Recs Fest 2011: Halloween Recs
In honour of Halloween, the first recommendations topic is Fics, Vids and Artworks that are dark/spooky/scary/creepy or just plain wrong.
Does it have the Test Card Girl? Murder? Werewolves? Zombies? Is it simply about the breakdown of society, a dystopia? Or is someone losing their mind? If it's a disturbing or dark piece in any way, you can rec it right now. You can also rec comedic fic with supernatural creatures, if this is your wish. Basically, anything remotely halloweeny can be recced.
Please copy and paste the following template into a new comment (if you're reccing more than one, paste it a few times):
title of fic, vid or artwork by [insert creator name]
Rating/Notes/Warnings:
Why I recommend this piece:
You can rec the same thing as someone else, by commenting to the original rec comment with why you also like it. You can rec as many fics, vids or artworks as you like. ♥
xiilnek said:
The Looping series, by mikes_grrl.
Rating/Notes/Warnings: Taken directly from chapter one of the first story in the series: Brown Cortina (NC-17) for torture, sex, torture!sex…you get the idea…but really, it’s plot driven, I SWEAR TO GOD. Sam/Gene kinda sorta. AU, really really AU, pre-2.08, possibly pre-2.07, did I mention AU? AU, as in “mind fuck.”
Why I recommend this piece: See warnings. But seriously, it's by turns dark, creepy, confusing, sexy... Loz did ask for fics about someone losing their mind, and if you haven't lost yours by the end of this series (at least a little), you may not be reading it correctly. :P The first thing you'll see after clicking the link is the last part of the last story in the series. That has all the links to the other parts at the top, while the last chapter itself is behind a cut.
bistokids said:
The Psycho!Samatic cycle by Andy, Janni and Cuvalwen
Rating/Notes/Warnings: Red Cortina, for horror, disturbing imagery and all sorts of stuff! The warning as given by the authors covers it: Explicit sex and squicky scenes, especially in the later parts. It's got two psychopathic murderers shagging each other - what do you expect?
Why I recommend this piece: Firstly, because it fits the category so well - it's dark, spooky (well, kind of), scary, creepy - and I cannot imagine anything more 'just plain wrong'! But what makes it so wonderful is that, for all the gore and horror, it has a deliciously macabre, clever humour running through it which has the reader giggling at the most inappropriate of moments. I also really really like the dynamic between Sam and Chris. Not to mention the attention to detail! Basically, it's an amazing and deeply satisfying piece of work, and (IMHO) a fandom classic. The link goes to a master post of the whole series.
blueteak said:
When Moving Through Kashmir by lacidiana
Rating/Notes/Warnings: Character Death. Very Light Brown Cortina
Why I recommend this piece: The most beautiful, well characterized description of the end of the world (and Sam's role in it) that I've ever seen. The situation isn't one we've seen much of in fandom at all, but you could see Gene, Sam, etc. behaving this way in this type of world had it been filmed. They retain their humor and give-and-take in this dark, achingly beautiful fic.
Save, Quit, Continue by flurblewig
Rating/Notes/Warnings: Suicide (sort of), blue cortina
Why I recommend this piece: Great alternate ending to 1.8. Explores what would have happened if "pub" at the end was code for "institutionalization." Test Card Girl visits Sam while he's in the psychiatric ward and shows him how to end the game. Well characterized and creative take on the meaning/possibilities of Sam's world.
meloenijs said:
The Patient by liveforforever
Rating/Notes/Warnings: Brown Cortina - This is kinda dark people. Implied character death.
Why I recommend this piece: Life on Mars is basically built around questionable sanity. This fic shows what could happen if Sam did get reported to an asylum. It's a beautifully visual fic - you'll never be able to see colours in the same way.
fern_tree said:
And It Bleeds... by culf
Rating/Notes/Warnings: Green Cortina for creepiness.
Why I recommend this piece: It's only 40 words, and yet the imagery and feeling it conjures leaves you with a chilled feeling, perfect for Halloween! And there's even a drawing, as well :D
Life on Mars, OST by theanonsisters
Rating/Notes/Warnings: Fanvid, no real warnings I can think of, except it's lovely and creepy!
Why I recommend this piece: This vid is slightly different to your average vid - there's no song, only sound effects from the show that build up to create a rather scary and unsettling soundscape. It made me really uneasy when I first watched it, but in a really good way! >:D.
Manchester's Monster by lovelet2010 and togsos
Rating/Notes/Warnings: Brown Cortina for werewolf violence.
Why I recommend this piece: Both the fic and the artwork that make up this awesome Big Bang entry are fantastic. There are some truly frightening moments, some lighthearted ones, and ones that make your heart ache. And Gene Hunt as a werewolf...? Who wouldn't want to read that! :D
timelord_sammy said:
I did a little, dark 'what if' piece called Phantasamnesia
Rating/Notes/Warnings: R/Red Cortina for character death, dark (non-sexual)
Why I recommend this piece: I liked the idea myself... it's creepy, but I wondered, who exactly is the real Sam, if the world of 1973 is supposed to reflect his psyche?
