Moriarty is a Woman

[Julia Mae]

Starting with TRF: In the Canon, in "The Final Problem," Watson writes the story of Sherlock's death (and that of Professor Moriarty) to refute the story told by the brother of Professor Moriarty - James Moriarty.  Doyle forget after ten years that he named the brother this and calls the Professor "James."  We'll decide Watson got confused. So -

 

The Killer Cabbie never refers to Moriarty by gender.  Not once.  It's always "fan," "sponsor," or "they're."  When he gives up the name, it's last name only.  In SiP, Sherlock assumes the killer is a man, statistically more likely.  He assumes Harry is a woman, also reasonable and statistically likely.

 

At the end of TBB, Moriarty kills the only person who can lead anyone to identify who Moriarty is.  No picture on the screen, no voice on the phone.  Moriarty is fanatical about maintaining anonymity.  In TGG, the old woman is killed for even describing Moriarty's voice.  Sherlock says it, "He killed the old lady because she started to describe him."  Sherlock assumes Moriarty is a man. But Moriarty was always going to kill her because if rescued she would have described that voice - completely - "he sounded so soft - "  ....like a woman....  Is Moriarty really going to go through all these things to be anonymous and casually stroll into Sherlock and John's view at the pool?  Then leave them alive?

 

When Sherlock gets the envelope there is a pink phone in it.  Why?  To tell him he is dealing with the same entity as in SiP: Moriarty.  And maybe to give him the answer to the question repeated so many many times by so many characters: why is Moriarty doing this? 

 

The envelope was personally addressed to Sherlock in a woman's handwriting using a Parker Duofold Fountain Pen with an iridium nib. James didn't address the envelope containing the pink phone.

 

The first words Moriarty says to Sherlock through the first victim?  "Hello, Sexy."  Moriarty knows just how to "fascinate" Sherlock Holmes, to be "delightfully interesting." . When he gets the second call in Lestrade's office, he  doesn't walk the phone back into the office where John and Lestrade are.

Instead, he walks away, actually glancing over his shoulder to be sure he is not overheard.  "Is this you again?" he asks quietly.   Moriarty tells him:

    "This is between you and me."

 

It's personal, private. (Professor Moriarty: Out of the Shadows 2) 

 

Sherlock tells John he checked out Carl Powers' classmates and "All the living classmates check out, no connection."  Living classmates?   They should be about Sherlock's age, how many dead classmates did he have?  Lots of dead people who aren't dead in this show, could one of the dead classmates have faked their death to assume a new identity?

 

Who would Carl Powers laugh at that would be so hurtful he could be killed for it?  Maybe some awkward girl with a crush on the swimming champion?  Maybe keeping the shoes that could cause the killer to be convicted, surely best disposed of, as a souvenir of first love?  First kill?  Maybe not older than Carl as John suggests but younger? 

 

The sponsor is "more than a man."  Brother and sister?  "The clue's in the name."  Janus cars.  In mythology, the two faces of Janus were also thought to be that of a man and woman, a brother and sister.

 

This is the limb I'm climbing out on.  Saws at the ready! 

 

Sherlock taking a personal call.

 

(This post comes before the one above:

Professor Moriarty: Out of the Shadows 1 )

 

 

 

[Bakerstreet Irregular]

Maybe not so much of a limb as you might think, or do I bring my own saw?...or just fall with you....which ever it may be a short drop after all.

 

Yes, after the canon "Final Problem" Professor Moriarty never makes a physical return. But this thing of Moffat and Gatiss is not strictly canon and with all the clues you have mentioned nothing is impossible. It will be interesting where they take it in Season Three and the last episode is supposed to be another cliff hanger. I only hope and pray that there is a Season 4. Hate cliff hangers if there is nothing in the offering afterwards.

[Julia Mae]

Maybe not so much of a limb as you might think, or do I bring my own saw?...or just fall with you....which ever it may be a short drop after all.

 

Yes, after the canon "Final Problem" Professor Moriarty never makes a physical return. But this thing of Moffat and Gatiss is not strictly canon and with all the clues you have mentioned nothing is impossible. It will be interesting where they take it in Season Three and the last episode is supposed to be another cliff hanger. I only hope and pray that there is a Season 4. Hate cliff hangers if there is nothing in the offering afterwards.

