Alias Feedback Challenge: "Whitewash" by Alikona (S/V, PG-13)

[rj_anderson]

As regular readers of my LJ probably know by now, I am really not feeling at all fond of Syd or Vaughn as individuals right now, let alone together. Which is certainly not Alikona's fault. In fact, if anything could persuade me to care about this ship again, it would be fics like hers. She's a skilled author with a rich, evocative style, and her approach to the characters and their relationship is sympathetic without being sentimental or saccharine.

For my review I've chosen to focus on a single fic, the one that was most to my personal taste: a short piece called "Whitewash", which deals with Vaughn's thoughts and feelings as he looks at the house he and Lauren once shared together.

The short version of the review: It's good. Painful, but good.

Now for the long version. In the story, Vaughn has returned to his house two days after being kidnapped, tortured, and nearly killed by Sark and Lauren. His wife is now confirmed as a Covenant spy, her betrayal of him evident to all. His marriage is over, and as he walks through the empty rooms of the home they bought as newlyweds, he becomes more and more aware of the cruelty and complexity of Lauren's deception.

Alikona has done something very clever here, as simple things like the white-on-white decor of the house's walls and the expensive perfection of the coffeemaker become a metaphor for the falseness and superficiality that marred Vaughn and Lauren's marriage. As Vaughn passes through various rooms of the house, he also passes through various emotional stages, from depression to realization and finally to a bitter fury that fits perfectly with the Vaughn we saw in the last few episodes of S3. You can almost see the furrows on Michael Vartan's forehead as you read the fic.*

"Whitewash" is a well-written story, full of delicious, original turns of phrase that make the already vivid description of Vaughn's dawning rage even more effective: Each sight and sound sets off a dark, smoky explosion in the minefield of his mind. ... Suddenly, he feels his muscles and bones start to vibrate, a frenzy trying to burst out of his skin.

Reading this fic makes me wish I still cared about Vaughn. It really does. Because if I did care, I know that I would be moved by this story, instead of just admiring it from a distance. It's a fine character study, very much in line with what we know of Vaughn from canon, and as such it deserves to be read by more people who will appreciate it.

If you missed the link at the top of the review, you can find the story here.

--
*Sorry, Alikona. I couldn't resist.

Comments

[alikona727.livejournal.com]

You can almost see the furrows on Michael Vartan's forehead as you read the fic.

Heh. No offense taken. I may be a Vaughn fan, but I sure snark at the forehead wrinkles as much as anyone.

Of course, I know this was part of a challenge, but thanks for the kind words! In a way, it means more that you AREN'T a Vaughn fan and you liked the fic anyway. I'm also amazed that a number of people have been able to see things in the story that I never realized I was putting in there, particuarly the mention of Vaughn running the gamut of emotions. I never intended it as anything linear -- I was just throwing one thing on top of the other! But it's encouraging that it did seem to make sense in the end.

Again, thank you. It's always intriguing to hear what people have to say beyond the perfunctory "that was good!"

[alikona727.livejournal.com]

And I forgot to mention that hearing something like this:

She's a skilled author with a rich, evocative style, and her approach to the characters and their relationship is sympathetic without being sentimental or saccharine.

...just makes my heart soar. I work really hard at trying to write S/V exactly as this sentence describes, so it's gratifying to hear that it's working. *g*

[carmen-sandiego.livejournal.com]

*waves*

Just stopping by to say hello, and would you mind if I 'friended' you?
I found your 'What You Never Knew You Wanted' through the FOF and thoroughly enjoyed it, and then found your LJ and thought I'd drop a note :) Very, very enjoyable fic - superb characterization, and a lovely read, especially surprising for me since I'm not a regular S/Weiss reader ;) ;)

[rj-anderson.livejournal.com]

Re the friending, I'd be delighted! By all means go ahead. I'm very glad you enjoyed the fic, especially since you're not a Sweiss girl as a rule...!

Of course, I didn't use to be a Syd/Weiss fan either. I was all about the S/V in S1 and most of S2 as well (though it was eclipsed in S2 by my mad J/I love). But in S3 the Sweiss just sort of grew on me, and now it's my OTP. :)