Yeah, I was not a big fan of the first two episodes of this season - it was too soon for another friends break-up after season 3 opened with the same thing. And you're right - John beating Sherlock like that was totally over the top. John seemed different this season, I don't think the new look suited him.

Any small interest I had in Mary totally disappeared when she shot Sherlock to be honest and I wish she'd been written out then ( and with no baby).Didn't like the 'message from the grave' at all. I liked the montage but it would have been better without her voice-over.

But overall I really got into that episode whereas the other two in the season I found really dragged. What a totally screwed up family though!