New Frontier by timelord_sammy
Rating/Notes/Warnings: R/Red Cortina for multiple gory character death (only one in first chapter, more will come...)
Why I recommend this piece: It is based on a roleplay that I enjoyed roleplaying very much... it created my psycho!Sammy muse, one that still gives me the chills but is oh so much fun
debl_ns said:
Some Days Nothing Goes Right by evil_demandred
Rating/Notes/Warnings: Brown Cortina for character death, sexual content, violence, language. Set after the series ends, this story deals with death and dark themes. There are also spoilers for both series and the last episode. (Word for word from the fic.)
Why I recommend this piece: Dark, affecting, disturbing, tragic--all at once. Once you read it, you won't forget it. Try to get to the end without ending up in tears. Read it a second time, a third, more, and you'll have your heart broken all over again. A standout in the fandom.
chamekke said:
He's a Rotten Kind of Cute by m31andy
Rating/Notes/Warnings: To quote the author, "Red Cortina for utter squicky crack. DO NOT read this on a full stomach." (She said it, not me!)
Why I recommend this piece: Our fandom has many splendid examples of horrorfic, but this one is dear to my heart because Andy is such an expert at weaving humour into dark subjects. And... to say more would be to spoil this warped little beauty of a story <333
Don't Look Now (artwork) by fern_tree
Rating/Notes/Warnings: Green Cortina, PG
Why I recommend this piece: One of Fern's darker and more atmospheric pieces, this one just oozes with the creepy! Sam's drinking alone at night, remembering 2006 and feeling miserable. Could anything make his situation worse? Just possibly...
basaltgrrl said:
Call to Me by lozenger8
Rating/Notes/Warnings: PG
Why I recommend this piece: When I first read this it creeped me out hugely! And clearly since this little thing stuck in my head for most of the year it made an impression. On Tuesday, Sam starts hearing voices. As the week passes, the voices become more and more overpowering. By Saturday... well, there is no Saturday. Oooh, I just thrill to read this. It's so concise and freaky.
lacidiana said:
A Tale Told by an Idiot by margo_kim
Rating/Notes/Warnings: Blue Cortina; violence, disturbingness
Why I recommend this piece: A short piece that packs an incredible punch due to the dead-on Sam characterization and intensely creepy narration; the Sam/Gene in this is also brilliantly implied and understated, but really tangible -- my favorite kind of slash. Violent, haunting, and totally dark, this fic is one of my favorites.
Five Things at the End of the Rainbow by yunitsa
Rating/Notes/Warnings: PG; major series spoilers, dark themes, creepy implications, general LoM ending trigger warnings, etc.
Why I recommend this piece: This fic gives several of the eeriest kinds of interpretations for the end of the show and what might have happened afterward, all with the heavy/creepy mood and realistic consequences that I wanted so badly to see canon!Sam faced with. Written amazingly and hauntingly, it creates more closure and more questions for the canon all at once.
Red Riding by teethlikedog
Rating/Notes/Warnings: Unlisted rating (I'd give it light R purely on theme to be safe); dark themes, violent imagery, incest(-ish) (non-graphic)
Why I recommend this piece: Vic/Sam. I'd say that pretty snugly puts this fic in the "wrong" category, and it feels especially Halloween-y with the dark fairytale comparisons and lyrical style that the author uses, along with Sam's overwhelming, despairing futility. Normally I'd be too squicked to read something like this, but this is written beautifully and treated intelligently, with an appropriately creepy mood.
Silence by severinne
Rating/Notes/Warnings: Fire-Red Cortina; dark themes, dubious/non-consensual sex, dark characterizations
Why I recommend this piece: I love awful emotional responses toward non-consent in fiction when a writer treats as the horrible thing it is, and this fic does that magnificently. But even more than that, it fits in a "dark" rec list for the incredibly morally compromised -- and yet totally IC and heartbreaking -- characterizations of both Gene and Sam, plus that reveal... man. I got genuine goosebumps on my first read-through. Brilliantly written, with eerie themes weaved the whole way through. Fantastic, fantastic stuff.
Strangers in the Night by lozenger8
Rating/Notes/Warnings: PG-13; violence, major character death, creepy/disturbing visuals, general zombie apocalypse complications
Why I recommend this piece: Every Halloween rec list needs an epic zombie apocalypse fic, and this one delivers the whole nine yards, chock-full with brain-eating action, timey-wimey screwiness, creepy Test Card Girl antics, end-of-the-world relationship-building, and delicious Sam culpability. Be forewarned, however: the ending will make you tear your hair out. (In the best way.)
