The Greens of Jericho

Reviewer: Marzee Doats Signed [Report This]
Date: 01 Jan 2009 11:18:18 PM Title: Part Three: The Second Spirit

Ah, Penny!  I knew this part was going to be a good one as soon as I read this...

Quote:

“Uh, Mr. Mayor-” started Dale.

“Dale, I am not the mayor,” the figure said, with a hint of annoyance. His expression relaxed then, and he grinned. “I am the here and the now, that is to say, Christmas Present.”

I'm so glad you brought Johnston in as the Ghost of Christmas Present. :-)

The different scenes that Johnston/Ghost of Christmas Present showed him -- and the one Dale wandered into all on his own -- were very interesting.  I think I remember the tension between Heather and Emily being over Jake, ultimately, but I also would guess it's because Emily is drifting and Heather is throwing herself into doing what she needs to do to survive.  Pure speculation on my part, but I think that Emily has isolated herself from people and Heather has built new relationships and grown away from Emily.  Dale seems to be like Emily in this way, isolated.  Maybe that's why he always checks in on her? 

 

Quote:

.... he could smell different foods cooking. He would have made a comment to the spirit about how stupid it was to use all the best stuff in your cupboard at the beginning of winter, but something about this spirit made him hold his tongue.

This sounds just like Dale the curmudgeon but it also reminds me that Dale has suffered from want a lot longer than most of the rest of Jericho and it's a little bit the voice of experience (and a little bit judgmental).  Anyway, I had to point it out because I really struck me as an interesting and telling statement.

I enjoyed the Greens' Christmas Dinner, and won't say much more on that except that Jake as Mrs. Cratchit is inspired.  He is the best choice for the role, but I don't think I would have thought of it so, bravo!

I felt so sad for Gail, looking through her photo album and missing Johnston while he stood behind her looking at the same album, wishing he could let her know he was there.  It's an addition to the story to have the Ghost of Christmas Present have relationships with those they visit, but it really got me, and I'm so glad you included it.

Seeing Skylar with the Carmichael's was interesting, and how Dale talked about Skylar's relationship to them left me wondering yet again what went wrong between them.  I'm glad though that she seems if not happy then content with them... certainly it's got to be better than being the au pair for Gray's great nephews!

Jake's and Heather's "surprise" of having restored the sleigh was wonderful and I enjoyed the party at the Richmonds', even as I was embarrassed for Dale, having to listen to everyone talk about him.  The thing I noticed here that you did really well is that Dale heard it all, and but seem to fully understand what was going on.  He was hurt, but he didn't hear what they were saying -- they couldn't just go on surviving and without living.  So for that reason I was glad to see this at the end.

Quote:

“Remember,” said the spirit, standing in the doorway, “It isn't just about survival.”

With that, he was gone. The room was dark and cold again. Although Dale had wanted to get away from the Richmonds' party, now he realized part of him wished he were back in the warm living room, surrounded by voices and laughter. He shivered and climbed back under the sleeping bag.

This was so Johnston.  He really was the perfect fit at the Ghost of Christmas Present.  Nicely done, Penny.

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Author's Response:

Thanks!

Casting the Greens as the Cratchits was fun. Jake had to be Mrs. Cratchit, since he is the more cynical voice in the family, just as she was. I liked taking the ghosts a step further in this one, showing their interactions with their environment since they all come from Jericho, and Johnston was the most interesting to work with, since we visit his family coping with their first Christmas without him. (Though, obviously, his presence is still there)

I think you are right about Heather and Emily. Though there's a bit of awkward conflict there because of Jake, it's more about how they've grown apart as individuals. Emily has isolated herself in a certain way, and I think Dale sympathizes with that, as well as remembers how she tried to bring him out of his shell back in his earlier classroom scene.

Skylar is definitely enjoying herself more than she would babysitting Gray's nephews, and she has found a certain contentment, though Dale worries for her still.

I had fun writing the party at the Richmonds. Poor Dale doesn't quite understand their sense of merriment, I think, though part of him wishes he could share in it. Your observations are correct.

Thanks again!