Sherlock's Mummy

[goldvermilion87]

So, the only reference to Sherlock and Mycroft's mum in the BBC series is

Mycroft:  And you know how it always upset Mummy
Sherlock: I upset her?  Me?  It wasn't me that upset her, Mycroft
John: N-no wait.  Mummy?  Who's Mummy?
Sherlock:  Mother.  Our Mother.  This is my brother, Mycroft.

To me, that sounds clearly past tense.  It could be short for "

Comments

[fenm]

Just because the incidents that upset her took place in the past doesn't mean she's dead. For one thing, they're now adults and living on their own; the incidents might have been ones that occurred while living with her. They don't happen anymore because their living situation has changed.

[goldvermilion87]

That's true. But their childish feud is still clearly ongoing... Does it no longer upset her?

[eleanorb]

You could also read it as she is still upset. Maybe she doesn't speak to either of them now.

[goldvermilion87]

Hmm...

That I couldn't personally see, but I definitely see how it's a possible interpretation... if that makes sense...

[clarice]

I didn't take it as an indication that she's dead, but rather that they're estranged or have a strained relationship, and there was likely an especially upsetting event. In my mind, something happened that really shook the family, and Sherlock was the one who acted blunt and Sherlocky and upset her, while Mycroft was more accommodating and understanding. Years later, Mycroft is still bringing it up, probably because Mummy still smarts over it.

[oxfordtweed]

I still have no idea what to make of that exchange, actually, because English is such a wishy-washy language at best. It's part of the reason I haven't really done anything with their family; I've no idea where canon is going to take it, and don't want to get an idea in my head just to have it completely contradicted. D:

[goldvermilion87]

Yeah... I haven't made much of his family for the same reason--at least not in fic, though I have some really distinct ideas in my headcanon.