Watch Sherlock Holmes S02e03 1 May 2026

The Fall of the Reichenbach Hero: A Study of Sherlock S02E03

: Moriarty creates the persona of "Richard Brook," an actor claiming Sherlock hired him to play a fictional villain so the detective could "solve" fake crimes for fame. Watch Sherlock Holmes S02E03 1

The confrontation at St. Bartholomew’s Hospital serves as the episode's emotional and narrative peak. Moriarty gives Sherlock an ultimatum: commit suicide, or snipers will kill John Watson, Mrs. Hudson, and Detective Lestrade. The Fall of the Reichenbach Hero: A Study

The third episode of Sherlock’s second series, " The Reichenbach Fall ," serves as a high-stakes psychological thriller that reimagines Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s 1893 story, " The Final Problem ". First aired on BBC One in January 2012, the episode pits Sherlock Holmes against his intellectual equal, Jim Moriarty, in a battle designed to dismantle Sherlock's reputation rather than just his life. The Architect of Chaos Moriarty gives Sherlock an ultimatum: commit suicide, or

Jim Moriarty, portrayed by Andrew Scott , initiates the "crime of the century" by simultaneously breaking into the Tower of London, the Bank of England, and Pentonville Prison. Unlike a typical criminal, Moriarty does not seek financial gain; he allows himself to be caught to showcase a mythical "digital key" capable of bypassing any security. During his subsequent trial, Moriarty remains silent, yet he is acquitted after intimidating the jury—a victory that establishes his absolute control and sets the stage for his final game with Sherlock. The Systematic Deconstruction

: Moriarty kidnaps the children of the US Ambassador. When Sherlock "deduces" their location with suspicious ease, it plants seeds of doubt within Scotland Yard.

Moriarty’s true objective is the "fall" of Sherlock Holmes—a philosophical and public disgrace. He orchestrates several key events to turn the public and the police against the detective: