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A Jericho Fan Fiction Archive
Another wonderful chapter, Marzee Doats! I read it shortly after it was posted and wanted to write a review then, but time limitations prohibited me from doing so at that time...and then things got busier. So sorry it's taken so long to tell you what a jewel this was!
I loved your take on the faux Marines. I thought this storyline had some nice touches, from Gray scrambling to get supplies for them, weighing the costs and benefits, to the chemistry that popped off the screen between Maggie and Michael. I found myself wishing that Maggie would give up the charade and stay there with him, but I am looking forward to (perhaps) seeing her again in New Bern and after. I'll enjoy seeing where you take these two in the future.
And Jake and Heather in Buffalo... yeah, I knew the Lisinski siblings weren't going to make it easy for their only sister. There were so many parts that brought a smile to my face, from the Lisinski Home for Wayward boys to "engaged's not married." I thought Jake handled himself well with Joe, though having knowledge of what's to come (and knowing that his work does take him away from Heather eventually) does add an extra layer of interest when reading those scenes. It's fascinating to read how the character perceive their lives will be and compare that to what we know did/does happen.
I also enjoyed what you did with the Optimus Prime references. It also made me laugh and smile.
Thank you so much for such an enjoyable installment. Your combination of wit, heart, and character development always leaves me wanting more.
Nice chapter, Marzee! It seemed very approriate for this wintery day, for some reason, as I'm watching a winter storm move in, and this chapter was a nice snowy evening read.
I enjoyed the scene at the hockey rink, in the past, as Jake had a quick introduction by fire to the family, being left holding the baby in what, the first twenty minutes? Very humorous and fun dynamic to the scene, with the sisters-in-law triple threat added to by the cousin and family friend. As someone who grew up with a large extended family with a lot more boys than girls, I can only imagine how phase two of this introduction will go.
I liked Maggie's appearance here. I think you've captured her wry survivor-sense-of-humour in her expressions and reactions to things, and have just the right combination of that humour and hints at more going on underneath Maggie's survivor's shield of armour. The interaction between her and Mikey was interesting, they do have certain things in common, but this part really amused me:
Bill had scrounged a couple of tool kits - one with a soldering iron that still worked - from the storeroom and had brought them into the office, blushing and stammering as he'd presented them to Maggie, much to her amusement. "Well, thank you, Deputy," she's acknowledged as he'd nearly tripped over a chair, backing out of the room.
Looks like Corporal Mullin's got herself an admirer. In seriousness, though, I have a soft spot for this character, she was so interesting and vulnerable, and so I liked her inclusion here, and was happy to see she now has a category on this site!
I also have to mention I liked the little backstory into the Richmonds here, and their friendship with the Greens. I so felt for poor Stanley as I heard about what was the worst night of his young life.
As always it was interesting to see the contrast between Jake and Heather of the past, dealing with what probably seem trivial issues in the present, uncomfortable encounters with ex's relatives and overwhelming introductions to sisters-in-law and infants, but still, those things are significant at the time, and so valid, but also in this case, funny. The present scene was poignant and I really felt for Jake, trying to deal with difficult, traumatic experiences in a time and place where, in a sense, he doesn't really get to deal because he has so much expected (or thinks he's got so much expected) of him. Not that people don't understand and want to help him, just that he's always, out of necessity, got to move on to the next thing. And though they do want to help him and understand, I think in a way they are depending on him to be strong for them, as he usually is. It was good that him and Heather did take a moment then, to talk about how they felt instead of trying to brave through it.
The chapter had a good balance of humorous and more serious present moments. I enjoyed it and look forward to the next!
Marzee Doats, oh how I missed this story! I always get so excited when I see what you've updated because I know I'm in for a treat, and this installment was no exception.
5 Years Ago:
Jake is such a good sport! The Lisinski clan--with all their varying traits--have one thing in common: their love for Heather. It was so funny to me that there was talk of the Lisinski brothers essentially hazing Jake considering the women certainly did their part. It was cute the way that saddled him with the baby--and the panic that ensued. I mean, here's a guy who has taken on the bad guys through his job, and an infant scares him. Heehee...
