#a.g.r.a.

[alifetimeaheadtoprovethat]

#28: USB

@sherlockinktober

[disfictional]

Let’s talk about the name “Alex”

There are three different characters named Alex in BBC Sherlock: Alex Woodbridge from TGG, the Alex who was a member of A.G.R.A, and Alex Garrideb from TFP. 

The name comes up three times, so this is not a coincidence; the writers are trying to tell us something. All of the Alex characters are mirrors for Sherlock. Specifically, they are mirrors for how Moriarty tortures him with the quest to “burn the heart” out of Sherlock.

Some meta below the cut.  

(Note: this relies on M theory’s ideas that Mary works for Moriarty, Mycroft is under Moriarty’s thumb, Moriarty is still alive in some sense, and Moriarty’s territory is Eastern Europe.)

The first Alex we meet is in TGG: Alex Woodbridge. He was killed by Moriarty’s assassin for being obsessed with space/the solar system and being right about the Veneer painting conspiracy. Who else do we know that was killed by Moriarty’s assassin? 

Oh right, Sherlock!

Alex Woodbridge was obsessed with the solar system. We know that in this episode, the solar system = sentiment. This mirror foreshadows that Sherlock will ultimately become obsessed with space = sentiment, and he will be targeted by Moriarty for it. And, lo and behold, at the end of the episode, Moriarty tells Sherlock he will burn the heart out of him. 

Beautiful, isn’t it? 

Then, in The Six Thatchers, we find out that another Alex was a member of A.G.R.A. He was tortured to death after the Tbilisi incident. How do we know this?

Ajay, a strong John mirror, is tortured by the sound of Alex’s back breaking. This is a clear callback to John seeing Sherlock jump off the hospital roof in TRF. When Ajay says “he was tortured to death,” it cuts to Sherlock. Moriarty tortured Sherlock to fake death, leaving John bitter and traumatized. In TEH, we see Sherlock was also physically tortured when he was fake-dead. 

In T6T, the name Alex, the fact that the incident takes place in Tbilisi, Moriarty’s Eastern Europe turf, and Mary’s involvement clue us into the idea that Moriarty is behind the Tbilisi incident (I think it’s very possible that Mycroft is involved, as well. We know that he oversaw A.G.R.A., and that he is under Moriarty’s thumb).

AND Ajay tells us that Alex was tortured for “nothing but fun.” Moriarty tortured Sherlock for the same reason. He just loves to watch Sherlock dance! It’s so funny that Sherlock has feelings! And it caused John a lot of pain. John’s reaction to Ajay’s story about Alex being tortured tells us everything: 

The last Alex is Alex Garrideb in The Final Problem. In this scene, there is even a direct mirroring of Mycroft as Nathan Garrideb (the one who wears glasses), Sherlock as Alex Garrideb, and John as Howard Garrideb (the drunk). 

Not subtle!

We learn a few things about Alex from Sherlock and Mycroft’s deductions. Underneath each point I’ve interpreted what I take them to mean about Sherlock.  

Habitually wears glasses 

In ACD canon, A Study in Scarlet was the first fictional story ever to incorporate the iconic magnifying glass. Sherlock “habitually wears glasses,” which I take to mean he is used to putting on the analytical, detective persona, in BBC Sherlock but also in other adaptations throughout history. Not to mention, Mycroft is mirrored as Nathan Garrideb, who always wears glasses. 

Has a frown line, meaning he’s used to a lifetime of “peering” 

I take “peering” to mean Sherlock deducing/analyzing/being logical, and it’s caused frown lines- he’s forced it upon himself. 

Is short-sighted (or he was) but he’s had laser surgery

Laser surgery = Sherlock realized he cares about people. He no longer needs to put on the “glasses” persona. More specifically, he cares about John; he loves him. No longer short-sighted = he wants a future with John, and a future in general. He cares about living. In TLD, this is a strong theme. Before Culverton tries to kill him, he says, emotionally, “I don’t want to die.” 

Makes an effort with his clothes 

to which John says: “that’s very good.” Confirmation that John likes the way Sherlock dresses *insert side smirk emoji*

Sherlock is making an effort for John, in multiple ways. 

But quite literally, Sherlock does make an effort with his clothes 

Suddenly he sees himself in quite a different light

Sherlock’s acknowledgement of his feelings has totally rocked his world. 

