Writerverse Challenge #10: "The Architect"

[halfshellvenus]

Or, "What I wrote to fill a challenge when I should have been writing fanfic for this fandom instead." *Ahem*

This challenge has you specify either one of your original universes or a fandom that you're working on. I picked the latter.

Comments

[tidal_race]

I thought Raylan and Boyd's history(at least part of it) was shown in the first season. The coal mine flashback?

[halfshellvenus]

It was, but all we got was that they were coal miners together for a bit, and then there was an explosion that nearly killed them both (and Boyd grabbed Raylan's hand and helped him run out to safety).

We don't really get detail before that point, and given that they grew up together and that there's that "something" between them, it's impossible to believe there isn't more.

I think canon states pretty clearly that Boyd's father beat him. We're pretty sure Raylan's father did too, but I'm not sure that's been explicitly detailed. Arlo beat Raylan's mother, but what about Raylan? If so, both Raylan and Boyd were abused sons of criminals. That seems like an opportunity for mutual support and friendship, back in their childhood or teens. But we don't know.

The speculation, though, is VERY entertaining.

You are one mighty fast reader-- I barely got this up and linked before you'd replied to it!

[tidal_race]

Yeah, I do read kind of fast. I guess I got the impression that the show was specifically saying they were friends before they went to work in the coal mines together, and Raylan feels like Boyd saved his life that day, and that creates a bond you can't just break even if you want to, but then again, it's been awhile since I saw that ep. I love that fanfic explores all the different avenues of any fandom though.

[halfshellvenus]

I think the show implies all of those things, but doesn't directly state them. I rewatched the Pilot (for fanficcing purposes, so typical), and that moment in the mine is about all you get there-- but because Boyd saved him, you are left with the understanding of some kind of bond and also why Raylan might have decided he was never going to risk his life mining again, after nearly getting killed.

That really was one of the best Pilots I've seen in a long time. I've groaned at parts of the Supernatural Pilot, just a few that feel like, "Ow! Stop hitting me in the head with your exposition anvil!". But the "Justified" Pilot folds in a lot of Raylan's issues, glimpses of how he got that way and why he ran away from Harlan, and the kind of man that could be compelled to shoot an old friend and still regret it. It's really pretty tight storytelling.

One of my other favorites is the Pilot for "Reaper." The setup, the snark, all of the character traits for the whole cast, and the pull in a single episode. Really excellent writing!

[n3m3sis43]

This was a great summary because it really made me want to watch the show. You did a good job of describing what makes the characters human and interesting,as well as some of the fun and interesting aspects of the fandom. Now I'd just have to get expanded basic cable back to watch it. :)

[halfshellvenus]

because it really made me want to watch the show.

Yay! I tried to present the intriguing (and sometimes conflicting) aspects of the main characters, because that richness is often what makes a difference in whether the show appeals or not.

Other people's recommendations to me were "I like it" and "Same producer as 'The Shield'" and the one guy who told me his mancrush was Raylan Givens (which actually was a selling point, because the guy has lived in Portland for years and fits in there perfectly, and assured me that it had broader appeal than to just Country&Western fans).

"The Shield" is another show I'd recommend. There's a lot of violence, and some sexual stuff that occasionally made me cringe, but the characters? The writing? The fact that all of those things were interesting right through to the end of its final season? Outstanding show.

Thanks for taking a moment to read this!