I've Totally Fallen for "The Reichenbach Fall"!

[rusty_armour]

I had all these things I wanted to say, ideas I was formulating in my mind while watching "The Reichenbach Fall". However, I was so blown away by the ending that I'm just sitting here in shock and amazement. Actually, I'm still trying to work out how the fuck Sherlock did it? How did he fake his own death when to all appearances he was dead -- and in front of witnesses, no less? I did notice that the staff of Bart's wouldn't let John get too close -- in much the same way Holmes made sure Watson wouldn't get too close to him in "The Adventure of the Dying Detective" because he knew Watson (as a doctor) would figure out that he wasn't really ill. I wonder if this is what Sherlock asked Molly to do? Help him fake his death? I thought Sherlock looked surprised and stunned when Moriarty told him he would have to commit suicide, but, then, "Richard Brook" isn't the only one who's an actor. And, after all, Sherlock and Moriarty are the same person, right?

I feel as if nothing I could write could possibly do justice to this episode, so I'll just record some of my geeky fangirl observations. Okay, the first observation isn't really Sherlockian, but just my glee over the fact that Sherlock retrieved that painting of the Reichenbach Falls from my favourite painter of all time, J.M.W. Turner! Yeah, I know. I'm sorry. However, the next moment of excitement for me was Sherlockian because Moriarty breaking into the Tower of London had to be an allusion to the Tower of London jewel heist Moriarty carried out in my second favourite Basil Rathbone film, The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes. For that matter, Moriarity was on trial at the beginning of that film, but he got off because Holmes didn't arrive in time with the crucial evidence. Hmm...Of course, the main source material for the episode was "The Final Problem". I loved the way Moriarty kept referring to "the final problem," which was a nice nod to canon Holmes fans. This episode also included what I believe was almost an exact quote from "The Final Problem," that famous comparison Holmes makes to Moriarty being like a spider in a web:

He sits motionless, like a spider in the centre of its web, but that web has a thousand radiations, and he knows well every quiver of each of them.

Stephen Thompson also recreates that confrontation scene between Holmes and Moriarty at Baker Street, though it plays out quite differently in "The Reichenbach Fall". Nevertheless, Moriarty's message is the same: I'm going to destroy you. And, speaking of destruction, I thought it was brilliant that Sherlock's downfall didn't involve his death but the total annihilation of his reputation. As a shameless Lestrade fan, I really enjoyed watching our poor DI fight against the seeds of doubt that had been planted in his head. I'm not sure if he entirely believed that Sherlock was involved in the kidnapping. He did try to warn Sherlock and wasn't happy about the arrest. Of course, that was nothing compared to that final conversation between Sherlock and John. It was heartbreaking to see Sherlock tearfully tell John that he was a fraud, sacrificing himself in order to save his three friends. It's fantastic that the note left at Reichenbach Falls in "The Final Problem" became a phone call here. I wonder if it was worse for John to see Sherlock "die" than it was for Watson to imagine what Holmes's "death" was like at Reichenbach Falls. Lastly, it was fabulous to see John give his own version of the "best and wisest man whom I have ever known" canon quote at the cemetary and catch that glimpse of Sherlock watching John, much as Holmes watched Watson at Reichenbach Falls after he faked his death.

I'll be waiting with bated breath until the next new episode is broadcast.

Comments

[bwblack.livejournal.com]

So much good Lestrade fodder for fic with the doubt. I tend to agree on the wasn't sure he believed Sherlock was guilty why else place the call? In fact I spec he and John work together to clear Sherlock's reputation in the interim because Lestrade will need to for any conviction on any case he's handled to be upheld and John out of devotion. Much much much good fodder for fic.

Not as much champy fun as Hounds but man that was good. Also, nice for Molly to have a moment where she genuinely is heard.

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

So much good Lestrade fodder for fic with the doubt.

Oh, definitely! I'm looking forward to seeing what fic writers come up with! :-)

I tend to agree on the wasn't sure he believed Sherlock was guilty why else place the call? In fact I spec he and John work together to clear Sherlock's reputation in the interim because Lestrade will need to for any conviction on any case he's handled to be upheld and John out of devotion. Much much much good fodder for fic.

