The Extended Mind Palace Theory

The Extended Mind Palace Theory (EMP Theory or simply EMP for short) is a fan theory proposed as part of The Johnlock Conspiracy (TJLC). EMP Theory was originally developed through a discussion between Tumblr users gosherlocked, monikakrasnorada, and the-7-percent-solution in early 2016, before the release of the 4th Sherlock series.EMP Theory, or The Extended Mind Palace Theory. Posted 19 January 2016. Accessed 8 November 2019. 
At its core, EMP is a theory that much of Sherlock's later seasons don't actually take place in reality, because TPTB are smart and all the inconsistencies in the shows aren't because Sherlock is poorly written but because they're breadcumbs for a discerning fan to pick up on and solve the mystery. Instead, all these scenes take place in Sherlock's mind palace.
==History==
EMP Theory began with the-7-percent-solution's post from 18 January 2016:
which monikakrasnorada and gosherlocked then commented on:
gosherlocked, monikakrasnorada, and the-7-percent-solution continued to discuss this theory in reblogs through 19 January 2016.Tumblr post by gosherlocked. Posted on 19 January 2016. Accessed on 24 July 2018. On 19 January, gosherlocked posted a concrete explanation of the theory in a post entitled "EMP Theory, or the Extended Mind Palace Theory." By this point, however, other TJLC meta writers had picked up on the theory and added to it. On 1 August 2016, gosherlocked posted "My EMP/EDT Masterpost" to an alt account, reflecting further evolution and addenda to the original theoryMy EMP/EDT Masterpost. Posted on 1 August 2016. Accessed on 24 July 2018. and indicating that they believed the theory would extend into S4 of Sherlock:
EMP Theory remained popular. So popular, in fact, that people started asking other well-known Sherlock meta writers about it, asking for their opinions and thoughts on whether or not EMP Theory was a possibility. While many of these meta writers may have fallen into the camp of adding onto the theory like loudest-subtext-in-tv, at least two TJLC proponents were actively against the theory. warmth-and-constancy said, in response to an anonymous ask:
warmth-and-constancy followed that ask up with a short post further detailing their doubts about EMPTumblr Post. Posted 2 Aug 2016. Accessed 14 Nov 2019. and a longer post debunking the theory called "On the unlikeliness of EMP" where they thoroughly detail their reasoning for not believing EMP and stating that "TJLC and EMP are incompatible."On the unlikeliness of EMP. Posted 3 Aug 2016. Accessed 14 Nov 2019. This was followed by inevitably-johnlocked's meta titled EMP and the Narrative Structure of “Sherlock” which also details reasons why they don't believe EMP and boils their thoughts on EMP down to the line “You always want everything to be so clever” from the show itself.EMP and the Narrative Structure of “Sherlock”. Posted 6 Aug 2016. Accessed 14 Nov 2019. However, even with these dissenting opinions, people continued to discuss EMP as S4 drew closer. mylastvow commented on a S4 EMP speculation reblog chain with the following:
The nearing of S4 also caused more meta writers to add onto the theory. The most prominent of these additions came from loudest-subtext-in-tv, who expanded on the theoryEMP theory, and What Dreams May Come. Posted 13 January 2017. Accessed 8 November 2019. and offered additional evidence in support of it while raising new questions to consider over the course of 2016, and as the fourth series aired.EMP Theory from HLV to TLD. Posted 21 Jan 2017. Accessed 8 November 2019. 
The theory also crossed over from the purely fannish space of Tumblr to more mainstream discussion, with Frank Hablawi of Non-Productive discussing EMP in a post titled "Unnerving Theories for Sherlock: Season 4." 
When Sherlock ended, loudest-subtext-in-tv added onto their original EMP post with an addendum, speculation about the secret fourth episode.Reblog Addition to "EMP Theory from HLV to TLD". Posted 19 Jan 2017. Accessed 14 Nov 2019.
==Further Reading==
* EMP Theory tag on loudest-subtext-in-tv's blog
* Extended Mind Palace tag on gosherlocked's alternate blog, stillgosherlocked
==References==
Category:Fan TheoriesCategory:SherlockCategory:The Johnlock Conspiracy
Category:Sherlock Fandom Glossary