She Waits by Linda Cornett (G)

[st-crispins.livejournal.com]

Fandom: THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E.
Pairing: none, gen, Illya-centric
Author on LJ: lcorn
Author website: Observations
Why this must be read:

Open channel D. [Bad username or site: @ livejournal.com] here, driving the undercover van for June. Sorry for the late start but I was away on a mission.

The original The Man from U.N.C.L.E. was usually light and witty and the agents would often crack wise in the most dire circumstances. This was true even at times other than the third “silly season.” Over the years, MFU fanfic writers (including yours truly) have been influenced by newer trends in espionage fiction and later spy series and films, and so, the fiction has generally become a bit more serious and occasionally, a lot darker.

But for this month, in keeping with the summer season, I’m going to highlight the sunnier side of MFU fiction which, like the guys, can be smart and witty and even downright funny.

First up, is a short piece that is not only amusing, but, like the most memorable jokes, has a great twist at the end. It also ties into canon, too, and those who’ve seen certain episodes (I won’t spoil it and point out which ones) will really appreciate what is, essentially, a character study.

He comes to me only when he's desperate, when he has waited too long and can no longer deny his suddenly frantic need for my services... His friend, the dark-haired one, isn't like that at all. He's a regular. We two are long familiar with one another. I know what he wants, he trusts me to do my job. Because we know one another so well, in this one area, it doesn't take long at all, just a few minutes, really.

I promise the pay-off will make you chuckle.

She Waits

Comments

[jaekayelle.livejournal.com]

driving the undercover van for July. Sorry for the late start

Actually, if you're driving for July you're early. ;-) Sorry, could have resisted but didn't. *g*

The fic sounds like a good one. Off to read!

[rabidsamfan.livejournal.com]

*howl!*, oh, thank you... I saw it coming, but oh, my, it was worth the trip...

[dogwoodblossom.livejournal.com]

Hey, thanks for the mention of the "silly season." I've been reading U.N.C.L.E. fic for a little while now, and a lot of it was funny but so much of it was really really dark. The only episode I've seen involved a group of french female blond race car drivers operating out of an evil day spa capturing Napoleon and strapping him to a ridiculous excercise bike. It was bizarre and hilarious but fairly hard to reconcile with what was going on in the fic I was reading. I've really wanted to catch the show again to see if some episodes were a little darker than that one or if the fic writers were crazy or what. Thanks for alleviating my confusion.

[st-crispins.livejournal.com]

There ya go: I'm running around so much, I can't remember what month it is!

(I'll edit that --thanks!)

[st-crispins.livejournal.com]

Very little was dark on television during this period of the 1960s and it became even less so after Batman arrived (mid-way thru MFU's run) and television went to camp.

Some episodes of MFU have dark elements. Mother Fear and Miss Diketon and some other Thrush villains are real pervs but like the sex, violence and S/M is more implied so it would go over the heads of the young people in the audience.

In Girls of Nazarone Aff, the exercise bike *is* ridiculous by todays standards, but the implications of the youth formula, have carried to the logical conclusion, can be chilling (again, there is a fanfic that does just that).

Some of the first season, which was in Black and white, have film noir scenes and elements. Take a look at the opening scenes of Never Never Aff or Dove for example.

Like watching old movies, you have to consider MFU in the context of the politics, culture and television aesthetics of the period. Fans who didn't see the show in its initial run often don't have knowledge or experience with those contexts (it's sort of like when I show silent films to my students ---they appreciate them *after* I explain how they were made and the era).

If you want to watch more MFU episodes and you have a PC (Apple computers apparently have problems with the site) go here:

http://video.aol.com/video-category/the-man-from-uncle/2457

Keep in mind the seasons are very different. First is semi-serious and B&W; second is in color and more, err, colorful. Third is campy and fourth is dead serious, a little bit closer to the more serious spy series we have today.

I wrote articles on MFU and spy shows for the Encyclopedia of Television:

http://www.museum.tv/archives/etv/M/htmlM/manfromun/manfromun.htm
http://www.museum.tv/archives/etv/S/htmlS/spyprograms/spyprograms.htm

which may help with context.

[dogwoodblossom.livejournal.com]

Thanks a lot. :)

[leethet.livejournal.com]

I don't know why - I haven't read the story, although I'm going to go do it right now - but I think I know who "she" is, for some reason. Or rather, what "she" does. I won't spoil anyone with my guess, but ... thanks for the rec of something I hadn't seen before.

[periwinkle27.livejournal.com]

I read this some time ago and thought it was really clever. I didn't realize who "she" was until near the end. Nice Rec.

[suenix.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the story and the link.
I have searching for my childhood's favorite
show for years.


BTW I was able to view the episodes
on a Mac by using the Firefox browser.

[st-crispins.livejournal.com]

That's good to know. I only heard people were having trouble. I will pass the info along ---thanks.