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Reviewer: SandraDee Signed [Report This]
Date: 03 Feb 2010 12:33:25 PM Title: A Family Background

I enjoyed the backstory you provided for the siblings.  Though Sunday is horribly misguided, I can't help but feel for her somewhat.  As an adult, she has made choices, yes, but as a child, choices were made for her, choices that influenced the person she became and her ability to cope with her insecurities.  I was still rooting for April, of course, but you've done a nice job delving into both characters' psyches.

I also enjoyed the snippets of humor.  Just today, I rewatched the last episode of Jericho from season 1 that has the flashback to the Eric/April wedding.  I caught Jake's joke about April and Shep kissing, and when I read this, I like how you wove that into the fabric of the story and the characters' situations. 

On an entirely different note, I like the whimsical tone this story has.  Much like Pushing Daisies, as you noted at the beginning.  Penny Lane, I applaud you for your willingness to try different stylistic choices.  Heck, not just try them but your ability to make them work.  Kudos to you!

Reviewer: Marzee Doats Signed [Report This]
Date: 25 Nov 2009 7:45:07 PM Title: A Family Background

Okay, so I helped invent the back story given here, but that was just the facts.  The way you've weaved the whole tragic tale together was just fabulous.  I was totally engaged, and even found myself hoping for things to happen that could not happen - Couldn't our mysterious pregnant teenager live?  Couldn't Annie adopt one or all of the babies? - but alas, the triplets had to be separated and grow up apart for this story to happen.

I really felt for poor April as we learned the story of her upbringing.  So privileged, really, but with that one ultimately bitter incident (that should have been such a happy one) of meeting and really getting to know her sister.  It really served as a defining moment, in a way marking the end of her childhood.  (Though of course, there's also the issue of Sunday and her siblings, neglected and abused, but I'm too busy hurting for April at the moment.)

The chance to get a new view of Eric's and April's wedding was fun, and I loved that we got to see Gail in full Mama Bear mode here, backed up ably by Johnston.  The cameos by Shep Cale and Phil Constantino were also fun, especially the groom's brother's claim that the bride had been seen kissing Shep.  Too funny.

So now we're nicely set up for the rest of the story.  April has an evil twin, perfect fodder for a Halloween story!



Author's Response:

Thanks!

It did turn out to be quite the tragic tale, didn't it? Like all good separated-at-birth epics, I guess the twins here had to have a tragic past. But I'm glad you felt for these characters here.

April did have a bad experience and unfortunate relationship with her sibling, but I think she overcame these troubles for the most part, and led an independent life with a lot of meaning. I think Sunday, who is the villain perpetrator, actually ends up a lot more affected by these events because she doesn't develop the same independence, in a way.

I enjoyed writing April in the past (a character I don't often get to write) and the Green family in the past as well, and I'm glad you enjoyed Phil's and Shep's appearances. They were very fun to include, and a good way to show differences over time (or back in time, I guess, in this case).

Thanks for your help and your comments!

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