I would be very interested to get other forum members opinions on this topic.

I have sweated blood over The Shepherd,  mainly because  I have put Ed Straker in a situtaion that is, quite frankly, very different to anything he has been in before. ( well, at least a situation that I have put him into , although I have researched it quite thoroughly!)

A homeless shelter for drug addicts, alcoholics and other misfits (including the  mentally damaged) is not exactly the usual setting for the SHADO Cmdr.

So.  I need your opinions. Is he acting as Straker?  (Given the added complication that he has lost his memory!! -- I like to make things hard for myself!!) 

Is he believable as Ed?  And how important anyway is it that he does behave as Ed Straker might behave in a situation such as this??

My personal feelings are that I am writing UFO fanfiction... and therefore I have to keep as close to the ideals of the character as portrayed in the series, by the actor, the directors and the writers. 

That is one of the reasons for posting the articles by Ian Fryer and  Vincent Law.. we can see other people's thoughts on how specific characters were perceived.

Opinions gratefully received! 

Hi,

what I saw so far of Shepherd is definitely IN character for Straker and quite ingeniously written too.

I think there are a few things about writing fanfiction which make it actual fanfiction (as opposed to writing own fiction), keeping characters IN character certainly is the most important aspect, even over and above such stuff as staying close or within canon.

As to mary sues: I apparently have two, one male, one female. of course, in the circumstances that the article describes, a person who looks 30ish and is actually over 100 is one heck of a mary sue ... <laughing>

laters

Hi,

yes - that link (and its deeper links) do make quite some sense.

By that MS test, Unnur comes closest, though with her 3 points she is no Mary Sue (she really is Jethro Gibbs  ), but actually none of my OCs are Mary Sues. I guess I like the nitty gritty too much for that 

But one pet peeve of mine is repeated in there, the "don't tell show" one.

I've lately come to hate this phrase, because it by now stands for an action-loaded, movie-oriented writing style which I do not find particularly likable. Jane Austen or Emily Bronte, anyone? Maybe a bit of Dickens? No? How about Asimov or LeGuin instead? Or Zimmer-Bradley and MacCaffrey? If those authors had heeded the don't tell show maxime we'd have some great books less.

Lightcudder wrote on Nov 14^th, 2010 at 3:51pm:

I know very little about amnesiacs but I think you could argue that the mind wouldn't be a blank slate - it would instinctively revert to or at least accept subconscious routines (for eg) that would feel comfortable.

Considering how Straker's early military life might have been (basic room, bed, bedding and rules, regulations, provided with clothing) following "orders" (which is effectively what he's doing) might have a familiarity to them that would lead him to following requests without too much concern providing those requests seemed reasonable. Though he might not continue to do that, of course!

So for me, the way you have him behaving in the shelter doesn't seem out of (a possible) character. He's not acting as Cmdr Straker but he is acting as "a" Straker. Does that help?!?

I don't think Freeman would use a ons to get himself over his grief but perhaps he would do so to get himself momentary mental respite from the enormity of loss.

Death can bring out / intensify sexual urges, can't it? In those undead, anyway. <smirk> If Freeman couldn't resort to a bottle of Scotch (or whatever) and he wouldn't be able to in view of the command circumstances, a ons with no consequences* might appeal.

*unless consequences are part of the plot?

Plot??? Plot??? Is there a plot for Shepherd??

Actually, thanks everyone.   I needed to see other people's perspectives  of this and I think I can make it work... hopefully.

so Thankyou. seriously.
 
Now I will get on with writing..  maybe!!

(this was going to be a short story.. drat.)

And I spoke to daughter who works in the homeless shelter again tonight.. even MORE grist to the mill!!

Hi Normandie,

maybe just another instance of talking past each other here  and please don't mistake my explaining for being aggro/debative. I just want to bring over what I think.

Soooo...

Yes, most unbonded men (including Freeman I agree) would have a one night stand if given the chance.

Yes, sex can be a great calming/uplifting thing.

Yes, some times sex in the face of death to celebrate life can happen easily (BUT this psychologic mechanism commonly means a death threat on both parties, it's known e.g. for people during war before an attack or during ceasefire, and we do not have this situation here regarding Alec)

Seeking out a woman for anonymous one-time sex, already knowing that the sole reason you do that is to plug up or forget a feeling of sorrow is exploiting the woman. It's not about having fun together. It's not even about sex.

Incidentally half of all women having a one night stand have negative feelings the next day, the majority due to feeling "used" (reference). Things are definitely not as positive about this little sexual happenstance as media have made us believe.

Any halfway intelligent and sensitive woman would cotton on rather fast to why Alec seeks her out in this particular case, and yes she would feel used, and my perception of Alec is that he would know it too. He never was portrayed as a psychologically inept klutz by Sewell (the joke among them was that Straker is). I don't think he would do it. Things might be different with a longtime fuck-buddy whom he visits for a cuddle, but even then - see below.

Lastly, death of a close relative or beloved person usually turns one's libido OFF rather completely. Which is why I think that the question doesn't even pose itself.

What I could imagine is Freeman going to a good, "old (female) friend" and get a cuddle - some food foisted on him, a whiskey or two, being comforted while he talks about Straker, tucked into bed and held. No sex. That would be what psychologically makes excellent sense. A ONS doesn't.

As to women being "perfectly happy to seize the moment", see that research and there are more on the same topic giving similar data.

Personally I don't think the picture portrayed by movies, TV or media, that women do it and love it for the same reason as males is correct. I think many women will agree with ulterior motives, like e.g. securing a longterm relationship, or because they feel pressured into agreeing. Quite a few may have been caught out in a situation where they feel a "no" is no more an option (which ends with them feeling quite a bit like date-raped women, only they blame themselves for it even more so).

My personal impression is that it's the married/bonded women who have a quickie on the side with an attractive, willing man they chance upon who are those most likely to enjoy a ONS without misgivings.

In any which case - it is an interesting topic. Especially if you want to have people act realistically in what you write.

And again - YMMV.