This is one of my favourite Pros fics, and I think one of the reasons for that is how it rings so truly, both by being Bodie and Doyle themselves, in character from the series despite it being an AU, and because the external story is so well done. It's solidly written too, so there's nothing to distract me from the story itself, I could just curl up and enjoy the journey. I loved the detail of the archaeology - not enough to be dull, not a hint of look-how-much-research-I've-done in the author's voice, just enough background knowledge, lightly written, to know that its real - and of life in the nearby village and on the estate. It was a little odd at first to think of Bodie dressed in tweeds, but actually that's what series one Bodie would have worn in that AU situation, and when I thought of it like that it was with an oh yeah... kind of smile. *g* I liked Doyle as an archaeologist too, because that fits with wants-every-bit-of-the-puzzle-Doyle that we see in eps, working out the mystery and the thinkiness of things. And of course his passion for things in general, and Bodie's being more laid-back, but actually focussed on the things that matter to him when they do matter (loss of land/income to the estate vs the way he focuses on Krivas/Keller/King Billy etc. - and in fact even the fact that he goes alone to Fishbourne is a nice Bodie-like touch, cos that's what Bodie in the eps does. Doyle waits for Bodie to join him in whatever deal he needs solving, whereas Bodie goes off on his own to sort things out).
I liked the original characters - okay, if the villain was going to be someone we knew, then it had to be Rick really, but again that's relatively true to Pros - all the girlfriends they date who turn out to be the villains, or at least the villain's access to CI5! Dan was fun, and drunk-Doyle is a joy, especially seen through Dan's eyes. *g* The villagers were good and neutral - ready to be snotty about "incomers" who buzzed in and then buzzed back to their fancy big-city life, but in a good-humoured kind of way, rather than as the cheap ignoramuses they're sometimes turned into in stories.
Oh, and our lads... *vbg* Okay, I suppose it's a relatively familiar theme in Pros/romance stories in general - a couple don't get on when they first meet, then something throws them together, they battle it out and realise they're in love... but that's not entirely how this story goes, and if there are only six story-themes in the world (or whatever it's supposed to be *g*) then I think this author does a good job of making it hers - or the lads'. *g* And did I mention the lads? So nice to see them moving from the whole two-confident-males-facing-off-competition to liking each other, and then when they realised it was okay to giving in to the pull between them... *sighs happily*
Realistically I can't imagine a dig going from aerial photos to volunteers-in-place-digging quite so quickly, but that's really my only niggle, and it's a pretty ordinary story-convention, so I have no problem passing it through. Oh no, one more - would the Prof really have addressed Doyle and Dan as "Doctor"? Not in my experience, but then this is set a bit before my time so maybe they would have been a bit more formal back then, or maybe he was just that sort of bloke... But I'm really trying very hard to find some balancing critique in what I just think is a really nicely written story in pretty much every way... *g* Maybe a slightly soppy ending for me, but actually it's do-able, cos it's balanced with enough lads-as-lads that I can wave it through... and it's quite nice to have a proper happy ending. *g*
All in all, as you say, it's a nice gentle read that goes from one end to the other in a way that makes sense, gives happy imaginings, and is utterly our lads. So glad you chose to rec this one! *g*
aerial photos to volunteers-in-place-digging fiorenza_aOctober 1 2015, 22:15:31 UTC
I wondered about that, but I took it that the significance of the find, along with Doyle and the team's enthusiasm, drummed up sufficient diggers to at least get test pits or something of the sort going, if not a full dig.
These days, you usually expect that sort of speed with a threatened site, inner city development, for example, working between the wrecking ball and the new build.
Either way, I didn't find it particularly jarring - the site's supposed to be another Fishbourne, if not better, I would have expected some 'special treatment', my only surprise is that the media didn't turn up.
RE: aerial photos to volunteers-in-place-diggingbyslantedlightOctober 1 2015, 22:35:45 UTC
Big finds are usually a three ring circus. Only when people are told that something's a big find. It can take years until a dig appears in the papers, even these days, even when there's a major discovery made. Too much well-we-won't-be-able-to-tell-until for the media, they don't want to know until someone's prepared to go out on a limb with we-have-evidence-that... Tony Robinson and that ridiculous Bonekickers are just a wee bit fast-paced compared to the real thing... *g*
you usually expect that sort of speed with a threatened site, inner city development, for example, working between the wrecking ball and the new build Yeah, but that kind of rescue dig wasn't par-for-the-course back then. Now developers have tame archaeologists on hand to start with, but that's relatively new practice. And even when there is a find it's got to be exceptional to start this kind of full-scale dig. And it's definitely not how university digs tend to work, even now!
But like I said above, I only mentioned it in an effort to add a wee quibble to my comment - I was perfectly able to hand-wave it through with joy. *g*
Don't talk to me about Bonekickers, absolutely derivative drivel from the word go; and an insult to just about every IQ watching! I can only assume the entire cast was acting under duress, there is no other reason for respectable acting talent to be involved in such mind rot.
