saki101

What does Sherlock mean about leading him back? In general, or in the context of this episode?

I was picturing it as both. Generally, John helps Sherlock with the nuances of emotions and by doing that consistently (usually), has allowed Sherlock to become more comfortable with exploring those paths than he had been in the past. And Sherlock is acknowledging that if he gets lost when he's down one of those roads, he knows John will help him find his way back. Generally, that's what we've been seeing John do, but in this episode John only did it when Sherlock was being insensitive to others. He failed Sherlock twice when Sherlock was experiencing strong emotions, in the tavern and in the cemetery. In the graveyard, John was walking off again after Sherlock admitted how troubled he was by experiencing doubt of his own senses. As it happens Sherlock has an idea right after that which cheers him up and he is the one that saves that situation emotionally between them, I feel.

John didn't seem at his most equitable in this episode and is still angry until near the very end when Sherlock tells him it won't happen again. That seemed to me to show that Sherlock had heeded John's emotional lessons and was motivated by his concern for John to put them into practice. So then there was the question as to why John wasn't his usual self which led to the other fic! It was tough that they were both having emotional challenges at the same time.

Were you thinking that John might be leading Sherlock back to a detached attitude when he becomes emotional because John isn't ready/able to cope with an emotional Sherlock? Is having trouble with his own emotions in various ways and prefers a detached Sherlock?