bedelia1984

That old adage of not negotiating with terrorists also applies though... as soon as they started doing 'bad' things to meet with Eurus's approval, they ran the risk of her escalating and asking worse of them. Appeasement often produces worse behaviour, an idea of which a man like Mycroft is likely keenly aware. Taking a stand against their demands is often the only choice- even if a hostage or two has to die along the way. Also, I think it is important not to take the way Mycroft behaves in the test at face value, or a genuine representation of his feelings. In some of the tests, we see how he deliberately 'acts' a certain way, in order to elicit other emotional responses from Sherlock, and others. In his own way, Mycroft is a hero too, trying to save his brother and even John from feeling they need to become monsters to play Eurus' game.

I think it makes total sense that Mycroft was unwilling to dance to Eurus's tune. For one thing, he is the only one who knows her well as an adult. He knows more about the power dynamics at play and how best to deal with her. He also, I would guess, is aware that she is fickle and untrustworthy, so they cannot rely on her to follow through on any of the terrible bargains she offers the guys. In this scenario, the only thing Mycroft can do is to choose his own behaviour- to murder or not, everything else in an unknown quantity. To murder for the greater good might be one thing, if you have a guarantee, but if you are dealing with someone known for unpredictability, you cannot base such a serious action on a mere possibility of a possible positive outcome.

Yes, I thought it was really interesting what the author did with that dynamic.

I had not (haven't read much fanfic, actually), so thanks for the link! I really enjoyed the story, including the way several scenes from the show were included as part of it, but from Molly's perspective, which makes them quite different from what we thought. Even so, it's entirely canon-compliant -- though it was written well before S3 was even filmed, so there are of course some unfamiliar bits toward the end. Glad somebody else enjoyed this one! It had been a while so I forgot that parts of it were a bit dark, but like you say the character insights are well done, and I like that the Lestrade in the story is the sort of guy who laughs at Molly's jokes. I have to confess I had thought this was a Sherlock/ Molly fic and was about three quarters of the way through when my terminal confusion lifted... but the writer makes it really believable, I think because she can draw on a lot of inherent similarities in Molly and Lestrade as characters, you can see how they would understand and empathise with each other.

In a perfect world, I would have made the last episode more organic too (If it really was the last. I am still holding out for a special. A full season five seems almost too much to hope for, though I would love it). It is not even the character development- though I would have liked more, I was surprised and pleased with how much we got. I just would have liked a more cosy, 'Baker Street' feel to the very last episode. It is ironic, because though Mary calls them the 'Baker Street boys' at the end, Baker street was really missing from that episode for me. I don't think the end was perfect by any means, but if we have to leave them all, I would rather leave them all seeming happy, even if we don't know the whys or hows. But yes, in an ideal world, I would have liked to see how they all got there, and more of everyone in Baker Street, and a bit less in Sherrinford. It should have been a two-part finale, really, but then it would have been a definite series ender I suppose.

I can understand being annoyed about lack of resolution, as I would have definitely loved an extra scene after the phone call. For me, it wouldn't have had to define the relationship, but I probably would have liked more to guess about. Maybe another reason for them to leave things ambiguous is in case they do come back- it just gives them more options? By the way, different topic, if anyone is looking for a nice Mollstrade fic, this one 'An Avalanche of Detour Signs' is really quite good- though it seems to be one of the top ones, so many people may have already read it.

I don't believe Moftiss feel any responsibility to any of the shippers for any pairing, nor would I want them to. I think the main responsibility they feel is to Sherlock as a character. I've read them both describe him as somebody capable of falling in love, and I think they wanted to leave that open but without committing as to his choice of whether to pursue a relationship or not. For me, that's as good as it gets. I always found the original idea of Sherlock retiring on his own to keep bees a little bit sad- considering how much our version enjoys the friendship and companionship of the people in his life. So I like to at least imagine it is possible he has more than that later. But then, it's good that the people who think of him happiest by himself have that option too. For me, the deliberate ambiguity (which I think it is, and rightly so, it's too important to be accidental) isn't a cop out, there is actually a little bit of beauty in an ending that gives him a a few more options than the canon Sherlock, for those who want to believe he would be happier with another sort of life. It also recognises a little bit of who the figure of Sherlock Holmes has become in our modern culture- a man with many versions and many possibilities, who will likely continue to be re-interpreted for many years to come. Also, I think of lot it may have been their wanting to do justice to Benedict Cumberbatch's portrayal of Sherlock, which is a little bit unique in that he exudes an energy slightly different from other versions of Sherlock, and all those possibilities the fans speculate on are effervescing from his very layered portrayal. I like that their choice to leave it open acknowledges all that onscreen chemistry he's helped create- I really enjoy it when writing respects what the actors are bringing to the table. Not to say I think that Moftiss are perfect, but they have gotten some aspects of the show very right.

