Yet another old Sherlock character study, this time we turn to Mycroft Holmes, as inspired by the end of Season 2.
Doctor John Watson is as good as blind, smart by average standards, very smart in fact, but not even close to seeing clearly. There are things that he notices in sharp relief, but they are few and far between. He is further blinded by his affection for my brother and the horror of loss.
My brother is closer, much closer, but still, there are a number of things even he, the great Sherlock Holmes, misses. For him, the world his blurry, ever so slightly out of focus. He of all people is the one most blinded by emotion, by his inability to see John Watson suffer, if even for the greater good. That is why I must conceal it from him, he must be blind, for his own sake.
Even James Moriarty, the only man to ever best both my brother and myself, was blind in the end, blinded by his pride and his consuming rivalry with my brother. But they do say ignorance is bliss...
For me alone, it is all crystal clear. That is why it must be me to pull the strings, to do what must be done. So I gave Doctor Watson a job and let him take out his anger on me – goodness knows he needs someone to shout at. The job is just as much a distraction as the anger, just a little lie to tide him over until my brother's return. Of course, I did not give it to him myself, he would have refused on principal. Instead I gave Detective Inspector Gregory Lestrade the honor of offering Doctor Watson a position as a consultant. It is not a real solution to the poor man's problem, but it was not intended to be. His condition continues to deteriorate, but it will tide him over until my brother's inevitable return. Still, he cannot learn of my brother's survival, not yet.
That is why I must lie to my brother as well, to keep him from forfeiting the mission as I know he would if he knew the condition his dear doctor was in. If Doctor Watson were to find out, it would be over. There is no other option.
I play the game carefully, keeping the balance as no one else can. I suppose it makes me less than admirable, but I am only doing what must be done as the only one willing to do it.