Date: 02 Jun 2013 04:41 Title: Chapter 29
And now we move on. We all knew that Tucker was gonna die on that last mission, but his death still sucks. One of the worst moment in all of the series in my opinion (that entire episode really qualities over and over for that dubious honor). Trip dying, however, still has a noticeable effect here on the crew and the way Malcolm just comes right out and says it … well, it’s necessary. It has to be done and waiting around for it would have been bad form, I think. Say it, get it over with, and let the healing process begin for all.
Once that bit of bad news is delivered, the party really starts and Marie Patrice’s screaming “Mackum!” bit makes me smile every time. I love how she kinda mispronounces his name, even though I know it’s unintentional, it’s still humorous to me.
Jonathan staying on for a bit, getting chatted up by Miva who clearly has the hots for him, and gives him that bracelet (which I suspect he will use) was a great scene, as well as Archer’s uncomfortable feeling he got with Lili nursing right there (can’t blame him for that, it seems rude to just look, doesn’t it Archer?). Lili and Malcolm stepping into the dream state and saying high to that Tucker was a bittersweet moment … though it did finally give Malcolm that middle name.
Which has been a lingering question in my mind for many chapters but it keeps getting pushed aside for other observations. This story is chock full of things to think on.
Author's Response:
That is my intention, and I'm glad it's hitting that mark.
Mackum was first put in as Joss's mispronunciation. I dislike writing children who screw up speech, but a small word here or there can make it easier to identify the speaker. So first it was Joss, and now it's Marie Patrice who says that, but it's also that Malcolm doesn't mind, and it's a special name for him, like Lili-Flower is for Lili. It's that secret language of family that outsiders cannot penetrate.