 

 

I read that both Mr. Cumberbatch and Mr. Moffat want to see Sherlock on the air for twenty years, as long as the Canon team existed, I think.  I also saw another piece where they are both, especially the actor, listed among the most powerful figures in entertainment in the UK.  I have a feeling they will get whatever they want, at least for a while.

 

I'm also willing to bet only a small percentage of Sherlock fans are at all familiar with the Canon and the revelation of another Moriarty will come as a surprise to them.  Unfortunately, the best candidate is Molly.  I don't want it to be Molly, the chemistry between her and Sherlock is too wonderful.  I want her around 20 years, also.  Miss Kitty to Matt Dillon.   Della Street to Perry Mason.  Molly to Sherlock. 

[Carol the Dabbler]

In the Canon, in "The Final Problem," Watson writes the story of Sherlock's death (and that of Professor Moriarty) to refute the story told by the brother of Professor Moriarty - James Moriarty.  Doyle forget after ten years that he named the brother this and calls the Professor "James."  We'll decide Watson got confused.

 

Or maybe Watson didn't get confused.  He also records his own wife mistakenly calling him "James."  Maybe he took delight in leaving obscure clues to his true identity, perhaps playful analogies to the James brothers who had recently terrorized the American West.

 

Likewise, in "The Great Game," John claims that he's headed for Sarah's, then just happens to arrive at the swimming pool with good ol' Jim.  Then there's that odd scene in "Scandal in Belgravia," where Sherlock and Irene are busily impressing each other, and John interjects, "Hamish!" (Scottish for James) followed by the lame excuse "... if you were looking for baby names."  What if he's actually reminding Irene, "You're getting carried away with your own cleverness -- just remember who's really in charge here."

 

I believe that Moriarty always refers to himself as "Jim" rather than "James" (please correct me if I'm wrong).  This may turn out to be significant.  I tend to think that the Moriarty we've already met was the professor, just as in the canon, and that we have yet to knowingly meet Colonel James Moriarty.  What if Colonel Moriarty and Captain Watson are one and the same?  (It doesn't actually matter which one is "real.")

 

OK, just being playful -- I sincerely hope! -- except for most of that last paragraph.

 

Your female Moriarty hypothesis is intriguing.  I can't offhand think of any other explanation for the handwriting on the envelope (other than Sherlock was wrong).  And what if Sherlock checked out only Carl Powers' male classmates (the sexist pig!)?

 

I've been saying for a while that I wouldn't be at all surprised to see Colonel Moriarty turn up on the show.  S/he might be someone we already know (but I agree, please not Molly!), or might be someone new -- Mary Morstan?

 

[Julia Mae]

Your female Moriarty hypothesis is intriguing.  I can't offhand think of any other explanation for the handwriting on the envelope (other than Sherlock was wrong).  And what if Sherlock checked out only Carl Powers' male classmates (the sexist pig!)?

 

I've been saying for a while that I wouldn't be at all surprised to see Colonel Moriarty turn up on the show.  S/he might be someone we already know (but I agree, please not Molly!), or might be someone new -- Mary Morstan?

 

I had assumed Watson was kidnapped off the street on his way to Sarah's, which was how he got to the pool.  Andm, what if Moriarty (of whatever identity) wasn't a classmate at all?  Opposing team member who'd have access to the locker room?  Laughed at by Carl for being a loser at a former meet?   Neighbor?  Family friends with the parents?  But I still think it's significant that Sherlock specifies "living" classmates.   No reason to include it unless the writer wants to show it to us later as a clue.  After all, they would be Sherlock's age, why would it occur the viewers that any of them are dead, anyway?   

 

I'm not too keen on the Mary Morstan idea because she is a minor in the Canon and she does die, so making her a Moriarty kind of robs the writers of the chance to write the award-nominating episode where she dies.   Sally is the obvious choice, but Molly is so perfectly set up for it.  Molly is a doctor.  Bart's is a teaching hospital.  That makes her a Professor if what I researched at a Bristish English site holds true.   She and James appear in the lab together, I mean, they even look like brother and sister.

