which stars Freeman in the role of Bilbo Baggins.

The source noted, "Benedict and Martin love Sherlock. It's been fabulous for both of them but it's a question of schedules. They will no doubt be signing off in style."

It is worth noting that Cumberbatch has previously said that he would not allow a busy schedule to affect his role in Sherlock, saying, "It's something I'm not going to give up on. I love it too much. It's hard work, but it's so rewarding and such a lovely bunch of people who do it. We love our fans and we love what it's created. It's an incredible thing to be part of and it doesn't happen that often. Don't worry, it's not going to disappear… We only do three episodes at a time, so I think the normal fear of over-stretching the mark and just doing too many doesn't apply."

The third season will begin filming early next year.

So, I appear to have been more or less accurate in my prediction. Sorry, guestofseth. Although we can always hope this will all be denied on Twitter.

Anyone want next week's lottery numbers?

That article is pure speculation.

Yes...some hack has dredged something up because Benedict Cumberbatch is currently in ; Parade's End'. When they've got no facts, they just make it up. Nice to see the article posted though because it shows what the press is up to !