I always wanted a pair of ruby slippers. (pipsqueaky)
Welcome to Character Spotlight Friday! I'm pipsqueaky, and I'll be your tour guide this month. Some brief info about me: I discovered due South in May of last year, fell hard, and haven't looked back. I was pimped into the show with a "highlights of Season 1" marathon, and after that, bought the DVDs and watched the entire series in order. I love all seasons, all characters, all ships, and all Rays. (Although I will admit to having a fondness for Vecchio, cause ... dude! Vecchio!) But my favorite character is our beloved Mountie. Het, slash, femmeslash, gen - it's all good to me. I don't read much fanfic, so you won't find many fic recommendations here; there'll mostly be quotes and screencaps and character analysis and other canon/meta-type stuff.
Here in dS fandom, we talk a lot about the boys. And with good reason - they're the stars of the show, and they're MIGHTY pretty. But due South has some amazing women as well, who sometimes get overlooked in all the squeeing over the boyslash. And since I naturally gravitate towards female rather than male characters, I feel it's my duty to do something about that. So for the next five Fridays, I'll be bringing you Girls Who Kick Ass.
And here's our first contestant: Elaine Besbriss!
The first and most important thing to know about Elaine? This chick is HOT.
See what I mean?
In addition to being gorgeous, she's also snarky, sassy, and witty. She don't take no crap from nobody. Elaine's always quick with a comeback or a sarcastic remark - which, at the 2-7, is a necessary skill.
Elaine: Thank God you called, Vecchio, because otherwise I might be enjoying myself right now. Let’s define our terms here: "Day Off." Does that mean anything to you?
~ "The Witness"
Fraser: Someone struck me with a sea otter.
Elaine: Hmm. I guess that's what happens in a country with gun control.
~ "The Deal"
Gardino: Women don't have signs. Men have signs. Women have biological imperatives. ...It's true! I read it.
Elaine: Jeez, Gardino, it's no wonder your wife left you for a pork roast.
~ "You Must Remember This"
RayV: Elaine, can you find out what the weather's like in Florida?
Elaine: Do I look like a travel agent?
~ "The Man Who Knew Too Little"
Hallett: What does "China white" mean to you?
Elaine: Nothing.
Brandau: Try again!
Elaine: Dishes.
~ "Eclipse"
RayV: How many Chinese laundries are there right on the river bank?
Elaine: Why? You two having trouble squeezing into a booth?
~ "Chinatown"
Elaine: You know, funny thing, I'm having a hard time matching the word 'exquisite' to a lot of mug shots.
~ "You Must Remember This"
She performs various and sundry duties as a civilian aid, including computer research, basic medical treatment (which we'll get to in a minute), and apparently even criminal sketches. The couple of times we see her drawings on the show, it's clear Elaine is a pretty good sketch artist. Except for when she's, um, distracted:
Elaine: Someone asked me out. This man has been after me for months. But I said no, I want to get my sleep. Next time I'm going to say yes. I mean, you can't keep someone waiting forever, now can you?
[she looks pointedly at Fraser; everyone else turns to look at him as well]
Fraser: ...Well, no. That would be unfair.
RayV: [aside] You want to concentrate here, Elaine? Every sketch you do looks like Fraser in drag.
~ "Chicago Holiday"
Which leads us to Elaine and Fraser.
They make quite an impression on each other the first time they meet. She falls for him right away, and even Fraser - who normally avoids women like the plague - can't stop staring. Check out the way he's looking at her. And how he turns and looks again as he and Ray are walking away. Hee!
Elaine: Want me to call you at home?
RayV: My case, Elaine. Me, Detective Vecchio, police officer. You talk directly to me, okay?
Elaine: But I should probably have the number just in case.
Fraser: Oh, uh, [clears throat] I’m afraid I don’t have--
RayV: He uses smoke signals. We’ll call in. Willie? Come on, mush.
[they turn to leave]
RayV: What, they don’t have women in the Yukon?
Fraser: Certainly. It’s just they’re not quite so, uh ... [trails off]
~ "Free Willie"
So of course Elaine develops a crush. (Along with everyone else who has ever met Benton Fraser.)
Elaine: I know what it is, I'm an idiot. I meet this guy, he's like no one I've ever met before, you know? Warm, caring, sensitive ... the kind that really rips your guts out. And right there, right there, I shoulda known. There should have been this big neon sign flashing in ten foot high letters, "Elaine, you're about to make a complete fool of yourself!" I mean, just who the hell does he think he is? Coming around here with that dopey-looking grin, saying things like, "Good morning, Elaine." "How are you today, Elaine?" "Thank you kindly for your time, Elaine." Like I'm supposed to just take that? And the minute you let him get to you, you can't sleep, your skin starts to break out, and the next thing you know, you're wandering around supermarkets humming tunes by the Carpenters at the top of your lungs! Do you have any idea what that feels like?
~ "Chinatown"
However, unlike Francesca, Elaine nurses her crush quietly. She doesn't become sexually aggressive around Fraser, or tease him, or make suggestive remarks.