 

But you might be right because in the Canon it's Professor Moriarty who appears at 221B to confront Sherlock, like James did after the trial.  

 

Thing is, could be we've seen "Professor Moriarty" and watched him die.  Moriarty is an Irish name associated with a family crest.  A black raptor (sometimes they say eagle) on a silver field.  I've been able to find two visual references to raptors in Sherlock: one on the shirt of the boy in the Killer Cabbie's taxi, and the wings painted  on the wall with IOU over them when Sherlock escapes with John.  The newspapers report Moriarty as "Irish-born."

 

If the Killer Cabbie, who was gunning for Sherlock all along, was the senior Moriarty, and he ends up dead with Sherlock in the room and no likely suspect in the shooting, James would owe Sherlock a fall.   I just cannot for the life of me find any other motivation that makes any sense for being obsessed with destroying Sherlock Holmes. 

 

 

[Bakerstreet Irregular]

After the discussion the fact that Jim Moriarty did follow pretty closely to canon the meeting between him and Sherlock at 221b almost letter perfect. The pause on the squeaky step while Sherlock pauses playing the violin on hearing it. Both knowing that each now knows that a confrontation is at hand.

 

I can't see Molly as the elder Professor Moriarty, like stated above, their chemistry is strong. Yes, Sherlock has been a right arse to her but he did a proper apology at the Christmas party and then he tells her that she was never invisible to him. He had always "seen" her. Plus she has helped him survive the jump. If she was the elder Moriarty no way would she have allowed him to walk away after the death of her younger brother. 

 

In canon, Moriarty goes after Holmes because the consulting detective is becoming a nuisance, interfering with some lucrative criminal activities. He gives dates as to when these happened. Sherlock is also proving to be a hindrance. He broke up an arm of the Black Lotus and maybe, to Moriarty's mind, caused the death of General Shan when he felt she had to be silenced so not to give any more about him away.  And maybe some of the other cases Sherlock solved caused Moriarty some losses. The figuring out of phone probably most certainly did.

[Carol the Dabbler]

 

I had assumed Watson was kidnapped off the street on his way to Sarah's, which was how he got to the pool.  And, what if Moriarty (of whatever identity) wasn't a classmate at all?  Opposing team member who'd have access to the locker room ... ?
 
I'm not too keen on the Mary Morstan idea ... but Molly is so perfectly set up for it.  Molly is a doctor.  Bart's is a teaching hospital.  That makes her a Professor ...
 
Moriarty is an Irish name associated with a family crest.  A black raptor (sometimes they say eagle) on a silver field.  I've been able to find two visual references to raptors in Sherlock: one on the shirt of the boy in the Killer Cabbie's taxi, and the wings painted  on the wall with IOU over them when Sherlock escapes with John....
 
If the Killer Cabbie, who was gunning for Sherlock all along, was the senior Moriarty, and he ends up dead with Sherlock in the room and no likely suspect in the shooting, James would owe Sherlock a fall.   I just cannot for the life of me find any other motivation that makes any sense for being obsessed with destroying Sherlock Holmes.

 

No, I don't really think it's Mary either.  I certainly don't want it to be, plus it would be so anti-canon.  I was half kidding about that.  (And definitely kidding about John!  Sorry, thought I had made that clear.)

 

Is Molly a doctor?  I've never been quite sure just what she is.  She's so subservient to Sherlock (and always available when he needs a gofer) that I'd think technician.  On the other hand, I believe she says that Van Coon and Lukas are on her list -- does that mean she did their autopsies?  Or merely that she was responsible for making sure they were properly dealt with?

 

Col. Moriarty wouldn't have to be someone we've already seen, s/he could simply show up as Col Moriarty -- or could be introduced as a seemingly minor non-canon character earlier in the same episode, the way "Jim" was.

 

My impression of why Jim Moriarty is out to "get" Sherlock is that he's the only real competition, and Jim has a super-competitive mentality, where if anyone comes even close, that threatens to make Jim a "loser."  Maybe that was the problem with Carl Powers, too -- perhaps as you suggest, young Jim was a competitive swimmer, and saw Carl as a threat.  (Odd that Sherlock never thought of that angle, because now that you mention it, it seems like an obvious possibility.)

