Down the Rabbit Hole, Chapter Eight

[homespunfic]

Hi. You really don't want to read this chapter without having read the previous ones, or at least the last one, so here's the link to Chapter Seven
If you'd like to start at the beginning, here's Chapter One
Thanks!

Comments

[homespunfic]

Thank you, ashavah. I'm glad you're along for the ride, even if I am evil, just so we can continue your analysis of Simon. :)

Simon doesn't understand what it's like to have a home that's yours, that's part of what makes you you, that you've been with for years.
No, silly Simon, he doesn't quite grasp the homesteading angle of it. Naturally Mal identifies with this man, with the Alliance coming in and taking what you've worked for by force. But I think the further Simon distances himself from the Alliance, (and that will take time no matter what he says) the closer he will come to understanding that essentially the same thing happened to him.(I think he still blames *himself* for his and River's fugitive state) If Mal had been feeling better, he might have asked Simon what recompense would be acceptable for River. But it's no fun if character development moves that quickly.

Simon still doesn't get how useless and futile the 'civilised' gesture is in those circumstances, where you've lost everything. Very poignant, that. Thanks for pointing that out, you analytical student type. We'll talk more...

[ashavah]

It actually occurred to me as I was writing that review that if Simon stopped to think about it, he might find he understands better than he thinks he does, because while his loss was voluntary, it was still forced on him by the Alliance. And while it wasn't the family home he was worried about losing, he still lost everything he had to the Alliance.

I totally agree that he blames himself, though he has no reason to. What is it he says in Bushwhacked? "I 'selflessly' turned us both into wanted fugitives."

Definite guilt there.

NOT YOUR FAULT, Simon.