Post Your Moriarty Theories (Spoilers)

[Jim Moriarty]

Wow, the ending of Series 3 is one of my all time favourite cliffhangers. The moment the TV screens came on and showed the back of a man's head I just knew it was Moriarty. My heart started beating rapidly and I just got so excited. Since Moriarty killed himself in Series 2 I hoped he would return, that killing himself was a fake and all part of his master plan. But my hopes were extinguished by various interviews with Gatiss, Moffat and Andrew Scott, who all conclusively ruled out his return. I believed them because people rarely point blank lie about TV shows, and this made the reveal incredibly shocking. For 5 minutes after the cliffhanger I was incredibly excited that Moriarty was returning, but then I began to wonder. We only saw a GIF. The after credits scene doesn't necessarily have to be canon. And the more I thought about it the more I realised Moriarty maybe isn't back. I will be incredibly annoyed if Moffat and Gatiss are screwing with the fans UNLESS there is a very satisfying alternative solution to the cliffhanger. I have considered various possible solutions:

 

Solution 1: Moriarty Faked his own Death

 

A Tesselecta owed Moriarty a favour. JUST KIDDING. The first time I saw his death scene I thought that it was perfectly possible that he faked his own death with a fake gun and fake blood. We were never shown a hole in his head. We never learned what happed to his body, except that it WASN'T found by the authorities because Lestrade didn't use that fact to challenge the theory that Sherlock used Moriarty's body to throw off the roof. I would be satisfied with this solution because I don't really care if they stray from the books and Moriarty is such a great arch-nemesis for sherlock.

 

Solution 2: Trick by Mycroft and Sherlock

 

Mycroft and Sherlock could have done it to avoid his banishment. But this would be incredibly predictable and BORING.

 

Solution 3: Moriarty Planned this before he Died

 

I think that this would be an interesting route to go down. Moriarty planned for the possibility of Sherlock surviving and planned a "Game" that would take place after his death. It could involve lots of pre-recorded messages from Moriarty which would allow us to see more new Moriarty scenes without him actually surviving.

 

Solution 4: It's a Trap for Sherlock from another Villain

 

Possibly a new villain, the remains of the Moriarty network, a Moriarty fan or Moriarty's brother (twin perhaps?)

 

Solution 5: Moriarty is Richard Brook

 

I think that this would be a very interesting solution. Moriarty really is a character played by Richard Brook. Richard Brook plays an avatar of the real Moriarty, who has remained unseen throughout the series. Remember in the Series 1 finale, Moriarty used random victims as avatars to communicate through, and he didn't want anyone to know any details about him, even going as far as to kill the old woman when she started describing his voice to sherlock. He's doing thd same thing here on a much more elaborate scale. And Why go through all that trouble to keep your voice unknown if you we're going to reveal yourself to Sherlock and become so public in Series 2. Maybe Richard Brook WAS scared when Sherlock broke into his house and all the actor stuff was true. He is paid to be Moriarty's avatar, the acting job of his career. The true Moriarty is still out there, using a GIF of his avatar to let the world know he's back. Maybe the timing of his return wasn't a coincidence. Maybe CAM knew that Richard Brook was real or Moriarty's true identity and CAM's death allowed Moriarty to rise from the shadows.

 

Feel free to Post your theories on how you think the cliffhanger will be resolved.

[T.o.b.y]

Well, at least someone liked it. I bloody hate it. Sorry for being so blunt. I am however very relieved that this time, the ending will not cause me any sleepless nights and they left Sherlock in a happy situation; his four-minute exile over and returning happily to bring his "east wind" of adventure back to everybody's lives. It's not a cliffhanger for me at all, really.

 

But theories. Hm. Well, what I think they wrote or will write is that Moriarty faked his death too and is still alive. Why he would choose to plaster his face all over London, who knows. He's insane, anyway. What I wish they'd write is that he is still dead and somebody else is using his image and old video footage of him for his own purposes. Why that person would choose to plaster Moriarty's face all over London, no idea either. The most plausible explanation would be, actually, that it was Mycroft's doing, a trick on his side to justify bringing his brother back home. That is the only theory I can come up with which would explain why Moriarty's appearance takes place at exactly that particular time. But if this really turned out to be the solution, I'd be very surprised.