Oh, excellent point! I've been thinking myself that there might be an inquiry into all the past Scotland Yard cases that Sherlock worked on. I'm also wondering if Lestrade might get suspended or possibly even fired. Well, whatever happens, I really like your idea that John and Lestrade would work together to clear Sherlock's reputation. As you pointed out, John would do it out of devotion. For Lestrade, I think it would be partly to clear his own reputation and partly out of loyalty to both Sherlock and John.

Not as much champy fun as Hounds but man that was good.

Yes, "Hounds" was more fun and certainly lighter in tone than this episode. However, I still got a huge amount of enjoyment out of "The Reichenbach Fall".

Also, nice for Molly to have a moment where she genuinely is heard.

Yes, that was fantastic to see. It almost makes up for everything we've seen Sherlock put her through. *g*

[funkyinfishnet.livejournal.com]

I was pretty destroyed by the episode. I cried and had trouble sleeping. I knew it was going to be bleak but wow, was what bleak. I hope that when Sherlock returns, the first thing John does is punch him. It would be in character. Truly epically brilliant ep, but don't think I'll be watching it when its on DVD. It was just all a bit much for emotional old me :S

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry the episode upset you so much. As much as I enjoyed it, I did find it disturbing. I know I've found myself thinking about it the last two nights, so I don't blame you for having trouble sleeping after watching it. However, I didn't find it bleak so much as dark. If we hadn't seen Sherlock alive and well in the cemetary, I might have thought it was bleak. As long as Sherlock is still alive (not that I thought he would really be killed off), there's still hope.

I hope that when Sherlock returns, the first thing John does is punch him. It would be in character.

Yeah, I can't see John fainting the way Watson does in "The Empty House". And seeing John punch Sherlock would be so satisfying. *g*

Truly epically brilliant ep, but don't think I'll be watching it when its on DVD. It was just all a bit much for emotional old me :S

I understand. I can think of episodes from two shows that I never want to watch again because I found them too dark and/or depressing.

[radiogaga80.livejournal.com]

My current theory is that he jumped into that truck with rubbish bags and climbed out for Watson to find him. The cyclist was set up by Mycroft to prevent Watson to get too close too soon. But there are plenty of arguments against that theory too...

(although I love the "he minimized himself and then crawled into a robotic replica of himself a la Doctor Who" theory. *g*)

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

My current theory is that he jumped into that truck with rubbish bags and climbed out for Watson to find him. The cyclist was set up by Mycroft to prevent Watson to get too close too soon. But there are plenty of arguments against that theory too...

Yeah, but didn't we see Sherlock hit the pavement? I'll have to watch the scene again to see if our view of him falling is obscured at any point. I do agree with you about the cyclist being a diversion as he seemed to be a little too conveniently placed. *g*

(although I love the "he minimized himself and then crawled into a robotic replica of himself a la Doctor Who" theory. *g*)

Well, when you've eliminated the impossible... *g* Right now, it really does seems like the only possible theory, but I know there will be some brilliant explanation for how the trick was done.

[radiogaga80.livejournal.com]

Yeah, but didn't we see Sherlock hit the pavement? I'll have to watch the scene again to see if our view of him falling is obscured at any point.
I think that we, like John, only see what we *think* we see (or rather, what Sherlock wants us to see). Yes, Sherlock plummets off the roof but we never see him actually hit the pavement. A dark-haired man dressed like Sherlock hits the pavement - but is it actually Sherlock? Also, I'm sure Mycroft has a helping hand in the whole matter.

[puckrobin.livejournal.com]

The Teselecta, Rusty. That's how he escaped. Sherlock inside a Sherlock-suit.

Sure, it's a rather shoddy solution to a long-term mystery, but that hasn't stopped Moffat and crew before.

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

Well, when you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable [or unwanted], must be the truth. And, as you've pointed out, it hasn't stopped Moffat and crew before. *g*

[puckrobin.livejournal.com]

My theory -- before I saw any trailers for this season -- was that the death was too hard to get out of in the 21st century, and instead Sherlock would need to implicate himself in order to take Moriarty down. And it would end with both of them in prison.

