The Greens of Jericho

Reviewer: Penny Lane Signed [Report This]
Date: 06 Jul 2008 8:11:40 PM Title: Chapter 5

Wow- quite the range of emotion you cover here. I was really drawn into it all thanks to your well-chosen words.

I loved the reunions in the first half: Heather with first Charlotte (and everything her old truck means to her) and with Eric. This made me laugh:

 Jake leaned against the side of the dilapidated vehicle. He wasn’t particularly surprised that the truck was still there. Half the people in town were afraid to get near it for fear it might explode. That, and the fact the gasoline had already been siphoned out of its tank made it clear the truck wasn’t going anywhere. “Just waiting for you to get back.”

I think you even do a great job capturing Charlotte's character!

I also want to comment on your excellent use of humour throughout this story. The way you blend it seamlessly with complicated emotional moments- it gives the story a really realistic tone, I think. I want to point out this line:

How many times had he heard Jimmy start with, “Well, Mayor Green used to….” before Gray would cut him off? He hated to hear that almost as much as “We’ve got a problem,” Jimmy’s other favorite line.

It's not that you're spoofing the show, or even really an inside joke...it's just that sometimes the characters have an almost-awareness of things that I'm sure most of us in the audience are very aware, and it's really funny. Well done!

The reunion between Eric and Heather was emotional, intimate, and just how I would have liked to see it on the show. It's funny- when I watched the season two dvd, I realized that Heather and Eric have had almost no scenes together, in the entire run of the series, yet offscreen, they've been through so much they really should have an interesting relationship. You've done a really wonderful job developing it here. I especially loved that Eric invites Heather to stay at his place too, and Jake tries to intervene, like he's aware that he's somewhat out-of-the-loop in this moment between these two friends.

Equally intense to that scene was the scene between Eric and Gray. Though as an audience member I'm probably naturally inclined to take Eric's side here, I could really understand what was motivating both of them. They both seem to have a lot at stake, and I liked the way you drew this chapter to a close with them finally beginning to grudgingly listen to each other.

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Author's Response:

Thank you, Penny!  I enjoy delving into the emotional unpennings of characters, as I think that provides a basis for characters' motivations and actions. 

Charlotte almost does take on a life of her own.  You'll see more of that later on.  ;)

Humor is, I think, one of the most basic human reactions to situations.  When I think of the vast desparity between circumstances people find funny (everything from stand up comedy, Three Stooges, to someone falling while walking up a stair case), it seemed natural to include some humorous aspects in the story.  In my own life, I've told myself, "Well, I've got a choice.  I can either laugh at this or cry at this" when something bad has happened.  Certainly, the Jericho characters are in a wretched situation, but sometimes levity makes what seems insurmountable, surmountable.

Like you, I feel that Eric and Heather must have a rich history with one another and an interesting friendship-based relationship.  Jake is definitely out of the loop, and the more he sees this, the less he is going to like it.

As for the Gray/Eric conversation, I've wondered what side I would fall on in that argument if I didn't know what I know about the parties responsible for the bombings.  When they're just struggling to survive, it's tough to want to look at the big picture the way Eric is asking Gray to do.  Additionally, Gray has some issues with the Greens and his own pride.  I believe Gray respects Eric, but the fact that Eric is very much his father's son comes into play in their working relationship, as well.