[Caya]

Well this forum is certainly drawing quite the crowd these days ... first Magnussen shows up here, and now Mr Moriarty. Welcome to the forum!

 

As for your theories, personally I'd prefer for Moriarty to be well and truly dead, but your theory #5 linking this to Magnussen's death is certainly intriguing.

[Jim Moriarty]

Thanks for the welcome.

[Carol the Dabbler]

Hey, welcome to Sherlock Forum, Jim Moriarty! 

 

Your possibility #5 is indeed a good one.

 

Also, I believe you're right, that Moriarty's body was never officially found, presumably meaning that the general public (and perhaps the police as well) assume he's been in hiding these past two years -- in which case it would make perfect sense (to them) for him to be "back."

 

As for us not seeing the true extent of his injury, it was explained (by Moftiss?) that the BBC does not allow anything that gory to be shown -- but even if that's true, it could also be a convenient excuse!

 

Personally, I think it's his brother, the canon's Col. Moriarty -- Jim's evil twin! 

 

[T.o.b.y]

Personally, I think it's his brother, the canon's Col. Moriarty -- Jim's evil twin! 

 

How evil do you have to be to be the evil twin of Jim Moriarty?

 

Speaking of Jim, the name "James" showed up quite a lot on series 3, didn't it. It was part of the skip code and it was Major Sholto's first name, changed from John.

[reeceyb]

OK so I have two theories when it comes to Moriarty.

 

Firstly someone else posted that they think he really is Richard brook and Moriarty is using him as a pawn just like the people he strapped bombs to. Also when they were at the pool, 'Moriarty leaves through one door and comes out another and says I'm changeable meaning that someone else is telling him what to do.

 

My other theory is that he has a twin brother, not too sure how likely this is to be true but that's the only thing I can see plausible if my first theory is wrong because you clearly see him shoot himself with blood all over the ground

[Caya]

Hello reeceyb and welcome to the forum!

 

I moved your post to the ongoing discussion about Moriarty, started by the man himself .

[leanne_maybe]

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Wow, the ending of Series 3 is one of my all time favourite cliffhangers. The moment the TV screens came on and showed the back of a man's head I just knew it was Moriarty. My heart started beating rapidly and I just got so excited. Since Moriarty killed himself in Series 2 I hoped he would return, that killing himself was a fake and all part of his master plan. But my hopes were extinguished by various interviews with Gatiss, Moffat and Andrew Scott, who all conclusively ruled out his return. I believed them because people rarely point blank lie about TV shows, and this made the reveal incredibly shocking. For 5 minutes after the cliffhanger I was incredibly excited that Moriarty was returning, but then I began to wonder. We only saw a GIF. The after credits scene doesn't necessarily have to be canon. And the more I thought about it the more I realised Moriarty maybe isn't back. I will be incredibly annoyed if Moffat and Gatiss are screwing with the fans UNLESS there is a very satisfying alternative solution to the cliffhanger. I have considered various possible solutions:

 

Solution 1: Moriarty Faked his own Death

 

A Tesselecta owed Moriarty a favour. JUST KIDDING. The first time I saw his death scene I thought that it was perfectly possible that he faked his own death with a fake gun and fake blood. We were never shown a hole in his head. We never learned what happed to his body, except that it WASN'T found by the authorities because Lestrade didn't use that fact to challenge the theory that Sherlock used Moriarty's body to throw off the roof. I would be satisfied with this solution because I don't really care if they stray from the books and Moriarty is such a great arch-nemesis for sherlock.

 

Solution 2: Trick by Mycroft and Sherlock

 

Mycroft and Sherlock could have done it to avoid his banishment. But this would be incredibly predictable and BORING.

 

Solution 3: Moriarty Planned this before he Died

 

I think that this would be an interesting route to go down. Moriarty planned for the possibility of Sherlock surviving and planned a "Game" that would take place after his death. It could involve lots of pre-recorded messages from Moriarty which would allow us to see more new Moriarty scenes without him actually surviving.