Well, mostly.
Elaine: So Fraser, how's the apartment furnishing coming along?
Fraser: Very well, thank you, Elaine. As a matter of fact, I recently purchased a lamp.
Elaine: Really? A lamp.
Fraser: Very good for reading.
Elaine: Is that what you do at night?
RayV: Elaine, we got work to do here.
Elaine: So what are you reading with this new lamp?
Fraser: Well, I've been reading a book about currency watermarks.
Elaine: ...Alone?
~ "You Must Remember This"
Eventually, though, the long months of doing (almost) nothing pay off. When Fraser gets beaten up in "The Deal", Elaine gets to live out every girl's ultimate Indiana-Jones-esque fantasy: she tends his wounds. And hot damn, is it sexy.
GUH. ...Why no, I'm not jealous. Not even a little bit. ahem.
Ultimately, though, it's just not meant to be. For one thing, Elaine keeps finding Fraser and Vecchio in the closet together. That doesn't bode well for her chances, now does it?
Other than Fraser, Elaine shows no romantic interest in anyone else at the 2-7. She even turns RayK down when he asks her out:
RayK: Elaine, did you give any thought to Friday? It would be a great first date, crystal ballroom, the band, martinis, moi.
Elaine: No.
~ "Burning Down the House"
Which, personally, I can't fathom. But I guess there's no accounting for taste (or lack thereof).
As for Ray Vecchio? He and Elaine have an adorable, almost brotherly-sisterly type of bond. Complete with snark. Lots and lots of snark. And teasing and irritation and annoyance. Elaine is one of the few people who can put RayV in his place; she doesn't hesitate to call him on it when he takes her for granted.
Elaine: You know, occasionally, just occasionally, you might want to consider doing your own grunt work instead of foisting it off on me without so much as a word of appreciation.
RayV: Okay, I appreciate you, Elaine.
Elaine: Eh, who cares.
RayV: Elaine, we really appreciate you.
Elaine: Really?
~ "Chinatown"
He does appreciate her - and once in a blue moon, he even shows it.
Awwwwwwwww.
Elaine gets a happy ending; she graduates from the Academy in "I Coulda Been a Defendant" and finally becomes a real cop. And not only that; at the graduation ceremony, she is the first to realize that Fraser and RayK are in trouble, and she leads the rest of the graduates over the hill in an impressive rescue. She's a real hero.
Director: Congratulations, Elaine, you're one of the first cadets to graduate with an arrest already under your belt. Let's hope it's the first of many.
Elaine: Thank you, sir.
~ "I Coulda Been a Defendant"
And finally, the thing I love most about Elaine Besbriss: she gives the best "bitch, please" face of anyone on the show.
Hope you enjoyed this rec! A zip file of large versions of all the screencaps (plus some extras) used in this post can be downloaded here. In case you'd like to make icons or wallpaper or just, you know, stare at the pretty.
Here in dS fandom, we talk a lot about the boys. And with good reason - they're the stars of the show, and they're MIGHTY pretty. But due South has some amazing women as well, who sometimes get overlooked in all the squeeing over the boyslash. And since I naturally gravitate towards female rather than male characters, I feel it's my duty to do something about that. So for the next five Fridays, I'll be bringing you Girls Who Kick Ass.
And here's our first contestant: Elaine Besbriss!
The first and most important thing to know about Elaine? This chick is HOT.
See what I mean?
In addition to being gorgeous, she's also snarky, sassy, and witty. She don't take no crap from nobody. Elaine's always quick with a comeback or a sarcastic remark - which, at the 2-7, is a necessary skill.
Elaine: Thank God you called, Vecchio, because otherwise I might be enjoying myself right now. Let’s define our terms here: "Day Off." Does that mean anything to you?
~ "The Witness"
Fraser: Someone struck me with a sea otter.
Elaine: Hmm. I guess that's what happens in a country with gun control.
~ "The Deal"
Gardino: Women don't have signs. Men have signs. Women have biological imperatives. ...It's true! I read it.
Elaine: Jeez, Gardino, it's no wonder your wife left you for a pork roast.
~ "You Must Remember This"
RayV: Elaine, can you find out what the weather's like in Florida?
Elaine: Do I look like a travel agent?
~ "The Man Who Knew Too Little"
Hallett: What does "China white" mean to you?
Elaine: Nothing.
Brandau: Try again!
Elaine: Dishes.
~ "Eclipse"
RayV: How many Chinese laundries are there right on the river bank?
Elaine: Why? You two having trouble squeezing into a booth?
~ "Chinatown"
Elaine: You know, funny thing, I'm having a hard time matching the word 'exquisite' to a lot of mug shots.
~ "You Must Remember This"
She performs various and sundry duties as a civilian aid, including computer research, basic medical treatment (which we'll get to in a minute), and apparently even criminal sketches. The couple of times we see her drawings on the show, it's clear Elaine is a pretty good sketch artist. Except for when she's, um, distracted:
Elaine: Someone asked me out. This man has been after me for months. But I said no, I want to get my sleep. Next time I'm going to say yes. I mean, you can't keep someone waiting forever, now can you?
