BBC Sherlock Fan Forum - Serving Sherlockians since February 2012 / Mycroft's refusal of the invitation

**Posted by Davina** January 16, 2014 8:11 pm

So...why did Mycroft refuse the invitation to the 'evening do'? In the light of HLV does it have extra importance?

**Posted by silverblaze** January 16, 2014 8:27 pm

Being associated with people would make his position vulnerable? Other than that, he's probably not the most sociable person you'd ever meet at a wedding.

**Posted by SusiGo** January 16, 2014 8:30 pm

Good question. He seems to lead a very secluded life. Other than Sherlock he has no friends at all and usually spends Christmas at home and not with his parents as we could see in ASiB. And being even more clever than Sherlock I suppose he would not be able to stand being surrounded by goldfish all day.

I a not sure about the connection to HLV apart from the fact that he warns Sherlock about getting involved, something he usually avoids, and then must realise that he is already involved because he loves his brother.

**Posted by shezza** January 16, 2014 8:44 pm

Mycroft is even more antisocial than his brother. He wouldn't stand being in the middle of a bowl surrounded by mindlessly celebrating goldfish.

**Posted by zydeholic** January 19, 2014 4:39 am

Also, it set up the scenario where Mycroft only communicates with him as a figment of his imagination, instead of real life. And it puts the whole focus on Sherlock to solve the crime.

And, perhaps, Mycroft knows about Mary, and perhaps Mary suspects, and he didn't want to be face to face with her.

**Posted by zydeholic** January 21, 2014 7:55 pm

Well, at the end of HLV, Mycroft and Mary are fact to face, so, scratch my previous comment.

**Posted by tobeornot221b** January 21, 2014 9:03 pm

To me, Mycroft's refusal to the wedding invitation is mainly for plot reasons.
Imagine Sherlock and him being together on the wedding. It would have ended probably with both of them leaving the party early - which would have screwed up the end which left Sherlock behind as the lonely wolf.

**Posted by QuiteExtraordinary** January 21, 2014 10:03 pm

I think the fact that Sherlock wants him to come to the party shows that, like in The Empty Hearse, Sherlock is a bit worried about his brother being lonely. He seems to think that Mycroft needs more friends, or that Mycroft would be welcome/useful in the circle of Sherlock's friends. Mycroft still pretends not to be interested.

**Posted by silverblaze** January 22, 2014 11:14 am

Mycroft would have solved the case.

**Posted by zeratul** January 22, 2014 12:55 pm

Well as we learned in the mini episode, Sherlock doesn't like such events, so I think Mycroft also doesn't. Sherlock is just there, because he loves John and he was asked to be his best men (as he also says on the phone). I think Mycroft just didn't like to go there.

**Posted by SherlocklivesinOH** February 1, 2014 4:22 am

zeratul wrote:
Well as we learned in the mini episode, Sherlock doesn't like such events, so I think Mycroft also doesn't. Sherlock is just there, because he loves John and he was asked to be his best men (as he also says on the phone). I think Mycroft just didn't like to go there.

Exactly. John is important enough to Sherlock to endure this kind of event he doesn't like. Mycroft doesn't feel that way.

I am actually a bit surprised John invited Mycroft. Does he consider Mycroft a friend? That speaks to his closeness to Sherlock.

It goes along with the subtexual theme of a three-way wedding: Sherlock's brother is invited because it's Sherlock's wedding too.

Actually, I am surprised at how many people John had that he invited, considering that he's previously said he was all alone without Sherlock.

**Posted by Tinks** February 1, 2014 9:41 am

QuiteExtraordinary wrote:
I think the fact that Sherlock wants him to come to the party shows that, like in The Empty Hearse, Sherlock is a bit worried about his brother being lonely. He seems to think that Mycroft needs more friends, or that Mycroft would be welcome/useful in the circle of Sherlock's friends. Mycroft still pretends not to be interested.

I hadn't thought of it like that - my initial thought was that Sherlock's vulnerability showed.
He doesn't really like being alone and wanted Mycroft to keep him company at the evening reception.
Maybe you're right though, and Sherlock doesn't want Mycroft to be lonely.

Last edited by Tinks (February 1, 2014 9:42 am)