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

Well, your theory was pretty close to what happened. I mean, Sherlock was literally arrested and was a fugitive from the law. It's just that Moriarty set him up. ;-)

[puckrobin.livejournal.com]

The question is ... was Sherlock simply Moriarty`s victim? After all, Moriarty lost his identity just as much as Sherlock lost his. To the world at large, Jim Moriarty wasn't a consulting criminal ... merely the front man for Sherlock Holmes.

Could Moriarty have played into the hands of the Holmes brothers? It leaves Sherlock in a great position to take over much of Moriarty's gang and destroy it from within.

While Moriarty may have a few allies in the know, most of his network wouldn't know what was going on. They know it wasn't all a fantasy. There were probably hundreds of Moriarty jobs not foiled by Sherlock Holmes. So, they know someone was committing those crimes. What if the average Moriarty supporter believes that Holmes was the power behind the scenes. They think the actor Holmes hired to divert suspicion turned traitor. They might think Holmes needed to eliminate that Rich Brook and then fake his own death. Once the assassins are out of the way, Holmes could emerge and take control.

[karen9.livejournal.com]

I watched this last night. Amazing episode! Thanks for the review. I didn't pick up all the allusions to the books and films, of course, being a mild fan not a "geeky fangirl" in this case!

Actually, I'm still trying to work out how the fuck Sherlock did it? It definitely looked like Sherlock lying there dead.

my favourite painter of all time, J.M.W. Turner! Mine, also!

I'm worried about Lestrade! With Sherlock supposedly a fraud won't Lestrade be sloshing around in the proverbial soup?

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

I watched this last night. Amazing episode! Thanks for the review. I didn't pick up all the allusions to the books and films, of course, being a mild fan not a "geeky fangirl" in this case!

I'm really happy you enjoyed the episode! :-) And I wouldn't worry about not being a geeky fangirl as it probably means that you get out more than I do and lead a richer and more fulfilling life. *g*

Actually, I'm still trying to work out how the fuck Sherlock did it? It definitely looked like Sherlock lying there dead.

Yes, it looked that way to me too. radiogaga80 is arguing that we saw was what John was expecting to see. Maybe the body on the ground was similar to Sherlock (e.g. height, build, clothing, suitable wig) and John bought into it. However, that still leaves the question of where Sherlock went after he jumped off the building because it certainly looked like him taking that leap!

my favourite painter of all time, J.M.W. Turner! Mine, also!

Really? That's AWESOME! Small world, eh? :-)

I'm worried about Lestrade! With Sherlock supposedly a fraud won't Lestrade be sloshing around in the proverbial soup?

Yeah, I'm worried about Lestrade too. As I said to bwblack, I think there's going to be an inquiry into all the cases Sherlock was involved with. I also wouldn't be surprised if Lestrade was suspended and possibly even fired. bwblack predicts that John and Lestrade will work together to clear Sherlock's name, which would help clear Lestrade's name in the process. John would do it out of devotion to Sherlock (though I'm sure he would like to help Lestrade out as well). Of course, I'm sure Lestrade's motivations wouldn't be entirely selfish and he'd be doing it for both Sherlock and himself.

As John didn't want to return to Baker Street, I hope he becomes Lestrade's flatmate. I'm pretty sure that won't happen in the show, but I bet it will happen in fic. *g*

[karen9.livejournal.com]

And I wouldn't worry about not being a geeky fangirl as it probably means that you get out more than I do and lead a richer and more fulfilling life. *g*
I am a geeky fangirl in the case of some other fandoms!

We both have good taste, so it's not surprising we both like Turner!

As John didn't want to return to Baker Street, I hope he becomes Lestrade's flatmate. I'm pretty sure that won't happen in the show, but I bet it will happen in fic. *g* That would be good! I hope you'll write some fic yourself? If not, can you recommend another writer?

[alysscarlet.livejournal.com]

Thanks for pointing out all the canon geeky references!

I thought it was an excellent episode, really mind-boggling. And Moriarty was properly scary.

