The aim of this document is to detail the differences between this reader and the writer of the fanfic story titled 'A Confidante for Kara'.

This section describes the reader, writer, and story. Note that this document is written by the reader and thus is biased.

Reader

Name: npower1

I am a relative newcomer to reading fanfic. My previous experience of reading fiction is via books, entirely modern fiction. Over several years I averaged 5 completed books per week, all supplied from libraries. Since I reside in the UK I had free access. Hence I was never in the position of feeling obliged to finish a book because I'd paid for it.

Of the books taken home from the library 30-40% were returned without being completely read. Although undefined the completed books fell into the general categories of 'readable', 'good', 'excellent', 'recommendable'.

Writer

Name: Sue Denim

In the context of this document the writer has written this story for the pleasure she gets from creative production, as well as the creative changes made resulting from interactive feedback.

(Not a good description, but close I hope.)

Story Outline

Two aliens, unexposed, with extraordinary abilities, living on Earth. One, CK, has a close (that is full origin and ability disclosure) relationship with a native. The other, named Kara as in the title of the story, wishes to have (needs to have) their own close relationship with a native, someone independent of the CK's close relationships. The story explores Kara's attempt at developing such a relationship whilst the CK/native relationship is going through unexpected change.

Critical Review

As a stand alone story it is an original idea. It is well executed; the way the story is told draws the reader in, the ratio of action scenes to emotional scenes (and the overlapping of such) moves the story along at the just the right pace. The writing flows and gives the ideal level of the characters thoughts behind their words and actions to make the reader part of their world (whether alien or Earthling).

My Categorisation

Recommend

but with comments.

This story is told within a very specific, but widely known, fictional setting. Only a very limited awareness of this fictional setting is needed to cause the story to be a recommend. I have too much knowledge of this fictional setting to judge its appeal to anyone with no prior knowledge.

Bad Reactions

So, why did I react to the last part of the story with 'no, you can't write that, its all wrong'? Or as I originally wrote 'this is a cop out'.

Hidden Agendas

This story is set in time such that the fictional background has a long history, and a future history that has already been set in stone (via the SV TV show).

Many other fanfic stories have been placed in similar time frames. All of them have created new time lines i.e. they have been written such that the future of the fictional setting is likely to differ from the 'set in stone' future.

The author of this story had the aim that the happenings described would not have any affect on the 'set in stone' future. This is a story that just happens to occur off screen, or sometimes just hidden from the viewer via the device of describing the thoughts behind the on screen action.

The character development within this story is such that future thoughts and actions will be affected hence the 'set in stone' future must change i.e. a new time line has been created.

(I re watched Action, Lara, and Wrath to check this. Its possible that A Confidante for Kara would not affect Action and Lara, but Wrath would most certainly be changed.)

“Chloe, my cousin… he tries too hard to pretend he’s something he’s not. But deep down, he knows. He knows exactly who you are, and that he can’t do anything without you. It’s not just his thing. It’s your thing too.”

Is Chloe going to forget this statement? You may have written the words 'hocus pocus' coming from Chloe's lips but you didn't supply the thoughts behind the words. As you have shown elsewhere in this story the thoughts can be more important than the words. Chloe isn't going to throw away the handcuffs or forget Kara's words. They will affect her reactions in the future whether she wants them to or not.

I suggest that it is impossible to write a substantial interlude between any two episodes that will not affect the future, and there for would mean that SV is following a different time line.

(I wonder if you will agree with this, or just see it as a challenge.)

In summary, the ending using MM to reset as much as possible works if the future as a result of this story is not considered. I would propose that the majority of readers will not have thought about the potential consequences of this ending which explains the majority view that the ending is good.

Philosophical Reasons

I have two further reasons for questioning the use of MM.

CK/Chloe Relationship

This story has been written under the 'Chloe and Clark' sub forum. Within this context the future is seen as containing an ongoing Chloe/Clark intimate relationship. No doubt, every one sees this relationship differently. My personal view is that Superman is not just a future CK but is a manifestation of the Chloe/Clark conjunction. This should not be tainted by outside manipulation, it should occur naturally (or as naturally as an alien/meta-human relationship can be).

(I know I am mixing reality, sci-fi, and fictional story telling but the one thing I don't make a claim to is my sanity.)

MM as Cannon

I don't know if MM is part of the Superman cannon or if he is just part of the SV version. I don't need to know. His appearances in SV have not always given the impression that he is a 'good' guy. His interventions often appear to be too little too late e.g. too many deaths in Seattle before he acts, only taking action after a wraith has invaded CK's mind, failure when confronting the Phantom in Qubec, allowing Lionel to go his own way resulting in CK almost killing Lionel. Those are the practical reasons for doubting both his intentions and his abilities. So, my view of MM in SV is that the writers of SV use MM as a 'cop-out'.

Then there is the philosophical reason for wanting him gone from Superman's future. Superman is the ultimate hero, the savior of the world. MM's abilities gives him power over and above CK. The ending of S7 is all about not allowing a human to have control of CK. Why should a mercenary be allowed that power.

Putting this into other words gives the following result. CK is on a journey to become the hero, Superman, who does not have a guardian angel, who cannot appeal to a higher authority, and, maybe more importantly, cannot be seen to appeal to a higher authority.

Guardian angels may be there during childhood, steering you away from grave mistakes, saving you from your own errors, but as adulthood beckons you have to take full responsibility. As Jonathon Kent used to say you have to live with the consequences of your decisions.

(This could be your next assignment. Having made MM a central, necessary character in Confidante the sequel to Confidante is Chloe/CK recognising the potential damaging effects of MM and finding a way to neutralise him.)

Specific remarks related to Sue Denim's post 167 at 04.35.

Yes, I did enjoy your story.It was a joy to read before, during, and after my unexpected reaction. Hopefully I have explained that reaction above.

It was good to see how you developed the story. Always fascinating to get an insight into an authors workings.

I simply did not like the fact that there might be a character out there I was afraid to write, so, when prompted, I accepted the challenge

Please refer to

for another prompt.

I am happy to have read your 41000 words. Hopefully what I have written above shows that 'cop out' reaction, although poorly worded, was in no way a personal insult.

I'm not sure, well no, I'm certain, that you cannot attribute MM with the ability to see CK/Lana as bad, CK/Chloe good.I suspect we will have to agree to disagree on this unless what I have written above sways you.

I'm not sure I agree with the idea that Chloe would lose Gabe's support since the handcuff/bracelet is unique, but this a most esoteric point so won't argue with you.

As you quite rightly point out I do see the Chloe/CK bond as a welcome, necessary part of the final SV story, even if it has to be told via fanfics rather than the TV series. As such I can trace this bond back to S1E3 - Chloe is trapped in a fire, she doesn't should for 'help', she shouts for 'Clark'.

And a final comment on Chloe learning about her ability. I see her encounter with braniac in S7E20 as a major learning experience - no need for your MM/Chloe teaching scene..

Hopefully I have explained the reasoning behind my 'cop out' terminology in sufficient detail for you to take away a positive message.

Let me know if you wish any further discussion.

(Note on layout of this document - not as good as I planned, needs work which it probably won't get.)