Date: 23 Sep 2011 22:20 Title: Leaving the Past
Great to see this weighty story moment tackled in such a simple manner. It was of course, very sad to then read about how Spock has outlasted all of the others and is essentially alone. Now all that is left to him is his cause, his hope of Unification for Vulcan and Romulus. Would it be enough for him?
It must also have been very cruel to have hoped and celebrated the chance of Kirk being alive again only to have that dream and joy squashed so bitterly quick. Moreso for the more 'Vulcan than a Vulcan' Vulcan.
[Report This]Date: 10 Sep 2011 23:00 Title: Leaving the Past
I like the perspective.
And I agree with you that it ends on a hopeful note, as it should. It's reminiscent of, kind of, old soldiers getting new diplomatic-style postings. They've done violence for too long, and are taking their remaining time to help the future get on its feet. And that's exactly what Spock is doing on Romulus.
I also liked that it pulls in some very human emotions. I think it's worse when we get our hopes up. There's something to be said, I suppose, for a bit of depressed resignation. We're not so high, so the fall is not so great and the impact is less painful. But when we dare to hope that things might be the way we want them to be - that is, we engage in good ole wishful thinking - we set ourselves up for all sorts of heartache. For Spock, he has set himself up. And then the rug is pulled out from under him. He gets a very real sense of loss and, as a reader, I felt it, too.
Excellent.
Author's Response:
Thank you!
I'd watched Generations a few weeks prior to writing this, which is when it hit me: what would've happened when Spock found out about Kirk's return? It seemed to me, that the situation would bring up some real emotion in Spock, after losing - and then losing again - his best friend. I'm glad you were able to see the hope at the end, and the human-ness of emotion it brought Spock. :)