Mycroft Holmes

[SherlockedCAMPer]

Definitely not a lot of warm fuzzies between the two. It would be nice for a little more of a glimpse into what happened between them or in the family. Not a big look just some tiny bits like we have gotten so far.

[SherlockedCAMPer]

I just had this thought.  Mycroft and Sherlock could have had a war of words via letters/email/voice mail much the way William Tyndale (the person behind getting the Bible in the vernacular language in England in the 1500's) and Thomas More (high ranking in the Catholic church during that time who thought a Latin Bible was just fine).  Between those 2 the English language expanded considerably then Shakespeare came along and helped expand it more.  I could totally see Mycroft and Sherlock doing that, especially when they were both at home together.

[Bendydoodle Cantaloupe]

Definitely not a lot of warm fuzzies between the two. It would be nice for a little more of a glimpse into what happened between them or in the family. Not a big look just some tiny bits like we have gotten so far.

 

Maybe Uncle Rudy had something to do with it!

[SherlockedCAMPer]

That could be an interesting plot point.

[Shadow Dweller]

On the matter of pairing, I can see why Mystrade / Johncroft is possible. Greg Lestrade and John Watson were pictured as honest and trust-able men, a quality I believe is important for Mycroft to have in a partner. Mycroft has a trust issue too (SiB, the Buckingham Place scene where he implied that he did not trust his own Secret Service people), letting people into his heart would not be easy because it means he would be vulnerable to them. The fact that both men are formidable in their own right is a bonus, means they might have chance to fight and survive should any of the 'human chess' players decide to target them.

[Bendydoodle Cantaloupe]

That was beautiful. And now my armada of weird ships is even bigger.

 

H̱͚̮̝̣͇͓͉̳̥́́̀͟ͅE̻̺̜̯͙̯̕ͅL̢̧̨̛͙̳̜̜̙͖̘̻̬̠͈̪̳͖̮̼̕ͅP̨̹̬̩͔͕̹͍͎͓͍̝̮͘ ̨̡͖͓̮̤͍͍͖̞̥͘ͅM̀͡͏̜̤̱̱͎͜É̴̢͖̥͇̝̞̙̫̟̺͔̀͢.̴̫͓͈̱̞͔̣̜͜͜ͅͅ

[Shadow Dweller]

That was beautiful. And now my armada of weird ships is even bigger.

 

H̱͚̮̝̣͇͓͉̳̥́́̀͟ͅE̻̺̜̯͙̯̕ͅL̢̧̨̛͙̳̜̜̙͖̘̻̬̠͈̪̳͖̮̼̕ͅP̨̹̬̩͔͕̹͍͎͓͍̝̮͘ ̨̡͖͓̮̤͍͍͖̞̥͘ͅM̀͡͏̜̤̱̱͎͜É̴̢͖̥͇̝̞̙̫̟̺͔̀͢.̴̫͓͈̱̞͔̣̜͜͜ͅͅ

 

What, did you just said that you never considered Johncroft?  :D  

 

By the way, what is it around "HELP ME", it looks like something from Chinese or Japanese writing.

[Bendydoodle Cantaloupe]

I'm not sure, I just typed it into the Zalgo Text Generator and tinkered with it until I got something I liked.

[SherlockedCAMPer]

And for a moment a thought that maybe it was some of the pairings coming off the letters.

[sfmpco]

This just showed up in my Twitter feed....

 

http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/01/08/kareem-abdul-jabbar-to-publish-a-novel-about-sherlock-holmess-brother-mycroft/?_r=0

[Carol the Dabbler]

That's an interesting concept -- 'bout time Mycroft got a story of his own!

 

Also interesting to see a retired athlete with a second career that's not coaching or operating a restaurant.

 

[Arcadia]

[stick]

Love to see more of Mycroft though I don't think a episode centred on him would be a good idea (though happy to be proven wrong) I think he works best as someone who pops up from time to time, this might only make sense to me but seeing him to much would actually take away from the character. So I would like him to continue to pop up and be important but I wouldn't want him to dominate a episode.

 

Mycroft and Sherlock's relationship is my favourite of the series.

[sfmpco]

Now an episode centered around something about Mycroft BEING the case for Sherlock would be interesting but Sherlock and John are always the forefront of any episode.

[stick]

Now an episode centered around something about Mycroft BEING the case for Sherlock would be interesting but Sherlock and John are always the forefront of any episode.

 

That would work. Be quite interesting how Sherlock would handle it if the stakes were high, would there be a difference in the way he is because the case hits home.

[sfmpco]

 

Now an episode centered around something about Mycroft BEING the case for Sherlock would be interesting but Sherlock and John are always the forefront of any episode.

 

That would work. Be quite interesting how Sherlock would handle it if the stakes were high, would there be a difference in the way he is because the case hits home.

 

 

yes, and I'm definitely hoping we see more "cases" hit home in S4... things that help break down that tough veneer Sherlock wears to guard his emotions.

[Arcadia]

Be careful what you wish for, look what happened last time the case hit home! I really don't want to see Sherlock committing any more murders .....

