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Post by jamessavik on Mar 7, 2015 19:24:26 GMT -5
This story is another beauty but I had several issues with it.
Primarily a number of known characters acted out of character. As the story progressed, some of that was explained but it was surprising to see.
First was Lucien. He has been jealous in the past but it has always been laughed off. I would have thought if some random girl had come up to Robin and kissed him that a) he would have laughed at Robin's reaction or b) chased the offending cow off with a stick. I didn't see him running coming.
Second was the Kirkwood parents. Mom's because I said so and the Judge's it's just a high school romance were just weird for them. Usually they are very compassionate and understanding. After Charlie, they have to know that Robin is a sensitive soul and doesn't do anything by half. Either his whole heart is in or he ain't.
Sometimes characters have to move out of character and act in ways that you don't expect.
Maybe something is up between the Kirkwoods. The arrival of Sean and the reminder of that long ago infidelity could really have made things difficult for an extended period of time between the Mr. & the Mrs.
Robin acting out of character here was believable. He lost Charlie- and because they weren't together very much, I'm sure that he might overcompensate with time spent with Lucien. For him to panic over this was spot on what I would have expected from him.
Robin has learned a very hard lesson young with Charlie. Treasure every minute because it doesn't last forever.
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Post by Dabeagle on Mar 7, 2015 21:00:56 GMT -5
Those are very interesting observations, James. My thinking on this was that, although we had shown Lucien's jealousy in a more playful light, as he said, he'd never contended with actually seeing Robin with someone and it really pushed some deep buttons. In my thoughts about Lucien, he's kind of insecure. He knows his shot with Robin only came because Charlie died, that he was second choice if you will. My thinking was that the kiss pressed the panic button in his head and led to the rest of the mess. Also, not spelled out, but he must have knows Robin was giving this girl rides all week to school. So seeing them like that seemed, to him, a logical buildup - especially because he thinks everyone is flirting with Robin.
As for the parents, yes they do usually act more in tune. But no matter how June and Ward they might normally be, people are always a little whacked when it comes to their own kids. In this instance I see this more as the Judge backing up his wife in front of the kids, a unified front if you will - not that he doesn't agree with her in theory. They were both making choices out of fear and not logic or even compassion. And, yes, even though Sean was a great addition, there is always going to be some mixed emotions from a situation like that even in the best of circumstances.
Mama bear isn't quite done yet, I should say.
Thanks for that feedback,James. It's always nice to get into the why's and wherefores.
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Post by Paul R on Mar 8, 2015 14:39:58 GMT -5
This was a very good story, and it also points out something I have run into with the real world. Often females seem to have more trouble accepting gay people than males. I have heard more than one female say something to the effect that, "Well, if the RIGHT gal came along he wouldn't be gay anymore." Misty seemed to have that unrealistic feeling.
Going along with what Lucien said about losing people he loved, isn't it about time to have a court hearing for the Kirkwoods to have full custody of Sean? There should be a hearing to establish, legally, that Andrew J. Kirkwood is the bio father of Sean, and also give Evelyn Kirkwood associate custody, or wardship, or co-guardianship, of Sean, in the event Judge Kirkwood suddenly dies. Ideally this should be happening before his mother dies, if Cecelia has not already taken care of the legal formalities. This would also be a case where Judge Kirkwood could NOT have on his supervision. Something might also be mentioned about Hamster either being a ward of the Dudleys or continuing as a foster child. Those story lines would be good for you or Ryan to write. Have you two even talked about those possibilities?
And another story for one or both of you to write--HOW did Sasha get started being called "Uncle Sasha?"
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Post by Lugnutz on Mar 8, 2015 14:48:00 GMT -5
Married to Alec of course.
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Post by Dabeagle on Mar 8, 2015 17:33:03 GMT -5
Actually, Uncle Sasha is something of a mistake. I started using it and, as things progressed, I realized it wasn't really apt. Some of it, though, is just teasing. Sasha and Alec are engaged.
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Post by ryanbartlett on Mar 8, 2015 20:25:36 GMT -5
Hmmm, it would be interesting to see some of these characters married, wouldn't it?
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Post by Lugnutz on Mar 9, 2015 9:25:21 GMT -5
And the seed is planted.
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Post by Dabeagle on Mar 9, 2015 15:11:28 GMT -5
Well, considering there are still ten more SS stories to post...I mean, already written SS stories...
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Post by jnwrx1 on Mar 12, 2015 23:12:00 GMT -5
Maybe it's a case of them acting more in character: I've noticed that in a lot of the stories, these guys seem to act a lot older than their years. As romantic and dreamy as it all is, I'm sure that the Kirkwood parents, or any parents, would have legitimate concerns about this type of relationship being a high school romance.
Several characters in different stories here have pointed out the fact that high school kids are often driven by hormones to a large extent. In this case, Robin and Lucien temporarily reverted back to acting like normal teenagers, instead of adult lovers with years of relationship behind them, and the parents were actually acting like parents in this case.
The change in Robin's behaviour in particular, would give any parent cause for concern. I'm actually surprised there hasn't been some feedback from Lucien's parents about the two spending too much time together. Especially now, with his reaction in all of this, it might be a good idea for Lucien's parents to find a similar understanding with him over exactly what the relationship is.
I think any parent would be justified in some degree of a concern that a relationship defined by a constant need to be together might be a bit too clingy, and with the general notion of high school kids being too driven by hormones and emotions, it's not an unwarranted diagnosis, if they can't see the true depth between the teenage drama.
Granted, they didn't really go about discussing it in the right way with Robin. IF they had just said it to Robin the way they explained it to Kale, they could have toned down the whole argument, and at least helped Robin come to an understanding with them, instead of just going with the indisputable 'no', at least some of the harsh words could have been avoided. |
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Post by Dabeagle on Mar 13, 2015 8:44:45 GMT -5
One of the main themes of this story is communication - between Robin and Lucien and between the parents and Robin. There was plenty of blame to go around.
In the boys case, Lucien's jealousy was never really explored or explained. Given that kids break up, that they learn about cheating and that Lucien has a history with losing people, he had a lot to learn in this chapter.
Robin also had some growing and changing to do, given that he's never really stood up to his folks and that he is growing up. However, he could have also asked his parents what was up instead of making assumptions and thinking that his parents should see what was going on between he and Lucien.
From the parents perspective, it's hard to realize that control of your child is an illusion. Robin has allowed it longer than the other two, but there is finally something he cares about that is coming into conflict with his parents. I think the parents fears were understandable, but they really botched up talking to an intelligent, reasonably mature child. Sometimes when issues happen that cause us to alter our view of someone, as it did when Robin went into a depression at the loss of Charlie, it changes the way we behave with and toward them as well. We probably haven't seen the last of that.
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