Reviewer: Galesgal (Signed) · Date: September 09, 2016 08:12 PM · On: Chapter 17

i love cynthia and brian.    i think i wanna make them siblings in a story or have a kid.   There was just sinething there that no one discused.

Reviewer: delvalmom (Signed) · Date: November 24, 2009 11:05 PM · On: Chapter 17

Excellent chapter...wonderful way to end it. Praise from La Kinney is always earned indeed!

So, Turnage is thinking that Brian will be his masterpiece...that may end up being true...but it's doubtful the mona lisa gave DaVinci as much shit as Brian is going to give Turnage.

I was bothered by Justin's absence until you mentioned where he was, and I was immediately suspicious because it was such a poor excuse...looking forward to that. I'm sure he also needs to make sure his family is safe as well.

I like the addition of Lindsay's father into the mix, and since you are being much more sympathetic to Lindsay than I usually feel, it's good to give her an additional ally. Believable dynamice between them too.

The gang in Brian's room...sigh...you ripped a scene right out of the serie's book. Behaving badly with little regard to who overhears things was always a pet peeve of mine. Not only because they were told Brian was no longer in a coma which means he could be listening to what was being said around him, but just the petty meaness in general.

You made a good point in an earlier response that even to the serie's end, so many "friends" had to gloat a little at Brian's expense.

Cynthia is the perfect POA and it makes total sense that he would trust her so implicitly. She was the most constant presence in his life when you think about it, and she has no hidden agenda in making these decisions for him.

Thought-provoking as always...thanks for writing this lovely fic.

 

Reviewer: Gina Marie (Signed) · Date: November 22, 2009 04:05 AM · On: Chapter 17

Hey Cyn, me again.  :-) 

I read your response to my comment and had to tell you I agree. Brian's 'friends' were always envious of Brian and were often gleeful when he was 'brought low', so to speak.  The examples you gave portray their pettiness perfectly.  However, for me, Ted was the one who shocked me most in this chapter because in the show I believed he grew past that.  When Brian had cancer, Ted was anything but gleeful.  He was there for Brian.  After that, (I'm going on memory here so I could be wrong) I don't believe Ted ever showed that pettiness or envy again.  I just felt it was ooc for Ted to be reverted back to season 2 ted, when he was happy that Justin left Brian.

Also, though his friends often reveled in Brian's failures, it just goes beyond the pale for Mel, (and I'm with you, she's a cunt) to voice that it was some how'poetic' justic what they did to Brian because he was too vain, arrogant, whatever.  I expect it from her, but for Ted to jump on that bandwagon, then for Michael to stand by and say nothing was an eye opener for me. And I hope it is for Brian.  Are they redeemable? I don't know.  This situation is not simply Brian being humliated, or ruined financially, or even 'nearly' losing his life. He was tortured and mutulated. I just don't see Brian viewing his so called friends the same anymore after hearing them 'gloat' about his predictamint and suggest that it was some how, 'poetic justice' that this happened to him. I know Lins gets how despictable they are and Cynthia, (who never liked them anyway) and I doubt Justin would EVER forgive them if he heard what was going on in that room!

Speaking of Justin, I know you are developing that character (and very well too) so I'm sure there is more to him going to pick up his mother then just giving her a lift.  I can't wait to see where you take his character!  I find his character to particularly intriguing as he gives you so much to work with.  He's growing and learning.  He's not like the other characters who have already been formed by years of behavior, mostly bad behaviors.  Justin's pretty much a clean slate.  A young man discovering his own strenght, who he is.

Anyway, again, thanks for this amazing, thought provoking story!

Author's Response:

And another lovely, thought-provoking comment, that helps me focus on where I need to clarify and concentrate. 

You are right in pointing out that Ted had come a long way in maturing in his relationship with Brian, although I don't think he'd completely managed to overcome his jealousy.  In support of my view, I would just mention the way he and Emmett informed Brian that Justin had moved in with Ben and Michael. I thought there was a bit of vindictiveness in the "He's moved along, picked himself up, yada, yada."  And also in the observation that they hadn't expected to see him that night.  Not nearly as snarky and nasty as earlier in the series, when they were so tickled by him losing Justin, or so quick to dismiss his feelings in so many different situations - but still not 100% there.

