133 Years Later, Guy Ritchie Just Rewrote Sherlock Holmes’ Final Problem

by

Guy Ritchie’s Young Sherlock reimagines the classic Sherlock Holmes stories, offering a fresh take on how Sherlock and his rival, James Moriarty, first came to be. It’s been over 133 years since Moriarty first appeared as Holmes’ enemy, originally intended to be the detective’s last case. While both characters have been updated in many versions over the years, Ritchie’s film goes further by showing how Sherlock and James actually became friends while students at Oxford University. It’s essentially an origin story for both of them.

Sherlock’s initial investigation takes a deeply personal turn when he connects a series of murders to a painful event from his own family’s past. The Holmes family believed Sherlock and Mycroft’s sister, Beatrice, had tragically died, causing immense grief. However, Sherlock discovers their father, Silas Holmes, actually faked her death. This shocking revelation makes Silas Sherlock’s first enemy, and a figure who shares traits with the infamous James Moriarty – whom Silas strangely predicted would achieve great things.

Why Silas Holmes Faked Beatrice’s Death

I was shocked to learn what Silas did! He was completely broke, so he basically tricked everyone and had Beatrice quietly moved away from the Holmes family. It was all a scheme to grab control of his wife Cordelia’s money while she was at her lowest. He even pretended Cordelia had lost her mind from grief and committed her to an asylum, where they watched her every move – all to protect his wealth. It’s awful, but he didn’t completely abandon Beatrice. He still sent her a birthday gift every year, which is… something, I guess. It doesn’t make up for everything, though.

Every year, I’d get a birthday gift from a man I knew as my father, but one year, things shifted and I finally managed to find him. Turns out, he saw something in me – a sharp mind, maybe even a bit of ruthlessness – and he took me under his wing. He wasn’t exactly a saint, running a whole criminal operation across the globe, and he really pushed me to focus on getting what I wanted, not worrying about things like loyalty or doing what’s right. Things came to a head when he planned to sell this incredibly dangerous nerve gas. It didn’t take long before I realized he was playing me, manipulating me just as easily as he manipulated everyone else. Honestly, I started to see that I could play the game right back.

Silas’ Last Plan Ends In His Death

I’m a huge Sherlock Holmes fan, and I was really surprised by Young Sherlock! Unlike most of the original stories, this one takes Sherlock all over the world. The adventure culminates in a showdown where Sherlock and his friends manage to take down Silas’ lab. The final scene, with Silas trying to escape, totally reminded me of the epic battle between Holmes and Moriarty in “The Final Problem” – it was set over a lake and just as intense! It gets really heartbreaking when Silas tries to kill Sherlock’s father, and Sherlock bravely steps in front of the guns. But then, in a shocking twist, Silas actually wrestles him towards the cliff edge before falling to his death. It was a wild ride!

Silas saw he was trapped and chose to die by his own hand, rather than let Shou’an or Beatrice kill him. He intentionally left a final clue for Sherlock – a key that likely reveals more about his past. However, Silas didn’t know that Moriarty had already retrieved the nerve agent formula from his headquarters before it was destroyed. Sherlock figured this out, setting the stage for a showdown between Holmes and Moriarty in Season 2 of Young Sherlock.

Young Sherlock Is A Three-Way Battle For Silas’ Holmes’ Legacy

Essentially, Young Sherlock centers on a competition between Sherlock, Beatrice, and James Moriarty to carry on the work of Silas Holmes. Silas intended Beatrice to be his successor and run his criminal organization, but he unexpectedly makes the same offer to Sherlock after recognizing his son’s intelligence. However, neither Sherlock nor Beatrice wants this inheritance, as they both come to realize it’s built on a false foundation.

While Sherlock Holmes is famous, the story reveals James Moriarty as his true successor. This exceptionally intelligent Irishman matches Sherlock’s mental abilities but completely lacks a moral compass. Throughout the Young Sherlock series, Moriarty subtly tries to corrupt his friend, often disguising his intentions as jokes. A violent encounter in France marks Moriarty’s first kill, and he discovers a disturbing enjoyment of it, leading him down a similar path of brutality as Silas. Adding a shocking turn of events, Moriarty also begins a romantic relationship with Beatrice, suggesting she will become his most trusted ally.

Silas Holmes’ Death Mirrors Moriarty’s Own Fate

The last episode of Young Sherlock clearly echoes the famous “The Adventure of the Final Problem,” where Sherlock Holmes and James Moriarty seemingly fall to their deaths at Reichenbach Falls. In Young Sherlock, this is mirrored in a darker way – as Sherlock’s final confrontation with his father, and the moment Silas’s influence is permanently erased. This retelling also makes you wonder what actually happened during that ultimate battle.

It’s well known that Sherlock Holmes didn’t actually die at Reichenbach Falls; Conan Doyle had to bring him back to life, and Holmes explained how he survived in “The Adventure of the Empty House.” However, we only have Holmes’ version of events, which leads to a fascinating possibility: perhaps Moriarty also chose to die, sacrificing himself to allow Holmes to continue his work. Or, if Holmes was telling the truth, it would reveal Moriarty to be even more ruthless than previously thought – someone who held onto his hatred and desire for revenge against someone he once cared for, even as he was dying.

Young Sherlock offers a fresh take on the classic Sherlock Holmes tales, exploring the beginnings of both Sherlock and Moriarty’s rivalry. While it takes liberties with established lore, it does so exceptionally well. The film cleverly builds upon Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s short story, ‘The Adventure of the Final Problem,’ adding significant layers to the original narrative. It’s a truly impressive film, and hopefully, director Guy Ritchie will have the opportunity to continue this storyline.

Did you like Young Sherlock? Share your thoughts in the comments and join the discussion on the ComicBook Forum!

https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/review/young-sherlock-tv-review/embed/#

Read More

2026-03-08 21:41