This is a theory explaining how Sherlock survived his fall from St. Bart’s, developed by my sister and me. It’s just a theory, so feel free to disagree, but this is our best idea. Fair warning: it’s pretty long and involved.
So, I’ve been doing a bit of digging. I’ve read loads of theories before about Reichenbach, some were absolutely dreadful, some were pretty awesome, but beyond a few vague guess, I’ve never seen anyone properly explain the fall. They’ve explain Moriarty’s plans down to insane lengths, delving deep into Hansel and Gretal and making justifiable leaps in logic to explain what Moriarty was doing and how he was doing it, but none of these brilliant theories have any real explanation of the how he survived. Then the survival theories, they all either involve the squishy ball, drugs or something breaking his fall.
Now, this will be an unpopular opinion, but I think any theory that involves something breaking Sherlock’s fall is stupid. Sherlock had no possible way of knowing where the sniper was, so would have no idea what the sniper could see. If he was going to plan something as elaborate as faking his death by falling, he wouldn’t have used something as risky as a fall breaker.
The squishy ball is good, but again, it’s risky. He’d have to make sure it was tied to his arm, and that might make it obvious to anyone who saw his arm, especially to Moriarty.
So, personally I think it was drugs. More specifically, I think Sherlock poisoned himself. There are a few poisons, namely Poison Hemlock and TTX, that cause full body paralysis. TTX is more likely, as it’s more likely to be available in hospitals for study and research (which, I believe, St Barts is).
Now, for the past few days, something has been bothering me. I could swear that I knew of a fairy tale where someone was poisoned with Hemlock, but I couldn’t work it out. Today I discovered what it was. It was obvious. Hemlock isn’t mentioned by name, but it still fits the bill. Snow White. Snow White was given a poisoned apple and fell into a deep sleep until true love’s first kiss woke her up.
Now, I bet you can tell where I’m going with this now. In all the stories, the apple that the evil queen gave to Snow White was red. Sound familiar?
So, Sherlock knew that he was going to fall. He probably knew that meant a metaphorical and a physical fall. He metaphorically fell when it came out that he was a “fake” (even though he wasn’t) and he physically fell when he, ya know, fell.
I think, when Sherlock realised that Moriarty was using fairy tales, that’s when he realised how he could survive the fall. He had to become Snow White.
On the roof top, he had already taken the drug. He knew that Moriarty would go to whatever lengths needed to ensure a victory. He also knew that if Moriarty won, Moriarty would become bored again. So, I think he tested TTX on himself, worked out how long paralysis would take and how long it would take to ware off. He knew the correct amount and knew how much would be an overdose because, well, he’s Sherlock. I think he injected himself with the poison with the intention of being on that roof for a certain amount of time. He went up there, making sure that he would have to fall, making Moriarty either win and be bored, or die. Then he timed it perfectly, so that paralysis would take over just as he began to drop. TTX also lowers the heart rate dramatically.As he was falling, the paralysis stops his muscles from contracting, keeping them relaxed, ensuring he survives the fall. It would render him in a near death state, probably for hours, maybe even days. Plenty of time for Molly to fake the death certificate. Hell, plenty of time for Molly to believe he’s dead and write a real death certificate. Then as it wore off, time for him to escape and disappear.
I think the key to how Sherlock survived, the one thing that Moffat said we all missed, was the red apple and the red apple being the link to prove how Sherlock survived.
According to two very caffeine-addled and sleep deprived college students with nothing better to do.
And yes, I realize this is just a TV show but I’m trying to avoid filling out scholarship applications and this seemed the best way to accomplish that.
Cheers.
Ever since I finally pieced together my full Reichenbach theory, something’s been bothering me about it. See, most theories hinge on the fact that Sherlock mainly needs to fool John. Therefore, any tricks Sherlock employs must be invisible from John’s perspective.
This is relatively easy, considering there’s a building in the way. But here’s the thing: Sherlock couldn’t have known Moriarty was going to kill himself. I’ve read a lot of theories on this, and not one has managed to convince me. It’s simply not possible.
So the problem becomes this: any tricks Sherlock employs must be invisible from Moriarty’s perspective as well.
Hm. It’s hard to fake something from that angle. If you’ve read my other theory, you’ll know that I think that something broke Sherlock’s fall, which was then thrown into the laundry truck that drove away. Moriarty would definitely have seen that from this angle. In fact, Moriarty would have seen practically anything from this angle.
Or would he have?
So there’s all these little theories going around, and all of them are pretty damn intricate. Well I was watching reichenbach for the second time, and, well, I think I have part of the mystery solved.
so obviously molly and possibly mycroft helped, right? sherlock wasn’t doing all of this on his own.
anyways, when moriarty turns away to give sherlock some privacy, the camera pans to his face. you can barely make it out, but there’s a slight shift in his hands, then a tiny beep and a quick glance down. This could possibly mean he shifted whatever device that was helping him fake his death, then received a text from either molly or mycroft saying something like “all clear!” because he smiles and looks quite pleased with himself, then turns around to do his whole bit with moriarty.
notice, sherlock acts really stupid, intentionally driving moriarty to his death. this effectively rids him of his arch nemesis, and all thats left is to fool a bunch of “ordinary” assassins by a simple slight of hand.
yeah yeah I know its all a bit obvious, but there you go. thats my theory.
So all of a sudden it struck me that I’ve been more successful at getting people to notice an upside-down water bottle in Scotland Yard than I’ve been at getting them to notice the mole Jim Moriarty planted in Scotland Yard.
I should probably try harder. By which I mean draw yellow circles around him like I did the water bottle.
Attention fandom: This guy is a kidnapper and a crooked cop. He messed with Donovan’s head and was going to shoot Lestrade if Sherlock didn’t jump. (Long version here.) And he probably knows how to flip the water bottle onto the cooler, but doesn’t do it because he likes to see everyone else suffer. Just sayin’.
OH MY GOD
Day-uuum! Shit just got real!
The PHONE!!!!!!!!
OH MY GOD! Right before jumps, when he’s on the phone with John, he tosses his phone back onto the roof of St. Barts, and THEN jumps!
His PHONE recorded everything that Moriarty said to him before! His PHONE recorded everything!!!! Between that and…
(Source: deducingtheworldaroundme)
I love the creators of this show. The attention to detail always shocks me. These ramblings are mine (I know, I don’t get out much) and I elaborate/mention a few others. I’m sorry if some of the things I’ve noticed have been said, I can’t read it all (though I will try) :P
Of course, we…
(Source: themerlotcoat)
Throughout the two seasons of BBC Sherlock, Sherlock obviously doesn’t treat Molly very nicely. He’s a jerk to her most of the time and only truly apologized to her once in the first episode of the second season. In the scene before he meets Moriarty on the rooftop in the last episode of the…
Reichenbach theories mega-compilation.
Damn good. You must watch this.
