Date: 16 Jul 2013 19:35 Title: Perdition's Flames
Excellent, cerebral story focusing on the understandably significant emotional fall out of one of the most significant events in TOS lore.
I'm not usually a big fan of fan fiction based on canon characters, mostly because I grow concerned when these characters are taken into directions which are difficult to reconcile based on what we have seen on screen.
No such qualms here. Kirk, Spock and Bones sounded absolutely believable and their dilemma totally appropriate. As was the ultimate resolution.
Early on in this story I kept thinking how fans used to point out how much they disagreed with the way Vulcans were portrayed in Enterprise. Considering the actions of T'pring and T'pau it suddenly occurred to me that Vulcans could be jerks even back in the TOS days.
Author's Response:
Thank you, CeJay. This is what I love to write about - the things that we knew were hiding in the background but never got to see resolved on screen.
::shudders:: I know what you mean about canon characters behaving OOC - it rubs me the wrong way, too. Good to know that I'm getting them right for the most part. ;-)
And yes, Vulcans can be total jerks when they put their minds to it, and Amok Time is a perfect case in point.
Date: 16 Jul 2013 05:27 Title: Perdition's Flames
I consistently like how you don't let them brush things off with the plot-of-the-week scenario. And that you take the time to really dive into the realistic reactions these men would have to the things they face. This is a very sweet story, despite the subject matter being difficult and painful, I think; warm and loving, and the openness they show each other is touching, too, in trying to deal with what was, supremely, a very screwed up situation.
Author's Response:
Thanks, Steff. This is what I like to do -- peel back the layers and get at the meat of a situation that was glossed over on screen. There were so many things we saw that had to have profound effects on various crewmembers, but we never got to see the resolution to those issues. I've made this my mission for the most part. ;-)
Date: 15 Dec 2012 18:42 Title: Perdition's Flames
I love it when you show us what happened after the cameras stopped rolling. Obviously there was going to be some major fallout in this relationship, yet neither of these men are much good at discussing their emotions. Spock's reasons for requesting a transfer are entirely sound, and Jim must've suspected it was coming, because he shoots back his refusal without missing a beat--these two know each other inside and out. I love how clearly that comes across in your writing. Thank you for this wodnerful story!
Author's Response:
Thank you, kindly. I've said before I like fleshing out those things that were left unresolved by the series.
In this case, I really felt things were sewn up a little too quickly and neatly. One simply doesn't ignore the fact that someone you trust tried to strangle you to death, no matter the extenuating circumstances, and an overload of hormones in the body don't simply dissipate in the blink of an eye.
Both men would have much to overcome, both physically and emotionally, but they still know each other so well. Kirk would forgive Spock and Spock would insist that he'd let his CO and friend down. That's what I tried to show in the scene between the two of them in Kirk's quarters. Glad to know that came through loud and clear.
Date: 13 Dec 2012 04:16 Title: Perdition's Flames
In TOS, they did so many one-offs (it was nearly all of the episodes, as I recall, but that was the nature of the beast that was '60s TV), there's little to no room for fallout, contemplation or wrapping up events. So these scenes are needed and are most welcome.
And the manner of working it out makes sense - McCoy urging restraint, Jim working against his instincts in order to give Spock some space, and Spock struggling to understand what's happened, whether it will happen again, and trying to figure out what to do. The final question on Pon Farr is a reasonable one that the series never covered. So, does something happen again?
Author's Response:
Dunno - haven't thought that far ahead. ;-)