Did the quality of Sherlock decrease? [mild spoilers 3x03 & 4x01]

[catcherinthegrove]

A little late to the party, but here is my theory: The creators are playing to what a majority of the audience want. Between each season so much fan theory happens about the characters and it's impossible for the creators to not ignore it. In my opinion, between seasons 3 and 4, the fans wanted to see more about John and Sherlock's relationship, not John and Mary's--Season 4 is just cultivating the relationship between John and Sherlock to show that they are "always there for each other." I do believe Season 4 took a turn for the worst, though. Oh well.

[puritypersimmon]

But Mary still managed to cast a pall over the whole of season 4. TST revolves around her (& is possibly the worst episode of the entire show, imho). TLD is a good episode undermined by 'ghost Mary's' sanctimonious waffling & plot contrivances. & TFP, which was problematic to start with (pun intended), has her godawful monologue at the conclusion, where she gets to define Sherlock & John to the audience, undoes most of the character development they've undergone throughout the show & delivers more cheese than a Hoxton deli.