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cookiebox2012-05-03 12:07 am
noonereally) wrote in cookiebox2012-05-03 12:07 am
Entry tags:
Jim Moriarty application: entranceway
Character Name: James Moriarty
Series: Sherlock
Timeline: post season 2.
Canon Resource Link: Canon wiki! Character specific.
Character Background: Jim Moriarty's origins and family background are unknown, aside from the fact that he was born Irish. The only other sure thing is that he started his criminal career young, committing the murder of Carl Powers as early as twenty years before the series is set. Even as a child, the cleverness applied here show not only intellect, but a gross lack of empathy and disregard for human life as well as a great deal of criminal energy. The general mystery that surrounds Moriarty's background fits the tone of his appearances in canon. He spends two thirds of the first season pulling strings behind the scenes, clearly responsible for a great deal of unusual crimes from the shadows, but never directly involved. As a result his name gets dropped but nothing else, without even going so far as stating whether this 'Moriarty' is an organization or a single person. He keeps himself aloof and removed from his clients, which means he retains a perfectly clean record all the way up to the last episode of season two, in which he deliberately sets himself up to be caught.
He finally reveals himself to Sherlock in person as the villain, specialist and consulting criminal at the conclusion of the first season, and clearly enjoys this role very much. He goes so far as to state this outright later: "Every fairytale needs a good old-fashioned villain. You need me, or you're nothing." Rarely does a character actively choose a particular role in their own story, but Jim seems to tailor himself to the task. At the same time he depicts life as nothing more than a story. He plays the role of the evil mastermind like he played the role of a simple IT employee and the harmless storytelling actor, and portrays each of these with precision and an impeccable eye for detail. Deception is his greatest skill. Lies come as easily as breathing. Even Sherlock, as the quite possibly most brilliant man alive or at least around, does not see through his disguise unless he knows it is one.
As the consulting criminal, he has connections on implied global scale. He is an expert at networking, and similarly an expert at reading people. It's necessary for him to be aware of other people's skills and personality to determine potential usefulness and application. He by no stretch of the imagination cares what anyone around him is going through though, no matter how easily he can tell that they are. It only matters if it is relevant to his plans, has potential to accelerate or hamper them in some way. At the point in his career he is shown at throughout canon, he has enough people either on his payroll or in his debt to make it completely unnecessary for him to do his own dirty work. Moriarty, when not in a role that requires otherwise, takes good care of his appearance, and prefers not getting his hands (or his suit) stained. This does not mean he could or would not, as evidently, he has done as much in the past.
Moriarty is depicted as having a very strong will. He is shown in captivity during episode two of the second season, being released towards the end of it, and as is later revealed by Mycroft, was interrogated for weeks without giving them anything useful for it. He says as much to Sherlock later: "Your big brother and all the king's horses couldn't make me do a thing I didn't want to." This is not to say that he can not be broken or made to do something, but rather, that no-one with their inhibitions intact would be able to pull it off, as he is certain that Sherlock could if he put his mind to it.
In general, Moriarty views himself (and also Sherlock) as far removed from ordinary people. His intellect and emotional detachment lead to him being deeply amoral. The only thing he seems to care about is the next challenge, which he latches onto with a vice grip. He needs to be distracted, because he is deeply destructive, he will keep pushing at borders to see how far he can go. He is always compelled to go through with his plans to the last consequence - even if that means his own destruction as well - unless he gets a better idea in time. This "changeable" nature is what he considers his only weakness. He moves from one thing to the next without much further ado, abandoning a project the moment something better catches his interest, or changing plans at the last minute. Projects are not to be mistaken for challenges, as they are much more passing interests for him.
It's this mutable character as well as him feeling far above ordinary people that leads to him not really standing on his dignity. He acts silly and outright ridiculous at times, clearly enjoys play-acting, even if there usually is a point to that. Making people dance to his tune is fun, but for the most part that's just his job, so for his own entertainment he drops in-jokes in every crime or deception he actually cares about. A wonderful example from the final episode of the second season: The name he chooses for his role as the supposed actor, that translates into the name of the case that made Sherlock famous in the first place.
