Hey Tramp - welcome back.
Agreed that season 3 was enjoyable. They definitely humanized Cumberbatch's Sherlock, and surprisingly enough, Mycroft as well. I felt like the show went from being loosely arced one-offs to a seriously intense straight arc, and I'm not so sure I like that as much. It's not that I don't like it, more that the kind of arc they began in season three (loosely in season 2) requires a more character driven plot, rather than basic (if interesting) procedural. I imagine this is why they have to flesh out Sherlock's psyche and motivations, and I quite enjoyed that they opened the show to include his parents and Mycroft. I have a strong impression they will keep Mycroft as a staple and foil to further humanize Sherlock.
Monk was so Sherlock ("If you think I'm smart and anti-social, wait until you meet my brother - that guy makes me look normal!")
I also love how they're both so passé about their parents, but their mother turns out to be a genius. I'm still waiting on the big reveal about their dad (who claims he is a moron compared to the mom .... uhm. yeah right.)
Here's the thing: the john storyline was going to ultimately get boring because they married him off too soon. Mary is outstanding, but once they finally settle down to domestic bliss it will be back to procedural episodes. That is, unless they spice up Sherlock's life.
And they are trying. Valiantly.