[N.B.  If this arrives twice, I apologize.  My new mailer is
still very annoying, and it doesn't like the fact that the FFML
doesn't have a first and last name.]


[Opening credits, yadda yadda.  We join our show already in 
progress.]

Sean (in mid-sentence):  --ver 90 pages long!  We are not
     going in there for four hours, I don't care if he *did*
     ask for us personally!

[Down to Rei's hideaway]

Rei:  I'm not asking you to.  Just go, watch the fic, and do
      a summary review.  After all, he *did* ask.

[Hole in the Wall]

Hotaru:  But...but...*Lydia*, for God's sake.
Sean:  *sigh*...alright.
Hotaru:  SEAN!
Sean:  Look, he's prereading my stuff, right?  Plus Chris 
       writes some of the best fics out there.  It won't kill
       us.  Part One was excellent.
Hotaru:  Fine.

[Lights, buzzers, etc.]

Sean and Hotaru:  WE'VE GOT FANFIC SIIIIIIIIGN!!!

[Mercifully, we then go to commercial.  For Sega Saturn,
presumably.  On our return, we see Sean and Hotaru in their
'reviewing' chairs.]

Sean:  Actually, we're in time for this.  Davies-san is 
       usually so quick in sending his stories out that we
       don't have time to do a full-blown C&C...
Hotaru:  So, what did you think?
Sean:  Wait, a PSA first.  A couple of weeks ago, I asked
       alt.fan.sailor-moon what they thought of the practice
       of using a Sailor Moon 'filter' to change dub names
       to sub.  They let me know what they thought...rather
       colorfully. (cough)
Hotaru:  He was sobbing in a corner.  It was pretty pitiful.
Sean:  Yes, thank you.  In any case, I changed the names in
       this when I read it privately.  But as this is public
       C&C, I will do my best to use the dub names in the
       review.
Hotaru:  (whimpers)
Sean:  You haven't shown up yet, so don't panic.  Anyway.
       I had varying feelings about the way the series have
       been used so far.  Some, like Tenchi, have flawless
       characterization I totally agree with.  Others, like
       Ranma and Sailor Moon, have a few character decisions
       I...disagree with.
Hotaru:  I've given Zen and Bailesu Chris' home address as
         you asked.
Sean (sotto voce):  Later...first, though, plot.  This is
      plotted very well, with the menace remaining vague yet
      threatening.  I can't really see anything to complain
      about here.
Hotaru:  I have one thing.  I think we've been deluged with
         original characters.  Some of them are excellent, but
         I'm having trouble keeping them in my head.  Perhaps
         Chris could do a character sheet, as Fred Herriot
         does?
Sean:  Might be an idea...though Fred abuses that, letting 
       that do the talking instead of his stories.  But that's
       another C&C.  On to characterization.
Hotaru:  First of all, the stuff we loved.  All of the Tenchi
         cast were done impeccably, and I liked what little we
         saw of the AMG and KOR people.
Sean:  IIRC, though...
Hotaru:  Yes, I know.  Every Sunday on Newberry.
Sean:  (pause)  I think that calls for a time out.
Hotaru:  Awwwww...(exits)
Sean:  If I recall, though, the way that some of the Ranma and 
       Sailor Moon casts are being taken made me a little upset.
       It's perfectly consistent with Chris' universe, so 
       there's not much I can object do.  And I must admit it's
       one of the more inventive solutions to 'why did Ukyou
       attack the wedding' I've seen.  But, like John Biles, I
       like my characters to go through torture and come out
       happy.  These stories are being written backwards, and
       the knowledge of what will happen to Ukyou, Ryouga, 
       Mina and Lita left a sour taste in my mouth.  In
       addition, Raye was portrayed as nasty as she's ever been.
       Raye is my least favorite senshi, and I know Chris likes
       her, but he's done nothing to redeem her in this part.
       Evil bitch pretty much.
Hotaru:  (entering) Done?
Sean:  Yes, you can come back.  Any little things?
Hotaru:  At some point, a character says, "Oh, dung."  I think
         that should be changed, as it took me *right* out of
         the fic.  Dang, perhaps.
Sean:  Agreed, though it could be a spellcheck typo.  I also
       remember at one point the stage directions talking about
       the author.  There is a time and a place for author
       insertion, as I told Andrew, and this seemed wrong.
Hotaru:  Things we loved.  Aeka's...
Sean:  A-HEM...
Hotaru:  ...Ayeka's erotic dream, foreshadowing beautifully.
Sean:  What was that Ryouko/Ayeka web site again?
Hotaru:  Sssh.  The discovering of the body was nicely creepy,
         and the end had a very "Doctor Who cliffhanger" feel
         to it, which is a good thing.
Sean:  Prediction time.  First of all, who are the three who 
       go in, and the two who come out.  There are certainly 
       no lack of triangles.
Hotaru:  Could be the KOR trio, or the goddesses...
Sean:  But our guess, what with that mist comment, is that it's
       one of the Tendou sisters who gets killed, most likely
       Nabiki.  Kasumi's death would be sad, but we know she's
       a major goddess/being-of-power in 2937, so it wouldn't
       be as wrenching.  Did 2937 mention Nabiki?
Hotaru:  I can't remember.
Sean:  In any case, she's one of my major death predictions,
       along with a few minor characters from the other series.
       A twin from KOR, maybe, or Megumi from AMG.
Hotaru:  He did say this wouldn't be as dark as 2937...
Sean:  Yes, but I like to predict deaths.  Plus, I think he's
       yanking' our chain.  Deaths will abound here.
Hotaru:  Anything else?
Sean:  I think we covered...ah, yes.  Kasumi and Kent.  I know
       I should have read Part I again before reading this, but I
       didn't, and I'd forgotten about this.  Nevertheless, I
       think there should be a bit more emphasis of what she
       feels for him before Kent breaks it off.
Hotaru:  There's a line in the umbrella scene...
Sean:  That was a passing subtle mention.  Too subtle, IMHO.
       Perhaps a dreamy sigh or something?
Hotaru:  So we liked it?
Sean:  We liked it, and are waiting for III.  Bye!

--Sean Gaffney
--edited highlights, folks...