But he is not used to his routine and his grooming is superficial

Sherlock is not used to caring so much. 

His outward appearance is “superficial”, and may not reflect how he feels inside. Sherlock is trying (and failing) to hide his feelings for John. 

I personally subscribe to the theory that TFP is in John’s mind palace/is his fever dream after being shot (by Moriarty, but that’s beside the point), so I interpret all of these deductions to be John’s thinking. But, I also enjoy the idea that Sherlock is putting himself in John’s shoes, and creating John’s mind palace in his own mind palace. But any way you look at this episode and this season, the Alex mirror is strong! 

We find out that Alex Garrideb is the murderer, and Euros (who is a Moriarty mirror) asks Sherlock to condemn him. “Condemn him in the knowledge of what will happen to the man you name.” Sherlock condemning Alex Garrideb out loud = professing his love for John. Sherlock knows the consequences could be disastrous, but he has to say it to land the plane!

When Sherlock condemns Alex Garrideb, Euros/Moriarty kills the OTHER TWO. Moriarty was always going to kill Mycroft, and now that Sherlock has condemned himself (professed his love), John has to die, too. Moriarty definitely can’t have him hanging around after that- Sherlock is all his! But then, Euros/Moriarty kills Alex/Sherlock, too. Sherlock is too gone on feelings now to ever be of any use to Moriarty. 

Tagging some people who always have great stuff to say (& if you want me to remove your tag, no worries)!

@sarahthecoat​ @possiblyimbiassed​ @ferm-acid​ @witch-lock​ @inevitably-johnlocked​ @inatshej​ @honeybeeswatson​ @itsallfine​

[bbcsherlockpickuplines]

The best of Warstan pick-up lines, based on number of notes.

[nihilistbees]

Mary Morstan could have been one of the best villains TV has ever seen. what a missed opportunity.

[sunny-snufkin]

Watching The Six Thatchers with my parents

Mary Watson (from recording): I’m giving you a case, Sherlock. When I’m gone, if I’m… gone… I need you to do something for me.

My dad: Marry John Watson

[chaseluna]

Lestrade knows Ajay's name

Idk if someone pointed this out yet, but I was watching again TST and I was at the scene in the pool. When Ajay points the gun at Sherlock the police arrives and we hear Lestrade that warns Ajay. The weird thing is that Lestrade calls him “Ajay” but he wasn’t supposed to know his name, because only Mary knows his name (until she reveals it to Sherlock)

@girlsf0rgirls @tbloodym @watson-your-mind-holmes @licked-by-johnlock-hellfire @lightofonesoul @jawnlock-is-real @love-in-mind-palace @johnlockconfirmed1

[youweretoldbutdidyoulisten]

A.G.R.A., graffitis, Polish trade unions and Thatcher

Anyone else notice this graffity? We know graffitis always hold some stong meaning or clue on this show. This particular one is seen when Mary is touring Europe while on the run. 

I don’t know exactly in which country Mary is at that time but going by the graffiti and it’s meaning it’s most likely Poland. In the 1980′s a non governmental trade union named ‘Solidanosc’ (engl. Solidarity) was brought to life at a shipyard. The Polish government went to great lenghts trying to destroy it, however it ended up having about 10 MILLION members by the end of the first year. The graffiti looks similar to this poster: 

But it gets better. High ranking members of the organization are known for praising Thatcher who in return was know to support them. (sources x and x)

A non-governmental organization with lots of members and supporters all over the world? Sherlock spending two years abroad trying (unsuccessfully) to dismantly Moriarty’s network? Finding out A.G.R.A. was in fact an acronym and also the name of a secret organization of assassins? Female members of the British government being known to support a foreign organization, allegedly using them for their benefits?

Tagging some people who I think enjoy a good conspiracy: @vaticancameo1895 @patheticmortal-wtchemicaldefects @teaplosh @221bangable @shelock @1895-doyle-and-bronte-obsessed @shag-me-senseless-watson @currently-in-my-mind-palace @gemini-traveler @teaandforeshadowing @legit-john-watson

[littlefirefly00]

“Don’t you dare.. you made a vow.. you swore it.” - John Watson tst

Don’t touch me.. I’m still grieving.. this episode abused me.