Throughout canon, he's shown as a ruthless, amoral, strong-willed, mercurial genius. He starts playing with Sherlock to find someome extraordinary, similar to himself, not restricted by the mindset of normal people. He is a villain, and a frightening one, because of his unlimited creativity as far as criminal actions are concerned, and he's convinced that he has found a foil in Sherlock Holmes. It is his lack of inhibitions that finally leads him to take his own life to assure Sherlock's defeat and death, hand in hand with the fact that ultimately, his disregard for life extends to his own as well. And of course, no less because he much prefers death and victory over someone worthwhile over surviving to either lose or return to being bored indefinitely.
Abilites/Special Powers: n/a? Jim's a regular human, he doesn't have any 'powers' by that definition. He is brilliant, however, an exceptional liar and actor, ruthless, very skilled at reading and predicting other people, and very quick to learn new things. Canon does not detail on the extent of his knowledge or skills, but I assume he has dabbled in mathematics and sciences and knows how to defend himself.
Third-Person Sample: There's some satisfaction to be had from knowing that very nearly all of criminal London is either under his control or under his wing. Perhaps, Jim thinks as he walks down the street towards the Thames, hands in his coatpockets, it's irrational to also gain some measure of a feeling of security from it. After all, only a bare minimum know who exactly he is, even if his name gets 'round. His eyes wander. People pass him, and he assesses and dismisses them by their posture, by their pace, by their clothing. No-one pays him any mind, and that's the right thing for them to do. Ants scuttling about their tasks. Most of them sheep for all the use they make of their free will. Insignificant.
Finally he's at the right spot. The right angle for this picture. Instructions, no matter how precise, can only get him so far, this has to be perfect. Though, for how brief his stop is, just slipping his phone out of his pocket and taking a quick picture of just that view, it will merely look casual. Unremarkable, even if there was anyone who paid any attention whatsoever. In moments, this picture makes it across the web to the phone in Sherlock Holmes' possession. There's no doubt in his mind, not one, that the consulting detective carries it with him whereever he goes. The thought makes Jim smile to himself as he's walking away, a cold, eery expression that just barely reaches his eyes.
In a little while, the beach will be swarming with busy little investigators who will fail to realize anything until Sherlock gets there. Have they already learned to hate him? Likely, as much as they depend on him for doing what they considered to be their work. His good mood holds until he gets home, having spun a dozen potential scenarios in his mind already.
In the relative silence of his flat, Jim sits down with his laptop, sorting through this day's work. New clients, old clients, boring projects to be delegated, a very few interesting enough projects to put some thought of his own into. More and more people seem in need of his assistance. Word gets around, even without a blog, particularly in his trade discretion and efficiency are the best PR.
The preparations for this latest riddle have long been made, so now, he gets to watch Sherlock dance one more time. Part of him wonders if anyone will get the joke, though it's not likely Sherlock will find the jab at this lack of knowledge in that specific area all that humorous - either way, he's dropping enough hints. Surely he'll catch on. And then? Well, everything is planned out for that, too, losely enough to be adaptable to any situation and location. All the guns he'll need are sure to be available on short notice. Just so they can have a nice, peaceful, proper chat. No more than that.
...probably.
First-Person Sample: [There's no video feed, only audio. Or rather, the screen shows only black, as if the device has been placed facing a surface. It almost seems as if Jim is talking to himself here, soft, occasionally sing-song voice clearly audible from not far off. Accidental recording?]
Wonderland. It certainly has its merits in what it supplies us with, nearly everything can be pulled from these closets, supplying us with all our wants and needs. The kitchen supplies as much food as anyone can ask for, restocking itself like magic. Plenty of distractions are available to everyone, and the house never even becomes too crowded. And yet.
It's all a bit too good to be true, isn't it.
Most of all though, the mirrors. It's not so much that they mend themselves that gives it away, it's the fact they're everywhere. Anything about a room adjusts to the inhabitant, but there is always a mirror, isn't there? For everyone.
