I  was just on another site,  where there were images of John's and Sherlock's  phone convo when Sherlock  was on the rooftop.  Guess what I saw?   Something strange!!   One of the images showed the "dead"  Moriarty,  laying on the  pavement of the roof,  with his gun  in his RIGHT  hand.   Didn't M  shoot himself with his left hand?   so  how did it get into his right hand?   Oh,  I'm having a brain freeze at the moment!!

My theories are ever-changing.  Depends on what brilliance you guys present.

I agree that it was set up, that Molly and the Homeless Crew were in on it (probably Mycroft, too), that it was really Sherlock who took the dive, Moriarity is dead.

So when I watched it yet again, viewing through the lens of my theories, I'm perplexed at why Sherlock seems so surprised and unsure at times (on the roof).  Just his demeanor. 

And if he was certain he could get the code from Moriarity, and conceivably get M to call off the assassins, why did he set up the ruse in the first place?

I know he didn't know about the assassins but he knew that Moriarty was going to force him to jump and I always think he must have known he would use a more interesting technique than just holding a gun to his head and saying "kill yourself now", so even though he didn't know exactly what that would be, I'm pretty sure Sherlock had an idea there would be some kind of situation Moriarty would use to force him into it.

Sherlock Holmes wrote:

I know he didn't know about the assassins but he knew that Moriarty was going to force him to jump and I always think he must have known he would use a more interesting technique than just holding a gun to his head and saying "kill yourself now", so even though he didn't know exactly what that would be, I'm pretty sure Sherlock had an idea there would be some kind of situation Moriarty would use to force him into it.

Yes but Sherlock isn't a fortune teller. There are a lot of possibilities that would have been available to Moriarty. Maren was asking why go through it all if Sherlock knew he could get 'the answer' to the problem. The thing is, he didn't know what the 'question' would be.

sherlockskitty -  the dummy is probably propped up in the flat somewhere at the moment with Sherlock's coat and Deerstalker on it. I would venture to say that that would be a good use for it. I'm betting we will see it in the next episode in just such a position. Or knowing Moftiss, in a darn comical place!

(yes, when you think about it, that was the perfect sentence for an exclamation mark)

Oh don't be so boring SH.
THINK!

and what about that rubber ball,  huh?   I  read somewhere that it was part of a magic trick done by none other than the Great Houdini.  Hmmmmm...  Yes,  I  know  the details,  but...spoilers,  everyone!!  spoilers!!

Just now my thirteen-years old son and I watched the fall three times and the discussion is still going on . My son opts for a body who had plastic surgery during the night in order to look like Sherlock. This body was placed on the pavement and the helpers prevented John from examining the body too closely. I think it is great how this show can trigger animated discussions within the family .

I'm sure it is...

could this episode have just been a DREAM?  like--  parts of it never happened?     On  one hand,  it  explains  some of it;  but on the other hand.....I  hope not!!!   I'll be sorely disappointed---
Moftiss  did say  they wanted to  give us the most amazing twist of the whole series--  and do  ACD  one better.....oh  the suspense!!!

No, it won't be dream. The writers are far too good for that. Plus people will string them up if they come up with that old one!