Image via Complex Original
Forget Ross and Rachel, the biggest will-they-wont-they couple to ever grace the small screen? Sherlock Holmes and John Watson of BBC's Sherlock. While Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman—Holmes and Watson, respectively—won't officially admit nor deny their characters' feelings for each other, the show is leaving tons of breadcrumbs out there for serious JohnLock shippers. Breadcrumbs that have been baked into full-length fan fiction—though don't ask Cumberbatch and Freeman to read them aloud again. Even Watson's official blog, created by the BBC as a supplement to the series, has (fake) commenters speculating on whether or not the sleuthing duo are in a relationship.
Now, with season three underway in the U.S., shippers are sure to be delighted with more clues about their sexuality. Nevermind the setback that, spoiler alert, John Watson gets married to a lady this season. As long as the the show keeps adding to our collection of ambiguously gay moments on Sherlock, we're holding out hope for JohnLock.
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Meeting Mrs Hudson
Ambiguously gay moment: As John moves into Sherlock's apparent, Mrs. Hudson, the landlady, mistakes the two for lovers shacking up.
Episode: Series 1, Ep. 1
Mrs Hudson: "There's another room upstairs if you'll be needing two rooms."
John: "Of course we'll be needing two."
Mrs Hudson: "Oh, don't worry. Mrs Turner next door has got married ones."
Obvi, Mrs. Hudson's the biggest shipper of us all.
Moving In
Ambiguously gay moment: When John is checking out Sherlock's apartment, considering if he'd like to move in, the two get into some kind of Shakespearean banter.
Episode: Series 1, Ep. 1
John: "Well, this could be very nice. Very nice indeed."
Sherlock: "Yes, yes, I think so, my thoughts precisely."
John: "Soon as we get this rubbish cleaned."
Sherlock (at the same time): "So I went straight ahead and moved in!"
John: "Oh. So this is all...?"
Sherlock: "Well, obviously I can straighten things up a bit."
Read between the not-so-straight lines, guys.
Cafeteria Date
Ambiguously gay moment: During one of Sherlock and Watson's first meetings, their waiter assumes the two are on a date.
Episode: Series 1, Ep. 1
Waiter: "Anything you want on the house for you and your date."
John: "I'm not his date."
Waiter: "I'll get a candle for this table, it's more romantic."
John: "I'm not his date."
Aw, so cute, the Waiter thinks John's denial about his date just means he's nervous.
Sherlock's Girlfriend
Ambiguously gay moment: Still in the restaurant where their waiter had already confused their relationship, Sherlock deflects John's question.
Episode: Series 1, Ep. 1
John: "You don't have a girlfriend then?"
Sherlock: "Girlfriend, no. Not really my area."
Sherlock is either a) really shitty at dating or b) not into romantic relationships with women. You decide.
Unattached
Ambiguously gay moment: Seconds after Sherlock makes a comment about his relationship status, the detective assumes John is making a pass at him.
Episode: Series 1, Ep. 1
John: "You're unattached just like me."
Sherlock: "John, I think you should know that I consider myself married to my work and while I'm flattered by your interest, I'm really not looking for anything."
John: "No, no."
We're just going to pretend "no, no" doesn't mean "you've mistaken what I said," and instead means, "I'm devastated."
Watson Meeting Mycroft
Ambigously gay moment: In order to protect his little brother, Mycroft kidnaps Watson to interrogate him about his involvement in Sherlock's life.
Episode: Series 1, Ep. 1
Mycroft: "What is your connection to Sherlock Holmes?"
John: "I don't have one. I barely know him. I met him... yesterday."
Mycroft: "Hmm, and since yesterday you've moved in with him and now you're solving crimes together. Might we expect a happy announcement by the end of the week?"
This scene was originally written with Mycroft sitting in his hunting room with a shotgun, just like when you took your significant other to meet your strict dad.
Meeting Moriarty
Ambiguously gay moment: When Sherlock's lab assistant Molly introduces him to her new boyfriend, Sherlock makes some keen observations.
