REC: An Echo of Freedom

[brainofck]

An Echo of Freedom.

I followed green__grrl's suggestion to this piece.

It is full of rape and Danny-bashing. Not for the faint of heart. An intriguing AU where we see some of the big events in our SG-1 universe played out in very interesting alternate ways.

I don't totally know if I recommend it or not. I spent a ridiculous amount of time reading it when I should have been writing. I was riveted. The writing is excellent, the ideas are fresh, if cruel. I'm trying to do a better job of noting the things of interest that I read, so here is this.

Comments

[green-grrl.livejournal.com]

It's considered a classic in SG-1 AU and darkfic, but yeah, it is... disturbing. And the way it works out is troublesome (Jack has been his rapist, but he cares so much more than the sadistic rapists, so it's love. Um...). But, yeah, riveting.

(Hi! Having fun in CA.)

[brainofck.livejournal.com]

Glad you are having fun! :)

Yes. Jack as rapist. He used rape to teach him his new place in the world. Very problematic. On the other hand, she does create a context. Daniel has clearly come to accomodate sex with Jack as something that may not be consensual, but is not quite rape. Non-con with a very hard edge. He keeps saying it's just sex. But he has learned to enjoy it. And he definitely thinks of Jack as a protector of sorts, and acknowledges that he's a lot better than the alternatives. Not to mention that he still wants Jack to be his friend, the old Jack that he tries hard to see in the Colonel's eyes, and he sees his whole life stretching out in front of him permanently linked to Jack. It's definitely complicated, but the author manages to create a context in which you can imagine Daniel realistically falling into the role of lover not victim.

I dunno. As with all non-con very real issues. And I don't think the author tries to dodge them. Daniel's still afraid, even at the end, with most of his issues resolved with Jack. And so is Jack, in a way. He expresses his relief that promotion means that Daniel is no longer in danger.