[A pause. Unseen, a smile.]
Curioser and curioser, indeed.
Series: Sherlock
Timeline: post season 2.
Canon Resource Link: Canon wiki! Character specific.
Character Background: Jim Moriarty's origins and family background are unknown, aside from the fact that he was born Irish. The only other sure thing is that he started his criminal career young, committing the murder of Carl Powers as early as twenty years before the series is set. Even as a child, the cleverness applied here show not only intellect, but a gross lack of empathy and disregard for human life as well as a great deal of criminal energy. The general mystery that surrounds Moriarty's background fits the tone of his appearances in canon. He spends two thirds of the first season pulling strings behind the scenes, clearly responsible for a great deal of unusual crimes from the shadows, but never directly involved. As a result his name gets dropped but nothing else, without even going so far as stating whether this 'Moriarty' is an organization or a single person. He keeps himself aloof and removed from his clients, which means he retains a perfectly clean record all the way up to the last episode of season two, in which he deliberately sets himself up to be caught.
He finally reveals himself to Sherlock in person as the villain, specialist and consulting criminal at the conclusion of the first season, and clearly enjoys this role very much. He goes so far as to state this outright later: "Every fairytale needs a good old-fashioned villain. You need me, or you're nothing." Rarely does a character actively choose a particular role in their own story, but Jim seems to tailor himself to the task. At the same time he depicts life as nothing more than a story. He plays the role of the evil mastermind like he played the role of a simple IT employee and the harmless storytelling actor, and portrays each of these with precision and an impeccable eye for detail. Deception is his greatest skill. Lies come as easily as breathing. Even Sherlock, as the quite possibly most brilliant man alive or at least around, does not see through his disguise unless he knows it is one.
As the consulting criminal, he has connections on implied global scale. He is an expert at networking, and similarly an expert at reading people. It's necessary for him to be aware of other people's skills and personality to determine potential usefulness and application. He by no stretch of the imagination cares what anyone around him is going through though, no matter how easily he can tell that they are. It only matters if it is relevant to his plans, has potential to accelerate or hamper them in some way. At the point in his career he is shown at throughout canon, he has enough people either on his payroll or in his debt to make it completely unnecessary for him to do his own dirty work. Moriarty, when not in a role that requires otherwise, takes good care of his appearance, and prefers not getting his hands (or his suit) stained. This does not mean he could or would not, as evidently, he has done as much in the past.
Moriarty is depicted as having a very strong will. He is shown in captivity during episode two of the second season, being released towards the end of it, and as is later revealed by Mycroft, was interrogated for weeks without giving them anything useful for it. He says as much to Sherlock later: "Your big brother and all the king's horses couldn't make me do a thing I didn't want to." This is not to say that he can not be broken or made to do something, but rather, that no-one with their inhibitions intact would be able to pull it off, as he is certain that Sherlock could if he put his mind to it.
In general, Moriarty views himself (and also Sherlock) as far removed from ordinary people. His intellect and emotional detachment lead to him being deeply amoral. The only thing he seems to care about is the next challenge, which he latches onto with a vice grip. He needs to be distracted, because he is deeply destructive, he will keep pushing at borders to see how far he can go. He is always compelled to go through with his plans to the last consequence - even if that means his own destruction as well - unless he gets a better idea in time. This "changeable" nature is what he considers his only weakness. He moves from one thing to the next without much further ado, abandoning a project the moment something better catches his interest, or changing plans at the last minute. Projects are not to be mistaken for challenges, as they are much more passing interests for him.
It's this mutable character as well as him feeling far above ordinary people that leads to him not really standing on his dignity. He acts silly and outright ridiculous at times, clearly enjoys play-acting, even if there usually is a point to that. Making people dance to his tune is fun, but for the most part that's just his job, so for his own entertainment he drops in-jokes in every crime or deception he actually cares about. A wonderful example from the final episode of the second season: The name he chooses for his role as the supposed actor, that translates into the name of the case that made Sherlock famous in the first place.
