Dreamweaver (Star Trek: TOS story by Christopher Randolph)

Also see Dream Weaver.

Fanfiction
Title:	Dreamweaver
Author(s):	Christopher Randolph
Date(s):	1978
Length:
Genre(s):	slash
Fandom(s):	Star Trek: TOS
Relationship(s):	Kirk/Spock
External Links:
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Dreamweaver is a Kirk/Spock story by Christopher Randolph.

It was illustrated by Amy Harlib.

It was published in Naked Times #1.

This story has a sequel called The Best Laid Plans.

Summary

"This is the story of Christine Chapel and what happens when she brings a seemingly innocuous looking "cube" aboard the Enterprise. The "dreamweaver" does indeed manifest dreams, but with a certain inattention to the wishes of the dreamer."

From the flyer: "Nurse Christine Chapel gets hers in more ways than one. But not exactly as she might have wanted it! A short story which certainly goes to prove that it just doesn't pay to pick up 'souveniers' on just any old deserted planet, with a twist ending guaranteed to raise eyebrows!"

Reactions and Reviews

1978

"Dreamweaver" by Christopher Randolph is interesting for its view of Christine Chapel, considering that the Vulcan-loving nurse is a character many fans openly dislike. In this story, all of her weaknesses are brought into play-- she is a vacuous, love-sick romantic ~ he disregards orders and common sense by collecting curiosities of unknown origin from various planets. One of her little treasures, which she believes to be an inanimate object, turns her dream of a romantic tryst with Spock into an ugly encounter of the worst kind. If you dislike Nurse Chapel, you may feel she gets what she deserves in this story, but if you're a Christine fan -- or a feminist -- you'll probably think she is badly used. The writing is excellent, however, and Spock, making the best of a bad situation, is allowed both his dignity and logic.

1979

When I came to DREAMWEAVER I executed a full stop. How, this is unusual. I have never seen a K/S tale that is indisputably by a male. In view of the fact that the overwhelming majority of fan writers are women this should not be so peculiar, nevertheless, my hat's off to Christopher Randolph. I suspect that men in fandom who can understand what the K/S genre's about and fully accept it are very few indeed. One thing about DREAMWEAVER bothered me, though. If Kirk is half awake, wouldn't he notice the wounds left by Christine and ask how they got there? Also, if they made love later on, there could be no avoiding the issue. I think not dealing with Kirk's reaction detracted from the story. Would he join in the conspiracy of silence or would he (more likely) wrestle himself painfully on the matter? How would this affect his relationship with Spock. I would have liked to see Christopher answer some of these questions.

I also liked the way Randolph handled the K/S theme in DREAMWEAVER. This is also one of the few times I've felt a sympathy for Chapel — her love, her delusion, her very real hurt (psychological) and the hopelessness of the whole situation whether or not one subscribes to the K/S notion.

I also object to the violence in DREAMWEAVER, but if that's what the author wants to write I guess that's his concern. Somehow Teri White's violence came over better (except on page 67, where she has Bones suggest throwing a human woman to Spock in pon farr. Why would that be better?) Perhaps her 'violence' is easier to accept because it is a built-in character 'flaw' (yes, any violence is a flaw) whereas in DREAMWEAVER it was imposed by external forces.

DREAMWEAVER — Chilling tale of sadism and rape. I would have been totally repelled if it hadn't been for the suspicion that there was some reason for this. There was. But I really wonder whether Spock's not actually being more cruel in reigniting Christine's hope — when none really exists — for a deeper personal relationship between them.

2001

Spock rapes Christine Chapel while under the influence of a cube which she'd picked up on some planet.

I don't question the fact that Spock can be controlled, you only have to look at 'Plato's Stepchildren', but I do question the way the author portrays Spock as someone who enjoys hurting people, who enjoys inflicting pain. Spock isn't Henoch, nor did a full personality transfer take place. Unless cruelty is inherent in Spock, I don't see how it could be brought to the surface.