Sherlock Holmes is the famous fictional detective created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in the late 19th century. Throughout the original Sherlock Holmes stories, the detective does not express romantic interest in any female characters. However, in contemporary adaptions of the stories, writers have explored potential romantic connections for Sherlock, often focusing on two female characters in particular – Molly Hooper and Irene Adler. Both Molly and Irene have unique relationships with Sherlock that have led fans to debate whether he may harbor romantic feelings for one or both of them.
Molly Hooper
Molly Hooper is a character who was introduced in the BBC series Sherlock, portrayed by Louise Brealey. Molly is a specialist registrar in the morgue at St. Bartholomew’s Hospital in London, where she often assists Sherlock with his cases. She has an unrequited crush on Sherlock from the beginning and is attracted to his intelligence and abrupt personality. Sherlock often relies on Molly for access to bodies, lab equipment, and autopsy reports, and over time he comes to value her skills and warm-hearted nature, even though he does not always show it.
There are several moments throughout the series that suggest Sherlock may have some deeper feelings for Molly beneath his cold exterior. In the season 2 episode “The Reichenbach Fall,” Moriarty threatens that he will have Molly assassinated if Sherlock does not commit suicide. This threat angers Sherlock and shows his dedication to protecting Molly from harm.
At the end of the episode, Sherlock realizes that he needs Molly’s help to fake his suicide. In an emotional scene, he goes to Molly and asks her for assistance. When she agrees, he thanks her sincerely, kisses her on the cheek, and calls her “the one person who mattered the most.” This is very out of character for Sherlock and indicates he genuinely cares for Molly and trusts her deeply.
In the season 3 episode “The Empty Hearse,” after Sherlock returns from faking his death, he asks Molly to solve crimes with him as a sign of appreciation. She angrily turns him down, but this shows an attempt on his part to include her in his work, something he rarely does.
In the season 4 episode “The Final Problem,” Sherlock and Molly are put through an intense emotional test concocted by Sherlock’s sister Eurus. Eurus orders Sherlock to get Molly to say “I love you” to him in three minutes or she will detonate explosives in Molly’s apartment. Under this threat, Sherlock frantically tries to get Molly to say the words while minimizing the danger to her. When she does finally say them just before the timer runs out, there is a tender moment where they admit their true feelings for each other. Sherlock later confirms the words were true on both sides, “as I think we both know.”
While Sherlock may never act on romantic feelings given his solitary and cerebral nature, the depth of his connection to and need for Molly cannot be denied. She offers him unconditional support, empathy, and warmth that he deeply responds to. Of all the women in Sherlock’s life, Molly is the one who evokes the most human and emotional side of him.
Irene Adler
Irene Adler is another important female figure in Sherlock’s life, though their dynamic is quite different from his relationship with Molly. Irene was introduced in the season 2 premiere as a glamorous and crafty dominatrix involved in a political scandal. Sherlock is intrigued by Irene because she is an inscrutable mystery that engages his intellect – she even manages to fool him at points. This fascination continues throughout their interactions.
Irene enjoys sparring with Sherlock verbally and psychologically. She is bold and unapologetic in her sexuality, using her naked body strategically to distract and disarm him. Irene is the only woman to have bested Sherlock with her cunning, causing him to admire her intellect. She pushes him out of his comfort zone and forces him to confront physical desires and sentimental feelings he typically tries to repress.
In their final scene together in season 2, Irene indicates she has feelings for Sherlock when she texts him from witness protection: “Goodbye Mr. Holmes. I will miss you.” He does not directly respond to this but types out an unsent text that reads: “I will miss you too.” While subtle, this suggests some mutual affection between them. Irene is willing to show vulnerability around Sherlock in a way few others experience from her.
However, Sherlock never demonstrates the same level of emotional intimacy, hurt, or protectiveness towards Irene that he shows with Molly. His feelings appear to be primarily rooted in fascination with Irene’s mental acuity and her unusual status as someone who beat him. She stimulates his intellect but keeps herself at arm’s length on a personal level, maintaining an air of mystery.
Sherlock also disapproves of Irene’s manipulative tactics and criminal behavior, which temper his admiration of her. With Molly, he responds to her moral character and empathy as much as her assistance to him. So while Irene intrigues Sherlock as no other woman can, she does not seem to touch his heart in the same way that Molly does.
Comparison of Relationships
To summarize the key differences:
| Molly | Irene |
|---|---|
| Provides Sherlock with unconditional support and assistance | Challenges Sherlock and engages with him as an adversary |
| Good-hearted and guileless | Manipulative and crafty |
| Sherlock shows protectiveness and vulnerability with Molly | Sherlock is fascinated but guarded with Irene |
| Molly brings out Sherlock’s more emotional, human side | Irene stimulates Sherlock’s intellectual fascination |
| Molly offers Sherlock warmth, empathy, and moral grounding | Irene remains somewhat cold and amoral, keeping Sherlock at a distance |
While Sherlock may have some feelings of intrigue and even affection for Irene Adler, his relationship with Molly Hooper appears to reach greater emotional depth that penetrates his detached exterior.
Conclusion
Based on an analysis of their relationships in the BBC series, it seems clear that Sherlock has stronger, more vulnerable feelings towards Molly Hooper compared to Irene Adler. Molly’s generous spirit, loyalty, and fundamental goodness resonate with Sherlock on a deeper level, eliciting a tender protectiveness and reliance that he shows with no one else.
Irene fascinates Sherlock and challenges his intellect in unique ways. But she also represents some qualities like manipulation that Sherlock does not endorse. Molly’s essential goodness and care for Sherlock suggest she touches his heart in a more profound manner. When push comes to shove, Sherlock opened up his emotions to Molly, not Irene.
So while Sherlock may harbor some degree of affection for Irene Adler, his feelings for Molly run deeper and represent a truer emotional bond. Of the two women, Molly Hooper is the one who matters most to Sherlock and the only one to bring out his full human side. She can be considered his closest female friend and the woman who evokes the most tenderness within him.