On the other hand, there is another facet to this story that has not yet been made completely clear.  Up until this time - with the publication of the bloody tabloid - only Emmett, of all the group, had really gotten a look at the damage done to Brian.  None of them had a clue, except for what Emmett had said, of just how bad it was, and they are now going to be consumed with guilt for indulging their customary snarkiness.  That will be a factor in the story too, impacting all of them, even Melanie, who is, you bet, a cunt but even she has her limits.

Thanks again and again for your interest and your lovely commentary.

CYN

Reviewer: DavidR (Anonymous) · Date: November 22, 2009 02:56 AM · On: Chapter 17

Thanks for this wonderful story. 

 

I am not going to vent against the Pitts. family or what ever they are called.  I think Lindsay did enough for me as well as another Reviewer. 

 

I love the detail you put into the story.  It is almost as if I was there instead of just being a reader.  The story is moving along fast enough for me. 

 

I too can hardly wait for Justin to arrive.  I wonder what emotion we will see from Brian.  Anger, as what the hell is he doing here putting himself in danger.  Also, so happy

to see him.  I guess both.

 

I just want to again put in a plug for Dr. Keller.  I hope he gets a little more than the satisfaction of helping to put Brian together again.  He is a great character. 

 

One more thing, thank you Cynthia for telling those two Technicians or whatever the hell they are, off.  They are  as low as you can get.

 

That’s it for now.

 

Thanks again for the story,

DavidR

 

 

Author's Response:

Thanks you so much for your kind words, David, and for keying in on something that I really enjoyed.  I tend to react strongly to the characters in this drama - good or bad - but I can honestly say that I've rarely in my life despised ANYBODY more than those two cunty pretentious cretins, and one of my biggest disappointments in the show was that nobody ever told them off.  So it was my pleasure.  And I too am fond of Matt Keller, and still feeling my way toward giving him a bigger part of the action.

Thanks again for your interest.

CYN

Reviewer: templeton_ma (Anonymous) · Date: November 21, 2009 08:33 PM · On: Chapter 17

This Rick character is very very interesting. I really like the way you introduce him to the story.

"Good morning, Number One." =D  I love this. It is so true.

And I love the mentioning of the 3 blondes in the photo that Rick saw, then leading to the part where Linds and Cynthia standing up for Brian. Your story always have this full circle fill. I really like that.

And my favorite line: "Good girl."  I love the dynamics between Brian and Cynthia in the show. And your story adds more layer to it. Brilliant!

Author's Response:

Thanks so much for your enthusiasm and your comment.  And yes, I am hoping that Rick will add texture to the story, especially in his interaction with Matt and, of course, with Brian. Hope you continue to enjoy.

CYN

Reviewer: feroza (Anonymous) · Date: November 21, 2009 03:43 PM · On: Chapter 17

it was great to see linds  and her dad getting on as in qaf, one could clearly see her mum as bigoted but ron used to just go along with it

you also gave many the shit they deserved thnks to cynthia and linds. i was surprised that justin didn't have p.o.a but it does make sense that cynthia has it considering justin and linds don't live near brian anymore

loved the update, hope you'll continue soon!

Author's Response:

Thanks for your comment, and for pointing out something I always saw in the series - that it was Lindsey's mother who was the true bigot and who wielded the power in her marriage.  The dad always struck me as being somewhat intrigued with his daughter's friends, but too p-whipped to do anything about it.  And Cynthia having the POA is meant to show how much Brian trusts her, and how he has good cause to do so.

CYN

Reviewer: Gina Marie (Signed) · Date: November 21, 2009 12:57 PM · On: Chapter 17

