I'm currently in Prague again (as enchanting as in April, though as then, I'm not here for sightseeing), so have little time, but did manage to browse throught this year's remixes. Here are some I especially enjoyed:

Buffy:

Letters never sent (The Crumbled Sheets Remix

Xander, trying to tell Jesse's parents what happened in the BTVS pilot. It's a story entirely composed of letter attempts, terse, gutwrenching and all too likely.

Fairy Tales:

Feathers and Nettles (The Sibling Remix)

Based on Anderson's tale of the six swans, a story about the youngest brother and his sister. Bittersweet.

Galaxy Quest:

Like no business I know (The Climbing Uphill Remix)

How Gwen experienced the show. Loved it.

MCU:

Magic Boxes (The What Remains Remix):

Howard builds magic boxes and out of them come weapons. Tony is his greatest creation and his worst nightmare.

Takes the various versions of Howard movies and Agent Carter have presented and creates a coherent whole. It also includes the encounter between Peggy and Vision I never knew I wanted until I read it!

Remix went live!

I'm on the road right now, which means among other things I won't be able to watch the latest Orphan Black episode until tonight, and the Once upon a time finale not until tomorrow at the earliest, mosf likely Wednesday, though. Reading on the road is a big easier, but not much when you're not travelling alone. However, I had the chance to read the remix based on one of my DS9 stories, amd it's delightful:


Quark's Day (The Noh-Jay Remix)

Nog and Jake reunite after the second occupation. Both of them are spot-on and darling.

Meanwhile, the remix I've written is imo obvious, but I could be wrong, and if you guess it during the week we're all anonymous, you get a drabble (or something short even if it's not exactly 100 words) on your subject of choice, provided I'm sufficiently familiar with it.

The Doctor Who Remix Archive went live, and non-anonymously, too. Here's what I wrote:

Purgatorio (The Paint-It-Black Remix) (8180 words) by Selena
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Torchwood, Doctor Who
Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Alice Carter & Jack Harkness, Jack Harkness & The Master, Jack Harkness & Martha Jones, Jack Harkness/Ianto Jones, Alonso Frame/Jack Harkness
Characters: Jack Harkness, The Master (Doctor Who), Martha Jones, Alice Carter, Agent Johnson, Steven Carter, Alonso Frame
Additional Tags: Grief/Mourning, Character Study, Children of Earth Compliant
Summary:

In the wake of the 4-5-6, Jack Harkness starts to dream. Of the Master, and of the gift of resurrection. But are the dead truly coming back, or is there another answer to his loss and guilt? Enlisting the help of Martha Jones, he's determined to find out...

Now, off to read everyone else's stories!

My main story this year owes its existence to a coincidence, to wit, that when we got the remix assignments, I had just gone through a period of reading up (and watching, in the case of the John Adams miniseries) on the history of the American Revolution and its founding fathers. (And mothers.) Culminating in a book on the Hemingses, a family of mixed race slaves whom we know more about than usual because three generations of them were owned by Thomas Jefferson, main author of the Declaration of Independence and third President of the United States. Now, my assigned remixee, lferion, shared several fandoms with me, including one of my oldest, Highlander, and one of my newest, Sanctuary, and at first I thought I would remix one of those stories, but try as I might, I found myself going back to two of her poems, one of which, Monticello, was about Jefferson and visiting his home and won out over the other (which was Richard III connected and would also have resulted in historical fiction). The poem and all the thoughts and emotions that had accumulated in me while reading said books providedn an irresistable spark of inspiration. Which resulted in a story about James Hemings, his life, and his relationship with Jefferson. Why James? I hope the story will tell you. Writing it meant a lot to me, and that's putting it mildly. If you only read a single story of mine this entire year, let it be this one.

Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness (The Hemings Remix)


I also participated in Remix Madness, which was fun, and resulted in a far more conventional remix of a story that penknife had written, Last Words. Last Words, set during the Star Trek: The Next Generation two parter Unification, deals with Spock's father Sarek, his relationship with Spock and his attempt to say goodbye to his son via Jean-Luc Picard. If you know penknife, you know she writes Vulcans, especially Sarek, like no one's business. Now Unification is a mixed effort of a two-parter, but the Sarek scene (depicted in my icon) and later the Picard and Spock scenes are excellent and moving, and the earlier TNG episode Sarek where Picard mind-melds with Sarek is among my favourite TNG eps, full stop. It occured to me that there were certain parallels in Picard's own relationship with his father to the Spock and Sarek situation, and also that Unification took place after Picard's Borg experience, which left its indelible mark on Jean-Luc. All of which and my affection for the character, whom I had never written safe in cameos and memes, resulted in a Jean-Luc Picard pov on the events of Last Words, which hopefully works in its own right:


Messenger (The Earl Grey Remix)

REMIX!

