BBC Sherlock Fan Forum - Serving Sherlockians since February 2012 / Why kill the blind lady?

**Posted by Schmiezi** March 23, 2013 8:29 am

I've just rewatched the episode yesterday with my beloved 7th graders (who loved it, by the way, that's why I love them!).

I think the more important question is "Why did Moriarty choose the blind woman frist place?" If you think this one through you could come to the conclusion that he knew there was the risk she might give something away.
IMO he chose her BECAUSE of that risk. He had planed to kill her in case she talkes to much just to show what a dangerous man he is.

**Posted by Davina** March 23, 2013 2:42 pm

Does not each 'hostage' become increasingly more emotive? Start with a woman, then a young man, then an old blind woman, then a child. Finally Sherlock's friend.

**Posted by beekeeper** April 1, 2013 9:11 pm

"IMO he chose her BECAUSE of that risk. He had planed to kill her in case she talkes to much just to show what a dangerous man he is."

like this theory!

**Posted by butterfly grl** June 28, 2013 3:22 pm

I found out interesting that Sherlock and John had a bit of a tiff when John pointed out that lives, real human lives are at stake, and Sherlock said something about will caring help, then I shall continue to not make that mistake. (paraphrasing).
And yet at the pool, he tells M that People have DIED! to which jim replies that's what people DO!

So while solving the case, Sherlock understands that lives are at stake, but doesn't let the emotion interfere, while he knows, and CARES about it.

**Posted by butterfly grl** June 28, 2013 3:24 pm

Bleeping phone. Auto correct, and won't let me see what I've typed to correct it.
Sorry about typos.

**Posted by Davina** June 28, 2013 5:57 pm

When he says 'People have died' Sherlock is making a statement of fact. He must learn useful things about Moriarty by the extreme reaction he gets from him.

**Posted by butterfly grl** June 28, 2013 6:18 pm

True, Moriarity is a puzzle, with many missing pieces (darn those corner pieces) Each little piece Sherlock can put together will give him insight into how Moriarity ticks.

I still believe that he does at some level care that peoples lives are at stake, that fact is just so far down his list of interests that it doesn't really concern him at the time. After he's solved the puzzles - he can allow himself to be a bit more human - John rubbing off on him a bit.

**Posted by QuiteExtraordinary** June 28, 2013 7:11 pm

I think the blind lady was killed simply because she started to describe Moriarty's voice. My theory is that Moriarty at that point was already planning to blame all his crimes on Sherlock later. When the old Lady started to talk about his voice, Moriarty realised he had made a mistake when he had talked to her. Being blind, her hearing was probably good enough to be 100% sure that the voice she had heard could not have been Sherlock's. So she had to die.