10 TV Characters They Wanted You To Forget

There have been numerous different iterations of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's legendary detective over the years, but it being brought into the modern day by Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss was truly unique. Benedict Cumberbatch's Sherlock was exceptional, and of course, he had to be matched by an exceptional villain.

The first two episodes of the series merely hinted at the existence of Moriarty, without actually featuring the consulting criminal. This was saved for the first season finale, in which the villain would reveal himself and confront both Sherlock and Watson.

But how could such a reveal be taken a level above the usual? How about the fact that this wouldn't be the first time the two shared the screen, or even interacted in the episode? It was just that in the first instance, audiences had no reason to suspect such a blink-and-you'll-miss-him character.

When Molly Hooper first introduced Jim to Sherlock, her so-called boyfriend gave Mr. Holmes his number, before the detective launched into his deductions about Jim's sexuality. At the conclusion of the episode, upon hearing the words from the still obscured Moriarty that he gave Sherlock his number, jaws dropped the country over.