Diving in Too Deep

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The Professionals Fanfiction
Title: Diving in Too Deep
Author(s): Kate Nuernberg
Date(s): 1988
Length:
Genre:
Fandom: The Professionals
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Diving in Too Deep is a Professionals story by Kate Nuernberg.

It is the eighth part of Mr. Doyle's Neighborhood Universe.

It was published in British Takeaway #3.

"Overall GEN. Some readers, however, perceive a slashy feel in this particular story." [1]

Reactions and Reviews

1989

I was glad to see Ray face that room again, and also glad that Bodie needed to come back, needed Doyle when things got rough at work.[2]

And so to Mr. Doyle's Neighborhood, I'm glad you are continuing to write in this alternate universe - it's part of my reason for continuing to get B1 (though not the only one). The first story, Diving In Too Deep shows well how in spite of Doyle officially being no longer Bodie's partner, Bodie still relies on him for emotional support, rather than his new partner, Susan. ...Your Mr. Doyle's Neighborhood stories seem to me to show the gradual development of an emotional relationship which might or might not spill over into something more physical. Ideally, I'd like to see Bodie move in with Doyle into Surbiton,

even if not necessarily his partner again, but I'm a sucker for a romantic relationship. Forgive me, please, if I've read more into your series than you' ve intended - it's just the way they come across to me. And your illo of Bodie opp. page 56 (drool, drool!) [3]

Diving in Too Deep and Land of Confusion were wonderful, in the tradition of the Mr. Doyle's Neighborhood series. Hard to pinpoint the good bits, there were so many; what sticks with me is the sense of REALITY, the feeling that, yes, this is how these people would actually behave. Doyle's desperate need to be an agent, in effect a whole person, again; Bodie's fears for his friend's safety; the tightrope act Cowley is doing, trying to use Doyle to best advantage for CI5 as well as do what's best for the lad himself; very, very good stuff. Perhaps it's the sense of accurate psychology that makes it so satis fying. There are no easy answers to any of the prob lems, no straightforward speeches in which one char acter reassures another and makes everything all right. Real life ain't like that, and neither is this series! Another attraction is the always subtle, underlying hints that much of what Doyle is going through is an echo, a reprise of things that happened to Cowley thirty years before. This leaves me, at least, intensely curious as to just how Cowley DID cope with his disability, especially when he gives one of his concise statements about what sorts of things Doyle can do; for instance, that he can be too careless, too cautious, or find the appropriate mid dle ground and do the job right. Just what sort of experience is Cowley speaking from? That he IS speaking from experience is perfectly clear. The reality enters into it when we realize that Cowley's not apt to give away any details! In most situations that's not part of his personality, or his relationship with his subordinates; but it sure makes for fascinating speculation! So, the stories stick in my mind, which is one of the highest compliments a reader can make. [4]

References

  1. ^ from The Hatstand
  2. ^ from Ruth Kurz, comments from The Hatstand Express #17 (1988), also printed in full in British Takeaway #4
  3. ^ from an LOC in British Takeaway #4
  4. ^ from an LOC in British Takeaway #4