SO awesome. Can't wait.

I like when a spoiler makes me really look forward to a show that I've wandered from a little. Like adding a spicy date night to an established relationship.

Elementary casts Irene Adler: [link]

The fact that she is doing a multi-episode arc makes me hopeful that Irene is not actually dead. It would be boring if all her appearances were in flashbacks. Plus, I'm quite keen to see her interacting with Joan.

"... If people are beginning to suspect there may have been some sort of romantic involvement, I'd say that's in the ballpark."

I don't understand this statement from the producers. I did not think romantic nature of the relationship between Sherlock and Irene was left in any doubt. Sherlock was "smitten." Joan said, "you were in love with her" and he did not deny it.

makes me hopeful that Irene is not actually dead.

I was sort of assuming that was the case. I don't know why, really. I just got a vibe. It was vibey.

Same here. What's the point of bringing in someone like Dormer if she's not there in the flesh to do Sherlock the maximum psychological damage? Sherlock has been doing so well and he and Joan are so fucking adorable together -- that can't last too long if the writers want to go to a more arc-y place. Narratively, he is kinda due for an arrow through his heart.

I was sort of assuming that was the case. I don't know why, really. I just got a vibe. It was vibey.

There was definitely a vibe from the beginning that she wasn't dead. I think she probably faked her death and it had something to do with Moriarty.

Definitely vibey.

Looks like TVLine spilled the beans: [link] (beware of a truckload of spoilery info on season finales of something like 30 different shows):

As Sherlock reels at the reappearance of his former lover, Irene Adler (Natalie Dormer), a series of flashbacks unravel the tumultuous events that led to his downfall into addiction. Meanwhile, he and Joan once again find themselves in the crosshairs of the enigmatic Moriarty.

Ah, excellent.