 

Solution 4: It's a Trap for Sherlock from another Villain

 

Possibly a new villain, the remains of the Moriarty network, a Moriarty fan or Moriarty's brother (twin perhaps?)

 

Solution 5: Moriarty is Richard Brook

 

I think that this would be a very interesting solution. Moriarty really is a character played by Richard Brook. Richard Brook plays an avatar of the real Moriarty, who has remained unseen throughout the series. Remember in the Series 1 finale, Moriarty used random victims as avatars to communicate through, and he didn't want anyone to know any details about him, even going as far as to kill the old woman when she started describing his voice to sherlock. He's doing thd same thing here on a much more elaborate scale. And Why go through all that trouble to keep your voice unknown if you we're going to reveal yourself to Sherlock and become so public in Series 2. Maybe Richard Brook WAS scared when Sherlock broke into his house and all the actor stuff was true. He is paid to be Moriarty's avatar, the acting job of his career. The true Moriarty is still out there, using a GIF of his avatar to let the world know he's back. Maybe the timing of his return wasn't a coincidence. Maybe CAM knew that Richard Brook was real or Moriarty's true identity and CAM's death allowed Moriarty to rise from the shadows.

 

Feel free to Post your theories on how you think the cliffhanger will be resolved.

I am with you on solution 5 - I thought that from when the scene with 'Richard Brooke' was on, but I didn't think an actor would be prepared to kill himself for a scene! But then the actor could have been told the gun wasn't really loaded, or could have been told, like Sherlock, that if he didn't do it, people he loved would be killed....he did seem so unhinged though! I suppose the brother theory is closer to canon, though.

[leanne_maybe]

I read a suggestion on another page that Janine could be 'Janine Moriarty'....Janine isn't too far from the feminine of James,and Watson's brother changed gender in this series!

[Zain]

Intriguing idea, your number 5.

I also consider it somewhat fishy that Moriarty "returns" just in time to save the day for Sherlock and right after Magnussen's death. It's not a direct reaction to Sherlock's return, there are months between that.

 

I consider it possible that Magnussen had something on Moriarty and due to his untimely death, Moriarty now is able to show his face once more. If that's true, it must be something personal. Magnussen collects secrets. It must be something that would force Moriarty to keep a low profile, the disadvantage must be great enough to warrant him bowing to Magnussen. Identity or family secret, more than likely. Would fit well with a brother. I also read a theory that mentioned Jim to be the third Holmes brother. Not my personal favorite but worthy of note.

 

Moriarty's return also fits well with Sherlock's "departation". Maybe a plot to keep him here. Not initiated by Mycroft, his reaction was genuine, especially since there was no witness to impress. Sherlock also seemed rather moved when saying his goodbye to John. I could imagine Irene finally returned the favor. Other characters seem unlikely to gain anything from him staying or they do not have the necessary ressources to pull off something like this.

 

I sincerely doubt that Jim is alive. If you wanted to impress people and make them believe that you returned, you'd give them some sort of performance. Maybe another story by the story teller. The picture is more than fishy.

I surmise somebody is using him. Someone who has access to old footage. Maybe the "real" Moriarty - I always thought it a bit strange that Moriarty would sell away his clients that easily. Everything we saw Jim do was rather counter-productive to his business. Perhaps Jim was more like the eccentric brother messing up his brother's business. If that mysterious Moriarty had sent his brother out to keep himself unknown and in the shadows, it would give Magnussen some leverage and explain the state of inactivity. 

 

I'll have to sleep on this. And have a look at the old episodes.

I somehow don't like my own conclusions yet... maybe someone else has already gotten reaquainted with the old episodes and a more elaborate theory?

 

[T.o.b.y]

I'm afraid I'm not very good at theorizing, all I can usually offer is wishful thinking...

 

An evil twin would be even more unpalatable to me than a faked suicide, so I'll just rule that one out, regardless of Doyle's strange ideas, and forget about it until I'm forced to remember.

 

A connection to Magnussen seems unlikely, because Magnussen is already dead when it happens (and he'd better stay dead!)

