Yeah, I also think that was an attempt to lampshade the hoods so they could keep them in as a reference. The details are a combination of Sherlock’s flair for the dramatic and his trouble trying to understand women. Even if Sherlock correctly “solved” this old case, he has no reason to think there were actually hoods, fires, and a gong involved.
Definitely setting up for something. “Redbeard” was also on Magnussen’s list of pressure points for Sherlock, but it was never really explained why.
Also on the list Sherlock gave to Mycroft were the words “Scarlet Roll”. I froze the picture to try to make out what drugs Sherlock took, but didn’t see any named; just the words “Redbeard” and “Scarlet Roll”, and some series of numbers.
When Holmes said, “It’s never twins!” I thought of Dr. House on House saying, “It’s never lupus!”
By the way, when Mycroft told his brother and Watson about the people trying to overthrow their way of life, Watson starting guessing. “Anarchists? The French?” and ended with “Suffragists?” I laughed. But he was right, essentially.
No. I really, really don’t like their Moriarty. 'Way too over the top, shrill and silly (and John Malkovich already did that with a pistol in In the Line of Fire).
Throw enough gum against the wall, something sticks.