Throughout canon, he's shown as a ruthless, amoral, strong-willed, mercurial genius. He starts playing with Sherlock to find someome extraordinary, similar to himself, not restricted by the mindset of normal people. He is a villain, and a frightening one, because of his unlimited creativity as far as criminal actions are concerned, and he's convinced that he has found a foil in Sherlock Holmes. It is his lack of inhibitions that finally leads him to take his own life to assure Sherlock's defeat and death, hand in hand with the fact that ultimately, his disregard for life extends to his own as well. And of course, no less because he much prefers death and victory over someone worthwhile over surviving to either lose or return to being bored indefinitely.
Abilites/Special Powers: n/a? Jim's a regular human, he doesn't have any 'powers' by that definition. He is brilliant, however, an exceptional liar and actor, ruthless, very skilled at reading and predicting other people, and very quick to learn new things. Canon does not detail on the extent of his knowledge or skills, but I assume he has dabbled in mathematics and sciences and knows how to defend himself.
Third-Person Sample: There's some satisfaction to be had from knowing that very nearly all of criminal London is either under his control or under his wing. Perhaps, Jim thinks as he walks down the street towards the Thames, hands in his coatpockets, it's irrational to also gain some measure of a feeling of security from it. After all, only a bare minimum know who exactly he is, even if his name gets 'round. His eyes wander. People pass him, and he assesses and dismisses them by their posture, by their pace, by their clothing. No-one pays him any mind, and that's the right thing for them to do. Ants scuttling about their tasks. Most of them sheep for all the use they make of their free will. Insignificant.
Finally he's at the right spot. The right angle for this picture. Instructions, no matter how precise, can only get him so far, this has to be perfect. Though, for how brief his stop is, just slipping his phone out of his pocket and taking a quick picture of just that view, it will merely look casual. Unremarkable, even if there was anyone who paid any attention whatsoever. In moments, this picture makes it across the web to the phone in Sherlock Holmes' possession. There's no doubt in his mind, not one, that the consulting detective carries it with him whereever he goes. The thought makes Jim smile to himself as he's walking away, a cold, eery expression that just barely reaches his eyes.
In a little while, the beach will be swarming with busy little investigators who will fail to realize anything until Sherlock gets there. Have they already learned to hate him? Likely, as much as they depend on him for doing what they considered to be their work. His good mood holds until he gets home, having spun a dozen potential scenarios in his mind already.
In the relative silence of his flat, Jim sits down with his laptop, sorting through this day's work. New clients, old clients, boring projects to be delegated, a very few interesting enough projects to put some thought of his own into. More and more people seem in need of his assistance. Word gets around, even without a blog, particularly in his trade discretion and efficiency are the best PR.
The preparations for this latest riddle have long been made, so now, he gets to watch Sherlock dance one more time. Part of him wonders if anyone will get the joke, though it's not likely Sherlock will find the jab at this lack of knowledge in that specific area all that humorous - either way, he's dropping enough hints. Surely he'll catch on. And then? Well, everything is planned out for that, too, losely enough to be adaptable to any situation and location. All the guns he'll need are sure to be available on short notice. Just so they can have a nice, peaceful, proper chat. No more than that.
...probably.
First-Person Sample: [There's no video feed, only audio. Or rather, the screen shows only black, as if the device has been placed facing a surface. It almost seems as if Jim is talking to himself here, soft, occasionally sing-song voice clearly audible from not far off. Accidental recording?]
Wonderland. It certainly has its merits in what it supplies us with, nearly everything can be pulled from these closets, supplying us with all our wants and needs. The kitchen supplies as much food as anyone can ask for, restocking itself like magic. Plenty of distractions are available to everyone, and the house never even becomes too crowded. And yet.
It's all a bit too good to be true, isn't it.
Most of all though, the mirrors. It's not so much that they mend themselves that gives it away, it's the fact they're everywhere. Anything about a room adjusts to the inhabitant, but there is always a mirror, isn't there? For everyone.
[A pause. Unseen, a smile.]
Curioser and curioser, indeed.