Although it had a strong start with its first two seasons, the BBC’sSherlockhad a disappointing final season, so much so that fans believed another British show was season 4’s mysterious lost episode. As one of the most popular and beloved characters in literature, Sherlock Holmes has been adapted to all types of media for decades.
Thestatus of the rights to Sherlock Holmeshas given creative freedom to artists, and among the most recent and successful adaptations of the Great Detective is the BBC’sSherlock. The show brought Holmes and company to modern-day London, adapting his cases and accompanying characters to modern technology, current social issues, and more.
Sherlockpeaked at the end of its second season, and, unfortunately, it couldn’t maintain that quality in its subsequent seasons.Sherlockseasons 3 and 4 were a big disappointment, which, along with other details, led fans to believe there was a secret season 4 lost episode, and they were convinced another British thriller was going to be it.
Apple Tree Yard Was Believed To Be A Sherlock Episode
Unfortunately For Sherlock Fans, Apple Tree Yard Has Nothing To Do With It
There was a two-year gap between seasons ofSherlock, which gave viewers more than enough time to come up with different theories on what could be next for Holmes and Watson. During the production of the fourth season,a rumor emerged aboutSherlock’s final season breaking the mold and having four episodes, being referred to as the “secret fourth episode.”
Apple Tree Yardwas replacingSherlockin the timeslot.
At the time, a TV show titledApple Tree Yardwas in production, and so fans believed this was the secret fourth episode ofSherlock. This was not only because of the title (which could have been a reference to Scotland Yard), but also becauseApple Tree Yardwas replacingSherlockin the timeslot and starred Emily Watson – you know, like John Watson.
Unfortunately for fans ofSherlockwho never lost hope on a secret fourth episode,Apple Tree Yardhad nothing to do with the show, and it was a series of its own.Apple Tree Yardpremiered on BBC One in 2016, the same yearSherlock’s special episode, “The Abominable Bride”, was released.
Why Fans Believed There Was A Secret Episode In Sherlock Season 4
The Secret Season 4 Episode Is Part Of Sherlock Lore
Sherlockhas a passionate fan base, and the creators of the show were well aware of that.Sherlockseason 2 ended with Sherlock’s death after he was forced to jump off the roof of St. Bart’s hospital. However, it was revealed right at the end of the episode that Holmes was alive, and just like in the books, he had faked his death.
This prompted a variety of theories from fans abouthow Sherlock could have faked his death, as Watson had witnessed the jump and even checked his friend’s pulse when he got to the body. There were some truly creative and clever theories, some of which were used by the writers inSherlockseason 3’s premiere episode, but not in the best way.
In the end,Sherlocknever officially explained how Holmes faked his death, and viewers were disappointed (and understandably angry, too). However, this didn’t stop the show’s loyal audience from continuing to speculate about what the show would do next, and that’s how the idea of the secret fourth episode came to life.
Many believed that Culverton Smith’s line about “everyone always gives up after three” teased a secret fourth episode.
The legend ofSherlock’s secret fourth episodebegan after season 4’s second episode, “The Lying Detective”, aired. Many believed that Culverton Smith’s (Toby Jones) line about “everyone always gives up after three” teased a secret fourth episode. This also led to the belief that the series’ finale, “The Final Problem”, was the dream of a comatose John after being shot by Eurus.
Eurus, Sherlock’s sister, who was a criminal mastermind, revealed she had been posing as Watson’s therapist at the end of “The Lying Detective”, so Watson dreaming the events of the finale would have made the episode a fake ending, with the secret episode being the real one.
A Lost Episode Could Have Fixed Sherlock’s Season 4 Problems
Sherlock Season 4 Is Plagued With Problems
Season 4 is widely regarded asSherlock’s worst season, as it was messy, inconsistent, and Eurus’ plan in the finale was nonsensical and hard to believe. Holmes and Watson went through a very rough patch after Mary’s death, but it was all magically solved by a video message Mary had left for both.
Sherlockended with Holmes and Watson working together again like in old times, with quick glimpses at their new cases, but the ending felt rushed, forced, and left too many plot holes and questions. A secret fourth episode could have fixed all this by explaining how Eurus did what she did and giving Holmes and Watson more time to reconcile and team up again.
A fourth episode could also have covered the aftermath of that phone call that forced Holmes to tell Molly he loved her, more so as Molly still had feelings for him. With this in mind, it’s truly unfortunate that the lost fourth episode was only a myth.
Apple Tree Yard Has A 92% Score On Rotten Tomatoes
Mentions of rape.
Apple Tree Yardhas nothing to do withSherlock, but it’s still worth checking out.Apple Tree Yardis a psychological thriller based on the 2013 novel of the same nameby Louise Doughty.Apple Tree Yardfollows Yvonne (Emily Watson), who begins an affair with a mysterious man she refers to as Mr. X (Ben Chaplin).
Yvonne’s life takes a horrifying turn after she’s raped by a colleague she had rejected earlier, and this directly impacts not only her relationship with Mr. X but also her job.Apple Tree Yardis a four-part series, so it’s easy to binge-watch.SherlockandApple Tree Yardhave nothing in common, but the latter is definitely worth checking out.
