Story 235: "Unintended Consequences" by Sarah Segretti

[wendelah1]

This is almost a guest recommendation since I rediscovered the story while I was hunting down an old recs page. "Unintended Consequences" is a realistic and insightful post-ep for the seventh season episode "Orison." It's a story I liked even better the second time around

Comments

[tri_sbr]

Thanks for the link to the author interviews. I am not even close to being a writer, so I really admire those who can do it well, and it's interesting to hear how they talk about writing. And also to get some more fic recs

[badforthefish]

I need to go and read "Sedimentation" and "The Current Temperature in Downton Washington".

See, I never thought Scully could have *not* known Mulder was here. This is an interesting twist indeed. But it gives to much credit to the "Scully didn't know what she was doing, she was in a second state" theory. Ergo it is easier to cut her some slack for shooting an unarmed man.

I guess I like the darker option. Scully knew what she was doing when she shot: she made sure Pfaster would never go after her again. And she now has to live with the consequences of her actions. The way it was shot, the dreamlike quality of the scene, of course gives the "not quite there, loss of control" theory a lot of credit. But looking at her face, there also seems to be a fierce determination, that doesn't quite match the "she didn't know what she was doing." theory. I think she knew *exactly* what she was doing: taking down a predator.

[tri_sbr]

Yeah, I always watched that scene thinking Scully knew Mulder was there too, and that she knew what she was doing. It's the harder option, though. I liked that this fic opened the door for some ambiguity (in my mind at least). Either way, they did not deal with the fallout *at all* on the show which was incredibly frustrating. I mean, both M & S must have had some kind of reaction that lasted beyond the episode. Of course, it leaves a great opportunity for fic writers to explore the different possibilities, but annoying in terms of the show.

Oh, do read "The Current Temperature..." It is lovely.

[badforthefish]

If we're gonna make a list of all the times the show didn't deal with the fall out of various major events, we're going to be up all night. *laugh*

I am convinced the X-Files has got such a tremendous amount of fanfiction because of the repeated frustrations experienced by fans while watching it.

Fanfic fixes characters, narration, story lines, continuity. It adds layers of complexity to a show's universe (unless you're talking PWP of course). There is less need for it when the series isn't flawed.

I guess we should thank the boys at 1013 for having made such a giant mess of it!

[tri_sbr]

All so true!

[wendelah1]

If we're gonna make a list of all the times the show didn't deal with the fall out of various major events, we're going to be up all night. *laugh*

I am convinced the X-Files has got such a tremendous amount of fanfiction because of the repeated frustrations experienced by fans while watching it.

Fanfic fixes characters, narration, story lines, continuity. It adds layers of complexity to a show's universe (unless you're talking PWP of course). There is less need for it when the series isn't flawed.

I guess we should thank the boys at 1013 for having made such a giant mess of it!
Reply

Well-put. I am in accord. Deeply-flawed canon + two wonderfully complex characters = massive output of fanfic. By the law of averages, some of it had to be good.

[estella_c]

Beautiful analysis: agrees with mine. More nooks and crannies and mysterious motivations than any much slicker show I can think of. And the results were often magnificent.

Even PWP must add *something* to the reservoir of character interpretations. I mean, is Mulder a sports-fixated, neurotic jerk or a highly sensitive potential lover? Come to the bedroom and find out!

[badforthefish]

Thank you. :)

I guess that yes, even PWP can add something to characterization. *laugh* How else could we know Mulder has the stamina of a dozen wild bulls on crack?