 

The only idea I can really find it in me to like (at the moment) is that of someone using images and old videos of Moriarty. But for what purpose? What good would it do anybody to show all of England his face on their TV screens? The only people I can think of are Sherlock and Mycroft, for the obvious reason that a big threat is a good excuse to bring Sherlock back and the timing is so good that a coincidence would be very, very lucky for them. Sherlock himself, however, looked convincingly forlorn on the plane, where he was unobserved, and besides, if it had been him, he would have probably timed the event before the take-off. Mycroft, on the other hand, seems like just the person who would want to give his brother a good scare, let him "learn his lesson" and then bring him back, because his demise really would break his heart and he does not feel inclined to get him out of yet another Serbian prison. Of course Mycroft sounds genuinely shocked on the phone, but that might be for the benefit of whoever he was talking to.

 

I like this solution, but I'm almost sure it is not the correct one. We might very well find out that the timing was indeed one of those coincidences which abound so mercifully in fiction.

 

[Mr. Holmes]

Solution 2: Trick by Mycroft and Sherlock

 

Mycroft and Sherlock could have done it to avoid his banishment. But this would be incredibly predictable and BORING.

 

 

 Moriarty actually coming back would be predictable and boring.  He's a fantastic villain, but we don't need every Sherlock episode to revolve around him.  

[T.o.b.y]

On reading "The Valley of Fear" again, I came across this nice little Holmes quote. I think it was already partly used in A Scandal in Belgravia, but it certainly fits the ending of His Last Vow, too:

 

"Everything comes in circles—even Professor Moriarty. Jonathan Wild was the hidden force of the London criminals, to whom he sold his brains and his organization on a fifteen per cent commission. The old wheel turns, and the same spoke comes up. It’s all been done before, and will be again."

[Carol the Dabbler]

Yes, that certainly could have inspired Sherlock's comments about Coventry, in the car on the way to the airport.

 

And I believe somebody has posted the opinion that "Valley of Fear" will probably be used in Series 4.

 

[Mycroft]

Well, I posted elsewhere about a twins theory. But, going by the Moff's previous form, this Moriarty cliffhanger will just be a big, juicy red herring.    

 

 

Mycroft.

[abductive.reasoning]

I personally don't think that Moriarty is actually going to come back.

 

I believe that the theories that it could be provoked by a fan or one of his underground network or that this was already planned by Moriarty pre-death would be very interesting, and theory number 5 about Richard Brook sounds intriguing. 

 

Moriarty coming back might be a bit too predictable, so I would not be in the least surprised if this turned out just to be a red herring.

 

Also, how can you fake shooting yourself in the head with a gun? I would love to know how Moftiss would get themselves out of that one. 

 

[Slithytove]

I am probably one of the few people who would actually like Moriarty to return. I liked his ridiculous, over the top villainy. I mean, what was the point of any of his elaborate schemes? They must have cost a fortune in terms of time, effort and money, not to mention lives lost, and what does he get out of them? Very little, apparently. He even loses money on the painting by goading Sherlock into realising it is a forgery. Anyone who goes to such lengths just to wind up Sherlock is all right by me.

 

Anyway, I would like him to come back but I don't think he will. The creators of this show love to mislead us. Look how they said a character would die in HLV, and indeed Sherlock did die - very briefly. (I presume they were not talking about CAM's death, as we did not even know him then.)

 

Whether Jim is alive or not, I would like Mary to be associated with him. (My favourite theory is that she is his sister.) The timing of the broadcast is too coincidental and has to have been done by one of the few people who know about Sherlock's exile. On the other hand, it is hard to think of a convincing motive for Mary to want to keep him in England, if she was part of Jim's network. I would just like John and Sherlock to realise that they had gone to extreme lengths to protect one of Jim's contract killers....

 

I will be annoyed if it is another Mycroft/Sherlock ruse. All they would have needed to bring him home would be another terrorist plot that no-one else could crack. Jim appearing on everyone's tv would be ridiculously over-complicated. Worthy, in fact, of Jim Moriarty himself....

[T.o.b.y]

I am probably one of the few people who would actually like Moriarty to return. I liked his ridiculous, over the top villainy. I mean, what was the point of any of his elaborate schemes? They must have cost a fortune in terms of time, effort and money, not to mention lives lost, and what does he get out of them? Very little, apparently. He even loses money on the painting by goading Sherlock into realising it is a forgery. Anyone who goes to such lengths just to wind up Sherlock is all right by me.