Also enjoyed the double meanings in the conversations with the women (all that confusion about baseball) and Jake defending Heather's honor when the talk turned to scars.
PRESENT
I have to admit that I was very curious how you would handle the fake Marines aspect of the show. I like your take on it with the inclusion of Mike into the Maggie mix.
Something else I really liked was getting insight into the Richmond family history. With your vivid words, I could just imagine Johnston showing up and approaching Stanley in the college cafeteria. :( This trip down memory lane really helped to strengthen the reasons behind Johnston's resolve that Gray not take advantage of Stanley or the other farmers.
And the Jake/Heather conflict...I really feel for Heather and Jake both. She wants so much to be a sounding board for him, and the fact that he was talking with another woman whereas he has not been confiding in her is very hurtful. On the other hand, I'd say that Jake's lack of attachment to Maggie is what enabled him to talk to her. Sometimes it's easier to talk to strangers than it is the ones we love for the simple reason that we want to protect those who matter to us. It was good to see him finally share some of what he'd been holding in to Heather. The love that he expressed for her and B.G. was very sweet.
At the same time, Jake's still carrying a monumental load on his shoulders. I hope the time will come when he will be able to share this with Heather.
I have to say, your chapter made me laugh out loud and alternately tear up. Definitely worth the wait! Thank you for sharing it with us!
Oh, Marzee, what a treat it was to read this chapter! I liked how you balanced the levity of Jake and Heather going to Buffalo to meet the family with the seriousness of the situation in which they find themselves in the present.
One of the things that I think you do so well is describe the character's expression, tone, and movements. Your words really do bring the story to life for me as I read.
The small touches you add also make your story so special. For instance, the Rapunzel reference, the vetting process for 'Cowboy' Jake, the thrifty comment, and the debate on what qualifies as supplemental food (which intrigues the political scientist in me).
I've been really curious to see how you would handle the "Marines" coming to Jericho, so I'm very excited to read more. And, of course, I can hardly wait for Jake to meet the rest of Heather's family.
Great job!
Nice chapter, Marzee, and I was glad to see another installment of the DC series posted! And the beginnings of an alternate version of another episode :)
Semper Fidelis was never my favourite episode to begin with, but I think it grew on me over time, and one aspect I liked was that it had some of the energy of the group scenes we didn't get as much of in the two episodes before it. You've got that here in the opening, I think, with the town struggling through meetings, and then gathered outside to see what they can of this new development in town. I could feel the rock-and-hard-place anxiety of the people trying to find the best way to stretch impossible rations for everyone, and appreciated the different opinions we got on the subject, and I could feel the excitement of the onlookers feeling that at last, someone was offering a way out of the certain starvation that seems looming ahead.
I liked the addition of the town council members, it was good to hear from them, as well as Stanley's interjections (thank you for making him an important voice for an important segment of the population) and also Roger. Roger was a character who I always found rather interesting, with his arc, and sympathetic, but he appeared for such a short time, really, I don't always think of him, so it was interesting to read of him again here. I could see his passionate defense of his 'people' beginning to grow.
I enjoyed the back-in-the-day scenes as well. Jake and Heather adjusting to their new status as an engaged couple, coping with the limelight on the plane, was quite amusing, and of course, sweet. I of course, loved the Mikey scenes we got here. I imagine Mikey will be somewhat easier to win over for Jake than the older brothers, and he's gotten off to a good start, helping him out with parking and gas money. I also really liked the little glimpse we got of Tommy's work, and it was too funny how Heather and Jake managed to tune in just in time to hear their good news being broadcast all over Buffalo, as well as to hear the foreboding plans the brothers Lisinski may have in store for their sister's cowboy. Something tells me Jake might want to watch out, but I'm sure he can handle whatever they've got planned.
I also liked the ice fishing detail, Ridley's group's description (and that they're staying! I couldn't remember if they left before the Marines showed up in the original or not) and the introduction of Maggie (another character who grew on me). Great chapter, and I look forward to the next !