 

I've been wondering about the significance of those wings in the graffiti (which I believe we see first when John makes his brief "emergency" visit to Baker Street).  You may be right about the Moriarty connection.  Not sure what "boy" you're referring to -- James Phillimore?

 

[Julia Mae]

In canon, Moriarty goes after Holmes because the consulting detective is becoming a nuisance, interfering with some lucrative criminal activities. He gives dates as to when these happened. Sherlock is also proving to be a hindrance. He broke up an arm of the Black Lotus and maybe, to Moriarty's mind, caused the death of General Shan when he felt she had to be silenced so not to give any more about him away.  And maybe some of the other cases Sherlock solved caused Moriarty some losses. The figuring out of phone probably most certainly did.

 

Moriarty is suicidal.  His Final Problem is "Staying Alive."  He wanted to die i at the pool as long as Sherlock died with him.  On the roof, he takes his own life, once convinced Sherlock is going to die, too.

 

This being the case, he has no motive to kill Sherlock to keep him from interfering in his criminal enterprises as he'll be dead.   If that was what he wnated, to get rid of Sherlock so he could keep on with his crime, he'd have just called off the killers and run his business from a prison cell he probably would escape from rather handily.  James wants to kill Sherlock so that he is free to die.  That's why he was so grateful when Sherlock convinced him he would do anything to get the information to save his friends.

 

And, Moriarty, in some form, has been trying to kill Sherlock Holmes specifically since the very first episode. (Tale of the Killer Cabbie)  That's before Sherlock knew Moriarty existed. 

 

[Julia Mae]

 

Is Molly a doctor?  I've never been quite sure just what she is.  She's so subservient to Sherlock (and always available when he needs a gofer) that I'd think technician.  On the other hand, I believe she says that Van Coon and Lukas are on her list -- does that mean she did their autopsies?  Or merely that she was responsible for making sure they were properly dealt with?

 

 

(This is the post I was answering when the forum went down!)  Anyway, according to  ForensicMed UK, only doctors do autopsies.  Molly says at Christmas Eve, "...I do post mortems."  I'm taking her at her word, though I have tried and tried to see what her nametage says in all the episodes and it's not readable.  Ever.  Makes me suspicious. 

 

Col. Moriarty wouldn't have to be someone we've already seen, s/he could simply show up as Col Moriarty -- or could be introduced as a seemingly minor non-canon character earlier in the same episode, the way "Jim" was.

 

That's true.  And, as both the Colonel and the Professor were called "James" in the Canon, and James wasn't called either in the show,  the next Moriarty might not be either or could be either. 

 

I've been wondering about the significance of those wings in the graffiti (which I believe we see first when John makes his brief "emergency" visit to Baker Street).  You may be right about the Moriarty connection.  Not sure what "boy" you're referring to -- James Phillimore?

The wings are first seen when Sherlock "takes John hostage" and escapes from police custody.  But it's a fleeting glimpse, and much better seen in daylight in the scene you refer to.  Here's a snip from the night before:

 

 

But I don't recall Molly saying anything about  Van Coon and Lukas, which is a great catch if correct.  I really dislike the Banker episode and haven't watched it much.   I'm going to go see if I can find the Molly scenes and pin it down.  Maybe I should check those transcripts you link to here.

 

I also don't recall mentioning a boy.  But my memory is problematic, at best, these days.

 

[Carol the Dabbler]

... according to  ForensicMed UK, only doctors do autopsies.  Molly says at Christmas Eve, "...I do post mortems."

Oh, you're right.  Though (playing Devil's Advocate), she could mean she assists.

 

 

The wings are first seen when Sherlock "takes John hostage" ...  But it's a fleeting glimpse, and much better seen in daylight in the scene you refer to.

You're right again. There's so much going on in that episode that I sometimes forget the sequence. I could have said that I first noticed them in the "emergency" scene, which would be the truth -- but not what I actually meant.

 

But I don't recall Molly saying anything about  Van Coon and Lukas...  Maybe I should check those transcripts you link to here.

 

I also don't recall mentioning a boy.

