Another thought on why the “I love you” meant what it says:
People have probably already pointed it out, I am going to write my train of thought down anyway. If you want to direct me to other similar theories, be free to do it :)
Love is a Leitmotif in this [[final?]] season of Sherlock.
Just as Sherlock, strictly speaking, repeats the “I love you” three times, it was a, more or less, important part of every of the three episodes.
In the first episode, love is a code-name, being misused by Vivian. Love, in its true sense, had nothing to do with it. -> In the same way as Sherlock asks Molly, with all the emotional distance, to repeat the words for him.
In the second episode, John repeats “It is what it is” three time, (I think?). The first time he said it, my brain imminently jumped to the poem: What it is by Erich Fried. I thought it might just have been a coincident. I was sure it wasn’t after the third. It is a poem about how love is a valid feeling despite any doubt. I understand that j/l folks have made the poem into their thing. That is perfectly alright, everyone gets their share. [[I wish]] It just as nicely fits for Sherlock and Molly. After the third episode anyway! -> The second I love you was the taste of truth on Sherlock’s tongue. Just as a poem about love only can convey so much meaning to a person that has never before experienced love, and sometimes, a poem can open a gate. The second I love you opened a gate.
“[…]
It is ludicrous says pride It is foolish says caution It is impossible says experience It is what it is says love“
[[This is an extract of the poem. I feel if you read it as a whole all the counterarguments generally translates to what Sherlock says right at the beginning: “Sentiment is a chemical reaction found on the losing side” (Is that the right quote?) Doesn’t matter, really. You get what I mean.]]
In the third episode, love is emotional context. -> The third I love you is realization. Everything falls into place. What he feels suddenly makes sense and it spreads though him and knowing that he most likely won’t make it out of this alive, never being able to redeem what he just did to Molly, that he can never have more than the realization that he loves her, he smashes the “I-love-you-coffin”….
OHHH!
I just realized the irony! He smashes the I-love-you-coffin! Do you see it??? Molly’s love no longer needs a fucking coffin! Because its mutual. I didn’t see that one coming when I started this. hehe.