Love that the chapters are longer!  I can't get enough of this story!  Ok first, absolutely love the Turnage character.  I actually knew a heart surgeon like that. Hailed as the best in the country, yet a complete dick who everyone hated. He treated his patience like they were cars or something that just needed repairing.  He hated talking to them, but damn he was good!  Turnage is going to be the same way I see.  He's only interested in finding his 'mona lisa'.  I do believe he's going to make Brian even MORE beautiful then he already was, if that's possible!  lol  Which brings me to my next observation, that when Turnage does present the world with his 'mona lisa', and Brian comes back better and stronger then ever, what a great FUCK YOU to his so called friends.  First, I hope he fucking fires Ted's ass. I'm shocked at his careless, petty remarks.  In the show I thought he and Brian were developing a 'true' friendship. Guess I was wrong.  But even though I was shocked at his reaction, I was more shocked at Michaels.  Lins was right, he stood by and just let the others laugh, (Which was very disturbing to me by the way. The way his 'friends' were talking about him...God it made me sick!  They are dangerous people to have around) and said nothing to defend his 'best friend'.  Such bullshit.  That last scene was extremely disturbing to me, almost, and I know this is going to sound very odd, but almost as disturbing as Brian's attack was to me.  There is a scene in Zobra the greek where a man's house is ramshakled on the day of his death by his so called 'friends and families'.  They were almost gleeful that there loved one was gone so they could have his stuff. The scene in the hospital room reminded me of that scene in the movie.  The gang was 'gleeful' at Brian's perdictamint.  A 'titter'? Wtf?!  The spiteful jealously, and gloating that was going on right around Brian no less, was sickening!  As if Brian couldn't hear them!  And they didn't even consider that he 'might' hear them!  It was almost as if they wanted him to hear them.  I've never seen people so happy to see someone they supposedly love, brought so low with the conscious thought that he some how deserved it. Poetic Justice? Again, WTF?!

Anyway, (sorry for the mini rant) I wish Justin would have been there. I'm surprised he wasn't.  He couldn't send a car to pick up his mother? I would think after his 'declaration' of love, and never leaving Brian again, he'd want to be there when Brian finally woke up.  I'd think after what happened, he'd be afraid to leave Brian's side for a minute.   I'm really feeling quite angry with the people in Brian's life right now...san's Emmett and Cynthia.  Lins, I'm still on the fence about.  She  gets points for kicking everyone out, and for standing up to Mel, but we'll see if her newfound committment ot her best friend is real or not.  As for her dad, again, a little too late and too little if you ask me.  Now that he's dying he wants to get to know his daughter and his grandson.  Typical.   If he weren't dying, he'd never would have bothered with them at all.   I can't abide that scenario, never could.  I was in a situation like that.  Impending death always seems to bring out the best in people. These are not people interested in anyone elses wellfare, they are selfish bastards looking to get into heaven. If they where really sincere in reaching out to loved ones, they would have done so before they found out their days were numbered.

Ok, again, sorry for that mini rant!   Thank you for this story.   It's intoxicating. And thank you for the weekly updates.

Author's Response:

Oh, Hon, you should feel free to rant at any time, as I love your input.  You make me think things through, and re-examine how I look at things, and figure out if I'm heading in the right direction, so I thank you for your commentary.

Yes, Brian's so-called friends are not exactly distinguishing themselves as caring or affectionate in this chapter, but they are, in my admittedly narrow estimation, behaving according to character, although I hope they are not yet irredeemable.  Except, perhaps, for Melanie who, I have to admit, I really have trouble liking.  That's how I react to whiny, self-absorbed, deliberately obtuse individuals who are forever looking for someone to blame for everything in their lives that doesn't go the way they want.  But as for Michael and Ben and Debbie and Ted, if you think about it, how many times, in the series, did they get a little kick out of Brian not having things his way.  From his public humiliation at Justin and Ethan's hands, to the sexual harassment suit filed by the cretin at his office, from their assumption of his callousness in discarding Justin after the bashing - even in the final season when Emmett and Ted informed him about Justin moving in with Michael and Ben and not bothering to try to hide their smug satisfaction at Brian's discomfiture.  I believe it was always due to the fact that all of them, though they would have died rather than admit it, wanted to BE Brian Kinney and, in doing so, believed that he was so satisfied with his life that he would never be bothered or concerned with any snarky little insult they might throw at him.  That, of course, is not really true; nobody is THAT invulnerable, and Brian, deep inside, noticed it all - and endured, as he always has.

Part of the thrust of this story - its purpose, if you will - is to force these delusional jerks to finally see the truth, and the journey will NOT be uncomplicated or without its share of shame, justly earned.  I just hope I can write it in such a way that the characters are NOT, ultimately, hateful or unforgiveable, but simply human and imperfect.

As for Justin's absence, I admit it's a bit of a plot device, but there is a reason for it, which you'll learn next chapter, I promise.  And he won't be gone for long.

Thanks again for your lovely comments.

CYN