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A Jericho Fan Fiction Archive
What a lovely beginning, Penny. This story strikes me as wistful. Perhaps its beginning with Allison Hawkins longing for something as ordinary as her ice skates--long since obliterated--which is in essence a longing for life as she once knew it that, grabbed me. Then there are the townspeople, carrying on the best way they can to make Christmas a special occassion in a post-Apocalyptic world with fewer resources and a greater appreciation for what they do have.
Little Hailey, a child who has obviously been through a great deal more than any little one should have to, really struck me. I enjoyed how Skylar, once a character that I considered so inane, tried to relate with her through the snow angel.
Things have changed, indeed, as seen from Sean Henthorn being a (gasp) contributing member of the community.
Yet an interesting contrast to the wistfulness of this installment is the good cheer of the Taylor household and how, despite the weight that seems to be on everyone's shoulders, they manage to find joy even in adversity. What a perfect Santa Jimmy would make! I wonder who will take his place now that his back is out.
I'm off to read more!
Thanks Sandra!
I definitely wanted to hit a few notes with this holiday story, and I wanted it to be hopeful but realistic. I was especially interested in how people would try to celebrate, and keep going, through holidays during such difficult times. I think it's something that happens to most of us at some point, having to do holidays differently when things in our lives change, sometimes for the worse, and figure out how to remain hopeful, and of course, the people of Jericho are experiencing that challenge on a much grander scale. But I think because they've lost so much, as you said, they have a much greater understanding and appreciation for the important things that they do still have.
I liked writing a Sean who grew, from the 'vibe' guy we once knew, and I really enjoy writing Skylar. I think she's a great dynamic character.
Poor Jimmy was really looking forward to playing Santa and spreading his good cheer around. I guess he'll get to do it the next year.
Thanks for reading and commenting!
Oh, Penny, I love this, and can't wait to see even more of Jericho's 2nd post bombs Christmas! I love the moving from person to person and place to place. :-) A few of the highlights were:
Stanley picking between a tea towel and a screwdriver for Mimi's present. Stanley does strike me as the type to put off his shopping 'til Christmas Eve, and I'm sure the bombs didn't change that!
Skylar making her snow angel and encouraging Hailey to do the same. I felt so bad for Hailey, the (I imagine) traumatized child from New Bern. Your Russell seems stuck somewhere between the friendly guy we first met in Season One and the beaten down, almost feral man we encountered in Season Two, and I think you got it just right. But, oh, I do feel for his little girl.
Allison's reverie as she looks at the river and leads the Hawkins/Taylor offspring's expedition to hunt for a tree. I just love how you get into her head, and I was quite glad to see the closeness of the two families - such improbable friends - is growing. There Christmas Eve together was just wonderful.
And, Skylar again, this time with Dale. I find your Dale more nuanced than the one we saw on the show. Your Dale carries the burdens of his responsibilities and they still make him kind of old and crotchety before his time, but he isn't quite the jerk he was on the show. (The benefits of unlimited time to spend with a character in fanfic!) But with your Dale, I can see the influence of Skylar's presence in his life. He definitely needs her, and I do so hope he follows her into that snow on the lawn!
This was a lovely treat for Christmas Eve. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks, Marzee!
This was a lot of fun to write. I love exploring the many characters of Jericho, and their interactions with each other, so it was a great chance to include a bunch of them together in this story.
Stanley definitely put off his Christmas present shopping, and I think was even more reluctant to do it this year. I always found Russell, the only really sympathetic face of New Bern we are ever presented with, to be very interesting, and liked being able to include him here.
I enjoyed writing the Hawkins/Taylor celebration, since this was a friendship between families we heard about but didn't see usually, and one I haven't really explored before. I think they're a great seemingly mismatched set of friends.
I love writing Skylar and Dale, with all the contradictions inherent in them since they're orphans, essentially, having to grow up before their time, and young people in an adult world they're not quite prepared for. And Dale was my first character I ever explored, in a Christmas story, so it was fun revisiting him here. And letting him have a more fun Christmas this year, with Skylar by his side and a bit more hope.
Thanks for reading and commenting!