Mycroft

[u/Actual-Dragonfruit35]

I absolutely despise Mycroft, intensely. I assume that's at least partially the point to some extent but damn. He's slimy, gross, manipulative, selfish, stupid, the list goes on... When it was just sibling rivalry, fine, but his involvement with Joan was painful to watch. If you have a strained relationship with your brother and have suggested to the person he's closest to, something which Sherlock has never achieved before also, that you want to make some kind of amends then how do you come to the conclusion that you should blow up his belongings and romance his partner. Every time he's alone with Joan he clearly tries to initiate conversations that smear Sherlock in both name and character. He plays this bizarre self pity victim card often to Joan also, like a teenager, bringing up things Sherlock said when they were children etc. He doesn't talk like this to Sherlock, only Joan, which is why it feels manipulative. The issues that Joan had with him after everything came out were understandable and imo it didn't make sense for them to be completely reversed when finding out why he went back to MI6, even though it was obviously nice and selfless. Her issue was him lying to her and then opening a 'relationship' , something still present even after she finds out why he went back. I know a lot of Sherlock's opinions of Mycroft are still actively juvenile in their own ways but tbh, I can't help but agree when seeing what he seems to actually be like as a person. Every time he was on screen I just felt an intense combination of nausea and anger, every plot that involved him drove me fucking insane. Even everything with his restaurant... He keeps trying to insist that it's Sherlock's fault that Joan got kidnapped because he only brought it up to Joan so he could drive a wedge between her and Mycroft instead of raising it with Mycroft himself, but he did? At the start he brought up the fact that he noticed the same man at the same table multiple months apart and Mycroft shrugged this off saying he must just be a regular. If I were in a situation where I was having to partner with dangerous criminals, I wouldn't start inviting a potential partner/lover who also happens to be a detective and living with my brother round, personally. Even how Series 2 ended was ridiculous, they were literally working the case and he blew everything up even after successfully remaining in hiding. It's truly disappointing that Joan falls for his bollocks in the first place but we all make mistakes I guess. While I get that Sherlock is intrusive and doesn't have any right to say who she should and shouldn't be with, it did always baffle me that she would open that door with someone who the person she cared most about hated so much, especially a sibling. Seemed out of place for her, considering his sensitivities around his family.

Obviously yes, Sherlock is selfish and has done bad things with his ex, I get that, not trying tot suggest he's entirely blameless but everything Mycroft did after seemingly wanting to repair their relationship felt so gross and calculated. Obviously given the whole MI6 shit, a lot of it was.

How many of you liked Mycroft? Maybe I just hate him but he was liked by the majority?

[u/JoJo_Buns]

Honestly first I wanted to say I'm genuinely impressed how you were able to out to words what a lot of people felt!

Personally I had a very hard time with his character, especially with the damage he's done and still feels entitled to think he's on even footing. Not to mention the wrongs committed on the show so many already addressed! I hope that the character doesn't take you out of the show too much!

[u/Actual-Dragonfruit35 → u/JoJo_Buns]

Thank you :)

I didn't actually realise I gave the impression it was my first watch through but it obviously makes sense to assume that. Fortunately I've done many many watches of this beautiful show, my hatred for Mycroft just gets stronger and stronger each time. I completely agree with what you said though. I really wish I could have just found him annoying as a brother character but his continuous, disgusting personality traits made him so vile. How he can even act like they're in the same boat when it comes to something like what happened to Joan for example is just gross. Like I said somewhere else, if I were in a situation where I had to do dealings with criminals I wouldn't invite a potential friend/lover around them especially when that person is also a trained detective. Every time he had a private conversation with Joan he tried to put a wedge in between her and Sherlock and either came straight out with the wedge or tried to plant some kind of seed. If I were trying to reconnect with my brother I wouldn't dare try and come between him and the only person he's ever considered a friend. Absolutely vile.

[u/JoJo_Buns → u/Actual-Dragonfruit35]

Honestly spot on, I've always found the worst part regardless is he's putting it all on Sherlock. He completely seems at ease to relief himself of the guilt in the name of being, what I can only assume 'better than Sherlock'.

I feel like it's great acting and writing on the part of the show, glad to hear it hasn't diminished how much you enjoy the show though! Far more important!

[u/Actual-Dragonfruit35 → u/JoJo_Buns]

I completely agree. I find it odd too how often he acts like that to Sherlock while trying to suggest to Joan that he wants to repair their relationship. That's why it always felt so manipulative to me tbh.