I'll be on a train in a few hours, as a happy reader in many a fandom. This year, the story of mine that got remixed was one of my newer ones, Here Be Dragons, which is a Merlin tale in which I went a bit meta with the story telling and myth building and messed up legacies. Also, it's my Kilgarrah the Great Dragon character exploration. It was written before s4 was broadcast, and so naturally one of the things I fretted about before Aithusa was broadcast was getting jossed. (And very relieved was I when it didn't happen. I'm fond of my messed up fanon for dragon-human relations.)

The remix story, which is called Waking Up Stories (A Dancemix with Dragons), not only manages to use Aithusa (and other things that happened in s4) but also tackles the storytelling theme with gusto, managing nifty parallels between Morgana (who is the pov character of the remix story) and Uther on the one hand, and Kilgarrah and Aithusa on the other. There are great guest appearances by Hunith and Morgause, and the Morgana and Aithusa interaction is delightful. I have my suspicions about the author (the Morgana centricity and witty dialogue make me think of netgirl_y2k; if it's someone else, then, Anonymous, I mean it as a compliment!). Anyway, reading this was a great way to start the remix 2012 archive expedition.


Now, here are some recs in other fandoms:


X-Men Movieverse:

Terminal Ballistics (The .45 Remix): Erik Lehnsherr wins forever at heartbreakingly dysfunctionally messed up. Oh, Erik.


Star Trek: The Next Generation:

Poker Face (She Can Read You Remix) : there are few Deanna Troi character explorations out there, and even less that focus on what it must be like being an empath (and among fellow Betazoids, telepath) in a society where everyone would automatically assume you to use that ability to your advantage. Very well done.

Pirates of the Carribean:


A broken silence, mended (The Tide Recalls Remix): in which a ghostly James Norrington pays visits to Elizabeth Swann and ends up as the one being haunted. I love the Norrington and Elizabeth interaction in this, and the graceful melancholia, pierced with sharp insights, of the whole piece.

Doctor Who:

Gearbox (The Won't Miss A Piece Remix): so just how does the TARDIS work? Multi-era, featuring various regenerations of the Doctor, and multiple companions, and drawing delightful character portraits of all.

Harry Potter:


A Quiet Interlude (The Standing on a Precipice Remix) : in which Lily Potter and Sirius Black have a chat during the last year of her life. I love it when authors tackle Lily and make her come to life as a complicated, three dimensional being. I also appreciate takes on Sirius that aren't a) about his immortal love for Remus or b) about his immortal loathing/secretly hidden lust (take your choice depending on shipperdom) of Severus Snape, and this story delivers on that count, too. Highly Reccomended.

Remix Madness: one week, no limitations, basically; you can offer your stories for a potential remix no matter how much or little you've written in a respective fandom and can pick whichever story of someone else you fancy, though nothing is guaranteed. I offered mine and think I have a short vignette idea for someone else, but either way, I'm so looking forward seeing the big Remix be opened next week!

Meanwhile, I've arrived at season 4 in my Merlin rewatching and am in love with this particular season all over again. It feels like the season where all my complaints save one (which is still there: needs more Gwen) were heard while what I already loved (again, except for the lack of Gwen screentime) was enhanced, and I want to draw sparkly hearts around it. Some thoughts about the cut scenes on the dvds (the last episode I watched as A Servant of Two Masters, so no cut scenes later than that one, either): you can see why they had to go with some of them - for example, Morgause telling Morgana about the old days on the Island of the Blessed and Arthur telling Merlin about an Uther-told story re: Dragonfire is nice world building, but not as important as the other scenes from the season opener, and if you have a limited time space available, these are the scenes expendable - but others I'd really have kept. ( These are spoilery for the season. )

Back to the dvds now...

