I'm going to end my ambiguity month the way I began it, with an Ellis Murdock rec:

Fandom: STARSKY AND HUTCH
Pairing: Starsky/Hutch (probably)
Author Website: http://meandthee.shahrazad.net/author.php?authorid=6
Why this must be read:

I've had so much fun driving the van this month, thank you for letting me indulge! My final rec is by my all-time favorite SH author (you never would have guessed, huh?), Ellis Murdock, the queen of anbiguous.

Care and Feeding is (probably) post-SR, and involves Hutch taking care of Starsky during a nasty bout of pneumonia. As usual, it's classified slash on one site, and gen on another, but in my mind there is little doubt where the truth lies. This little gem of a scene comes after a particularly nasty coughing fit:


"Damn," Starsky whispered, when he could breathe again. "You'd think I'd be so worn out, this wouldn't be a problem. If I could just do something physical?."

Hutch chuckled. "I know what you're thinking and, effective or not, we can rule that out. For a while at least."

Starsky pulled a face. "I'll have you know I was thinking about shooting hoops, or running around the block, or something." He folded his arms in a display of mock disdain. "Shows what you know."

"Well, you've only been home for a little over seventy two hours, but if you're looking to return to the hospital, a good physical assault might be a more satisfying ticket back in."

Starsky's eyes widened. "How's that?"

"It would satisfy the hell out of me right now if I was the one doing the pounding."


I think what I like most about her is that she writes stories about two men, our two men, not two unrecognizable characters who say "sweetie" and nuzzle each other a lot. There are just some things two cops would not say and do, no matter how much they fuck each other. And that's my message as I park the van this month: ambiguity is a wonderful thing, if it keeps S and H true to who they are. Thank you!

Care and Feeding

Fandom: Highlander
Pairing: none (Methos/Duncan friendship)
Author on LJ: ?
Author's website: Archived on Seventh dimension
Why this must be read:

A nice story to finish my recs? Yes. With a very solid historical background (the kind I love) and a light mood with your favorite Highlander making a (loveable) fool of himself. An original character full of surprises and memories and a Methos who's never present -but always here.

Charming, and well written.

( an exerpt )
Revelations in a church

Attn. Drivers: Apologies! I was just reminded that today is the last Friday of the month, which means it's time for Friday Night Drive-In, a.k.a. Fan Vid Recs! Since I've given you short notice and it's also the last day of the month, I'll wait till tomorrow morning to switch posting access to the July reccers. Please get your vid recs posted before you go to bed tonight!

Reccers may post 1 vid rec for their fandom, formatted as follows:

Subject Line: VID REC: Fandom - Song Title

Vidder:
Musical artist:
Pairing:
Vidder on LJ:
Vidder's website:
Why this vid kicks ass:


Because the vidder community has some unique ownership issues, it’s important that reccers be extra careful when making vid recs. Depending on the vidder’s preferences regarding public access to their work, please link your rec in the appropriate manner:

1. If the video is publicly accessible, direct link to the web page the vid is linked on, or if it’s the vidder’s request, to the HTML splash page of their site.

or…

2. Link to the site with instructions on acquiring the password, if the site is protected – do not reveal the password yourselves.

or…

3. Provide contact info for the vidder if their vids are only available privately (tapes, dvd-R’s, collections, etc.).


Do not:
Hotlink, i.e. link directly to the video file rather than the webpage.
Re-upload videos that a vidder has removed from the web.
Delay in removing a vid rec if requested to do so by the vidder.

Thank you!

Fandom: SMALLVILLE
Pairing: Clark/Lex
Author on LJ: None
Author Website: None
Why this must be read: Oh, yes! This is a long, beautifully done reconciliation story, and it's also by an author I've only recently discovered (always a lovely bonus!). I really fell in love with this one.

The Hinge Moment

That's it for me kids. Hope you've enjoyed the ride.

Vidder: Koba TV
Musical artist: Fatboy Slim
Pairing: Tyr/Really Big Guns (also Tyr/Harper, Tyr/Beka, Tyr/Freya, Tyr/Elsbett and Tyr/Yvainne, but mostly just the guns, and knives, and Squarm-dung frizbees)
Vidder on LJ: N/A
Vidder's website: Koba-TV Videos
Why this vid kicks ass: Because it's Tyr and his really big guns. And his muscles. And his really big guns. And his leather. And his really big guns.

It's an old vid, made from S1 and S2 TV rips, so the picture quality isn't the best, but it's still well worth watching, in my opinion.

Weapon of Choice (links to Andomeda vid page)

Vidder: butterfly
Musical Artist: Depeche Mode
Vidder on LJ: butterfly
Vidder's Website: Myriad -- Infinite Possibilities
Why this vid kicks ass:
It's a great song choice for John, one with a strong, solid beat that the vidder uses to her advantage. There are probably more cross-fades than I would choose, but each of them is timed right, to take full advantage of a change in the song. And the lyrics well for John: anticipation, waiting, a sitting target, expecting nothing, saying nothing -- right up through the end of season one.

Stargate Vid Index: Nothing

One last fic rec, and then the vid. Sorry for how few recs I made, but I hope you enjoyed them. :)

Fandom: STAR WARS: ORIGINAL TRILOGY
Pairing: Gen
Author on LJ: obaona
Author Website: Her site
Why this must be read: It's just a vignette, really, but obaona's stuff has always blown me away, and this is just a small sample of it.

It takes place during those three years between ANH and ESB, and brings Luke's military side into prominence, but "Freedom to Err" integrates his military side seamlessly with his Jedi side. This vignette succinctly and poignantly explains the why behind the Rebellion. It's perfect in its explanation, and especially the way that obaona illustrates it. This fic fits perfectly not only into the timeline, but into the universe, the general feel of Star Wars, and though it's a very quick read, it gives you something to think about longer after you've finished it.

( Excerpt )

Freedom to Err

Forgive me for my disappearance from reccing for the past week or so, I've been rather unexpectedly without net access. I'm planning to make up for it tonight, so hold on to the hand-grips and enjoy the ride!

Fandom: LotRiPS
Pairing: Dominic Monaghan/Billy Boyd or multiple hobbits(as quoth the author)
Author on LJ: mirabile_dictu
Author Website: Anonymity As A Refuge
Why this must be read: What if one of the fellowship dropped out? How would that affect all the rest of them?

This is probably my favorite of Mirabile Dictu's stories that hasn't been recced before and it is, as always, beautiful and complicated. Read.

Virtuous Men

I've been playing in the 'realistic' side of the fandom. Now let's look at some AUs.

Fandom: LotRiPS
Pairing: Billy Boyd/Dominic Monaghan
Author on LJ: apple_pi
Author Website: Slice of Pi
Why this must be read: It's the Middle Ages. Dom is a monastery-raised orphan who wants to be a physician. Billy is the man with a past who he falls in love with against all good sense. There's lots of angst and the Black Death, plus the sexual use of Latin.

Taking Breath

Fandom: LotRiPS
Pairing: Billy Boyd/Dominic Monaghan
Author on LJ: strawberryelfsp
Author Website Fruition
Why this must be read: Good, complex stuff set in Ireland in the Spring of 1922. Which, y'know, does not make for terribly happy times. But this is lovely. Despite and because of that.

Dilse

Fandom: LotRiPS
Pairing: Viggo Mortensen/Sean Bean
Author on LJ: sheffiesharpe
Author Website: N/A
Why this must be read: Hot and beautifully period. Plus, y'know, motorcycles and cameras, which, really? Is a combo you can't go wrong with.

Shotgunning and A Vincent Black Lightning/Photographs of A Vincent Black Lightning/Another Photograph