SGA fic: "Miller's Crossing" tag

[xparrot]

Just one of what I am sure are going to be a hundred tag-fics for "Miller's Crossing". Missing scene, massive spoilers for the ep, naturally; Sheppard's POV. (Someone please explain to me why McKay is hands-down my favorite character, but every single fic I've started thus far is from Sheppard's POV?)

"I almost called this 'Last Meal,' but that would just be wrong.

Comments

[naye]

AWESOME! Creepy and poetic and just right - about John, and his decisions, and - wow. The whole thing is just wonderfully distracting, and neatly fills the gap the episode left - and not just once, but several times over. You write GOOD. ^_^ *hugs*

[xparrot.livejournal.com]

I rite gud? 4 rly? ^_^
Thank you! after watching those scenes for the billionth time I thought I had to do something with them...wasn't sure if the story really worked, though, so I'm so glad it did for you!

[sholio]

Oh, that was fantastic! I've seen quite a few tags for this episode already, but this is far and away my favorite -- I love the lyrical language (something I've always liked about your writing), the use of "other universes" as a framing device, and the way that you've explained how John was able to get away with what he did under the eyes of the SGC. I love the way that you acknowledge the darkness in John as well as his inner turmoil and guilt, and the way that he explains his actions to himself.

[sholio]

Oh! Something I forgot to say in the previous comment that I *also* love about this story is how, with the presence of the other Atlantis soldiers, you've used the idea that Atlantis is sort of a law unto itself -- that the Atlanteans' loyalty to each other goes beyond their loyalty to Earth or the military chain of command, even if they're not part of our main group.

[bratfarrar]

Whoa. That's just--

Wonders if there's a universe where he's not deserving of being called brother to a monster, and doesn't look away.

Yow.

(In a good way, of course.)

[xparrot.livejournal.com]

Thank you! "Yow" is always a great thing to hear ^_^

[kristen999.livejournal.com]

I've had a lot of issues with some of the tags of late, but this one is just perfect. It does judge, it just is...looks at all the possible outcomes and in the end, this was the right one. It wasn't pretty and it'll haunt John, but it was done.

Like someone else said..liked teh idea that the other Marines understood that this is what has to be done.

[xparrot.livejournal.com]

I haven't actually seen any tags for this ep (or others, actually), but I'm sure they're out there, must check 'em out now that I've gotten this out of my system!

Glad you liked it, and yeah...it'd definitely help John's case if those Marines were on his side; don't think he'd be keeping his job otherwise. Since I doubt he cleared his plan with Gen. Landry...

[wildcat88.livejournal.com]

LOVED this - rolling through all the possibilities, describing the deception needed for the report, the calmness in John's voice as he calls for medical help. Nicely done.

[xparrot.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I'm not disappointed that the ep left most of the details of this out, I rather like the open-endedness of what Sheppard really did...but I am very curious about it!

[rustler.livejournal.com]

This is really nicely done -- tone, language, and this:

Wonders if there's a universe where he's not deserving of being called brother to a monster, and doesn't look away.

Ouch. Good stuff.

[xparrot.livejournal.com]

Thank you! Yeah, I like my Sheppard with a bit of a dark side...

[parisntripfan.livejournal.com]

Wow, just wow. That was just wonderful.

I loved the peeks into the various ways the episode could have gone, along with the idea that there was no universe where John would have just let Rodney be fed to the Wraith. Because that is so true.

[xparrot.livejournal.com]

So glad you enjoyed it! Those opening lines are my favorites; they were what popped into my head to make me write this story, and everything else just grew out of it...

[(Anonymous)]

That was really excellent. It felt absolutely, perfectly true. Thank you.

Leah

[xparrot.livejournal.com]

Thank you - I'm so glad it worked for you!

[spike21.livejournal.com]

This is just perfect. Heartbreaking. All of John's bravery, devotion, love and the cost of it. Beautifully done.

[xparrot.livejournal.com]

Eee, thank you, I am so happy to know it worked for you! Inside Sheppard's heart is a fascinating place to be...

[busaikko]

Yes. That's really perfect.

[busaikko]

Oh! And your LJ layout? I think that's in my neighbourhood *g* (Just a few train stops away)

[dossier.livejournal.com]

AAAIIEEE So wonderful, thank you--the possibilities, and reality are equally terrifying in oh, so many ways.

[xparrot.livejournal.com]

Thank you, glad you enjoyed it!

[trystings.livejournal.com]

Perfect tag. Perfect.

[xparrot.livejournal.com]

Wow, thank you!

[iamza.livejournal.com]

This is lovely. I really enjoyed the snapshots of other dimensions, and how things might have played out differently, and then the return to the SGA universe we know, and John's POV. I particularly liked the final paragraph.

[xparrot.livejournal.com]

Thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed it, and that John's POV worked for you!

[cathexys.livejournal.com]

wow!

this was really chilling and the knowledge that our not happy but not horrid universe is accompanied by these others....


wonderfully done!

thank you!

[xparrot.livejournal.com]

Thank you! While watching the ep I couldn't help but think of all the other ways it could've played out, so...

[nakedwesley.livejournal.com]

It almost feels wrong to say this was amazing, given the subject matter, but I really liked it. I think this is exactly how it happened and that image can't help but haunt John. Terrific!