Thanks to everyone who contributed. If you see any mistakes, please tell me. If you want to come back with more recs, please feel free!
Does it have the Test Card Girl? Murder? Werewolves? Zombies? Is it simply about the breakdown of society, a dystopia? Or is someone losing their mind? If it's a disturbing or dark piece in any way, you can rec it right now. You can also rec comedic fic with supernatural creatures, if this is your wish. Basically, anything remotely halloweeny can be recced.
Please copy and paste the following template into a new comment (if you're reccing more than one, paste it a few times):
title of fic, vid or artwork by [insert creator name]
Rating/Notes/Warnings:
Why I recommend this piece:
You can rec the same thing as someone else, by commenting to the original rec comment with why you also like it. You can rec as many fics, vids or artworks as you like. ♥
xiilnek said:
The Looping series, by mikes_grrl.
Rating/Notes/Warnings: Taken directly from chapter one of the first story in the series: Brown Cortina (NC-17) for torture, sex, torture!sex…you get the idea…but really, it’s plot driven, I SWEAR TO GOD. Sam/Gene kinda sorta. AU, really really AU, pre-2.08, possibly pre-2.07, did I mention AU? AU, as in “mind fuck.”
Why I recommend this piece: See warnings. But seriously, it's by turns dark, creepy, confusing, sexy... Loz did ask for fics about someone losing their mind, and if you haven't lost yours by the end of this series (at least a little), you may not be reading it correctly. :P The first thing you'll see after clicking the link is the last part of the last story in the series. That has all the links to the other parts at the top, while the last chapter itself is behind a cut.
bistokids said:
The Psycho!Samatic cycle by Andy, Janni and Cuvalwen
Rating/Notes/Warnings: Red Cortina, for horror, disturbing imagery and all sorts of stuff! The warning as given by the authors covers it: Explicit sex and squicky scenes, especially in the later parts. It's got two psychopathic murderers shagging each other - what do you expect?
Why I recommend this piece: Firstly, because it fits the category so well - it's dark, spooky (well, kind of), scary, creepy - and I cannot imagine anything more 'just plain wrong'! But what makes it so wonderful is that, for all the gore and horror, it has a deliciously macabre, clever humour running through it which has the reader giggling at the most inappropriate of moments. I also really really like the dynamic between Sam and Chris. Not to mention the attention to detail! Basically, it's an amazing and deeply satisfying piece of work, and (IMHO) a fandom classic. The link goes to a master post of the whole series.
blueteak said:
When Moving Through Kashmir by lacidiana
Rating/Notes/Warnings: Character Death. Very Light Brown Cortina
Why I recommend this piece: The most beautiful, well characterized description of the end of the world (and Sam's role in it) that I've ever seen. The situation isn't one we've seen much of in fandom at all, but you could see Gene, Sam, etc. behaving this way in this type of world had it been filmed. They retain their humor and give-and-take in this dark, achingly beautiful fic.
Save, Quit, Continue by flurblewig
Rating/Notes/Warnings: Suicide (sort of), blue cortina
Why I recommend this piece: Great alternate ending to 1.8. Explores what would have happened if "pub" at the end was code for "institutionalization." Test Card Girl visits Sam while he's in the psychiatric ward and shows him how to end the game. Well characterized and creative take on the meaning/possibilities of Sam's world.
meloenijs said:
The Patient by liveforforever
Rating/Notes/Warnings: Brown Cortina - This is kinda dark people. Implied character death.
Why I recommend this piece: Life on Mars is basically built around questionable sanity. This fic shows what could happen if Sam did get reported to an asylum. It's a beautifully visual fic - you'll never be able to see colours in the same way.
fern_tree said:
And It Bleeds... by culf
Rating/Notes/Warnings: Green Cortina for creepiness.
Why I recommend this piece: It's only 40 words, and yet the imagery and feeling it conjures leaves you with a chilled feeling, perfect for Halloween! And there's even a drawing, as well :D
Life on Mars, OST by theanonsisters
Rating/Notes/Warnings: Fanvid, no real warnings I can think of, except it's lovely and creepy!
Why I recommend this piece: This vid is slightly different to your average vid - there's no song, only sound effects from the show that build up to create a rather scary and unsettling soundscape. It made me really uneasy when I first watched it, but in a really good way! >:D.
Manchester's Monster by lovelet2010 and togsos
Rating/Notes/Warnings: Brown Cortina for werewolf violence.
Why I recommend this piece: Both the fic and the artwork that make up this awesome Big Bang entry are fantastic. There are some truly frightening moments, some lighthearted ones, and ones that make your heart ache. And Gene Hunt as a werewolf...? Who wouldn't want to read that! :D
timelord_sammy said:
I did a little, dark 'what if' piece called Phantasamnesia
Rating/Notes/Warnings: R/Red Cortina for character death, dark (non-sexual)
Why I recommend this piece: I liked the idea myself... it's creepy, but I wondered, who exactly is the real Sam, if the world of 1973 is supposed to reflect his psyche?
