Sherlock Reichenbach Falls rant
Okay, this isn't to say I didn't like the episode. I did. Every scene with John was gold, because gdit, Martin Freeman, you are way too talented and you broke my heart every. damn. time. The way he never wavers! Everything from the phone call on. You deserve another BAFTA, my good man.
But I'm still dwelling, and even for animes I adore, I don't usually dwell like this over the way things play out on TV. Even if I hate it (hi, Cas), I generally just go with it, because what are you going to do? Can't change nothin'. But here, the more I think about it, the more it's bothering me. Maybe it's because Mycroft is my favorite character, so it probably matters more to me, and maybe my POV on these things is just too skewed and my interpretation of things is completely off.
But I can't get over how out of character Mycroft's actions are in this episode.
In Season 1, we learn all of two things about him:
The first thing we know from the A Study in Pink is that Mycroft is in a pretty high position of power with the British government, judging from the way he can manipulate CCTVs at will and Sherlock's own comments. Presumably, we can also infer that he's somewhat dedicated to his job, considering he managed to land in a position high up that scale. He either worked himself up there or he's been given it, but regardless he's maintaining it. This means he has a sense of duty or responsibility towards Queen and Country, even if he has to stoop towards shadowy methods.
The second thing we know, again from Episode 1, is that Mycroft, for all the shadowy aura he exudes, cares about his little brother, Sherlock. Upon rewatching ASiP, it was kind of surprising that Mycroft was more or less being straightforward with John the entire time. Especially when John goes, "so when you say you worry about him, you really are worried about him?" Mycroft just answers "of course," in a way that indicates it should've been obvious.
Both of these aspects of his characterization are upped to the 11th power in Scandal, where Mycroft gets more screentime. The first part is obvious: I mean, it was set in Buckingham Palace, for crying out loud. In terms of imagery, it's hard to beat that. And then of course there's Harry, Mycroft's friend, who knows all about political things, even knowing John's former commission. Okay, simple enough.
But more importantly, Mycroft's relationship with Sherlock gets a whole deluge of development. Even without Mycroft chiding Sherlock to put on his pants like he's a naughty three year old, Sherlock's comment about Mycroft being "mother" seems to indicate that Mycroft was the one who raised Sherlock somehow. Considering how emotionally stunted Mycroft is (I mean, he expresses his affection by kidnapping people), suddenly Sherlock's social awkwardness makes a whole lot of sense, as does their general disdain of spending Christmas together. Because for them, affection doesn't come naturally.
But then all of that keeps gets completely subverted throughout the episode, sometimes almost immediately. Sherlock immediately calls Mycroft when he thinks Irene's going to die, and Mycroft accompanies him to identify the body. Perhaps you can argue that it's related to the case. But when Sherlock is visibly shaken by the body, Mycroft offers him a cigarette (despite it being against some kind of principle, apparently) and is clearly trying to comfort him. Even when he goes into his little "caring is not an advantage" spiel, he says it in a way so fraught with emotion that, against the plain meaning of the words, he seems to be saying it to offer solace Sherlock. If anything, his saying it means Mycroft cares. About Sherlock. And then? As soon as Sherlock takes off? Mycroft gets on the phone with John, warning him about a "danger night." Because they have a coordinated response to Sherlock's well-being now.
And the plane scene! Ugh, the plane scene was beautiful. I'm not sure what this says about my issues, but there's something so familial about Mycroft scolding Sherlock. Yes, he's upset that Sherlock disrupted the Bond Air thing. But the way he focuses most of his criticisms on Sherlock getting played would indicate that he was worried more than anything. And then the quiet, heartfelt apology for having had a hand in putting him there--really he seems to care more that Sherlock just let himself be put in a dangerous position more than the fact that Bond Air failed.
Then there was Baskerville, where the extent of Mycroft's reaction to finding out Sherlock pinched his passcard is exasperation, not even genuine anger. Then he arranges for Sherlock to have 24 unfettered hours in a top secret military base, just because Sherlock said "pretty please" and batted his eyes. I don't care how high up the chain of command you are, you don't generally just use your position to let family members run amok in what is basically Area 51, but Mycroft did, meaning he at least sometimes puts Sherlock before his job.
So, how, then, did we get to TRF? Even if I were to somehow buy that Mycroft was indeed legitimately worried about England, I'm supposed to believe he'd willing sell out his own brother to someone he knows to be certifiably insane?? Or, that he'd do that and then let him go?? They've clearly already arrested Moriarty unlawfully and were illegally interrogating him. Why, then, let him go if you know he has a code that could potentially destroy your entire country AND armed with information about your brother that you know can't be used for good? Mycroft Holmes, even if you aren't powered by big brother instinct, you are not stupid. You're supposed to be at least as smart if not smarter than Sherlock, canonically.
The thing is, I get what they're trying to do: they're trying manufacture a situation where the Holmes brother aren't speaking so that Sherlock doesn't run to Mycroft for help, because they've made Mycroft too powerful. The only problem is that it's obvious that what's happening, because they had to make Mycroft OOC to pull it off. Which is a damn shame, given how polished the rest of the series is. It's just disappointing, that's all, and shabby treatment of my favorite character that leaves a sour taste in my mouth after such an amazing run.
I guess I'll have to wait until Season 3 to see if they can fix that.