I don't know exactly how Sherlock did it, but it involves Molly somehow, and it was definitely rigged as Sherlock was very particular about where Watson was standing during the phone call and he couldn't see where SH landed. There was also a convenient rubbish truck going past, full of bags. The person on the pavement certainly looked very like Sherlock (pale eyes etc) but did we only see him through the dazed eyes of John who saw what he expected to see? It certainly wasn't Moriarty's body, which would have been the obvious suggestion.

On a more emotional level, I found it more difficult to believe. I know that what went on between the superior brains of Sherlock and Moriarty is very complicated, but I couldn't believe that Moriarty would ever imagine that Sherlock would sacrifice himself to save others, and that seemed a flaw in the whole plan. Sherlock thinks he is too special and superior for that. We've been told explicitly that Sherlock thinks he has no friends except John, and he didn't show any inclination to go and see Mrs Hudson when he was told she was dying. And he shows little regard for Lestrade. So why should he destroy himself for them?

So if Moriarty didn't really think that Sherlock would kill himself, what was going on? Was loss of reputation enough? I'm lost in the double-think. And had Sherlock anticipated all this with Moriarty before he went up onto the roof to meet Moriarty, and had therefore made suitable arrangements with Molly for cadavers of a suitable size and shape, cyclists to knock down John and a convenient passing rubbish truck? My mind is boggling....

Any enlightenment gratefully received!

[radiogaga80.livejournal.com]

We've been told explicitly that Sherlock thinks he has no friends except John, and he didn't show any inclination to go and see Mrs Hudson when he was told she was dying. And he shows little regard for Lestrade. So why should he destroy himself for them?

The reason why he didn't go with John to see mrs. Hudson was that he wanted John out of the way and only something very serious would make John leave. It reminded me off the original story where Holmes and Watson go up to the Reichenbach fall and Watson is called back by a local because a woman is in need of a doctor. Watson goes back to the hotel while Holmes continues his journey, and he discovers that Holmes was behind it.

The reason why Holmes would destroy himself for the others is, I think, deep down he really does care about them and if there's anything he can do to prevent them from harm he will do it. And there wasn't really an alternative: there was no way he could prevent all three assassins from killing their targets.

To me, it showed the major difference between Moriarty and Holmes: Holmes appears to not care about people as it's only a distraction to him solving a problem whereas Moriarty really doesn't care about people's lives.

on a sidenote: is this the alysscarlet who used to run a website for Ray Winstone?

[alysscarlet.livejournal.com]

Thanks for your thoughts, radiogaga80, very helpful.

So the call about Mrs Hudson was set up by Sherlock, rather than by Moriarty... I didn't know the canon reference, but that makes things clearer.

I'm not entirely convinced that Holmes really does care about people under the gruff exterior (that seems a bit of a cliche to me). But I guess those who are more familiar with the canon can say if it is indeed the case, regardless of my preferences.

And yes, I am indeed the Alys Scarlet who used to run the Ray Winstone website. In fact, it's still online, preserved in aspic, but I don't have time to update it any more. :-)

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

radiogaga80 pretty much covered everything -- and quite beautifully, I might add -- but I'll just add my two cents as well. *g* I agree with you that Sherlock's "death" involved Molly and was something that was very carefully planned and executed. I mean, Sherlock was the one who chose the location for his meeting with Moriarty, so he could have worked out all kinds of details beforehand. I'm guessing that he intended to fake his death all along. I mean, his reputation is in ruins and he's a fugitive from the law. If he pretends to be dead then he's got some much needed breathing room.

As radiogaga80 said, the message was intended to get John out of the way. This echoes the fool's errand Watson is sent on in "The Final Problem". I'm assuming that Sherlock arranged to have the message sent in order to keep John away from Barts. He knew Mrs. Hudson hadn't been shot, which is why he seemed so cold-hearted about the whole thing.

I think Sherlock's gifts are everything to him. He loves being clever and needs to solve puzzles not only to keep his brain occupied but to show off. Keep in mind that with his reputation ruined, no one is going to go to him with their problems, which means he'll have nothing to solve. Besides, I don't think Moriarty thought Sherlock would kill himself for that reason. He really did expect him to sacrifice his life to save his friends. We've seen how much he cares about John and Mrs. Hudson at least. And as Moriarty points out in "The Great Game," Sherlock does have a heart even if he doesn't want to admit it.