New Frontier by timelord_sammy
Rating/Notes/Warnings: R/Red Cortina for multiple gory character death (only one in first chapter, more will come...)
Why I recommend this piece: It is based on a roleplay that I enjoyed roleplaying very much... it created my psycho!Sammy muse, one that still gives me the chills but is oh so much fun
debl_ns said:
Some Days Nothing Goes Right by evil_demandred
Rating/Notes/Warnings: Brown Cortina for character death, sexual content, violence, language. Set after the series ends, this story deals with death and dark themes. There are also spoilers for both series and the last episode. (Word for word from the fic.)
Why I recommend this piece: Dark, affecting, disturbing, tragic--all at once. Once you read it, you won't forget it. Try to get to the end without ending up in tears. Read it a second time, a third, more, and you'll have your heart broken all over again. A standout in the fandom.
chamekke said:
He's a Rotten Kind of Cute by m31andy
Rating/Notes/Warnings: To quote the author, "Red Cortina for utter squicky crack. DO NOT read this on a full stomach." (She said it, not me!)
Why I recommend this piece: Our fandom has many splendid examples of horrorfic, but this one is dear to my heart because Andy is such an expert at weaving humour into dark subjects. And... to say more would be to spoil this warped little beauty of a story <333
Don't Look Now (artwork) by fern_tree
Rating/Notes/Warnings: Green Cortina, PG
Why I recommend this piece: One of Fern's darker and more atmospheric pieces, this one just oozes with the creepy! Sam's drinking alone at night, remembering 2006 and feeling miserable. Could anything make his situation worse? Just possibly...
basaltgrrl said:
Call to Me by lozenger8
Rating/Notes/Warnings: PG
Why I recommend this piece: When I first read this it creeped me out hugely! And clearly since this little thing stuck in my head for most of the year it made an impression. On Tuesday, Sam starts hearing voices. As the week passes, the voices become more and more overpowering. By Saturday... well, there is no Saturday. Oooh, I just thrill to read this. It's so concise and freaky.
lacidiana said:
A Tale Told by an Idiot by margo_kim
Rating/Notes/Warnings: Blue Cortina; violence, disturbingness
Why I recommend this piece: A short piece that packs an incredible punch due to the dead-on Sam characterization and intensely creepy narration; the Sam/Gene in this is also brilliantly implied and understated, but really tangible -- my favorite kind of slash. Violent, haunting, and totally dark, this fic is one of my favorites.
Five Things at the End of the Rainbow by yunitsa
Rating/Notes/Warnings: PG; major series spoilers, dark themes, creepy implications, general LoM ending trigger warnings, etc.
Why I recommend this piece: This fic gives several of the eeriest kinds of interpretations for the end of the show and what might have happened afterward, all with the heavy/creepy mood and realistic consequences that I wanted so badly to see canon!Sam faced with. Written amazingly and hauntingly, it creates more closure and more questions for the canon all at once.
Red Riding by teethlikedog
Rating/Notes/Warnings: Unlisted rating (I'd give it light R purely on theme to be safe); dark themes, violent imagery, incest(-ish) (non-graphic)
Why I recommend this piece: Vic/Sam. I'd say that pretty snugly puts this fic in the "wrong" category, and it feels especially Halloween-y with the dark fairytale comparisons and lyrical style that the author uses, along with Sam's overwhelming, despairing futility. Normally I'd be too squicked to read something like this, but this is written beautifully and treated intelligently, with an appropriately creepy mood.
Silence by severinne
Rating/Notes/Warnings: Fire-Red Cortina; dark themes, dubious/non-consensual sex, dark characterizations
Why I recommend this piece: I love awful emotional responses toward non-consent in fiction when a writer treats as the horrible thing it is, and this fic does that magnificently. But even more than that, it fits in a "dark" rec list for the incredibly morally compromised -- and yet totally IC and heartbreaking -- characterizations of both Gene and Sam, plus that reveal... man. I got genuine goosebumps on my first read-through. Brilliantly written, with eerie themes weaved the whole way through. Fantastic, fantastic stuff.
Strangers in the Night by lozenger8
Rating/Notes/Warnings: PG-13; violence, major character death, creepy/disturbing visuals, general zombie apocalypse complications
Why I recommend this piece: Every Halloween rec list needs an epic zombie apocalypse fic, and this one delivers the whole nine yards, chock-full with brain-eating action, timey-wimey screwiness, creepy Test Card Girl antics, end-of-the-world relationship-building, and delicious Sam culpability. Be forewarned, however: the ending will make you tear your hair out. (In the best way.)
Thanks to everyone who contributed. If you see any mistakes, please tell me. If you want to come back with more recs, please feel free!