Moriarty’s fake return was the best thing aboutSherlockseason 4, which puts into perspective how flawed the show’s final season was. While there is always a chance thatSherlockseason 5might happen at some point, “The Final Problem” is currently the end of the show. With a 48% score on Rotten Tomatoes,Sherlock’s season 4 finale is among the worst-received episodes of the show for a variety of reasons. It’s fair to saySherlock’s final two years never lived up to its two first, with the final season being particularly underwhelming.
BBC’sSherlockbrought the titular character to the modern world and delivered one of the most interesting adaptations of Conan Doyle’s work. Each episode was slightly based on one of the manySherlock Holmes storiesbut always with some kind of twist. BBC’sSherlockhad its own language and style, making it stand out from the several other Sherlock Holmes adaptations.Sherlock’s four seasonshave an overall positive legacy, butthe latter half of the show had too many problems – and Moriarty’s “return” proves it.
Moriarty’s “Return” Was The Highlight Of Sherlock Season 4’s Finale
Midway throughSherlockseason 4, episode 3, “The Final Problem,”Andrew Scott returns as Jim Moriartyin a scene that starts with the fan-favorite villain arriving on the island where Eurus is being kept. Moriarty gets out of the helicopter as “I Want To Break Free” by Queen plays in the background. Between the song and Scott’s performance,Sherlock’s series finale made it seem like Jim Moriarty was alive and about to make his triumphant return.A few seconds later, however, it’s revealed that the scene was actually a flashback set before the events of “The Reichenbach Fall.”
The showdown between Holmes and his ultimate nemesis might have raised the bar too high forSherlock.
While Moriarty’s return was nothing but a fakeout, it was an exciting moment. Seeing Andrew Scott back as the iconic villain even if for a few minutes was worth it, particularly becauseSherlockseason 4 had yet to have a big moment that would stick with viewers. The first two episodes of the final season were not really special or particularly clever in any way, whereas the finale was betting everything on a new, original character whose very existence was a big retcon – Eurus.“The Final Problem” retconned Moriarty’s actionsin season 2 by tying them to Eurus.
Sherlock Relying On A Fake Moriarty Twist Was Symptomatic Of Its Problems
Sherlock Season 4 Hadn’t Much To Offer Other Than Its Moriarty Connections
The fact that the most exciting moment ofSherlockseason 4 was a fake Moriarty return speaks volumes about the problems with the show’s final two seasons. Not only hadSherlockbecome dependent on its best villain, but the show had also seemingly lost its ability to create new stories that could be as exciting as Holmes and Moriarty’s rivalry. Even ifcreating a villain as good and popular as Scott’s Moriarty was all but impossible at that point,Sherlockstill deserved a better final season and a better series finale.
SherlockSeason 1
93%
SherlockSeason 2
94%
SherlockSeason 3
91%
62%
SherlockSeason 4
54%
As a show built on twists, it was no surprise thatSherlockseason 4 came up with a shocking reveal for the final episode – Sherlock and Mycroft had a sister about whom the former could not remember. Still, while Eurus’ introduction was indeed shocking, everything about her character felt too exaggerated and cartoonish compared to the somewhat grounded aspect of the show. Tying Eurus to Moriarty felt like a desperate attempt to improve what was bound to be a divisive character. Unfortunately,the problems withSherlockstarted way before Eurus’ introduction.
Sherlock Never Topped Season 2, And Seasons 3 And 4 Prove It
Sherlock’s Final Two Seasons Couldn’t Live Up To Season 2
“The Reichenbach Fall” isSherlock’s best episode by far and changed the show forever, for better and worse. On the one hand, “The Reichenbach Fall” confirmedBBC’sSherlockshowas one of the best Conan Doyle adaptations and elevated what was already a very good show. Between the fan theories about how Holmes survived and the pop cultural impact of Moriarty,Sherlockseason 2’s finale was born a classic.On the other hand, the showdown between Holmes and his ultimate nemesis might have raised the bar too high forSherlock.
10 Best Versions Of Moriarty In Sherlock Holmes Movies & TV Shows, Ranked
While the actor who portrays Moriarty in a Sherlock Holmes mystery is just as important as the sleuth himself, & these performers are the best.
Sherlock’s seasons 3 and 4 felt like they were trying to play catch up by delivering villains and stories that could replace Moriarty in some way. The show became limited by its success and never allowed itself to try something truly new. That is not to mention the multiple teases that Moriarty was eventually going to return, including the“Miss Me?”scene at the end of season 3, theAbominable Bridespecial, and the season 4 finale fakeout.Sherlockseason 2 was so good that, in hindsight, it strangely ruined the series.
Sherlock
Cast
In this incarnation of Sherlock from creators Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss, Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman assume the roles of Sherlock and Watson as they establish their partnership and begin solving strange mysteries throughout the U.K. and beyond. Set in a more 2010’s modern setting, Sherlock’s eccentric and complex nature is accentuated as he solves seemingly supernatural crimes with unparalleled intellect while struggling to connect with others on a human level. Meanwhile, Watson blogs the stories summarizing their cases while building a strained but caring friendship with his new partner.