Using Ariane DeVere's transcript and the browser's Find function, it took me maybe a minute to find the bit about Van Coon and Lukas being on Molly's "list."  It's in the "pork or pasta" scene, shortly after this gem:

 

SHERLOCK: I’d stick with the pasta. Don’t wanna be doing roast pork – not if you’re slicing up cadavers.

... which also supports your Molly-is-a-doctor hypothesis, but again, could be interpreted as referring to a subsidiary role. OK, here:

 

SHERLOCK: Eddie Van Coon and Brian Lukis.

MOLLY (looking at the clipboard she’s holding): They’re on my list.

And you mentioned a boy thusly:

 

I've been able to find two visual references to raptors in Sherlock: one on the shirt of the boy in the Killer Cabbie's taxi

[Julia Mae]

 

But I don't recall Molly saying anything about  Van Coon and Lukas...  Maybe I should check those transcripts you link to here.

 

I also don't recall mentioning a boy.

Using Ariane DeVere's transcript and the browser's Find function, it took me maybe a minute to find the bit about Van Coon and Lukas being on Molly's "list."  It's in the "pork or pasta" scene, shortly after this gem:

 

SHERLOCK: I’d stick with the pasta. Don’t wanna be doing roast pork – not if you’re slicing up cadavers.

... which also supports your Molly-is-a-doctor hypothesis, but again, could be interpreted as referring to a subsidiary role. OK, here:

 

SHERLOCK: Eddie Van Coon and Brian Lukis.

MOLLY (looking at the clipboard she’s holding): They’re on my list.

And you mentioned a boy thusly:

 

I've been able to find two visual references to raptors in Sherlock: one on the shirt of the boy in the Killer Cabbie's taxi

 

See, I knew I was going to miss something important when I avoided watching TBB, I'm so glad you pointed it out.  DeVere has identified Molly as a lab assistant or something, but I don't think that can be considered Canon.  On the other hand, she gives the cabbie a name, and I never saw him have a name in the show, so where did that come from?  Do the transcripts come from an official source? 

 

Okay, "boy" -  sorry, my brain is old - here's a snip of the kids in the cab picture:

 

I don't know what sort of team or sport the shirt is supposed to represent.   The eagle, or just raptor, is considered a "demon of the air." 

 

Just as a side note, a "Hooper" is a kind of swan.  In Irish coat-of-arms reference:

 

Swan A musical person, poetry, harmony

In Ireland the Swan was regarded as the bird that bore the spirit of a dead Celtic Chieftain away to the next life.

That's from here: http://www.pjtv.tv/moriartycrests.htm

 

She does like to "dance" with Sherlock, Ms. Moriarty does.   Again, the last person I want to see be Moriarty is Molly, but if James was insane, then why would a sister be terribly well-adjusted?  Possibly she can have enough disintegration of personality to have more than one persona, if not actually having more than one personality.   She can love Sherlock and want to kill him at the same time.  Like celebrities have bizarre stalkers.  

 

I'm favoring her as child killer of Carl Powers.  I hate that I think this.  That's why I've never blogged it, but there's not much escaping that the killer cabbie was targeting Sherlock from the beginning, from before he and John moved in together.  From the October before the January 30th or whatever impossible date John's blog gives when ASiP takes place. 

 

In a fairy tale, the ugly duckling is raised by a false parent, with ducks and doesn't discover it's true identity until it's grown and becomes beautiful.

 

I'm WAY overthinking this and going off into fan cloud cuckoo land, right?

 

[Carol the Dabbler]

Right. Absolutely. Welcome to the club.
 

DeVere ... gives the cabbie a name, and I never saw him have a name in the show...  Do the transcripts come from an official source?

The cabbie is based on Jefferson Hope from A Study in Scarlet. The episode credits list him as "Jeff." But the name is not mentioned in the show itself. Ariane DeVere's transcripts are a labor of fannish love (with proofreading by Verity Burns).

[Carol the Dabbler]

Okay, "boy" -  sorry, my brain is old - here's a snip of the kids in the cab picture:

 

I don't know what sort of team or sport the shirt is supposed to represent.

Oh, that boy. Your brain may be a bit weary, but your eyes sure are sharp! I doubt that the eagle on his shirt was meant as a tie-in with Moriarty, but that's a good fanfic possibility!