At least Relic Hunter had the good grace to have no pretensions and, if not that historically rigorous, knew how to entertain. I don't mind bubble gum tv, so long as it knows it's bubble gum tv.
Three Ring Circus I was thinking of the original Fishbourne (and perhaps, if I'm honest, more of Sutton Hoo), big finds are treated differently. Although to be fair, it might not yet have got out. There didn't seem to be much interest from the locals, the metal detectorists were a put up job, so they don't count.
Your entire first paragraph - yes, absolutely, QFT! *g* I didn't think in such detail about how they sit so well with canon B&D, but you've noted several excellent parallels there.
I liked the original characters - okay, if the villain was going to be someone we knew, then it had to be Rick really, but again that's relatively true to Pros - all the girlfriends they date who turn out to be the villains, or at least the villain's access to CI5! Dan was fun, and drunk-Doyle is a joy, especially seen through Dan's eyes. *g* The villagers were good and neutral - ready to be snotty about "incomers" who buzzed in and then buzzed back to their fancy big-city life, but in a good-humoured kind of way, rather than as the cheap ignoramuses they're sometimes turned into in stories.
Oh, and our lads... *vbg* Okay, I suppose it's a relatively familiar theme in Pros/romance stories in general - a couple don't get on when they first meet, then something throws them together, they battle it out and realise they're in love... but that's not entirely how this story goes, and if there are only six story-themes in the world (or whatever it's supposed to be *g*) then I think this author does a good job of making it hers - or the lads'. *g* And did I mention the lads? So nice to see them moving from the whole two-confident-males-facing-off-competition to liking each other, and then when they realised it was okay to giving in to the pull between them... *sighs happily*
Realistically I can't imagine a dig going from aerial photos to volunteers-in-place-digging quite so quickly, but that's really my only niggle, and it's a pretty ordinary story-convention, so I have no problem passing it through. Oh no, one more - would the Prof really have addressed Doyle and Dan as "Doctor"? Not in my experience, but then this is set a bit before my time so maybe they would have been a bit more formal back then, or maybe he was just that sort of bloke... But I'm really trying very hard to find some balancing critique in what I just think is a really nicely written story in pretty much every way... *g* Maybe a slightly soppy ending for me, but actually it's do-able, cos it's balanced with enough lads-as-lads that I can wave it through... and it's quite nice to have a proper happy ending. *g*
All in all, as you say, it's a nice gentle read that goes from one end to the other in a way that makes sense, gives happy imaginings, and is utterly our lads. So glad you chose to rec this one! *g*
Reply
I wondered about that, but I took it that the significance of the find, along with Doyle and the team's enthusiasm, drummed up sufficient diggers to at least get test pits or something of the sort going, if not a full dig.
These days, you usually expect that sort of speed with a threatened site, inner city development, for example, working between the wrecking ball and the new build.
Either way, I didn't find it particularly jarring - the site's supposed to be another Fishbourne, if not better, I would have expected some 'special treatment', my only surprise is that the media didn't turn up.
Big finds are usually a three ring circus.
Reply
Only when people are told that something's a big find. It can take years until a dig appears in the papers, even these days, even when there's a major discovery made. Too much well-we-won't-be-able-to-tell-until for the media, they don't want to know until someone's prepared to go out on a limb with we-have-evidence-that... Tony Robinson and that ridiculous Bonekickers are just a wee bit fast-paced compared to the real thing... *g*
you usually expect that sort of speed with a threatened site, inner city development, for example, working between the wrecking ball and the new build
Yeah, but that kind of rescue dig wasn't par-for-the-course back then. Now developers have tame archaeologists on hand to start with, but that's relatively new practice. And even when there is a find it's got to be exceptional to start this kind of full-scale dig. And it's definitely not how university digs tend to work, even now!
But like I said above, I only mentioned it in an effort to add a wee quibble to my comment - I was perfectly able to hand-wave it through with joy. *g*
Reply
Don't talk to me about Bonekickers, absolutely derivative drivel from the word go; and an insult to just about every IQ watching! I can only assume the entire cast was acting under duress, there is no other reason for respectable acting talent to be involved in such mind rot.
At least Relic Hunter had the good grace to have no pretensions and, if not that historically rigorous, knew how to entertain. I don't mind bubble gum tv, so long as it knows it's bubble gum tv.
Three Ring Circus I was thinking of the original Fishbourne (and perhaps, if I'm honest, more of Sutton Hoo), big finds are treated differently. Although to be fair, it might not yet have got out. There didn't seem to be much interest from the locals, the metal detectorists were a put up job, so they don't count.
Rescue dig; absolutely, my very point :0)
Reply
Reply
Leave a comment