I thought colouring grey hairs?

Thanks Arcadia, that was indeed what I meant. As for what actually was discussed between them, maybe it's good that the conversation happened off screen because that way, those who would like to think of Sherlock and Molly as a couple have a good opening there but those who don't are free to believe they are still just friends. I totally agree about the benefits of it happening offscreen. To me it is almost more romantic in that way, because their dynamic has always had that element of 'maybe there is more here than they are showing onscreen', and season 4 was the epitome of this. It started off with things like the conversation Molly mentions in Scandal about Sherlock not liking John going away at Christmas, through the way Molly helped in TRF of which we never see the particulars, and then finding out in HLV that Sherlock sometimes stays over in her place... The nicest thing about leaving the options open is that its not rubbed in anyones faces that their idea of how Sherlock should be or who he should be with isn't happening. I do think some of TJLC goes way too far, but I also feel bad for the young people who would love to see Sherlock/ John represent them onscreen. I can see why that would mean a lot for them, and it's nice it doesn't have to be trampled all over. Plus, I have this feeling that whatever Moftiss could or would write between Sherlock and Molly onscreen could never match up to the sort of shenanigans going on in the imagination of the fans!

I have to take Mrs. Hudson's side. Though I also think he probably loves being called a reptile too.

Can we blame that on Irene and/or the stress of Bond Air? Sherlock being in a sheet at Buckingham the day before? Well yes but I consider these more reasons than excuses. There is no excuse for rudeness to Mrs Hudson, in my view. Never mind the fact she looks after his brother so the rest of the family doesn't have to, the things she puts up with for Sherlock's sake should have Mycroft giving her a medal. I love that she won't make him tea in TFP, well deserved.

He's not a gentleman to Mrs Hudson! Shockingly bad behaviour. Though now I know he has a thing for older women I don't know what to think. Same age difference as Molly and Lestrade then.

I can see why some might say he'd want to wait because sometimes Mycroft seems to me like he wishes he was from another time (maybe ACD's?), with his house full of antiques and love of vintage film. I can imagine him believing in chlvalry. Though, more to the point, would Lady Smallwood be okay with waiting? She might feel like she's not getting any younger and would rather have him right now.

I feel bad for the women in question. They just can't help getting trapped beneath Mycroft's umbrella of love.

I can imagine Mycroft having some dangerous exes, but I hope Norbury is not one of them. Perhaps he's been abstaining from romance for the sake of law and order, not wanting to cause another woman to snap and turn bad? It seems like Lady Smallwood and Mycroft must have been friends for a long time. she must have had a hard time in her marriage, with her husbands's affair with the underage girl. Maybe Mycroft was there for her? Not that I see him as a shoulder to cry on type exactly, but I can see him being a good friend and support, and that being what made her see him differently. From the movies he watches, I think he might like a femme fatale.

I can see him taking her on a fencing date, actually.. Sounds like fun. No to Norbury! Mycroft can do better, sorry. I wonder how Sherlock would feel about accidentally discovering Mycroft and Lady Smallwood canoodling. I think there would be a lot of buffering..

Is Lady Smallwood really that saucy?! I do think Mycroft is a man of the world in most respects, but there is still room for a little bit of the Holmes social cluelessness- I can't believe a woman asked him out for a drink and his response was 'of what?' And whilst browsing Ariana Devere's transcripts I read that Lady Smallwood is a former gymnast!! So that will be nice for them.

I do think he would be a proper gentleman. I'm curious what he would wear. Usually one dresses up on a date, but how could Mycroft get more dressed up?

I'd never imagined that 'updating wikipedia' could sound so filthy. Bravo.

I wonder what sort of date would Mycroft would take Lady Smallwood on?

Well yes it does, thank you! I still feel like Molly should be a little more alert, given the fact someone has apparently been trying to kill him quite recently, and he then calls with a really odd request, but I'm willing to hand-wave it away.

I just remember that when Sherlock called she seemed pretty unconcerned about him, which seems odd if your friend's flat has just been blown up? Maybe she did know, but it didn't come across that way.

Just wondering, does anyone think it is weird that Molly didn't seem to know about how Baker Street had exploded during the phone call? Wouldn't that be headline news? Or was it hushed up?

:( Aww, but I always saw John as the human male equivalent of some sort of cute furry animal- Freeman compares him to a hedgehog, doesn't he? (Which is prickly, I'll allow but still pretty darn cute). I know he has that cold sniper side to him, but I always found him quite warm and endearing when it came to the ladies- I sort of imagine him being that kind of Dad too.

It seems to me like Mycroft might be in some kind of secret community theatre group.