 

 

Again, the last person I want to see be Moriarty is Molly, but if James was insane, then why would a sister be terribly well-adjusted?  Possibly she ... can love Sherlock and want to kill him at the same time....

The canon supports the idea of a second Moriarty, so such a person could well turn up on Sherlock sooner or later -- but I can't think of any reason why Moriarty II would have to be someone we've already seen on the show. So if you don't want Molly to be a baddie, just take a deep breath and don't go there.

[Bakerstreet Irregular]

I don't know why Jim Moriarty would be suicidal. There is some debate as to whether the bomb on John at the pool was even real and that was the reason that Moriarty wasn't particularly worried about himself being killed.

 

On the roof, yes, apparently he did commit suicide but only to keep himself from being used as a hostage and because he was sure that Sherlock would have no choice but to die.

 

I am a little confused here. Was Jim supposed to have been the mathematics "professor Moriarty"? Because Molly certainly isn't that either. If she is the other Moriarty I am going to be very disappointed in Moffat and Gatiss.

[Julia Mae]

Right. Absolutely. Welcome to the club.

 

 

I am literally laughing out loud!  Thanks, BTW, it's a club I'm honored to be cuckoo in!

 

The cabbie is based on Jefferson Hope from A Study in Scarlet. The episode credits list him as "Jeff." But the name is not mentioned in the show itself. Ariane DeVere's transcripts are a labor of fannish love (with proofreading by Verity Burns).

 

I see.  So, he could be (in the modern Sherlockian universe) be going under an "assumed" name.   And the reference to Molly as an assistant or technician or whatever is an assumption of Ms. DeVere's.  This leaves possibilities open.

 

 

The canon supports the idea of a second Moriarty, so such a person could well turn up on Sherlock sooner or later -- but I can't think of any reason why Moriarty II would have to be someone we've already seen on the show. So if you don't want Molly to be a baddie, just take a deep breath and don't go there.

 

 

I have to go there.  My brain got there before me.  And you're right,  I also don't see any obvious reason it would have to be someone we've already seen.  Except. it would be great drama and these are great writers.  They are going to have to draw it out.  First let us know there is another Moriarty.  Then let us know it's someone around Sherlock, someone we must have already seen.  Possibly we must assume someone extraneous to the Canon, someone they've invented.  That's the next thing that's supposed to engage us while we wait another two years for new episodes: who is Moriarty?  My hope is that they have set Molly up so perfectly to be Moriarty, they may be making her a red herring.

[Carol the Dabbler]

I don't know why Jim Moriarty would be suicidal. There is some debate as to whether the bomb on John at the pool was even real and that was the reason that Moriarty wasn't particularly worried about himself being killed.

Right, I see no reason to believe that John's vest was "live." Moriarty could have had Sherlock and John killed at any time by merely snapping his fingers, so why risk his own life? And even if he's that crazy, why would his hired guns (presumably top professionals) allow themselves to be put into such jeopardy? If Sherlock had pulled that trigger....

 

 

On the roof, yes, apparently he did commit suicide but only to keep himself from being used as a hostage and because he was sure that Sherlock would have no choice but to die.

That's my take on it, too.

 

 

I am a little confused here. Was Jim supposed to have been the mathematics "professor Moriarty"? Because Molly certainly isn't that either. If she is the other Moriarty I am going to be very disappointed in Moffat and Gatiss.

Who knows? (We've already seen what Moffat did to Irene Adler.) But I assume that Jim was sufficiently proficient in computers to fool the IT department, which is sort of a modern equivalent.

 

My assumption is that none of the canon characters will turn out to be baddies -- Sherlock, of course, but also John, Greg, & Mrs. Hudson (am I overlooking anyone?). And so far, I don't believe they've snuck in any disguised baddies (e.g., "Jim from IT") until the episode where they're revealed. None of that proves anything of course. But I also think they wouldn't mess with Molly without a damned good reason, if only because it would really piss off the fans.

[Julia Mae]

I don't know why Jim Moriarty would be suicidal. There is some debate as to whether the bomb on John at the pool was even real and that was the reason that Moriarty wasn't particularly worried about himself being killed.

