Shocking Season 4 Premiere Death Shakes Sherlock Fandom

Sherlock’s 90-minute season 4 premiere, “The Six Thatchers,” held a nasty New Year’s shock for fans on Sunday. After fumbling with an introductory case — easily solved, of course — Sherlock (Benedict Cumberbatch) stumbles into what he initially believes is posthumous maneuvering by archvillain Moriarty (Andrew Scott).

"I always know when the game is on. Do you know why?"

"Why?"

"Because I love it."#sherlock #SherlockPBS

— Kelby Hartson (@kelbyhartson) January 2, 2017

Warning: Stop reading if you have not watched the episode — spoilers ahead! 

But no! The situation was a much more dire and, according to some, more convoluted — which all proved a bit much for some viewers.

Me trying to figure out what the HECK happened tonight #Sherlock pic.twitter.com/F1ge2fNdg4

— Sarah Carpenter 💌 (@SariCarpenter) January 2, 2017

After #Sherlock episode, I'm just like #SherlockReacts pic.twitter.com/fybjGMyeXg

— Tori (@Loricurieuse) January 1, 2017

me after watching the new episode #Sherlock pic.twitter.com/IOxiRZkV8g

— ginger (@theginger_me) January 2, 2017

Meanwhile, some were obsessing over the details, because: Sherlock fans.

Ah ah ah ah Sherlock’s stayin’… #Sherlock pic.twitter.com/idJ0EP4FK6

— Cumberbuddy (@Cumberbuddy) January 1, 2017

HE REALLY IS ALWAYS ON HIS PHONE. (like the entire fandom right now…) #Sherlock #SherlockReacts pic.twitter.com/MOIY8tJ0JQ

— lichtblickpink (@lichtblickpink) January 2, 2017

https://twitter.com/JilldarWu/status/815739388566982656

I applauded in my mind at this bit. #Sherlock pic.twitter.com/Tdaa3SptMb

— Cumberbuddy (@Cumberbuddy) January 1, 2017

Throw in some Mycroft ❤️ for writer-actor Mark Gatiss …

Mycroft is my spirit animal. #Sherlock pic.twitter.com/Kizn7BwfRw

— a.🌑 (@whoiwantobe_) January 1, 2017

…I love Mycroft.#SherlockReacts #sherlock pic.twitter.com/AvaY2sX2oO

— ilaria~ (@hilaryami) January 1, 2017

And a few complaints.

Not a fan of the new #Sherlock ep. An over-encumbered mess of a narrative. Hope the rest of season 4 will rectify.

— Thomas ‘TomSka’ Ridgewell (@thetomska) January 1, 2017

There's a big difference between a clever script & one that's so convoluted it makes you think it's clever. Sadly, #Sherlock was the latter.

— Hazel Hayes (@TheHazelHayes) January 1, 2017

Eagle-eyed viewers called out the production on trying to disguise an image as an html page. (Obsess much?)

https://twitter.com/LeeDawsonPT/status/815710817194799104

In the thick of all this, we were introduced to Rose of the World, John Watson (Martin Freeman) and Mary Morstan’s (Amanda Abbington) new baby girl, Rosamund.

My favourite scene from #Sherlock tonight though. #Spoilers #SortOf pic.twitter.com/z6BQEa0vVG

— Cumberbuddy (@Cumberbuddy) January 1, 2017

Disapproval of John texting his random-stranger bus-buddy noted!

https://twitter.com/evil_beabull/status/815769150194929665

https://twitter.com/beanieirwins/status/815680120753164288

and John's texting though…

I AM SHOOK #sherlock pic.twitter.com/0sntTKJuIt

— Hilly Hindi (@HillyHindi) January 2, 2017

https://twitter.com/curly3top/status/815814428474032128

Is this fan responding to the cheating texting or the Sherlock abandonment at the end?

John Watson. You asshat. #Sherlock #SherlockPBS pic.twitter.com/MCPXWNdL2A

— krysten marie (@primadiva419) January 2, 2017

The big scene: #Dead.

Random thought:

Was anyone else hoping the bullet would smash the aquarium glass & they'd have to do hand-to-hand combat with the sharks? No? Cool #Sherlock

— Calum McSwiggan (@CalumMcSwiggan) January 1, 2017

Rodent:

https://twitter.com/aubreyjdela/status/815821148843712512

https://twitter.com/backtothefewjar/status/815680294800031745

First episode of the series and oh my god. #Sherlock pic.twitter.com/q91uI0ndI2

— 𝑆𝑡𝑒𝑝ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑖𝑒 🍄🛸 (@stephylizbeth) January 2, 2017

https://twitter.com/rida_withaT/status/815815858018627584

Sitting here now that the first episode of #Sherlock had ended like… pic.twitter.com/ugcVk93yNQ

— Elisha Gadenne (@Elisha_Gadenne) January 1, 2017

Why cant #Sherlock just solve a crime without something intense and life altering happening? I can't take much more heartache #SherlockPBS

— Chloe (@raincitygirl98) January 2, 2017

https://twitter.com/shanruss07/status/815760064636141569

https://twitter.com/kimberlybinwag/status/815809432781082624

Me right now.#Sherlock #221Back #SherlockReacts pic.twitter.com/hc4h661x02

— Vialthrya (@Vialthrya) January 2, 2017

https://twitter.com/cullen_andrea/status/815714527853453312

https://twitter.com/SaucyScribe/status/815710923323121664

Well that #Sherlock episode broke me. How's everyone else doing? pic.twitter.com/SHB00FbWeP

— Lauren ✨ Galaxy (@LaurenGallaway) January 2, 2017

https://twitter.com/kinleeshumway/status/815826598507126784

"BEING MARY WATSON WAS THE ONLY LIFE WORTH LIVING" I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS SHOW #Sherlock

— ruth (@felicitysrnoaks) January 2, 2017

Last word on that: Actress Amanda Abbington responds to her character’s fate on the Sherlock season 4 premiere.

https://twitter.com/CHIMPSINSOCKS/status/815684105413206017

And where does this latest trauma leave loyal fans? For some this:

https://twitter.com/Anythingbatch/status/815823470214991872

For others:

https://twitter.com/kyungs00perman/status/815684043467583488

Sherlock on Masterpiece airs Sundays at 9 p.m. on PBS

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