I had a terribly busy last four days, three of which were spent at a conference which made me feel like I was watching a truly weird crossover between a great book club and a party conference in ye olde Soviet days, and then there was Mother's Day today. So there are a lot of tv shows and reviews of same to catch up with. (Don't spoil me.) Meanwhle, it's remix reveal time, so here is the story I wrote:

Movements of Fire and Shadow (The Babylon Remix)


Which is a Merlin story about Morgause and Morgana. zahrawithaz, this one is for you. As for the title, the original story was called All my dreams, torn asunder, which among other things is the title of a season 5 Babylon 5 episode, so I couldn't resist calling my remix after the episode that follows. This is the first time I've written Morgause, and as has become my habit in this fandom, it's as much meta as it is a portrait.

From elisi: How to help Japan. The news get worse and worse...

Being Human:

One of my favourite finale reviews, because of the emphasis on the female characters.

Mitchell-centric meta, also an excellent post.

Remix Ficathon: is back, and you can read all about it and sign up here.

BSG cast union: happens, for some of the actors at least, in Ron Moore's new series 17th Precinct which has started shooting and seems to be basically be a crossover between a police show and Harry Potter, i.e. a detective story set in a world where everyone has magic. Tricia Helfer posted a photo of herself, James Callis and Jamie Bamber in their new roles here. Am amused RDM cast her with black long hair this time but lets the boys basically remain as they were.

Oh, and of course: the Ides of March!

I won't be able to watch the Lost finale until later today (beautiful weather + staying with the Aged Parents make for very limited screentime), so please don't spoil me. However, last night I was able to sample some more of the new stories the Remix ficathon brought us in many a fandom, and here's a preliminary result:

Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Orientation (The Ways of Seeing Remix) : Buffy's lost one Watcher already. If Xander wants to step up to the plate, they'll have to come to an agreement. Post-Chosen story that uses Buffy's backstory from the movie and the Becoming flashback to great effect while highlighting her friendship with Xander, and the way the two have grown over the years. Friendship stories are rare, which is a shame, and this one makes me very happy indeed.

Microwave Meals (Quick, Easy and Sometimes Satisfying) - The I Can't Get No Satisfaction Remix : set between seasons 5 and 6, this one is Spike-centric and highlights his relationship with Dawn and the Scoobies' attempt to make do in the summer after The Gift.

Doctor Who

The Brigadier’s Weddings (The ‘Third Time Luckiest’ Remix) : For a man profoundly against public displays of emotion, the Brigadier had certainly had a lot of weddings. The Doctor is invited to Alistair Lethbridge-Stewart's third wedding, but accidentally goes to all of them. It's one of those fics uniting New and Classic Who characters that make me squee in an undignified way, when I'm not smiling or getting a bit misty-eyed in between. We get the Brig at three different stages in his long life, the Tenth Doctor (during the specials era, and hence without an ongoing companion) interacting with him, Liz Shaw, Sarah Jane, and barely avoiding the bachelor party Turlough throws (Turlough would). It's just a joy to read.

The Bees, The Bees (The Five Times Donna Met the Doctor Without Realising It Remix) : in which Donna, post-Runaway Bride and pre-Partners in Crime, runs into five different regenerations of the Doctor, and Ace. There can never be enough Ace. Great fun.

You Will Be Me (The When I'm Gone Ontological Tautology Remaster) : in which the Doctor and the Master, during life after life, never stop playing games. Mind-messing in a good way.


Harry Potter

Bellum omnium contra omnes (the Ancient History remix): Percy remembers idolising his older brothers growing up. He doesn't play favourites anymore. He's not exactly spoiled for choice. I've always had a soft spot for Percy (it must have been horrible growing up with the twins), was very glad he did not end the series as a corpse, and stories that explore him and his reasons for his post-OotP split with the rest of the Weaslys are something I really like to read. This story does it very well, via an encounter with his older brother Bill.

spoken word (the applied linguistics remix) : Dumbledore's backstory (with Grindlewald, with his sister, with his brother) was one of the most fascinating aspects of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. This story, like the one it remixes, uses it, but it also uses language, the way linguistics form our thoughts, for characterisation in an utterly compelling way.


Star Wars

What You Are (the Certain Point of View Remix): in which we get a look at Obi-Wan, Padme and Anakin at three different points in their lives. Beautiful character vignette.

Torchwood

Here's A Girl From A Dangerous Town (the Unbroken Heart Remix) : a fantastic portrait of a woman canon only gave us the name and a few hints about, Lucia Moretti. I love what the writer does with Lucia as a Torchwood agent (and after), Lucia and her relationship with Jack, and Lucia and her daughter. She emerges as a layered, complex woman whom I'd have loved to see on screen. Brilliant.

West Wing

The Truth About Her Life (Flickering Firebrand Remix) : Six Qumari women are in need of an intervention. CJ knows that she has compromised, but she has only bent and never broken. Great, great CJ voice, sharp and intense story.


My own remixee approves of my remix, which is always a pleasing relief to know, and I've had some feedback from people who never commented on my stories so far, which provides that special glee anonymous ficathons are there for.:) If you figure out which one is mine, oh flist, I shall write you a drabble. It's not a rare fandom as in Yuletide, and I've written stories in it before, but I don't think there is such an obvious giveaway in it as there was in last year's remix.

Fannish5: Name 5 characters you like but that you wouldn't hire to work with you.

Only five? Is that a joke? Most fictional people I adore tend to be NOT the kind of people I'd work with, or for. But fine. Here are five of many.

1.) Arvin Sloane (Alias). My beloved Mr. S. is actually super competent, be it at heading a good guy spy organisation, a bad guy spy organization, shady in betweens, or really efficient charity organizations. He's so good that heroes and villains alike keep rehiring him, no matter which among them be betrays in between; they're also majorly impressed at his own hiring skills which you can see because they keep hiring everyone he ever hired as well. However, I want to live, if possible with family & friends. Arvin Sloane would sacrifice my life without even a flicker of hesitation if it serves his purpose, and if anyone else threatens me, then, since my last name isn't Bristow, he wouldn't bother trying to save me, either. No way would I ever go anywhere near the man in real life, and certainly not in a work situation.

2.) The Doctor (any regeneration) (Doctor Who). I'm generally fond of the man and many a regeneration I even love, but good lord, can you imagine what he'd be like to work with, let alone to supervise? Actually, you don't have to imagine, because we saw it on screen for several years, in the Three era, which is one of my favourite DW eras. To watch, not to experience. This is why the Brigadier is my hero, whose example I would never be able to follow. (Between the Doctor doing as he damn well pleases all the time, offending every second guest star UNIT had to deal with, and the Master stalking his ex on an ongoing basis which means lots of invasions and loss of personel, I'd have quit the service in no time flat. Even if UNIT had been a library and the Brig the chief librarian, I dare say the results would have been the same. Sorry, Doctor. No job for you.

3.) Max Eilerson (Crusade). Max is my hands down favourite Crusade character, but like the Brig, Matthew Gideon is another hero of mine for being able to employ him on an ongoing basis, because I for sure would not be able to. Dating him for a while would be a different matter. Archaeological and linguistic genius or not. However, I would entrust Max with babysitting my cat, which is more than I could say for the earlier two gentlemen. He's really trustworthy with cats, Max is. Even gets mean thugs to brush them in repentance for their vileness.

4.) Wesley Wyndham-Pryce (BTVS and Angel: The Series). Undoubtedly, Wesley would be super competent (unless whatever I hire him for is his first job) and very sweet (well, depending in which phase of his life the hiring would be done, but for the most part, he'd be soft-spoken and darling), and one could even trust him to take over supervision and do a better job of it than whoever was originally in charge did. But. Sooner or later, Wesley would develop a masochistic streak and decide that whatever choice is most painful to him (and others) is automatically the right choice. He would not talk with anyone about any problems he has. And I'd hate to think about possible actions if I ever reproduce. And the cat-sitting job is out as well because as opposed to Max, he'd end up killing the cat to save me from having to kill the cat without even considering the beast might just have to go to the vet. So no. Vade retro, Wesley, and remain on my tv screen.

5.) Toby Ziegler (The West Wing). My own creative efforts would shrivel and die because I'd be too busy intimidated by him. No matter how angry he'd make me, he'd also cause me a horrible guilt trip every time I looked into his sad panda eyes, and thus my debating skills would wither. My voice would become rusty from disuse. In conclusion, not hiring Toby Ziegler is a question of self preservation for me. I'm sure Toby would understand.

***

And in remix news, I've now read most of what my remixee has written (which I'd have enjoyed quite outside of the ficathon), and I can see two or three possibilities... but I'm not sure yet. As for my own stories, dear remixer, if you're reading this - you already have the link to my lj page where all stories, even the drabbles, are sorted by fandom. You can also find most of them at the AOO as well, if you prefer. I hope you'll find something you to have writerly fun with!