He explains, himself, why he is suicidal: "Staying alive ... it's just ...staying...."   He's been searching for distraction all j his life, Sherlock was the best he'd found and now Sherlock is just ordinary.  He's also insane.  As to the bomb, I saw nothing in the show to support the bomb being anything but genuine.

 

On the roof, yes, apparently he did commit suicide but only to keep himself from being used as a hostage and because he was sure that Sherlock would have no choice but to die.

 

Exactly.  Which doesn't make sense if he is getting rid of Sherlock because of interference in criminal activity.  Once he's dead, what would he care?  He can't be a criminal anymore, what with being dead and all, so there's no point. 

I am a little confused here. Was Jim supposed to have been the mathematics "professor Moriarty"? Because Molly certainly isn't that either. If she is the other Moriarty I am going to be very disappointed in Moffat and Gatiss.

 

Well, as we say over and over, the characters in the show are based on the Canon, but aren't replicas.  In my theory, James is not a professor of any kind, nor was he in the Canon.  He was a Colonel.  The person giving the victims in TGG words to say over the pager is the real "Professor Moriarty."  That wasn't Jim.  The "sponsor" of the killer cabbie who is such a "fan" of Sherlock Holmes is the real Professor Moriarty.  That wasn't James, either.

 

So, Molly may not be a mathematics professor, but she can certainly be a "Professor."  She could have been Carl Powers math tutor at school.  Nerdy girl helping swimming jock with his homework.  She gets a crush, he laughs at her, she kills him.   Takes the shoes as souvenir.   Falls in love with Sherlock, gives him the shoes.

[Bakerstreet Irregular]

I agree that it could be someone we have seen but not considered....like Sherlock hiding in plan sight. Sarah? I'm still holding out hopes for Anderson......talk about the mind grabbing hold of something and not letting go so Molly vs Anderson. Could be interesting.

 

Insane, suicidal...ok. But as for there being no signs of the bomb being a fake, we all know how mindcanon works. We watch, begin to pick up nuances about the different scenes and characters and suddenly the brain latches onto something. At the pool Moriarty knows Sherlock has a gun and there is a supposed bomb laying on the floor. While Sherlock is aiming, Moriarty is studying. How far would this man truly go? What truly pushes his buttons. His head is tilted inquisitively.

 

There is nothing to give indication that Anderson and Molly are wacked out criminal masterminds, but our minds takes us there.

 

So Molly could be just plain Molly, pathologist, Sherlock's savior and friend. 

[Julia Mae]

There is nothing to give indication that Anderson and Molly are wacked out criminal masterminds, but our minds takes us there.

 

So Molly could be just plain Molly, pathologist, Sherlock's savior and friend. 

 

Molly can be just plain Molly.  I bring up the theory in order to have the discussion, not to convince anyone it's true. 

 

As for Anderson, my mind would never take me to him being anything but absolutely what he seems.  You can sell me Sally as Moriarty, though.  Not because she is so nasty, but because Moriarty calls her personal cell phone in TGG. Because he has to have someone inside Scotland Yard and right close to Lestrade.  Because she tries to keep Sherlock isolated, get rid of John Watson.  Because there's nothing attractive enough about Anderson to make her do what she did with him without ulterior motive.

 

[Bakerstreet Irregular]

Yay! Celebrations! My Firefox is working here again!! Overjoyed!

 

Yes....well....ahem....back to topic.

 

You can sell me Sally as Moriarty, though.  Not because she is so nasty, but because Moriarty calls her personal cell phone in TGG. Because he has to have someone inside Scotland Yard and right close to Lestrade.

Yes, that is rather good. I could go for Donovan. She is smart enough and good at manipulation.....prime example....Anderson.

And I have been waiting to see what kind of flack she gets for setting Lestrade and hence the Yard onto Sherlock for the kidnappings.

 

[Julia Mae]

Yay! Celebrations! My Firefox is working here again!! Overjoyed!

 

Yes....well....ahem....back to topic.

 

YAY!!!!  If my smilies worked I'd go find a dancing banana for you!! 

 

But alas, I am emoticonless.  :-(

 

[Carol the Dabbler]

My hope is that they have set Molly up so perfectly to be Moriarty, they may be making her a red herring.

