demonicsymphony:

I want to talk about Sebastian Moran for a moment and my theories on our current Lord Moran who was arrested for the attempt to blow up Parliament (not to mention his other dealings) and what his connections to canon Moran might be. Canonically, Sebastian Moran’s father was knighted. Sebastian attended Eton and Oxford, spoke multiple languages, penned two books… 

I think our lovely sniper could be Lord Moran’s son sent home from the army. Was he wrapped up in something nefarious during his time in the army, like father, like son? Was it swept under the rug and Sebastian just discharged because of who his father was? 

Jim would definitely be interested in someone like that. He would scoop him up in a heartbeat, put him to work, let him work his way up until he found himself at Jim’s side, his second in command.

While I love, love fandom’s scarred, beat up, grizzled, gruff sniper, I think it’s entirely possible Sebastian Moran is younger and capable of blending in almost anywhere…

I know there’s been some discussion about Tom being the sniper who was on John. There’s a hint that he was ‘invited to reconsider’ shooting John. If that’s true (remember, this was in Sherlock’s explanation to Anderson) it opens lots of avenues into further subterfuge between Moriarty and Sherlock. Was Sherlock aware of who ‘Tom’ was… did ‘Tom’ suddenly disappear because Mycroft got word to Sherlock about him actually being Sebastian Moran? Meaning once his cover was blown poor Molly was left in the lurch? (Might explain the particular vehemence in those slaps and Sherlock’s jibe aimed at the broken engagement)

Of course, it’s all speculation. Molly’s slaps are enough to him being glad she doesn’t have the ring, Lord Moran could actually be Moran, Tom could just be a look-alike Molly tried to placate herself with… There’s so much to explore.