Page 154 - SHERLOCK transcripts

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(John grimaces in disbelief. Sherlock keeps his back to Jim, looking up into the gallery to try
and judge how many snipers there might be up there. It’s becoming clear that there are quite a
few because there are at least two laser points hovering over John, and at least three more
travelling over Sherlock’s body. Jim laughs and spread his arms wide.)
JIM: It is a weakness with me but, to be fair to myself, it is my only weakness.
(He lowers his hands and puts them in his pockets. Sherlock turns his head and looks down at
John, who lifts his own head to meet his gaze.)
JIM: You can’t be allowed to continue. You just can’t. I would try to convince you but ... (he
laughs and his voice becomes sing-song again) ... everything I have to say has already crossed
your mind!
(Sherlock, who had looked away from John for a moment, now turns and looks down at him
again, his face showing no emotion but his eyes screaming a silent request. John responds
instantly with a tiny nod, giving him full permission to do whatever he deems necessary.)
SHERLOCK (turning to face Jim): Probably my answer has crossed yours.
(He raises the pistol and aims it at him. Jim smiles confidently with no fear in his expression.
Slowly Sherlock lowers the pistol downwards until it’s pointing directly at the bomb jacket. All
three sets of eyes lock onto the jacket, John breathing heavily, Sherlock calm. Jim tilts his head,
looking a little anxious for the first time. As Sherlock holds his hand steady, continuing to aim
towards the jacket, Jim lifts his head and locks eyes with his nemesis. Sherlock gazes back at
him and Jim begins to smile. Sherlock’s eyes narrow slightly.)

And the scream that went up from the viewers in August 2010 as the end credits began to roll
still echoes around the universe to this day.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Footnotes To clarify a couple of points which I’ve seen raised elsewhere, and which may be
helpful for non-British readers in particular:

(1) “Dear Jim”: Sherlock is mock-quoting a standard format from a very well-known TV show
called “Jim’ll Fix It” which ran on the BBC from 1975 to 1994 and was hosted by Jimmy Savile.
Viewers – mostly children – would write to the show and would always begin their letter, “Dear
Jim, please can you fix it for me to ...” and would ask for their wildest dream to be met, e.g. to
be a train driver for a day, or to meet their favourite athlete, or to work in a chocolate factory
for a few hours. Nowadays we would all be writing in and saying, “Dear Jim, please can you fix
it for me to meet Benedict Cumberbatch/Martin Freeman,” or “... to be the make-up girl on the
next season of ‘Sherlock’,” or “... to be Steve Thompson’s beta reader and point out all his plot
inconsistencies to him,” etc. [What? Don’t look at me like that third request is from me ...]
In a rather unfortunate piece of timing, within the last couple of weeks (in mid-October 2012
when this transcript was published) the reputation of the late Jimmy Savile has plummeted
after terrible allegations have recently surfaced about his behaviour during his years at the BBC.
If you haven’t heard of this show before, now is not the time to be googling it.

(2) “Westwood”: Jim is wearing a suit designed by Dame Vivienne Westwood, which will
therefore have been very expensive, hence his mock-indignation at John ruffling it up. He
directs the comment to Sherlock rather than to John because he knows that Sherlock is more
likely to be appreciative of the expense of his clothing.

A Scandal in Belgravia

The episode picks up precisely where “The Great Game” left off, with Sherlock aiming the pistol
down at the bomb jacket. As he and Jim Moriarty stare at each other, the introduction to The
Bee Gees’ song “Stayin’ Alive” begins to play tinnily. Sherlock and John look around, confused.
Jim briefly closes his eyes and sighs in exasperation.
JIM: D’you mind if I get that?
SHERLOCK (nonchalantly): No, no, please. You’ve got the rest of your life.
(Jim takes his phone from his pocket and answers it.)
JIM: Hello? ... Yes, of course it is. What do you want?
(He mouths ‘Sorry’ at Sherlock, who sarcastically mouths ‘Oh, it’s fine’ back at him. Jim rolls his
eyes as he listens to the phone, turning away from Sherlock for a moment, then he spins back
around, his face full of fury.)

Transcripts by Ariane DeVere (arianedevere@livejournal.com)