Date: 01 Aug 2014 05:45 Title: Directives for the Terminal Patient
Damn. You describe the effects of Spock’s disease with grace here. Enough to get an idea of it and feel for him, but not to make us ill ourselves, a tough balance to achieve. And Spock’s training in Vulcan discipline, with a whip of all things … makes the heart ache. No child should be subjected to that and I wonder where the logic in it lies.
The way everything else comes together in this chapter -- the child giving Spock candy, the way someone has reached out to Spock’s family to let them know of his impending doom, Amanda’s soon to be arrival, Lauren’s fielding of awkward questions and a thousand other little things … this chapter is my favorite of the bunch.
Bu the best part was Sarek and Spock in the last scene. You write them both so well together, you nailed the dynamic and I heard them clear as the church bells Larry rings. I’m once again put in awe of you capturing of the dynamics between these two Vulcans and the icy, complicated relationship that they had with one another. Even more so here than in canon, you play the beats just right and the tune is wonderful.
Author's Response:
So glad you're liking it. I will say here that the beatings Spock received at the hands of his great-grandfather would be considered abuse even on Vulcan. This plays out in other stories as the series continues.