Date: 22 Mar 2014 22:17 Title: The First Terrace of Purgatory
Wow, you really got into his mind. Very powerful. You are such a good writer. I liked the way he unwittingly picked up on McCoy's thoughts through Spock's katra. I'd like to read more of your stuff. Right now I'm checking out shorter pieces, since I put so much time into my own writing, and my energy is very limited.
Author's Response:
Thank you, kindly. This is the sort of stuff I love to write - I love getting inside the heads of these characters and finding out what makes them tick.
Date: 09 Sep 2013 20:08 Title: The First Terrace of Purgatory
Undoubtedly one of the most poignant and dramatic moments in Trek history, explored through the eyes of the most affected person.
The sense of dread and loss is completely palpable. But even more interesting, and maybe something we didn't really get in the scene in the move, is the sense of guilt.
And it is not entirely misplaced. Sure, risk is their business, but the risks Kirk takes, perhaps more willingly than others, also invites significant danger to others. And nowhere is that more apparent then when he has to watch his closest friend die in front of his eyes, unable to do anything to help.
Wonderful little story packed with a wallop of raw emotion.
Author's Response:
Thank you, CeJay. I think we see more of the guilt in SFS, but it got its roots here if you ask me.
Date: 08 Sep 2013 20:11 Title: The First Terrace of Purgatory
Truly you were wearing your queen of agony crown when you wrote this piece LBD.
A screen I’ve seen so many times that it still hurts, even it AOS counterpart left me with the raw feeling, but this writing add such depth, to the scene pain. Kirk knowing he paid to heavy a price for defeating Khan, realizing how much losing Spock will cost him. The nice touch with McCoy’s lines showing that McCoy is the third part of them and he will be clearly in Kirk mind till Spock returns.
Author's Response:
I agree - it hurts no matter how many times I've seen it, as does the AOS version, but for entirely different reasons. The bit with McCoy is from my own fanon. If Kirk's and Spock's minds are linked, it would only make sense that McCoy's thoughts would make that brief intrusion now that Spock's katra resides within the doctor.
Date: 28 Aug 2012 18:19 Title: The First Terrace of Purgatory
Why you gonna me me read the one scene in all of Star Trek I get tears for?
*wipes tears from eyes* A beautifully written piece that shows just what inner turmoil and utter horror Kirk was experiencing as Spock died. Truly the greatest death scene in all of Star Trek. Very well done LBD.
Author's Response:
Yes, the scene in the movie was beautifully written and acted. Very subtle and understated, but oh-so effective. I can't take credit, as I already had something so awesome to work with. Just took what I saw, what it made me feel, and ran with it.
Date: 28 Aug 2012 13:43 Title: The First Terrace of Purgatory
Goodness, LBD. That was absolutely heartwrenching and very, very well done.
Author's Response:
Thank you, kindly, kes. :)
Date: 28 Aug 2012 05:39 Title: The First Terrace of Purgatory
This is such a painful moment, and I'm impressed how you conveyed that this was what it took to finally force Jim to face reality--and though Khan is dead, it makes us wonder who really won. I loved the little intrusion by McCoy, too--just a little nod, but powerful foreshadowing of what's to come. Beautifully poignant, all of it.
Author's Response:
I agree - this was so painful, on so many levels, and not just for our heroes, but for all who were there bearing witness to it, or all who felt the impact later. Given my 'fanon' spin on things, I really felt it was necessary for McCoy to make a brief intrusion, just as Spock's psyche made brief intrusions into McCoy's personality in SFS.
At this point in his life, this is by far the worst thing Kirk has ever faced. He's lost people close to him before - several, in fact - but up till now he's never been directly responsible for those deaths. Even Edith - he didn't kill her, didn't push her in front of that truck, but didn't save her, either. This would truly hit him hard, all but shattering his world, and I daresay he would agree that Khan had ultimately won had he not been able to get Spock back. When he told Sarek at the end of SFS that if he hadn't tried the cost would have been his soul, no truer words were ever spoken.
Date: 28 Aug 2012 01:51 Title: The First Terrace of Purgatory
Gripping and haunting.
Author's Response:
Thanks, jespah. Shatner and Nimoy get all the praise; I just expanded on what I saw.
Date: 27 Aug 2012 23:24 Title: The First Terrace of Purgatory
One of the finest pieces concerning Kirk perhaps. Capturing the inner turmoil and torture that he surely had gone through as Spock died before him. The fact he was seperated physically from Spock at the end makes it more hard -that he couldn't take Spock by the arms and plead. Desperately sad and haunting piece.
Top marks.
Author's Response:
Thanks, Mac. Watched the TWOK death scene a few too many times on youtube, I'll wager, which led me to this. Maybe I need to watch a video about tribbles...