Yeah, I guess I just thought he already knew the answer? And that it was expressed in his relationships with Joan, Alfredo, Bell, and Gregson? Which he already acknowledged himself in this episode! Which does support the reading that he does indeed view not being "one of them" as a bad thing.

But I still find the notion of the lone genius (especially when it's the protagonist who we're supposed to support or identify with, and especially if it's a white guy) who is outside of everyone else just...aggravating. Maybe I'm projecting some of that onto Sherlock and misreading his words a bit.

Anyway, I do agree that he's a decent guy, and I too am glad to see it. It's a big part of what works so well for me about this show.