Littler Bird

# February 24, 2012 / 10:40AM 4,834 notes

madlori:

Okay, here’s the thing with me and this scene. I have a theory about it. Yes, Tumblr friends…I HAVE A THEORY. And no, it is not bunnies. Or midgets.

I think that when Sherlock was deducing Molly’s present, he was actually trying to be nice. He was borking it up egregiously, to be sure, but that was his intent.

When the scene begins he is playing the violin, Christmas music, a concession on his part to the occasion, which he must find tiresome. He acts petulant about John’s girlfriend (insert whatever jealousy-related motive you prefer here). When Molly enters, he does that uncomfortable “everyone’s greeting each other” fake laugh thing and immediately retreats to the laptop. I think he felt out of place amidst all the easy camaraderie, the people who have…friends, and know how to act around them. He doesn’t know these things, or at least he’s not comfortable with them.

So when he sees Molly’s gift and instantly thinks that it’s for her new boyfriend, he thinks, hey. This might be an opportunity to use the thing I am good at…my deducin’ skillz…to do that “friends tease and chatter” thing that everyone else seems to somehow know how to do that I don’t. His tone and manner while he explains his deduction are markedly different than his usual Deducin’ Tone. He’s being almost…playful about it. The fact that some of his remarks are hurtful (like about her mouth and breasts) wouldn’t really occur to him; they’re just facts. He’s sort of smiling and bobbing around and saying “lurrrrrrve” like he’s doing a bad imitation of the good-natured ribbing that he’s probably seen John do with other people, and which he’s been the target of himself. But he’s too socially tone-deaf to realize that it’s a bit not good. And of course when he sees the card he realizes his mistake. That’s why he apologizes. Because he was, for once in his life, attempting to actually engage with people. Perhaps he was glad Molly had found a new boyfriend and wanted to obliquely let her know. So when it backfires so spectacularly, it throws him.

He’s a genius, and he can emulate just about any human behavior he sees, but he can’t manage to tease a friend without hurting her feelings.

Anyway, that’s my theory. Or perhaps he was just being a ginormous douchecanoe.

Oh god Lori. That is perfect. And spot on.