Series 4 (and Special) Speculation

[Carol the Dabbler]

As those of you who've read some of ACD's Holmes stories are surely aware, "The Final Problem" was *not* the final story. In fact, it's less than halfway through the canon. Also, they already used a great deal of that plot for "The Reichenbach Fall." So who knows what this may mean -- if anything!

[besleybean]

A theory on my old forum, which I think may run:

This will be the last series.

In future, we my get a full length film, every few years or so.

[Carol the Dabbler]

Who? Knows?

 

At this point, probably not even Moftiss.

[besleybean]

Well I don't think Mark and Steven will know.

In terms of they won't have written anything yet and I am assuming Benedict and Martin haven't said anything definite either way.

[Carol the Dabbler]

Regarding the rumored title, maybe Mycroft can't or in any case doesn't pull off a pardon for Sherlock after all, so he (meaning Sherlock, unfortunately) actually does get shipped off on that one-way assignment -- only this time everyone's fully aware that's what it means. Which would explain Mrs. Hudson's vitriol, as well as why they can't continue right away.

[besleybean]

Hoping.

[T.o.b.y]

I think "The Final Problem" is very likely to be the ending of the Moriarty story arc (if not of the entire series). I think it's pretty clear that Moriarty is back in some form or other, be that as his old self Jim from IT who somehow managed to fake his death just like Sherlock did or in the form of his legacy in the criminal world and / or his presence as a figure inside Sherlock's mind palace. I also predict that "the other one" is somehow crucial to this ending because they already teased the word "Sherrinford" for the last episode, and even though I would be thrilled if that turned out to be a place, a project or a code-word rather than a character, it does seem very likely that they will introduce the Holmesian myth of the Other Brother in some form.

 

It could be a very cool story if they do it right. I have high hopes. And for me, the prospect of an ending is not a bad thing at all. The fact that the series was unfinished has so far been my only real objection to Sherlock.

[Carol the Dabbler]

Wasn't "Sherrinford" the clue for episode #2? Or did they give us only two clues and let us guess where they fit?

 

But I agree that "The Final Problem" would be an apt title for the end of Moriarty's story, since that's really the *only* canon story that he actually appears in (though he's mentioned in two others).

[T.o.b.y]

The way I remember it, the words were: "Thatcher" (ep 1), "Smith" (ep 3) and "Sherrinford" (ep 3).

[besleybean]

See, what if Moriarty is Sherrinford?

[T.o.b.y]

See, what if Moriarty is Sherrinford?

 

Then one of my theories that I had down the road would be true! :lol:

 

It's not that unlikely, is it?

 

What about all this "I am you" business between Sherlock and Moriarty, btw? What do you guys make of that? I never really understood what they were talking about during The Reichenbach Fall. Maybe we'll finally get some insight into that brilliant but mysterious episode? (A girl can hope, can't she...)

[Carol the Dabbler]

The way I remember it, the words were: "Thatcher" (ep 1), "Smith" (ep 3) and "Sherrinford" (ep 3).

Yup, you're right. I must be thinking of the episode titles, with only two announced (until -- apparently -- today). What were they again?

[besleybean]

The Six Thatchers, The Lying Detective and The Final Problem!

[Carol the Dabbler]

Thanks! (Though I'm taking #3 with a grain of salt until official notice.)

[besleybean]

Well apparently it was very quickly taken down!

[T.o.b.y]

The only unlikely aspect of "The Final Problem" is that this is an original Doyle story title and so far, they have always changed the titles in some clever way.

[besleybean]

I think they might be keeping this one for a reason...well 2 reasons actually.

1.  Moriarty spoke of The Final problem

2. I think it might be the final one...

[Carol the Dabbler]

I hope they don't use an unchanged ACD title, because a] that would make it sound like they're doing a straightforward adaptation of that story, which they're almost certainly not, and b] that would make it difficult to tell when someone's talking about the story and when they're talking about the episode.

[Carol the Dabbler]

Also c] that would be the way Elementary does it. (Ya hear that, Moftiss???)

[besleybean]

Really, I'm sure we could cope!

 

B)

[Amber§]

As far as everything is possible, when we're talking about Sherlock.....what if Moriarty WASN'T the real Moriarty?

I keep explaining:
What if the Moriarty we came across and who presented himself as Moriarty was only a pawn of the REAL Moriarty? Not in the books, of course, but from what we know, Moftiss could have decided to make a revolution....Maybe there's a more intelligent criminal who used "our" Moriarty to cheat Sherlock and now decides to reveal himself... :o

 

Too stupid theory? :cookie:

[besleybean]

Not stupid at all, because canonical Moriarty is supposed to have a brother...

[Amber§]

:o

I forgot this particular!!! Oh, that's so so interesting!

[Pseudonym]

And just as obvious I don't So those of you who do like Mary are you hoping she'll still be around at the end of season 4? (Not taking into account the likelihood of it.) 

[Carol the Dabbler]

I'd just like for the character to have a satisfying story arc, regardless of where that leads. I certainly don't want her just "killed off," nor do I want her just hanging pointlessly around in the background.

 

People keep citing canon as "proof" that she will die ("and the sooner the better," apparently), but it's not like Moftiss have never messed with canon (besides which, they say "everything is canon," and other adaptations have treated her as anything from a one-shot guest character to a regular). So I have no idea what to expect, other than the unexpected -- and that's fine with me.

 

But you didn't ask what I expected, you asked what I hoped. I guess I'd kinda like to see her stay around in some capacity, probably as a more occasional character than she was in S3 (generally appearing only when she actually has something meaningful to do). But without knowing where the show is headed, I have no idea how that might work out.