Sherlock Season 2 Finale Preview: The Reichenbach Fall

Sadly, the second season of Sherlock is over this Sunday. Last week's “The Hounds of Baskerville” was an interesting take on Sir Conan Doyle's most famous work but the episode couldn't live up to the near perfect 90 minutes that was "A Scandal In Belgravia" (or should I say 82 minutes). Sunday's finale is called "The Reichenbach Fall" and once again finds creators Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss referencing one of Doyle's key works for its title, this time his short story “The Final Problem.”

"The Final Problem" ends with a trip to - wait for it - Reichenbach Falls in Switzerland where, well, you’ll have to seek it out for yourself to find out. But, as you can probably guess from that title, the Sherlock tale was supposed to be Doyle’s last with his most famous protagonist but after fan outcry, he returned to the sleuth and the short stories grew into novels. “The Final Problem” is also famous for being the story that introduced the character of James Moriarty, the brilliant and evil professorial nemesis of the pipe-smoking protagonist and one of literature's most famous villains. Fittingly, "The Reichenbach Fall" features the return of Andrew Scott's Jim Moriarty, here's a preview.

As you can see, Sherlock's nemesis has found himself in prison - although he doesn't seem to mind - and the sleuth is being brought in as an expert witness. There's a great bit of banter between Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman as the latter's Watson tries to prep the former for the stand. And by prep, reinforce that he shouldn't act like a smart-ass. This episode marks the end of the second season run of the BBC One program on PBS but you'll soon be able to catch the full 90 minute installments on DVD and Blu. It's quite a testament to Moffat and Gatiss' series that just three episodes feel as (or more) rewarding as (than) others that run for twenty.

Synopsis from PBS Masterpiece Mystery!,

Stealing the crown jewels is just a prelude for the unhinged criminal mastermind, Jim Moriarty, when he poses the diabolical and inescapable 'final problem' to Sherlock.

The second season finale of Sherlock airs on Sunday at 9 p.m. ET on PBS. "The Reichenbach Fall" stars Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman. It was created by Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss.