xf_book_club | Story 228: "Original Sin" by Syntax6

For whatever reason, this was one of the few syntax stories that I never read back in the day when I discovered her work. Maybe because it was a wip? Not sure. But I happened to be navigating her site recently and, poof, it had changed and updated! Was a nice surprise! So when I saw her comments about this story, I jumped right in.

Now, having no idea what "changes" she made to the original flow of the story, I cannot say whether I like this version better or not, but I definitely enjoyed this story. I appreciate the quick-reaction characteristic of Mulder that she highlights in that he didn't bring any real luggage with him, and the way in which Scully revealed the truth, step by step to Ruben, and I felt his reactions were exact. I really liked the twist with CSM, didn't see that coming, and the tie in with Redux II. And the balance she found with Scully's feelings toward Fowley was appropriate (she distrusts her but isn't too overtly bitchy about it). And, of course, I loved all the M/S interactions (awkward and otherwise).

I'd say the only thing I didn't like was the last chapter. Sure, its nice to tie up everything, but it felt a bit rushed in certain spots, like she was just ready to be done with it. But otherwise, I really enjoyed the read!

I agree, the ending felt a bit rushed. But it was a good, engrossing read nonetheless.

I liked the Scully/Fowley interactions, definitely. I kind of hate ship them a little bit. Don't tell anyone, okay? Syntax6 writes a very measured Diana Fowley: fair to the character, never over the top, which I think helps keep Scully's reactions in check.

Oh, goodness, I loved her writing back in the day! I'll have to check out the site when I get a chance. Thanks for the heads up.

This fandom ain't dead yet!

You're welcome.

!!!!

I never thought she'd be back!! Fantastic news!

*off to read*

Come back when you're done. I'm curious to know what you thought.

I really enjoyed this fic, Syntax is a great writer :)

I'm glad to hear you enjoyed the story. Anything in particular that you liked?

I liked the 'ordinary', if you can call it that, way that Samantha was found. I thought the way cloning etc was played out was also very plausible and canon. Mulder is always chasing after one Samantha or another (and simultaneously one truth or the other) but never knows for sure who or what is real.

Syntax puts Mulder in a particularly difficult position in the end, and although cruel, I like to see how characters respond in tough situations as I believe this reveals a lot about them. In this case, Mulder is forced to accept that he has in fact lost his sister, something he has arguably been in denial about for most of his life, and move forward.

Other stuff too, but it's a start :) words are failing me... :p

Syntax6 writes good mysteries/police procedurals. If you like that genre and haven't read it, try "Scavenger," which she just put back up after, gosh, five years plus. It's very well-crafted, as are all of her fic.

Syntax puts Mulder in a particularly difficult position in the end, and although cruel, I like to see how characters respond in tough situations as I believe this reveals a lot about them. In this case, Mulder is forced to accept that he has in fact lost his sister, something he has arguably been in denial about for most of his life, and move forward.

I guess I'm too tender-hearted with the characters. I have a tough time with stories that add additional misery to their lives.

I guess I'm too tender-hearted with the characters. I have a tough time with stories that add additional misery to their lives.

Remarkably, I am too, which is why I pretty much got off the XF train at Je Souhaite. I guess we all draw our own lines, though, about what constitutes too much misery. *g* I do think that the XF is essentially, at its core, a tragedy. There is no happy ending. At best, maybe peace. So if I am to be true to that essence, I have to reflect that sensibility.

But I do try to balance the misery. Here, the Samantha storyline has a horrific outcome in some respects, but Mulder also acquires a new generation of family, and with them, perhaps, a chance for the redemption that he was never going to get after Sam disappeared. He is also reunited with Scully, his other family, and has the XF back under his control. I think he is no more unhappy than he was at the start of the story.

Remarkably, I am too, which is why I pretty much got off the XF train at Je Souhaite. I guess we all draw our own lines, though, about what constitutes too much misery. *g* I do think that the XF is essentially, at its core, a tragedy. There is no happy ending. At best, maybe peace. So if I am to be true to that essence, I have to reflect that sensibility.

I think you're absolutely right. The X-Files is a tragedy. No happy endings are expected or guaranteed in fanfic. I'm not saying you made the wrong choice there as a writer, I'm just describing my own idiosyncratic reactions to those choices. The situation you put him in, to have to shoot and possibly kill his sister to save Scully, was a logical thematic extension of the one he'd made years earlier, on the bridge in "End Game." He chose Scully then. It makes emotional sense that he would choose to save her again.

