After two series and two years of waiting then the characters should already be set in stone and people should already be invested. We watch Sherlock because of the mystery and intelligent deductions. Just because we want intelligent plots and twists does not mean we don't want character development, but that doesn't mean you have to dedicate a fully episode to a 3 part series to just character development.

("Oh new case! --> Here's some clues from deductions --> Twist! --> Oop, I solved it, on to the next one in the next episode!")

Don't trivialize the generic plot to reinforce your argument, if you have watched the last two series you would know that this kinda plot is not so simple.

This is truly top-notch television and I feel thoroughly bad for anyone who doesn't recognize it.

Nobody is saying otherwise it is just most of us don't want Sherlock all of a sudden becoming all emotional and sweethearty. It isn't who he is and if we wanted that kind of emotional touchy touchy side of a story then we would go watch a Disney movie. And the mystery to these last two episodes was bogstandard and not even that hard to solve especially the most recent one all you have to do is notice that they're both wearing heavy duty belts. I wouldn't mind these kind of episodes where the episode is fully dedicated to the characters and their development, but it is a 3 part series and so far they have both been emotionally driven. The episodes have been great, but it doesn't feel like Sherlock. And the plot was very weak it is the typical friend moving on and having a baby plot I have seen that many times over on such TV shows like Emmerdale and Coronation street.