[she looks pointedly at Fraser; everyone else turns to look at him as well]
Fraser: ...Well, no. That would be unfair.
RayV: [aside] You want to concentrate here, Elaine? Every sketch you do looks like Fraser in drag.
~ "Chicago Holiday"
Which leads us to Elaine and Fraser.
They make quite an impression on each other the first time they meet. She falls for him right away, and even Fraser - who normally avoids women like the plague - can't stop staring. Check out the way he's looking at her. And how he turns and looks again as he and Ray are walking away. Hee!
Elaine: Want me to call you at home?
RayV: My case, Elaine. Me, Detective Vecchio, police officer. You talk directly to me, okay?
Elaine: But I should probably have the number just in case.
Fraser: Oh, uh, [clears throat] I’m afraid I don’t have--
RayV: He uses smoke signals. We’ll call in. Willie? Come on, mush.
[they turn to leave]
RayV: What, they don’t have women in the Yukon?
Fraser: Certainly. It’s just they’re not quite so, uh ... [trails off]
~ "Free Willie"
So of course Elaine develops a crush. (Along with everyone else who has ever met Benton Fraser.)
Elaine: I know what it is, I'm an idiot. I meet this guy, he's like no one I've ever met before, you know? Warm, caring, sensitive ... the kind that really rips your guts out. And right there, right there, I shoulda known. There should have been this big neon sign flashing in ten foot high letters, "Elaine, you're about to make a complete fool of yourself!" I mean, just who the hell does he think he is? Coming around here with that dopey-looking grin, saying things like, "Good morning, Elaine." "How are you today, Elaine?" "Thank you kindly for your time, Elaine." Like I'm supposed to just take that? And the minute you let him get to you, you can't sleep, your skin starts to break out, and the next thing you know, you're wandering around supermarkets humming tunes by the Carpenters at the top of your lungs! Do you have any idea what that feels like?
~ "Chinatown"
However, unlike Francesca, Elaine nurses her crush quietly. She doesn't become sexually aggressive around Fraser, or tease him, or make suggestive remarks.
Well, mostly.
Elaine: So Fraser, how's the apartment furnishing coming along?
Fraser: Very well, thank you, Elaine. As a matter of fact, I recently purchased a lamp.
Elaine: Really? A lamp.
Fraser: Very good for reading.
Elaine: Is that what you do at night?
RayV: Elaine, we got work to do here.
Elaine: So what are you reading with this new lamp?
Fraser: Well, I've been reading a book about currency watermarks.
Elaine: ...Alone?
~ "You Must Remember This"
Eventually, though, the long months of doing (almost) nothing pay off. When Fraser gets beaten up in "The Deal", Elaine gets to live out every girl's ultimate Indiana-Jones-esque fantasy: she tends his wounds. And hot damn, is it sexy.
GUH. ...Why no, I'm not jealous. Not even a little bit. ahem.
Ultimately, though, it's just not meant to be. For one thing, Elaine keeps finding Fraser and Vecchio in the closet together. That doesn't bode well for her chances, now does it?
Other than Fraser, Elaine shows no romantic interest in anyone else at the 2-7. She even turns RayK down when he asks her out:
RayK: Elaine, did you give any thought to Friday? It would be a great first date, crystal ballroom, the band, martinis, moi.
Elaine: No.
~ "Burning Down the House"
Which, personally, I can't fathom. But I guess there's no accounting for taste (or lack thereof).
As for Ray Vecchio? He and Elaine have an adorable, almost brotherly-sisterly type of bond. Complete with snark. Lots and lots of snark. And teasing and irritation and annoyance. Elaine is one of the few people who can put RayV in his place; she doesn't hesitate to call him on it when he takes her for granted.
Elaine: You know, occasionally, just occasionally, you might want to consider doing your own grunt work instead of foisting it off on me without so much as a word of appreciation.
RayV: Okay, I appreciate you, Elaine.
Elaine: Eh, who cares.
RayV: Elaine, we really appreciate you.
Elaine: Really?
~ "Chinatown"
He does appreciate her - and once in a blue moon, he even shows it.
Awwwwwwwww.
Elaine gets a happy ending; she graduates from the Academy in "I Coulda Been a Defendant" and finally becomes a real cop. And not only that; at the graduation ceremony, she is the first to realize that Fraser and RayK are in trouble, and she leads the rest of the graduates over the hill in an impressive rescue. She's a real hero.
Director: Congratulations, Elaine, you're one of the first cadets to graduate with an arrest already under your belt. Let's hope it's the first of many.
Elaine: Thank you, sir.
~ "I Coulda Been a Defendant"
And finally, the thing I love most about Elaine Besbriss: she gives the best "bitch, please" face of anyone on the show.
Hope you enjoyed this rec! A zip file of large versions of all the screencaps (plus some extras) used in this post can be downloaded here. In case you'd like to make icons or wallpaper or just, you know, stare at the pretty.