But I do try to balance the misery. Here, the Samantha storyline has a horrific outcome in some respects, but Mulder also acquires a new generation of family, and with them, perhaps, a chance for the redemption that he was never going to get after Sam disappeared. He is also reunited with Scully, his other family, and has the XF back under his control. I think he is no more unhappy than he was at the start of the story.

I agree, Mulder is materially better off than at the beginning. But okay, I have some issues with the ending. Mulder was taken off the X-Files because of what happened in Dallas. They both were. Scully was reassigned to Utah, he stayed and did background checks for two years, working for Kersh, consulting unofficially on the X-Files, but still committed to them. There was no doubt he would choose to go back to them, even knowing the presumed fate of his sister wouldn't change that. In canon, he gets reassigned to the X-Files after TF/OS. Kersh, who is by this time Skinner's boss, too, is moved in part by Jeffrey Spender's testimony--and his resignation-- to reassign Mulder to the Files. And then Jeffrey gets shot by his father. I can see how you're paralleling canon to make the outcome the same, but a little different. Diana disappears. But what happens to Jeffrey Spender? More importantly, how is it now Skinner's decision to let Mulder have the X-Files back when it wasn't his decision to take them away in the first place? Did Skinner get promoted over Kersh in your universe--if so, I missed that.

But my main problem with the ending is I think the trauma of Mulder killing his sister is too easily overcome by both Mulder and Scully. I think they would both feel immensely guilty, feelings that I believe for a time would interfere with their romantic relationship, maybe even with Scully choosing to come back to DC. I don't like how easily everything fell back into place. Mulder and Scully are together. Yes, it neatly balanced out the misery, but it also made Samantha's death less of a tragedy and more of a plot device. I do like his connecting with Samantha's kids.

As far as my feeling disappointed with the story, please let me assure you, I don't. I don't consider it a failure, either, not at all. Flawed, yes, but still an excellent read and an intriguing premise, one that even leaves open the possibility of a sequel. Your dialogue, your original characters, the way you weave together plot and romance, the delicate way you deal with their feelings. All outstanding. All to be cherished and adored. Your Mulder and Scully come as close to canon as I have ever read on a page. I love them, I do, just as much as I love the characters on screen.

Here is the thing. Good stories with interesting problems are better for discussion than perfect stories. As a writer myself, I learn more from discussing good but imperfect work. That's why as moderator, I chose to post "Original Sin" over "Scavenger," which is pretty damn close to perfect.

Edited 2013-08-20 17:35 (UTC)

But what happens to Jeffrey Spender? More importantly, how is it now Skinner's decision to let Mulder have the X-Files back when it wasn't his decision to take them away in the first place? Did Skinner get promoted over Kersh in your universe--if so, I missed that.

No, you didn't miss anything, as the FBI shake-up that occurs in the wake of CSM's death and Diana's disappearance is "off screen" as it were. Diana was the one protecting Spender's spot on The XF, so we can presume he lost it now that Mulder is back in charge.

But my main problem with the ending is I think the trauma of Mulder killing his sister is too easily overcome by both Mulder and Scully. I think they would both feel immensely guilty, feelings that I believe for a time would interfere with their romantic relationship, maybe even with Scully choosing to come back to DC. I don't like how easily everything fell back into place. Mulder and Scully are together. Yes, it neatly balanced out the misery, but it also made Samantha's death less of a tragedy and more of a plot device. I do like his connecting with Samantha's kids.

I think that's a fair argument to make, and I certainly can appreciate where you are coming from. I think for me, and for Mulder in this story, the reason that murdering Samantha at the end was not as guilt-inducing or heart-rending as you mention is that those emotions were already diluted by time, clones, and distance. One of the over-arching points of the story is that the basic tragedy actually occurred when Samantha was abducted at age 8. Mulder lost her that night and was never, ever going to get her back. Even at the end, he has to pick which adult version to mourn: the killer or the victim, with no assurances that either one is his "real" sister. He killed her in the present but she had already been gone for decades. This has the general effect of blunting his emotions. He might feel more guilt about leaving the two little kids without a mother. Of course, at this stage, their mother was also a raving homicidal maniac, so... ;-)

Two points I do think might have gotten short-shrift in the story are Mulder's reaction to learning CSM is his father and Scully's decision to return to Washington. It's always a tough call how much to include after the action has stopped (in this case, with Mulder's shooting of Samantha). Estella makes an interesting point that the story might be stronger if it stopped right there. It certainly would be darker, that's for sure!

As far as my feeling disappointed with the story, please let me assure you, I don't. I don't consider it a failure, either, not at all. Flawed, yes, but still an excellent read and an intriguing premise, one that even leaves open the possibility of a sequel. Your dialogue, your original characters, the way you weave together plot and romance, the delicate way you deal with their feelings. All outstanding. All to be cherished and adored. Your Mulder and Scully come as close to canon as I have ever read on a page. I love them, I do, just as much as I love the characters on screen.

Thanks very much for the kind words. I will always love Mulder and Scully, although these days my relationship with the source material and with fandom is a lot more thorny than it used to be back in "the good old days." The parts of the show I loved disappeared a long time ago, and these days, the parts that bring fandom squee are usually not my cup of tea. I don't feel at home here the way I used to.

Here is the thing. Good stories with interesting problems are better for discussion than perfect stories. As a writer myself, I learn more from discussing good but imperfect work. That's why as moderator, I chose to post "Original Sin" over "Scavenger," which is pretty damn close to perfect.

Oh, it's not that perfect either. None of my stuff is. It's just easier for me to see and deal with after I've had some distance. Picking apart OS still feels a little raw... Give me six months and I'll happily dice it to pieces! ;-)

Estella makes an interesting point that the story might be stronger if it stopped right there. It certainly would be darker, that's for sure!

Yeah, that ending might have worked better for me, too, at least as a piece of fiction, dark and untidy as it is. Is it better as fanfiction, though?

Oh, it's not that perfect either. None of my stuff is. It's just easier for me to see and deal with after I've had some distance. Picking apart OS still feels a little raw... Give me six months and I'll happily dice it to pieces! ;-)

I hear you. I'll probably go back to posting more oldies but goodies after this.

Thanks very much for the kind words. I will always love Mulder and Scully, although these days my relationship with the source material and with fandom is a lot more thorny than it used to be back in "the good old days." The parts of the show I loved disappeared a long time ago, and these days, the parts that bring fandom squee are usually not my cup of tea. I don't feel at home here the way I used to.

*hugs* I'm going to continue this in email.

Thanks, I'll check it out :)

And, I'll give, it was particularly horrible!

Wow, Syntax6 is back! Guess I must come back too.

This is a good, powerful story with great ideas and some pacing flaws, IMO. I'm not ready to say much more. Digesting.

One memory that fell over me while reading was that sense of iron-hard Greek tragedy achieved so successfully in "To Carthage Then I Came." How many Samanthas? How many warped compulsions? Will Mulder ever be free? This is a softer, kinder story but those twins: food there for confusion and argument.

It was nice to see CSM bleeding on the floor.

A softer, kinder story? To whom?

Both Samantha and her twin/clone end up dead in this story, one by Mulder's hand, which is a pretty cruel ending, imho. Way worse than mine. Worse even than "Closure," which was problematic at best.

As much as I love Scully, I wasn't sure I wanted Mulder to pull the trigger. I found myself resenting Scully for getting captured, and resenting

syntax6 for putting Mulder in that position in the first place.

I have other issues, too, but I'll put them in a separate comment. But I agree, this is a good and powerful story, despite some flaws.

It may be reader's burnout, to which I am subject after twenty years of obsession, but I found OS a bit overly long and the ending, in particular, was oddly and hesitantly paced. Still, Scully and Mulder do end up together. And they have sex, twice, which I suppose is what I meant by "softer, kinder." But you must admit that anything would have been softer and kinder than FCTIC. Which is actually a fantastic story, but sheer horror.

I skipped the sexy bits. Burnout.

Mulder of course did what he had to do--what he had done on the bridge--and maybe the story would have been stronger cut off there, with a brief addendum showing the two together in the basement. The will-she-or-won't-she attenuation of Scully's decision struck me as a little soapy.

The most interesting part of OS was the creation of the tormented twin Samanthas: one the mother of CSM's children, one a self-destructive stripper. (In my mind, anyone who goes to Vegas is self-destructive.) Were they real or highly developed clones? If they were real, was the extra one adopted--and then married, yuck--by CSM? This story really does an interesting thing with our familiar old baddie: we see him (through Diana) in psychological free-fall, failed in his career, addicted to his hideous private sins, fully deserving of retribution. I had no compassion for him, but I felt very sorry for the Samanthas and for Mulder, confronted with such a situation and forced into such an act. Yep, it's a pretty tough tale. Samantha was better off "in starlight," even if I thought that an idiotic resolution.

Syntax6 continues to be a very entertaining line-by-line writer, and her secondary characters were first-rate. OS also is piquantly open-ended, leaving open the possibility that somewhere, doing something weird, is yet another Samantha. We may not want to meet her. Still--shades of Iolokus!

The twin Samanthas were a great twist. I think they have to be clones, albeit ones that had been allowed to become adults without being subjected to the experimentation that made them into hybrids. We know the consortium made multiples of her, used them for many different purposes. It's creepy to think CSM raised one and then married her. She must be the one Mulder met after he found the chip for Scully? It's hard to understand what happened to the Samantha who ended up in the system. How did the Consortium let that happen? Was it a social experiment of some sort? There were many questions left unanswered, but this is The X-Files. The answers always lead to more questions.

Her secondary characters are wonderful. They are one of the elements that set her apart from most fic writers. She takes great care in creating them to make them real. She's the real deal. There is no doubt in my mind that she could be published.

The other thing that sets her apart is how deftly she weaves together all of the elements of the story, including the romance. Most decent writers can do a character-driven romance or they can do a carefully plotted mystery. She can do both, plus the romance doesn't set my teeth on edge, which always comes as a surprise. I cannot tell you how many stories I bail on because they lay the UST on too thick. This might not have been her strongest ending, but she still sets the standard. I did think the second sex scene was gratuitous, although not by romance standards, of course. I thought the sex scene at the pool was both sexy and emotionally involving.

I liked that Mulder finally couldn't avoid telling Scully that he'd met one of the Samanthas before, the one CSM had the kids with, maybe? And I liked that she had him make an effort to connect with those children at the end. But the kids of the other Samantha, the one who'd married the FBI agent, wouldn't they be his relatives, too. I guess they weren't orphaned. Yet.

Do we know who killed Vegas Samantha? Did I miss it? Wouldn't be the first time.

I wanted to say that one thing I appreciated about this story is the honoring of that Fox/Samantha scene in the diner, which I considered a great, poignant scene. Chris Carter apparently didn't think it was very important. The guy never did figure out what he had.

Don't overthink my minor criticisms. Syntax6 is a top talent, and I'm thankful for her loyalty.

Do we know who killed Vegas Samantha?

The other Samantha.

Lord, I guess I'll have to go back to taking notes.

She more or less confessed during the scene where she started cutting on Scully, before Mulder shot her. Then Mulder confirmed it in the scene where he's being questioned by the police about the three dead bodies with three different killers.

Yes, I also wondered about that too: "But the kids of the other Samantha, the one who'd married the FBI agent, wouldn't they be his relatives, too."

What happened to the two kids that Samantha "Annie" Milgram had with the FBI douchebag? those two would be Mulder's nephews/nieces too (whereas the two orphaned by the Stephanie/Samantha and CSM are both his nephew/niece AND his 1/2 siblings. 3/4 siblings? er, something anyways).

So yeah, no interest in connecting to the other two seemed a bit strange and grated against me while I read it.

Edited 2016-07-16 21:08 (UTC)

What is FCTIC? I liked this story, but agree about the rushed ending. I also kind of skimmed over the supporting bits and stuck with the Mulder - Scully storyline. I found this paragraph particularly astute:
"He didn't say hello when he called because he fully expected her to keep up with the conversation, even if he was starting in the middle of it, and he didn't say good-bye, not when it mattered, because for Mulder things were never truly over.."

Thanks first for all the thoughts and comments. It is always humbling and rewarding to be read so closely. I do spend a lot of time as a writer trying to remind myself that it is preferable to produce an interesting failure than a boring success, although usually I need some distance from said failure before I can make myself believe it. ;-) I am sorry for disappointing this time out.

I think it's challenging to find anything new to say in XF anymore, but I thought this story had a few kernels that were not at least done to death, so I figured it was worth finishing for that alone. Plus, I felt terrible leaving it hanging. I can let go of that guilt at least.

Readers are agreed (here and elsewhere) that there are pacing issues, but there does not seem to be agreement about where or how. It would take me some thinking to try to figure it out -- maybe another five years! ;-)

I think "disappointing" is way too strong, people here are critical (nitpicky? :) because it gives us something to discuss--parts we liked, parts that didn't work for us or whatever. Even if I really liked a story, I try to look at flaws or possible flaws (or perceived flaws :) just because it's interesting to talk about. It doesn't mean the story as a whole is unsatisfactory. I enjoyed it very much.

I agree. I for one certainly didn't find it disappointing :)

No disapointment at all!! I was so happy to see you back, and to read a story that I had never seen before from such a great writer. It was like a Christmas present! And a great one at that because I just loved this story! I love the way you write the characters, I have always loved your original characters, I liked the CSM bit at the end (I don't want to be too spoilery), the confrontation with Samantha, the well-balanced animosity between Diana and Scully, and the sexytiems!! The only things I didn't care for was the pacing of the last chapter, but that is not necessarily a writing issue and may be a reader perception problem.

So glad to see you back, and can't wait for what you have in store!!

Thanks for the kind words,

infinitlight,

echynoderm, and

newo_fic. Honestly, I do truly believe it's interesting and important to discuss aspects that did not work in a story. I learn more that way, so I am always grateful for a diversity of opinions. I appreciate everyone's thoughtful comments.

Edited 2013-08-22 16:59 (UTC)

I love your stories! It's a pleasure to read an x files fic that not only has a well-planned plot, but great use of language while staying true to character. Few things make one feel more vulnerable than putting a piece of writing on display for the whole world to comment on. I don't take criticism (even constructive) well, but art is so subjective. Everyone reads your stories from a unique perspective so naturally, they form opinions. Keep on truckin' girlfriend.

newo_fic and

estella_c mentioned pacing problems, which I have to admit I didn't get. Maybe I just like things wrapped up at the end. I didn't feel the need for any more expansion, and it feels this way as though some elements are left open for us to imagine ourselves (Scully's return to the X-Files, for instance).

I agree with this as well. I would rather a story be concise and have a solid basis than too drawn out for the sake of it. I thought everything was tied up pretty nicely with this. Sometimes even though we want to know more about what happens it can become too much and in some ways disappointing because it isn't how we imagine it to be, if that makes any sense.

What's interesting is that Newo thought the story ended too abruptly and EC thought the ending was too long and drawn out.

There are some technology inconsistencies with the timeline. Videos phones and phones that can read email would not have been common in 2000. Though the technology existed, it would be unlikely that everyone would be using it and so comfortable with it. The first video cell phone was introduced in late 2000 in Japan, and it was a few months before it was available to Americans. The most popular phones were still text screens.

I though the character of Ruben was pretty lame. I feel the interactions between him and Scully were a little to 'reality TV drama' for my taste. One thing I loved about the X Files was it's lack of petty drama, and all Ruben's character brought was unnecessary angst that seems out of place with her character. Ruben could be replaced with a stronger character, or eliminated all together without taking away from the story.

There was defiantly suspension built up, and I thought it paid off nicely. The ending was a strange mix of creepy and sad. It was definitely a full story and there were a lot of elements to keep up with. Syntax really built up the world complete with new and old characters.

Edited 2013-08-29 01:56 (UTC)

I think the overall message here is that the problems are myriad and muddled. Once again, I'm sorry -- for you and for me -- that the experience was not more enjoyable. Perhaps I should have left well enough alone, as I am certainly regretting it now. It's kind of like leaving the ladies' room and having someone tell you that your skirt is tucked into the back of your nylons. Oops! Unfortunately, I've no easy recourse to remedy the error(s). Thus I am forced to walk around in perpetual embarrassment. *g*

However, one note: I am aware I was pushing the boundaries of cell phone technology. I did not care on this point. Call it poetic license!

Actually, I think the Mogster is wrong about the technology end. Videophones have been around in some form since the seventies. The first portable videophone came onto the market in May 1999. I make the story to be taking place in late 2000 or very early 2001, since the X-Files must have been closed after "The Beginning," which took place in November 1998. If there was a specific date alluded to other than two years after the X-Files closed, I missed it.

While I think that provides enough time for the CSM to have acquired a portable videophone, and for a smart private investigator to have become acquainted with the technology, either way, the phone seems minor. This is not our world, after all. This is the world of The X-Files. There were no computer chips that cured cancer, then or now in the real world. There were no human clones. This is science fiction.

I don't understand her reference to reality tv. She is wrong about Ruben's character. He is a key element in the Consortium's plans, linking Scully up with Samantha's adopted brother. There are two brothers, and two sisters, again providing symmetry, with Scully as the link to them all. I found Ruben believable, and well-characterized. He also provided balance on the relationship side In the two years after leaving Mulder behind, Scully is in a relationship with a man. Yay! This balances out Mulder sleeping with his ex quite nicely, in my humble opinion. Having Scully still be alone after all of that time would have been pretty unbelievable. It makes sense that he should be tied into the conspiracy, too, because in the world of the X-Files, everything revolves about Mulder and his sister. That's just the way it is. It makes sense that her relationship with Ruben wouldn't work out in the long run. Too much has happened to her that doesn't make sense to ordinary people, that can't be explained. This is why, in the end, she and Mulder are well, pretty much destined to be together, as unromantic in some ways as that sounds. Who else in the world could ever understand what the other has been through?

I didn't mean to be so negative.

I did really like the story and I enjoyed reading Original Sin. The phones stood out, because I remember my first experiences with video phones and smartphones and I was blown away, and I am certain that was after 2005. I thought it was weird that everyone in the story was using them willy-nilly with no references to it being 'new' technology. I guess after years of being saturated with the technology, we kind of take it for granted.

My opinion of Ruben is more rooted in my interpretation of Scully. Sometimes I have trouble seeing Scully as a feminine character, and whenever I see her become emotional over men it annoys me. That's my opinion rather than a critique though.

I really did enjoy the rest though. The PI was well developed and I was very sad when her partner died. It was particularly disturbing to see a Samantha that is cold and manipulative, but a good kind of disturbing. It's like imagining someone we want to love but finding out they are less than perfect. I love stories with Samantha because she is such a blank character (really) and we can give her whatever personality we want.

Hi there. I've been reading my way through the XF Book Club recommendations, although I have a tendency to be reclusive and hesitant about jumping into discussions. (I'm working on that!) This seemed like as good a place as any to dive in, as I've always loved Syntax's case files and was absolutely delighted to see that she'd returned to Original Sin.

I enjoyed the fleshed out characterization of Diana, a much-maligned character who really never got a fair shake, from fans or 1013. She's easy to hate because she causes trouble between Mulder and Scully, but there was always such potential there for the character to add richness and depth both to Mulder's history and to the overarching conspiracy story. Too often I think she was trotted out as a plot device when a story called for friction or distance between Mulder and Scully. Syn always takes pains to make Diana a person and not just an evil ex-girlfriend caricature, and I really appreciate that.

I loved the Mulder/Scully interaction and the poignant note the story ended on. I understand why Scully made the choice she did regarding her chip, even if the uncertainty of their future is a little bit heartbreaking.

I would have liked to spend more time with the Samanthas, though. Which one was real? How many more are out there, waiting to be discovered? The idea of one Samantha (whether she herself is the original or a clone) discovering and eliminating another was fascinating and something I could have happily spent more time exploring.

It was nice to see Syn back in the game and I hope that we'll have more to look forward to.

just getting started on this, but loving it so far. and the occasional line like this one: ""Poor baby!" She raised a leg and gave Dot a money shot she hadn't really needed." BAHAHAHAHA!

Naturally, I'll be interested to see your reaction.

i read it all, thoroughly enjoyed (as others already said) all but perhaps the pacing of the last chapter. i particularly loved NOT knowing what was going to happen, wtf was going on with samantha/stephanie, the deal with the smoking man, etc.

Syntax6 writes some awesome casefiles, with a deft feel for characterization and dialogue that feels *right* with canon (or at least the seasons/parts of canon that i care about at all), and as you have said, sex scenes that don't make me cringe.

i'm a bit like a platypus, part noromo and part shipper. or rather, i'm a shipper but i'm interested in the big picture, so stories that revolve around sexytimes drama aren't particularly gripping, but stories exploring the complexities of interaction along with casefiles are fantastic (hence my ability to thoroughly enjoy Iolokus and Tikkun Olam despite ALL THAT SEX).

so yeah, i certainly enjoyed this, despite the pacing of the last chapter, and as i already said somewhere, i'd like to know what happened to Mulder's other nephews/nieces, the children of Samantha (Annie) Milgram, and why didn't he pursue a relationship with them as well? I *liked* Ruben, wouldn't mind knowing what happened to him more too.

off to read more sytax6 fiction, now that we've moved cross country! apparently there is a "perfect" one called Scavenger?? its not on her website so where could I find it?

