Some of the more fascinating moments in Sherlock & Co. happen when John isn't leading the conversation. Whether he leaves the mic behind, gives it to someone else, or even just accidentally left it running in his pocket.
Most recently and notably, the end of the Milverton case.
The mic was left back at the scene, and the boys themselves were unaware of what truly happened until they listened back to the audio.
In the original story of The Final Problem, Watson didn't see what happened. He was called back to town on a (false) medical emergency. He never knew what occurred firsthand. He saw two sets of muddy footprints leading to the edge of the falls, and none returning. He saw a handwritten note from Holmes, an apology in some measure, and a last goodbye.
He was left to assume what happened, and speculation was his only source of closure.
We've all talked about what the Fall might look like for our podcast boys, but I really think that the most interesting version would go something like this:
John has to go away right before the final confrontation, leaving Sherlock to face Moriarty alone. But, being the podcast man that he is, he insists that Sherlock take the mic with him, to capture all the details of this climactic scene.
John comes to the falls to find the mic, still recording, placed neatly in a safe spot, and Sherlock's jacket folded beneath it. Sherlock is nowhere to be seen.
John looks for him all day and even into the night, only to return to the hotel, alone, anxious and worried for his friend.
He decides to check the audio, because maybe it'll give him some clue as to where Sherlock mightve gone.
He hears him hike to the waterfall, the cliff's edge where he found the mic. He hears the rushing of water, and sherlocks voice, speaking coldly to the man they've been after for months.
During this final confrontation we hear the ultimatum that Sherlock is left with, and we hear James Moriarty plummet to his inevitable demise.
We hear Sherlock panic. A true, frightened, unmasked terror that he never allows his friends to see. The man who is usually so quiet, so composed, breaks down in tears and heaving gasps.
After some silence, he composes himself, and pulls the mic out of his pocket. He takes off his jacket and sets it down.
He speaks slowly, his voice soft and wavering.
He thanks Watson and Mariana for the time they've spent together. He talks about how they helped him, how they made him a better person than he was before. They showed him a companionship that he could have only dreamed of. (And sure, it's wishful thinking, but perhaps a declaration of love for his dearest friend)
He thanks them profusely, then apologises. Says he's sorry things had to go the way they did. It was the only way he could think of to protect everyone he loved. And hes sorry he can't properly say goodbye.
He sets the mic down, and the only thing we hear is the echo of the rushing waterfall,
Silence until we hear John run up to the cliffs edge only a few moments later, calling Sherlock's name.
John, listening back to the audio, is helpless to do anything but listen, realizing he's just lost his best friend. He's lost another loved one, who he should have been there for. Another loved one that he couldn't save.