Episode: Series 1, Ep. 1
Sherlock to Moriarty: "Gay... Nothing, ehm, hey."
OK, so this wasn't that ambiguous, but Sherlock's excellent gaydar is telling.
Date Night
Ambiguously gay moment: John Watson finally catches a break with a nice (female) employee Sarah at the hospital he's been hired to work as a locum. But that doesn't prevent Sherlock from cockblocking their first date.
Episode: Series 1, Ep. 2
Sherlock: "We're going out tonight."
John: "I have a date tonight."
Sherlock: "What?"
John: "A date? It's two people who like each other go out and have fun."
Sherlock: "That's what I was suggesting."
John: "No, it wasn't. At least, I hope not."
Hmm, wonder if Sherlock's subtle way of asking Watson on a date works in real life.
Dismantling Bomb
Ambiguously gay moment: Criminal mastermind Jim Moriarty's got John Watson rigged with explosives, but Sherlock comes to his rescue.
Episode: Series 1, Ep. 3
John, after Sherlock strips off John's bomb-rigged jacket and throws it away: "I'm glad no one saw that."
Sherlock: "Hm?"
John: "You, ripping my clothes off in a darkened swimming pool. People might talk."
Sherlock, smiling: "People do little else."
This is some next-level role-playing.
Look of Love
Ambiguously gay moment: Irene Adler, best known as high-priced dominatrix call-girl The Woman, pulls her own Sherlock-style hyper-body analysis and calls bullshit on the duo's method to sneak Sherlock into her house. That is, Watson punching Sherlock in the face for an excuse to knock on her door and fake seeking help.
Episode: Series 2, Ep. 1
Irene Adler to Sherlock about John: "Somebody loves you! If I had to punch that face, I'd avoid the nose and teeth too."
Like the sociopath equivalent of your BFF saying, "He SO likes you."
Not A Couple
Ambiguously gay moment: John Watson has enough of Irene's tricky bullshit and sets the record straight with her in the middle of a covert operation.
Episode: Series 2, Ep. 1
John Watson referring to him and Sherlock: "We're not a couple."
Irene Adler: "Yes, you are."
Very straightforward—which Sherlock and John are not.
Double Room
Ambiguously gay moment: Sherlock and John travel to another town to see about a monster hound. Of course, such a far travel requires the pair to check into a inn for the evening.
Episode: Series 2, Ep. 2
Manager: "Sorry we couldn't do a double room for you boys."
John: "That's fine, we're not..."
Why so on edge, John? No one was even suggesting anything.
Snorer
Ambiguously gay moment: It turns out the attendant who booked John the room is in a relationship with the bartender, who totally confuses JohnLock's situation.
Episode: Series 2, Ep. 2
Bartender to John referring to Sherlock: "Is yours a snorer?"
It takes one to know one.
Live-In PA
Ambiguously gay moment: John finally holds the attention of a beautiful women, albeit to inquire about one of her patients. Their flirtation is ruined by another drunk doctor, who suggests that John isn't exactly interested in her.
Episode: Series 2, Ep. 2
Dr. Frankland: "Don't you read the blog? Sherlock Holmes."
Dr. Mortimer: "Sherlock, who?"
Dr Franland: "Private detective. This is his P.A."
Watson: "P.A.?"
Dr. Frankland: "Well, live-in P.A."
John: "Perfect."
Dr. Mortimer: "Live-in..."
This is basically the equivalent of introducing your gay significant other to your family as your "roommate."
Just Platonic
Ambiguously gay moment: Reporter Kitty Riley, thirsty for a profile of the real Sherlock Holmes, gets down to the bottom of his involvement with Watson.
Episode: Series 2, Ep. 3
Kitty Riley to Sherlock: "You and John Watson, just platonic? I'll put you down for a 'no' there."
Everyone else in the room can see it/Everyone else but you/Baby... sing it with me!