 

Or maybe they made her so obvious that you'd assume she's a red herring -- so she actually is Moriarty! Mwa-ha-ha!

 

On the question of "is Molly a doctor?" -- the actual script of "Blind Banker" is available on the BBC website, and I have checked that scene.  The script calls her "Molly Hooper" the first time it refers to her, and "Miss Hooper" after that -- not "Dr. Hooper."

 

But note the line (which I have bolded) that didn't make it to the broadcast version:

 

 

SHERLOCK

Eddie Van Coon and Brian Lukis.

 

She recognises the names; checks her clipboard.

 

MISS HOOPER

Er... They’re on my list.

(Reads)

I did the post-mortems.

 

 

Could she have meant merely that she was there in some capacity?

 

 

 

 

Molly may not be a mathematics professor, but she ... could have been Carl Powers math tutor at school.  Nerdy girl helping swimming jock with his homework.  She gets a crush, he laughs at her, she kills him.   Takes the shoes as souvenir.   Falls in love with Sherlock, gives him the shoes.

That hangs together, but if it's true, I'll have to kill Moftiss, which would be awfully counter-productive.

 

 

 

 

Molly could be just plain Molly, pathologist, Sherlock's savior and friend.

 

Yes, please!

 

 

 

 

You can sell me Sally as Moriarty, though.  Not because she is so nasty, but because Moriarty calls her personal cell phone in TGG. Because he has to have someone inside Scotland Yard and right close to Lestrade.

 

We've already been shown one apparent insider -- a man who hasn't had any lines yet.

 

[Carol the Dabbler]

 

Yay! Celebrations! My Firefox is working here again!! Overjoyed!

 

YAY!!!!  If my smilies worked I'd go find a dancing banana for you!!

 

Yay, indeed! No bananas handy, but how about this?  

 

[Bakerstreet Irregular]

LOL....thank you Carol! I'll take it. Hmmm....I wonder if I am emotionless?  Here goes a test.

 

 

Well isn't that the strangest thing! They work until I submit the post and then they stop working. Curiouser and curiouser.

[Julia Mae]

 

My hope is that they have set Molly up so perfectly to be Moriarty, they may be making her a red herring.

 

Or maybe they made her so obvious that you'd assume she's a red herring -- so she actually is Moriarty! Mwa-ha-ha!

 

On the question of "is Molly a doctor?" -- the actual script of "Blind Banker" is available on the BBC website, and I have checked that scene.  The script calls her "Molly Hooper" the first time it refers to her, and "Miss Hooper" after that -- not "Dr. Hooper."

 

But note the line (which I have bolded) that didn't make it to the broadcast version:

 

 

SHERLOCK

Eddie Van Coon and Brian Lukis.

 

She recognises the names; checks her clipboard.

 

MISS HOOPER

Er... They’re on my list.

(Reads)

I did the post-mortems.

 

 

Could she have meant merely that she was there in some capacity?

 

Medical doctors in Great Britain, or at least in England from what I read, are commonly not called "Doctor," but addressed as "Mr."  (Unless they are female, in these modern times.) Except sometimes, which seems to depend on advanced training or position or something that confused me, when they are "Doctor," or "Professor."   I also wasn't sure if the source meant in the modern world or at some time in the past.  I'll try to do more research today.  

 

I'm also wondering if we can consider anything in a shooting script that doesn't make it on air as BBC Sherlock Canon?  In any case, this would be the second time they have put the words in her mouth that she does PMs.  In detective fiction, writers find ways to both leave the clues for the reader (viewer in our case) and disguise the clues so as to not make it obvious.  This would explain her being a doctor, but that fact being obfuscated.

 

 

 

 

You can sell me Sally as Moriarty, though.  Not because she is so nasty, but because Moriarty calls her personal cell phone in TGG. Because he has to have someone inside Scotland Yard and right close to Lestrade.

 

We've already been shown one apparent insider -- a man who hasn't had any lines yet.

 

Doesn't he say, "This way!" or something as they enter the candy factory?  Hardly a line of note, I suppose, so yes, we have.  But Mycroft will have someone inside, too.  Someone not so obvious as Lestrade.