[Shadow Dweller]

Ha! I surely want to see how Sherlock really feels about big brother dearest. As funny as it is, I am getting tired of watching that bratty act of his. :P No killing Mycroft though (Producers); I recall somewhere on the net was mentioning about trailer in / for HLV where there is a shot of right hand in what looks like hospital-issued gown, bluish and bear close resemblance with Mycroft's hand from when he face-palmed as Moriarty text-ed about Bond Air.

[Arcadia]

I can't help but enjoy their competition, though. I don't want them to get too friendly!

[Shadow Dweller]

I can't help but enjoy their competition, though. I don't want them to get too friendly!

Me too, but please let Sherlock grow up more, don't let him stuck in perpetual adolescent rebellion state. Mycroft, use that chessmaster -brain of yours, would you? Change your attitude toward Sherlock, don't let emotions cloud your mind.

[J.P.]

Oh what a great thread. So many good points that I ended up having like 12 posts in my multiquote cache and it looked like one big mess.

I really want to thank you for bringing Mr Steed into the game. It was the FIRST thing I thought seeing Mycroft. And didn't Steed's umbrella contain a dagger in it's handle?

Okay, I have a question, mostly to those who don't know (or knew) the canon. When did you realized that Mycroft is the superior one?

First I thought Mycroft was "just" powerful through his position, and the obvious rivalry between him and Sherlock resulted from Mycroft being jealous of Sherlock's intellectual superiority. Learning that it's the opposite was one of the best on screen surprises I ever remember.

One of the qualities of the show is that if you re-watch it, the hints to various subplots are right before your eyes, but you cannot see them, until all is revealed and suddenly all elements fall into their places. I mean an idea of Mycroft not being an average goldfish crossed my mind once or twice, but as he started talking about learning Serbian in few hours and it finally clicked, my jaw hit the ground.

And my idea of Mycroft as an older brother turned full 180 degrees. From one who was overshadowed by his genius little brother he probably had to take care for and keep out of trouble, he became the one who was the strongest factor in making Sherlock into what he is.

Now I would even risk a theory that Sherlock has a high IQ, but what made him BRILLIANT, genius, a "sociopath", a show off and a pain to deal with, was the fact that he always tried to meet Mycrof's standarts of being smart, being in control, not caring. Because IMO whatever Sherlock can do - can be trained and learned to a great degree, when a certain talent is given.

At the other hand S's a**hole behavior kicks in when people cannot follow him, in competitive situations or facing resistance. When he is emotionally thrown into another "dont't be smart, Sherlock" situation, or - ironically - imitating young Mycroft's behavior toward goldfish.

Mycroft's most obvious sign of superiority was NOT SHOWING his abilities. Or showing it in a way that made at least me oversee the signs. (it was the sofa, Sherlock!) He - unlike Sherlock - doesn't need audience. S's behavior is one big "LOOK AT ME!" probably still being "look at me, Mycroft"

But I don't really blame Mycroft, he also was a kid, obviously having noone who he could consider a positive role model.

Actually I can quite good relate to both of Holmes wanting to stay alone. I am like that. Relationships? I suspect Mycroft has no free brain capacity to even think about it. 

And you know what? If Mycroft considered me not an average goldfish and a partner for even a short conversation I could die happy. 

[sfmpco]

I know Mycroft gave that "living in a world of goldfish" line, but he also works with a highly respected group of peers with whom he consults, and I doubt he would ever be so condescending, even mentally, to call or think of them as goldfish..  Then again, Mycroft doesn't strike me as narcissistic like Sherlock does.  No, not at all.  Mycroft is also far more socially adept and filters what he has to say, never being politically incorrect.  He does tell Mrs. Hudson to shut up, but he's called out for it and immediately apologizes, but then Sherlock immediately says to her, "Although do in fact shut up."

 

One could sit down and have a nice meal with Mycroft.  Sherlock wouldn't eat (unless between cases) and then would probably be bouncing off the walls.  Mycroft's brain always seems perfectly focused and calm.  Sherlock's brain can focus but seems to have a harder time streamlining information because he's just a little ADHD.

[sittything]

I wouldn't say I ever thought Mycroft was the intellectually superior one, and I was surprised when they both agreed that Mycroft was the "smart one," but I always assumed that Mycroft was as sharp as Sherlock or pretty darn close.   I'm not sure if it was their verbal sparring or what it was about Mycroft, but I never thought of Mycroft as an average goldfish.

 

And because I love Mycroft so... gratuitous gif...

 

 

 

[Bakerstreet Irregular]

It is in the canon version of the "Adventure of the Greek Interpreter" that Holmes first introduces Watson to his "smarter older brother".  Yes, Sherlock Holmes admits to Dr. Watson that his older brother's powers of observation and deduction were greater then Sherlock's but he lacked the drive and energy to do the "foot work". Mycroft is described as being to lazy and not even interested in verifying his own conclusions.

 

  Mycroft is hardly a goldfish, but unfortunately he views everyone else as one.

[Arcadia]

Sorry, J.P., one of the few things I did know about the "canon" Sherlock Holmes is that Mycroft was supposed to be the smarter brother!  

 

But I don't actually believe it, I think it's just a case of having different kinds of intelligence. Mycroft's knowledge may be more extensive, but Sherlock's more intuitive, imo, and will accurately "guess" answers that Mycroft won't. And I agree about Sherlock being the way he is in part because he's been trying to catch up to Mycroft all his life.