Story 113: "Fathoms Five" by Penumbra

[wendelah1]

Fathoms Five was first nominated in September of last year by scarletbaldy, and then again about a month ago by antfarmponies. It's been suggested to me informally a couple of times, too. I had hesitated to post it for a number of reasons, not the least of which is that the subject matter is profoundly disturbing.

Yes, THAT IS A WARNING. Email or PM me if you need more specific information before reading this story.

But it's a major work, by a major writer. It's also her best work, in my humble opinion, and I hope we can do it justice. I don't want to say anything more specific for fear of giving away too much. As always, there will be spoilers in the comment threads.

Penumbra's planning to let her website go down soon (sob, I know, another one), so I'm also linking to her journal. Of course, the story is archived at Gossamer, too.

Again, this story contains disturbing material that might be triggering.

At her website, "Fathoms Five." EDIT: This version has a warning that is a spoiler.

And, at her journal: Part One, Part Two. EDIT: This version has no warning posted.

As always, leave feedback for the author, and then come back for discussion. Suggestions for next time may be left at the nomination post.

Comments

[estella-c.livejournal.com]

I'm a little hesitant about approaching Fathoms Five because I think it's a fic masterpiece. Another one. We're going to run out at this rate. Well, there's still Sokol.

I'm very much in sympathy with everything amyhit wrote, in that Penumbra absolutely takes Mulder and Scully to a place none of us will ever have to visit, in which they use vaguely familiar coping mechanisms to grapple with an unthinkable situation, an ironic life crisis of sorts. I once called this a science fiction tragedy, an upside-down tragedy. Classic tragedy always ends in death. FF ends with a tunnel vision of unending life. Fortunately it's also a very American tragedy, so there's a sense that someone might achieve a resolution. Physics-student William may be able to find a way for his mother to die.

That's a unique description of a happy ending and a pretty tough career path. Mulder is right to say the kid should chill out and play guitar.

The suicide opening is intense, no question, and although I originally felt it wasn't congruent with the mellow family scenes that follow I now think it forces the reader into a more subtle understanding of them. Here is a woman who sees her husband age and her son mature and she can't figure out a way of being wife and mother as she sees herself as the most brutal of X-files. She thinks she has hit the wall of natural explanation and she has to prove it. Nobody has an answer for her; we can only pray that one is found. The response is love. Scully is withdrawing, even from the old dog who adores her, but Mulder presents her with a video from the old days, when they were young, gorgeous and contentious. As she, appallingly, still is. So she quips and eats popcorn. Surrounded by love.

Penumbra has been criticized for her elaborate, descriptive style. Here is a subject that calls for an excruciatingly careful treatment, one that requires all the talent she has. And if we have to pause to appreciate a consciously crafted line every once in a while, it gives us a breather before the next emotionally difficult moment.

Oh, about praying. Did we notice that Scully is still wearing her cross, and that the Mulder-Scully's give thanks before eating lasagna? Possibly being the recipient of an unwanted miracle opens one's eyes to the possibility of an ancient one.

I haven't scratched the surface on this one. Maybe someone else (cough) can come up with a unified theory.

[wendelah1]

Spoilers Ahoy!

I'm a little hesitant about approaching Fathoms Five because I think it's a fic masterpiece. Another one. We're going to run out at this rate. Well, there's still Sokol.

I guess we'd better save "Sokol," then. *g* What is remarkable to me is that we still have writers of this caliber producing work this damn good. The show ended (and so badly) back in 2002, and the we get nothing until 2008 when we were presented with that travesty of a film. And despite that, we are gifted with this. It deserves a much wider audience than the couple hundred people who follow this com.

Well, as you know, I had a hard time with this story the first time through. It threatened to upset me this time around, too, but I managed to get past that point and read the story. I'm still working on the unified theory part.

This is an excellent, succinct review, focusing on the unique, science fiction tragedy that Scully finds herself living. I'm going to try then to focus on the parts of the story that make it so universal.

Oh, about praying. Did we notice that Scully is still wearing her cross, and that the Mulder-Scully's give thanks before eating lasagna? Possibly being the recipient of an unwanted miracle opens one's eyes to the possibility of an ancient one.

She put the gun into her left hand, so that she could cross herself before she put the gun in her mouth and pulled the trigger.

She got a wanted miracle, too, in the birth of her son.