I am still watching the series (slowly), so I haven't seen The Empty Hearse.  But so far, I've found Mycroft such an interesting character (I'd love him to play a central role in an episode and to find out more about him).  Yes, he's much more of a loner than Sherlock and more manipulative.  I'm reluctant to call either of them a sociopath, particularly as I haven't seen all the episodes yet.  (I know that Sherlock calls himself a sociopath, as an alternative to psychopath - I'm not sure why he does that though, but I wonder if he's joking - I don't think it's a word that tends to be used as a diagnosis).

Liberty wrote:

...  (I know that Sherlock calls himself a sociopath, as an alternative to psychopath - I'm not sure why he does that though, but I wonder if he's joking - I don't think it's a word that tends to be used as a diagnosis).

 
Wait until you've seen all episodes. Maybe you find out. 

Mattlocked wrote:

Liberty wrote:

...  (I know that Sherlock calls himself a sociopath, as an alternative to psychopath - I'm not sure why he does that though, but I wonder if he's joking - I don't think it's a word that tends to be used as a diagnosis).

 
Wait until you've seen all episodes. Maybe you find out.

Oh, I'm so glad they explain it! (As I think you're hinting).  It grated when I frist heard it.  It seems so unlikely that somebody would have "high-functioning sociopath" as a diagnosis - but Sherlock saying "do your research" suggests that it is an actual diagnosis he was given, and that it's publicly available.  My guess is that if he really did have that diagnosis that he was given it at a very young age. 

I like the idea of Sherlock being between two poles.   Although Mycroft does have his warmer side when it comes to Sherlock (I think), and John also has rather "cold" side (his excitement about death and danger?).  They are such interesting characters. 
 

Liberty wrote:
It seems so unlikely that somebody would have "high-functioning sociopath" as a diagnosis - but Sherlock saying "do your research" suggests that it is an actual diagnosis he was given, and that it's publicly available.  My guess is that if he really did have that diagnosis that he was given it at a very young age. 

I don't think it could have been said to him as a medical diagnosis. He's definitley not a sociopath as he's able to sacrifice himself for people he loves. I'd rather think that he decided to define himself like that to be done with other people's reproaches about his behaviour (I mean, what can they say after that ? Anderson is speechless). He may have been more or less convinced of the truth of it for a long time. But what is so interesting as well in his conversation with Mycroft in the Empty Hearse is that he seems to have realised, thanks to John, that someone who is, and feels different from the others can nonetheless not be isolated.

Marta wrote:
Mycroft seems to be far less emotional than Sherlock. He knows a lot about human nature but it's probably a "useful knowledge", not empathy. I'm not sure if he's a sociopath though.

 I don't think that Mycroft is really a sociopath either. From what I've read, these people can't really adjust to society on the long run. What I mean is that he has more of the characteristics of a sociopath than Sherlock. He seems to never feel any emotion, not even when he sees Sherlock in such a state from having fallen in the hands of these Serbians.

Now about if Mycrof would jeopardize his carrer for Sherlock, the reasons why I'm not sure is the end of His Last Vow. He actually sends him on a death mission, explaining that it's the only rational thing to do. And he says he won't be hindered by fraternal compassion, reminding as a proof what happened to the "other one" (what happened, by the way ? I hope we'll know).
I like the character nonetheless. I enjoy his sharp humour and he's very interesting and complex.
 

besleybean wrote:

The alternative was to have Sherlock the murderer imprisoned for life...at least he stood a chance on the proposed mission.

A man as powerful as Mycrof is could have just made his brother disappear from the radar, I suppose. But it may have put his career in jeopardy, as Sherlock had killed Magnussen in front of many people. Lady Smallwood says that the decision is "hardly merciful". And what happened to the "other one" (meaning "other brother" I suppose) ? I hope we'll have some explanation about that cryptic remark later on.
 

Actually, the terms 'sociopath' and 'psychopath' don't mean anything. Psychiatric terminology refers to those types of people as antisocial personality disorder (APD), or possibly narsicisitic personality disorder (NPD) but neither Sherlock nor Mycroft fall in those categories. They might have some subclinical narcissist traits, though, in blowing up ego in order to mask insecurity, but they'd have that in common with a large segment of the human population. 

When I try to understand Mycroft, I just look at Sherlock, Mycroft has a calmer temperament and a more manipulative streak, but other than that they're pretty similar.