I have not read this fic since it was posted so I'll need to do that before commenting further.

The only place I've been able to find "Scavenger" is here: http://spookyawards.blogspot.com/p/2002.html

Scroll down to WIPs. It won third place(?!) for Outstanding Work in Progress in 2002.

Failing that, email me (my user name at gmail) and I'll try to locate my copy to send you. I have it saved... somewhere...

This was a gripping mystery/casefile--and until the very end, I would have counted it as one of my favorites. After rereading it, I still don't understand why Syntax6 felt like Mulder killing his sister was the right conclusion for the story. And I still don't think it would have been as easy as Syntax6 makes it look for either of them to get over the trauma and resume their normal lives.

Think about it. Mulder killed his sister. The sister for whom he had searched relentlessly for over twenty years. The Mulder I recognize from earlier in the fic would have felt grief and even acute depression. Scully would have felt guilty, and probably some trauma as well, having nearly lost her life. I can believe Mulder getting back the X-Files and I can even buy that Scully would return to Washington. The absurdly romantic ending complete with a gratuitous sex scene irked me even more the second time around.

I'm not sure I buy Scully taking out her chip, either. She takes it out because Diana wants to study it? Since when does Scully give two hoots about Diana. How do they know Diana is even still alive? Then Scully tells Mulder that she removed it because otherwise she couldn't return to the X-Files? Huh? It's not even a problem with pacing--it is simply too neatly and quickly wrapped up to be credible. In an earlier story, "Bait and Switch," Scully also removed her chip but in that case, the chip and its affect on Scully are an integral part of the plot. When she does finally decide to remove it, it makes sense for her to do it. In that story, the reader is prepared to accept her actions, and the conversation that Mulder and Scully have about why Scully took out the chip is as real and moving as anything Syntax has ever written.

Which leaves us with the Greek Tragedy ending to sort out: Stephanie Jameson's children with the CSM turn out to be Mulder's half brother and half-sister. (That part I can well believe--it might even be canon, whatever that means in the post-season ten X-Files universe). The clone who was murdered by Stephanie also had kids, but apparently Mulder only chose to pursue a relationship with the children of the sister he killed. That seems kind of hinky and Syntax doesn't explain why one set of Mulder's relatives gets ignored while the others are pursued.

Any attempt at realism just gets thrown away at this juncture. Why would the courts allow the man who killed these kids' mother access to them at all? How is that in their best interest? Why would the couple who now had custody not know the circumstances of Stephanie's death, or of her husband's murder? Wouldn't something this sensational have made the newspapers? A triple homicide with three different killers?

Eventually those kids are going to find out the truth, the whole truth. They're certainly going to find out that their half-brother killed their mother, his own half-sister! Is Mulder going to tell them first? Or will someone try to blackmail him by threatening to tell them? The more I think about it, the more ridiculous it all becomes.

If Mulder had talked his sister into giving up the knife and letting Scully go, messy as that aftermath would be to sort out, at least he wouldn't face a future in which he'd have to tell these kids the truth. He and Scully wouldn't have to deal with the grief, the guilt or the trauma. Minus some of the baggage, eventually, I can picture M&S attempting a romantic relationship, and perhaps succeeding. Ignoring all of the ramifications of Stephanie's death and forcing a happy ending made this an unsatisfying conclusion. Considering how carefully crafted the story was up to that point, I felt disappointed, even let down.

Still stuck trying to figure out what Mulder's relationship to the two kids would be. Half siblings through CSM (just like Samantha is to him), and then, ummm... 1/2 uncle to them via Samantha/Stephanie? So, some bruncle? Oh yes, very very Greek. And you are right about the final chapter for a number of reasons. I pretty much blanked it out since it was dissatisfying, particularly after such a gripping read the rest of the way through. HOWEVER, that said the rest of the story made up for that final chapter IMO, so worth the read!

If I had read it all in one go, instead of waiting five years for the last three chapters, I might have been less disappointed. I'm still glad to have reread it, even though doing so reinforced my original conclusions.

Story 228: "Original Sin" by Syntax6

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the OTHER, other kids

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Everyone's a Critic!

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