[alysscarlet.livejournal.com]

Thanks Claire! I really think I need to rewatch the episode, although I too found it most unsettling and I'm not sure I want to see it all again!

I hadn't realised there was a canon equivalent to the call about Mrs Hudson, arranged by Sherlock, rather than Moriarty, so that helps.

It's really tough that poor John has to suffer so much and not know that Sherlock is still alive. If I was John I'm not sure I would ever forgive him for that when I found out.

That's a good point about Sherlock's need to solve puzzles. I'm still a bit ambiguous about the idea of Sherlock with a heart under the gruff exterior, which seems like a cliche to me. But if it has a canon precendent then who am I to argue. :-)

[radiogaga80.livejournal.com]

Hey, not sure whether this actually helps but apparently we've missed something. According to Steven Moffat, "I've been online and looked at all the theories," Moffat told the Radio Times. "And there's one clue that everyone's missed."
He added: "It's something that Sherlock did that was very out of character, but which nobody has picked up on."
(my source: http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/s129/sherlock/news/a360733/steven-moffat-sherlock-fans-have-missed-big-clue.html)

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

Oh, man. Now I definitely have to go back and rewatch the episode -- not that I'm likely to figure it out even with Moffat's clue! *g*

[alysscarlet.livejournal.com]

Hehe, IMO the thing he did that was very out of character was JUMP! But I think you're right that this merits a rewatching...

[tazzles.livejournal.com]

I absolutely bawled my eyes out watching the end of this. For a long time after. This just broke my heart.

I look forward to seeing how they explain Sherlock's death. That bike rider who got in John's way, the way the staff wouldn't let John get too close (like you said - although they may not anyway so that they could assess and get to work resuscitating, if appropriate, and family members in the way in a serious situation can be troublesome), and the way we don't see the entire fall (if there's a mattress or awning involved, I'm going to be pissed!).

I loved Molly in this ep. How Sherlock asked her for help. How perceptive she was. And John was just fantabulous. Loved him confronting Mycroft.

I'm glad there's going to be a 3rd series. I just wish we knew how long. Probably not this year, eh?

[rusty-armour.livejournal.com]

I absolutely bawled my eyes out watching the end of this. For a long time after. This just broke my heart.

Yes, the ending was completely heart-breaking. I have to confess that my mind still wanders back to the episode -- and it's been two weeks since I watched it!

I look forward to seeing how they explain Sherlock's death. That bike rider who got in John's way, the way the staff wouldn't let John get too close (like you said - although they may not anyway so that they could assess and get to work resuscitating, if appropriate, and family members in the way in a serious situation can be troublesome), and the way we don't see the entire fall (if there's a mattress or awning involved, I'm going to be pissed!).

I'm guessing that all of these things will either play a part in the explanation or will turn out to be red herrings thrown in to confuse viewers. I'm not sure how I feel about a mattress or awning. I think I'd prefer it over some explanations. We did see a body hit the ground, but it could have been dropped from a lower height, unless it was a dead body to begin with...I know at least one person who thinks that we didn't see what actually happened, but what John thought he saw.

I loved Molly in this ep. How Sherlock asked her for help. How perceptive she was.

It was great to see Molly finally being appreciated in this episode, though I think Sherlock has probably put her in a tough position. Hell, Sherlock has put everyone in a tough position. *g*

And John was just fantabulous.

John was incredible in this episode! I think Martin Freeman will at least be nominated for some more awards this year. :-)

Loved him confronting Mycroft.

That scene was great, though I felt bad for Mycroft. Yeah, okay. He screwed up. However, he did it for the right reasons. And considering how protective he is of his brother, I can only imagine how horrified he must have been when he realized his mistake.

I'm glad there's going to be a 3rd series. I just wish we knew how long. Probably not this year, eh?

I heard next year, though I don't know exactly when in 2013. As about a year and a half passed between the first and second series (if my math is correct), I'm guessing they'll air the third series in the spring or summer of 2013.