can i be far from the first person to say how REFRESHING it is to have a sympathetic mycroft in a sherlock adaptation??? This man, who has been the emotional rock for his family since adolescence (father overbroad and emotionally unavailable, mother institutionalized, little brother acting out constantly), all while carrying his own specific perspective for the trauma of losing Bea, and yet still managing to be a perfectly kind and generous big brother? Imo, so many of the adaptations (ie, bbc, enola, even elementary to a lesser extent) characterize Mycroft as an emotionally stunted, arrogant, business-man which, while a useful narrative hurdle/foil for sherlock, provides no substance or humanity for him as an individual. It gets old very quickly, particularly when those dislikable traits see no expansion or development. In young sherlock, mycroft certainly carries himself in conflict with sherlock (who couldnt keep his suit straight if he tried), but not in a way that feels lesser? Mycroft uses his position in the foreign office to help his brother, within the vague limits of the law, and doesn't look down on sherlock for his chaotic methods, because he understands sherlock to be acting in the best interests of those around him. They squabble like any siblings do (see "brother dear?", "yes brother dear?") but never in a way which comes from serious dislike. If anything, the snide comments they make, and mycroft's half-hearted attempts to chide sherlock, only adds to the charm of their dynamic (they feel like actual siblings!!!)!!! I just really like that they care about eachother!! and dont expect the other to change, because they have genuine respect for eachother's competence/ability to see things through!!! and it's really lovely to see siblings who are different but play off eachother in ways that are productive for both individual narratives!! Mycroft relies on sherlock to do the outlandish things he cannot, and Sherlock relies on Mycroft to help him out when he's in over his head, and its just a wonderful dynamic!!
