Rascally was always going to get a little mention. It is his 'verse' after all.
I had major problems with Marla and Kirk in the original episode. I disliked Kirk more than Marla, especially for his attitude toward the women in the episode and then gifting a planet and a woman to a man that just tried to kill him and his crew! A friend described Marla as a 'hormone addled idiot' in the original and that was a perfect description to me. Here I had to look at how young she is and her background that would make her react in certain ways and I am glad that it worked for you.
There are so many things to love about this story. It made me happy to see the established relationship between Bones and Jim. Although, it was not the main focus of the story, the quiet moments between the two added a kind of stability to all the action and chaos of the main story. I also liked that after years of working together, the bridge crew could read each other so well, even the seemingly emotionless Mr. Spock. I enjoyed the humor very much and the action-thriller feel of the later chapters had me sitting on the edge of my seat and nearly biting my nails in anticipation. Once I started reading this wonderful story, I just couldn't stop
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Oh wow. Thank you so much for that comment. I've been waiting to see if people like it or not, because this fic is a departure from what I normally write and also what is standard for fandom, where the relationship is the main focus. I wanted to try for more an episodic type story and Space Seed is one I have had in mind for a long time. The first time I wrote an action scene was for last years BB, so it seemed fitting to aim for action again with this years
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To me this story is mostly gen to me, there are relationships but I wanted it to feel like an episode. I am so glad it worked for you.
Ah Marla, when I first started plotting this I knew what her fate was going to be. Khan was going to punish her. It wasn't the easiest part to write, to be in her head at that time and she not really comprehending what was happening to her. I only thought the way to explain her actions was that she needed to have a past that would cause her to be controlled to an extent by Khan.
The epilogue was planned from the start but mostly around the line of "you're a good man Jim, but you ain't perfect." Once I started letting them talk Bones' final line came and it just felt right. Something like this would affect them for a while.
It's taken 3 days *shakes fist at RL* but, as promised, this was the next BB I read. And you made me wibbly!
Srsly, this is wonderful. I've always had such mixed feelings about the Space Seed episode, especially Marla's character. While eventually understanding it was simply a product of it's time, it still never ceased to annoy me. Here you've created a moving backstory for her that really works.
I really liked your treatment of Kirk too, because he was pretty much an ass in the original episode!
The way you portrayed the core relationships through out was lovely.
Oh man, me too. I mean I adored how badass Bones was in the episode and I got the impression that Khan respected him because of it but didn't respect the others. Kirk I wouldn't have been that upset if he died because of his actions. Earlier this year Star Trek magazine listed the greatest couples in ST. One of the couples they included was Khan and Marla. I was flabbergasted that they couldn't see that the relationship was an abusive one.
Figuring out Marla was a challenge and I am glad that readers are understanding her. I tried to make her 'real'.
I do adore those two boys and how their friendship underpins everything. It was a joy to imagine the crew five years into their mission and how they are becoming closer to the TOS crew we all adore.
I didn't want Marla to be the trope of one who learned her lesson. It felt right for Khan and for Marla and it was planned when I was plotting it out. I am very pleased that the issues people had with the original episode were not present in this story.
This story is part of my Rascally verse and there is a story that comes after this one, Tapotement. I have reworked it slightly and added a bit more. It will be posted next month.
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In the TOS episode Marla's character really annoyed me. Your characterization her made me dislike her a little less.
All in all, I thought it a very compelling take on the Khan story line. Well done.
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Rascally was always going to get a little mention. It is his 'verse' after all.
I had major problems with Marla and Kirk in the original episode. I disliked Kirk more than Marla, especially for his attitude toward the women in the episode and then gifting a planet and a woman to a man that just tried to kill him and his crew! A friend described Marla as a 'hormone addled idiot' in the original and that was a perfect description to me. Here I had to look at how young she is and her background that would make her react in certain ways and I am glad that it worked for you.
Again, thank you!
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(The comment has been removed)
Thank for all your comments.
To me this story is mostly gen to me, there are relationships but I wanted it to feel like an episode. I am so glad it worked for you.
Ah Marla, when I first started plotting this I knew what her fate was going to be. Khan was going to punish her. It wasn't the easiest part to write, to be in her head at that time and she not really comprehending what was happening to her. I only thought the way to explain her actions was that she needed to have a past that would cause her to be controlled to an extent by Khan.
The epilogue was planned from the start but mostly around the line of "you're a good man Jim, but you ain't perfect." Once I started letting them talk Bones' final line came and it just felt right. Something like this would affect them for a while.
Again, thank you for all you comments.
Reply
Srsly, this is wonderful. I've always had such mixed feelings about the Space Seed episode, especially Marla's character. While eventually understanding it was simply a product of it's time, it still never ceased to annoy me. Here you've created a moving backstory for her that really works.
I really liked your treatment of Kirk too, because he was pretty much an ass in the original episode!
The way you portrayed the core relationships through out was lovely.
It is a triumph darlin'!
*hugs*
Reply
Oh man, me too. I mean I adored how badass Bones was in the episode and I got the impression that Khan respected him because of it but didn't respect the others. Kirk I wouldn't have been that upset if he died because of his actions. Earlier this year Star Trek magazine listed the greatest couples in ST. One of the couples they included was Khan and Marla. I was flabbergasted that they couldn't see that the relationship was an abusive one.
Figuring out Marla was a challenge and I am glad that readers are understanding her. I tried to make her 'real'.
Reply
(The comment has been removed)
I do adore those two boys and how their friendship underpins everything. It was a joy to imagine the crew five years into their mission and how they are becoming closer to the TOS crew we all adore.
I didn't want Marla to be the trope of one who learned her lesson. It felt right for Khan and for Marla and it was planned when I was plotting it out. I am very pleased that the issues people had with the original episode were not present in this story.
This story is part of my Rascally verse and there is a story that comes after this one, Tapotement. I have reworked it slightly and added a bit more. It will be posted next month.
Reply
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