Date: 23 Aug 2012 08:04 Title: As if Rain for Resurrection
I love what you did with the James R. Kirk continuity error! Very clever!! I also liked how you have a gradual movement of Gary--out, Spock--in. I really enjoy stories like these where the author fills in bits of stories we've seen, but with things we haven't seen yet. Well done!
Date: 27 Feb 2011 00:58 Title: As if Rain for Resurrection
Sam,
I love this piece, but you already know that. ;-) I always love it when an author takes what we already know from an episode or series and weaves additional background into it that gives new depth and dimension to that original work.
This does that, in spades, while being told within the tapestry of a delightful narrative voice.
As for the issue of prejudice, I love how Kirk comes full circle here, being both the perpetrator and victim of prejudice. His mistrust of Spock and the Vulcan's 'tired rooster' of logic, shows that even JTK was not infallible, and had to go through some personal growth. We get a glimpse into the process by which he evolved into the man we know, the one who told Stiles to 'leave any bigotry in your quarters, there's no room for it on the bridge,' when that man questioned Spock's character in 'Balance of Terror.'
Nice to see him finally come to grips with what he perceived to be the 'family shame' of his great-grandfather, and how being that man's namesake tormented him for years until he was finally able to let go of that stigma, that personal bias.
Very nicely done!
Author's Response: Thanks, LBD. Yes, exactly - when Kirk overcame Gary Mitchell he also realized for the first time how his perception of others, Vulcan or otherwise, had been tainted by the bullying he had suffered as a child. His prejudice did not originate from some pre-meditated plan or some feeling of superiority, but was a deep seated psychological response to his environment, a 'failing' that helped him identify and survive attacks by future bullies, but that also biased him against others that differed in some way. Gary Mitchell, an imperfect god and perhaps the ultimate masochistic bully, saw little pleasure in killing Kirk outright and wanted to use Kirk's own weaknesses to destroy him. But what Mitchell had arranged as an ironic and ignominious end for Kirk - to be crushed as his great-grandfather was - provided instead the trial through which Kirk found redemption. ~ Sam.
Date: 26 Feb 2011 15:53 Title: As if Rain for Resurrection
Wow, just beautiful, start to finish. Excellent entry.
Author's Response: Many thanks, Kes7, I am honored.
Date: 23 Feb 2011 00:38 Title: As if Rain for Resurrection
An imaginative twist to a classic TOS episode. I enjoyed the first-person reflection by Kirk. It was interesting to hear his thoughts regarding Spock and Mitchell. And in all the times I've viewed WNMHGB, I never noticed the "R" on the tombstone. Great story!
Author's Response: Thank you for the kind words and I enjoyed your story, too. You consistently maintain a high level of description throughout, spoken with a voice ideally suited to the rawest form of personal combat. 'Meat grinder' comes to mind. Very impressive! ~ Sam.
Date: 21 Feb 2011 15:39 Title: As if Rain for Resurrection
A very interesting entry for the challenge and rather fitting given that Kirk and Spock became firm friends and ever loyal to one another, yet when they first met as unknowns to one another they both had to handle the other's being human/Vulcan. They worked together but had to learn to trust one another. This tale goes some way to showing how Kirk learned to overcome any prejudice and learned to trust Spock.
Author's Response: Thank you Miranda, for your perceptive observations. You’ve discovered and described the overarching story very well and, as I’m sure you know from your own experiences, it’s very satisfying for a writer when readers really ‘get it’. Thank you for taking the time to appraise my work. ~ Sam.
Date: 20 Feb 2011 15:31 Title: As if Rain for Resurrection
Sam: This is excellently planned and executed, as usual.
I did not think the title would work until the very last paragraph, no doubt planned as well. In this story, you lead the reader down one path and then skillfully maneuver her or him onto another path that leads to the actual focus of the challenge without belaboring the point.
Very well done introspective – another fine piece of work. I look forward to the voting!
Thanks for the preview - KayCee.
Author's Response: Thank you, KayCee. I’m very grateful for your review, but also for your assistance with this story. I was amazed at the number of grammatical and other errors you found with my draft, and so quickly. The story reads much better without them! Thank you also for the encouragement, for your inspiring written works and for the confidence you have in me. ~ Sam.
[Report This]Date: 20 Feb 2011 07:16 Title: As if Rain for Resurrection
A very interesting story that focuses beautifully on the fledgling relationship between Kirk and Spock. How clever and expertly you wove the tragic events surrounding Gary Mitchell to show us that evolution. I loved the entire story and particularly loved the ending where you reveal what Kirk REALLY did with the bodies.
Author's Response: Thank you Romanse, I’m very pleased you enjoyed the story. I suspect there are many fans of the episode that wondered why Mitchell and Dehner were buried on Delta Vega. Kirk didn’t like leaving members of his crew behind, ever, and I’d like to believe he would have applied that same moral principle to them. They were both fine officers until Kirk ordered the Enterprise through the galactic barrier and received their higher than normal ESPer ratings only as an accident of birth. ~ Sam.