 

I would agree with you on this wholeheartedly if they had not killed him on screen only 3 episodes ago. In my opinion, if a character is this good, you simply keep him alive and you generally do not cheat the audience and undermine the finality of death in this way.

[Carol the Dabbler]

I wonder if there's a connection between Moriarty's supposed return and Mycroft's comment about "the other one" (apparently in reference to a third Holmes brother).  When we saw Mycroft for the first time in "Study in Pink," most of us assumed he was Moriarty.  Mummy Holmes wrote a scientific book with a title suspiciously similar to a treatise written by the canon Moriarty.  Sherlock is essentially sent into exile, and Moriarty immediately immediately rises from the dead.

 

I'm not saying there's a logical connection here, but rather that there seems to be a thematic one.  In other words, I suspect these are hints from Moftiss, rather than clues from the Sherlock universe.

 

[Shocked]

Hi everyone !

I will post my theories for Moriarty but before I apologize in advance if I do misspelling because I'm french and I'm my the best in English

 

So for me Moriarty is alive... It's obvious

His reaction on the roof was not natural and from the begining I have doubts for his death !

With the cliff' of serie 3 I'm sure he is alive....

 

First, I'm sure that the video "Did you miss me" is real bec

[Bakerstreet Irregular]

Since Mr. Gatiss has said that Moriarty died from that shot to the head, it can't be the same Jim 'from IT' Moriarty from Season 2. But there are other Moriarty's out there, and the fact that Sherlock's Mummy is a professor of mathematics, of sorts, like the Professor Moriarty of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle canon fame, there could be a really interesting twist coming. Especially since Mycroft mentioned another Holmes brother.

 

 Some Holmesian scholars have theorized that the Moriarty of canon fame actually was a Holmes sibling that Sherlock and Mycroft smuggled out of England to keep him out of the hands of the police, prevent a huge family scandal, and to deal with on their own terms.

[Caya]

Hi Shocked and welcome to the forum!

 

Moriarty blew his brains out in front of Sherlock, so I really doubt he's alive, but, as Fox said, there are still plenty of other possibilities.

[Bakerstreet Irregular]

Oh yes, by the way, welcome to the Forum, Shocked. You will find plenty of like minded people here and lots of fun chats.

[Shocked]

Sorry I've post my message too quickly ! 

I repost it now

 

Hello everyone !

I will post my theories for Moriarty but before I apologize in advance for the misspelling because I'm french and not the best in English

 

First of all I'm sure that Moriarty is alive.... from the end of the serie 2...

Already because his reaction on the roof is not natural at all and with the cliff' of serie 3 not more doubts !

 

 

Well but above all I think that the video "Did you miss me" is real because they are part of it before and after credit:

http://i.imgur.com/5z16RMB.png

I think it's not a old video shot by Moriarty because it would mean Moriarty know he will commit suicide and in that event it would prepare his false suicide...

 

Then I think he is the third Holmes brother...

First the mother of Sherlock and Mycroft is a mathematician and initially that what Moriarty is !

Second the name of Sherlock is: William Sherlock Scott Holmes

And what's the name of the actor who plays Moriarty ? >>> Andrew Scott ! I think that not a chance !

And Finally see that: http://i.imgur.com/sY5oY6X.png

We can see in the Brother category that they are write M.I.6... Maybe is the job of Mycroft but maybe is the third brother who was secret defense because is a national threat (Moriarty ?)

 

But let's get serious for THE question !

> How Moriarty faked his death ?

I think is simple ! He had a speaker on he and a false gun and from he pulled the trigger that create a realistic sound: BOUM !

For the blood we can see that they are not splash when he shot so it's sure that a fake because normally they are splash and the blood flows very quickly and that not the case, he was very slow !

After for the blood I think he use a mechanism with blood's pocket and a pipe situated in the upper back...

SEE THAT: http://i.imgur.com/cooPKIh.png

Magic no ?! ;p

Don't forget his reaction is not natural !

 

That's it ! I've finish !

What do you think about that ?

And sorry again for my misspelling !