Theory Amnesty Post - The Reichenbach Fall - !SPOILERS!

[sherlockmods]

After the events in The Reichenbach Fall, we know a lot of users will have a lot of theories about the ending, so rather than allowing an individual theory submission from everyone, we're going to make this post the home of the discussion on that particular conundrum

Comments

[glitterary]

*deep breath for a big theory

[ext_989689]

I'm guessing Molly is organising a lot of stuff she would know the inner workings of the hospital, laundry trucks etc. Sherlock definitely plans his jump, because he chose the building and chooses the side to jump and locates John exactly so he can see him jump but not observe the hit (even if the audience does).

Sherlock's ultimate proof (as if he really needed it) that he is nothing like Moriarty is the look of abject shock when Moriarty tops himself, I don't think it occurs to Sherlock that actually planning to inevitably to die is an option. He will risk everything for John, Lestrade and Mrs Hudson and there is real horror in his suicide 'note' to John, he knows that that may well be his last words. But it is a risk rather than actual certain death, like the pill in SiP there is a chance of survival.

[glitterary]

I'm not sure Jim planned inevitably to die--it's more like a mirror of A Study in Pink, where the cabbie was willing to die if beaten. And I think Jim genuinely was bored? He looked sad. But I think you're right and it really shocked Sherlock that someone would do that at all, least of all someone whose mind he respected so much. But he's horrified, horrified through the whole thing. Amazing acting.

[ext_989689]

I don't think he intended to die all along either, I just meant that Moriarty's method of suicide was not a calculated risk like the pills or jumping it was certain death. Sherlock was right, whilst Jim was alive he could call off the guns and Jim wanted to have the last word and was clearly depressed possibly because Sherlock might not beat him but would clearly now never join him. It's like the people who kill their loved ones then themselves because they can't imagine the world will continue without them, definitely wanting to 'shake hands in hell' with Sherlock. Yes he does good 'horrified' you can see his mind racing trying to see another way out of the situation this is the one time that he might actually need a red blanket.

[sirona_gs]

For the record? Most plausable theory I have yet to read, and now my head canon (until we most likely get Moffat-ed). Nice job!!

[glitterary]

It's kind of a sad day when the most plausible theory involves a rubbish truck/bouncy castle Transformer. But I'm glad you think it works!

I do think it's the theory that gives him the greatest chance of survival, but it still seems a little on the silly side--my personal headcanon is just that he took the risk and jumped. I mean, maybe it would be possible for him to move just a bit having hit the floor. It just doesn't seem clever enough given the bouncy ball and the rubbish truck and the cyclist.

[acciochocolate]

Yes, there was something strange about the fall. I did think, even in the midst of my tears, that the position of the body was all wrong. I also know from personal experience that just a minor cut on the scalp will bleed like crazy. Pretty sure that Molly & her friends in the hospital, Mycroft and his dept., and the homeless network were all working together on this, to prevent John, Mrs. Hudson, and Lestrade from being killed.