[xparrot.livejournal.com]

Thank you - so glad it seems like a plausible vision of the scenario!

[kriadydragon.livejournal.com]

this was wonderful. I loved your use of showing the "what could have beens" through the different alternate universes.

[xparrot.livejournal.com]

Thank you, so glad you enjoyed it!

[alipeeps.livejournal.com]

Wow. Just pitch perfect. So much so that I can't think of a single thing to highlight about this fic; it all worked so well. The structure, the lead-in. John's POV, his thoughts, the possible ways things could have played out. Just wonderful. :)

[xparrot.livejournal.com]

Thank you, I really appreciate knowing it 'worked' for you!

[aurora]

Oooh, this was great!

[xparrot.livejournal.com]

Thanks! ^_^

[kuonji14.livejournal.com]

This was eerily beautiful. I didn't understand the title until the flashback to the wraith's words, and I found it perfect. The branching glimpses of those alternate universes was a wonderful backdrop to the clear and cutting here and now. I really liked this. :)

P.S. As I watched the episode, I was sure there would be a million sappy slash fics out of it, and although I like some of those, I was cringing just a bit. Thanks for writing something different that nevertheless tells us about John and his relationship with Rodney.

[xparrot.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I'm especially happy you liked the title, because I swear that took me as long to figure out as actually writing the fic did! ^^;

And yeah...to be honest I'm not really a slash fan for SGA (though this ep made it...er...well, I can see where it comes from, definitely) but I absolutely adore Rodney & John's relationship, whatever the nature of that relationship is...

[live-brave.livejournal.com]

Wonderful! Very dark but beautifully written. It really conveys all the possibilities, the 'what-ifs', the uncertainties and certainties that must have been circling through John's head during those scenes. Thanks so much for sharing this!

[xparrot.livejournal.com]

Thank you, I'm so glad this peek inside John's head worked for you!

Brother to the Executioner

[sunnyd-lite.livejournal.com]

Here from stargategenrec

Nowhere in that infinity is the universe where John Sheppard willingly steps back and allows Rodney McKay to walk into the Wraith's embrace. *nods madly*


Wonders if there's a universe where he's not deserving of being called brother to a monster, and doesn't look away. Ohhh and *Shivers* in the bestest way.

Re: Brother to the Executioner

[xparrot.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

[luminare-ardua.livejournal.com]

You're giving me chills with this one, mate.

I haven't seen any episodes of SGA (excepting The Siege Part Three off the 'Net) yet as it isn't screened in my country--the local broadcasters, idiots the lot of them actually showed only The Rising Part 1 before they took it off the air and never put it back... Now I'm desperately trying to catch up to the rest of the fandom with the aid of BitTorrent, and trying not to spoil myself too horrendously.

Obviously I can't say much as what I know about canon would fit in a 5-ounce cup, but from what I've read about this episode and the characters, your tag fits perfectly with the mood of the episode--I particularly loved this part : "Nowhere in that infinity is the universe where John Sheppard willingly steps back and allows Rodney McKay to walk into the Wraith's embrace." It just speaks to me of how deep the friendship between Sheppard and McKay is, and then you went and cemented it with that glimpse of a universe where Sheppard ends up wraith-snack for the second and last time.

And yes, Sheppard not looking away is just like him; he's responsible deep down even if you don't see it ordinarily--and he'll feel guilty about it as all hell, doubtless. I'm glad you brought this out--someone complained the other day that we don't often see the dark side of Sheppard on the show, and your episode tag simply brought it out: this is a man who will do ANYTHING to save his people, even if it means "selling his soul to the devil". I can so see Sheppard strong-arming Wallace into being snack food, and doing it because no one else would have the balls to.


And I'm really rambling now, I know, but I just want to say that I love what you've done with the characters' psychologies, the writing style is just right for the mood you're creating, and overall, good job! May I friend you? Because I really want to know immediately when the next SGA gem from your pen gets posted. XD

[xparrot.livejournal.com]

Thank you for the lovely comment, so glad you enjoyed the story! Even if you haven't seen the ep in question...good to know it makes sense even without the entire context. And yes, McKay & Sheppard's friendship was the highlight of the ep (and the show!) for me, so I'm happy that came across.

Yeah, Sheppard's dark side isn't often obvious, but it's there, and it's all the scarier because it's so deeply tied into his caring and loyalty and love...for those he loves, he will do anything, cross any line, and even if it kills him inside it will never stop him, not if his friends need him.

And yes, you're welcome to friend me, the more the merrier, and I hope you enjoy the fic! (there will be more SGA to come, I can promise!)

[from-the-corner.livejournal.com]

Oh, wow...

[xparrot.livejournal.com]

Thanks! (I hope? ^^;)

[gaffsie.livejournal.com]

Wow. This was really chilling. The language is beautiful, and I adore the way the different outcomes are presented.

The last line is utterly perfect.

[xparrot.livejournal.com]

Thank you, I'm so glad you liked it, and that it chilled you (I took that as a compliment, anyway!)

[devildoll.livejournal.com]

Nowhere in that infinity is the universe where John Sheppard willingly steps back and allows Rodney McKay to walk into the Wraith's embrace.

Oh. *clutches heart*

This was amazing.

[xparrot.livejournal.com]

Thank you, I'm so glad you liked it!