Echo (Professionals story)
| Fanfiction | |
|---|---|
| Title: | Echo |
| Author(s): | Ellis Ward |
| Date(s): | 1990 |
| Length: | |
| Genre(s): | slash |
| Fandom(s): | The Professionals |
| Relationship(s): | Bodie/Doyle |
| External Links: | online here online at AO3 |
Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
Echo is a Bodie/Doyle story by Ellis Ward.
It was published in Chalk and Cheese #7 and is online.
This story has a sequel called Broadcast Difficulties.
Reactions and Reviews
2008
Not being at all into AU Prosfic for ages, it took me a relatively long time to read these two stories, but ohhhh - when I did!They're science fiction alternative universe stories, where Bodie is a mercenary spacer, and Doyle a restless part-alien who has become caught up in one planet's justice system. For reasons of his own Bodie buys his bond, effectively taking him on as a slave for the specific time period. Of course, this is Bodie and Doyle... *g*
The best thing about these stories are that they are Bodie and Doyle! And not in a stereo-typed "Doyle-is-very-moral-Bodie-is-a-hardhearted-merc-who-just-needs-a-bit-of-love kind of way - I can actually hear Bodie and Doyle speaking the words that they do in these stories, and I can see them move throughout the paragraphs. Ellis Ward has done a brilliant job, I think, of keeping them in character. They're sharp, and funny and looking out for each other without getting all vocal and emotional about it - perfect!
There are a few original characters too - including the wonderful sfangi - that are very well done. The writing is so natural that I can imagine where the lads are, and I have their world safely in the back of my mind from the bits and pieces that we're told of it. There's no big explain-y paragraphs - the author assumes that we know the world already, thus bringing us closer to the characters, at the same time managing to sketch in the details that make us feel like we know the world too!
And ohhhh for the closeness of our lads, in this story! Even before they're partnered (well, you know they're going to be, in one way or another!), they've got the same pull to them that they do on screen. How can it not be alright when they've got that going for them? It's a melt-y fic, for me - and oh, there's lots of lovely extra-hot-melty moments too... *g*
It's not about the science fiction, that's totally incidental - it's about the lads. And that, I reckon, is your perfect AU story right there... *g* [1]
I love these two stories. Well, I love all her stories, so no surprise there. The sfangi is wonderful, isn't it? By the end of the first story, I couldn't imagine the ship without it. But then I love AU's. And maybe because I also love science fiction, these two stories became favorites from the first time I read them.[2]
Oh, I loved these two stories when I read them too! Then again, I've adored every single one of Ellis Ward's works, so... *biased grin* She does capture the lads perfectly, doesn't she? I did prefer 'Echo' a smidge more than 'Broadcast Difficulties', though, but on the whole they were both marvelous delights to read.[3]
They're fab, aren't they - so glad you liked them! *vbg* I agree with you about Echo - I supposer partly it's setting the scene more, getting the lads together and all, so... it has more... purpose, somehow? But the sequel is good fun too, and... yes, totally delights! *g* [4]
I suppose partly it's setting the scene more, getting the lads together and all, so... it has more... purpose, somehow? I think that was why I preferred the first to the second, actually - because it seemed to be moving towards something. The second one just seemed sort of there, for all the mystery of the sfangi and Cowley, if you know what I mean? All the same, though, still two very enjoyable reads. In fact, I was going to re-read 'Harlequin Airs' tonight, but I think I'll switch it to 'Echo' instead. *g* [5]
Yes, you've nailed the hammer on the head! *g* It's like... Broadcast Difficulties needs just a bit... more... Still manages to be gorgeous though, even without "more"![6]
These two stories were some of the first I read in Pros and I also enjoyed them very much. I'm always full of admiration for writers who can create new worlds and cultures that are completely believable without needing to go into pages and pages of explanation. Is Ellis Ward writing in Pros again, then? That's wonderful - I devoured her stories when I discovered the fandom and I still think she's one of the best.[7]
I love both these stories (though admittedly I prefer the first one over the second). Ellis Ward has got to be one of Pros' finest writers. Her AUs are just as strong as those stories of hers that cling more closely to canon. Awesome stuff.[8]
I haved always adored AUs, the melding of canon, fanon, imagination and talent has meant that my book-buying budget is almost totally geared towards recs/tie-ins/hints from my fandom/s. E and BD were in the first 10 or so Pros fics I read, an affirmation that I should continue.I understand that some people don't like AUs, but for the reasons above, I think they enhance and extend the characters/stories set in the original 'verse (and supply loads of reading fun), so I'm forward to reading more, and re-reading the others, to see the little pieces of inside jokes and asides that add that extra gloss.
And as a long-term SF/SFF reader, E and BD could hardly miss *g* [9]
I downloaded Echoes to take away with me this weekend. My return flight got delayed so I spent a wonderful time sipping lattes and reading it at the airport on my laptop. Never imagined I would love something this sci-fi, but I really should have known better because we are talking about Ellis Ward here. So thank you so, so much for the rec. I would never have taken a chance on this if you hadn't enthused about it here. I loved Echoes and agree with everything you've said about it. Nothing huge and explain-y, the sfangi is a wonderful creation, and they are still so much the lads. Am skipping off to Broadcast Difficulties tonight.[10]
They're ever so good, aren't they! And quite right - Silence of the Knives (by Jane), another SF AU story, could turn me right off the whole genre, but then Suitable Gravity (by DVS), Echo and Broadcast Difficulties would bring me right back into love again![11]
I'm a life-long science fiction and fantasy fan, so both of these were a joy to read. I was a bit disappointed by Broadcast Difficulties, though, because it just seemed to, I don't know, trail away a little? I was expecting something more conclusive as an ending; in fact, I kept checking to make sure I'd down-loaded the whole story. but Echo is wonderful, start to finish.[12]
I agree that Broadcast Difficulties seems a bit not-quite-there compared to Echo, but I wouldn't throw it out of bed either... *g*[13]
I recently read "Echo" on the back of this rec, and I loved, loved, loved it!It's the most extraordinarily brilliant and gorgeous story and has gone straight into this AU lover's Top 3, *g*.
I'm so glad there is more to come with the sequel, which I'll be reading as soon as I've finished my current zine.[14]
2010
AU and SF, but deals almost entirely with the developing relationship between Bodie and Doyle. It's a good read. [15]
2011
Why this must be read:Sci/Fi – fantasy shouldn't work for 80's lads out of England but for some reason it really does. In many shape and forms, Bodie and Doyle find themselves in many times and places. . . brilliantly. This author is a master at the lad's voices and you hear them even though Doyle is half alien. I love this author, her attention to little details that are integral aspects of Bodie and Doyle fit in seamlessly into this foreign world. Jump in for an adventure that captures the lads as well as your attention. [16]
Sci/Fi – fantasy shouldn't work for 80's lads out of England but for some reason it really does. In many shape and forms, Bodie and Doyle find themselves in many times and places. . . brilliantly. This author is a master at the lad's voices and you hear them even though Doyle is half alien. I love this author, her attention to little details that are integral aspects of Bodie and Doyle fit in seamlessly into this foreign world. Jump in for an adventure that captures the lads as well as your attention.[17]
References
- ^ 2008 comments at CI5hq, where it was reviewed with Broadcast Difficulties; reference link
- ^ 2008 comments at CI5hq, where it was reviewed with Broadcast Difficulties
- ^ 2008 comments at CI5hq, where it was reviewed with Broadcast Difficulties
- ^ 2008 comments at CI5hq, where it was reviewed with Broadcast Difficulties
- ^ 2008 comments at CI5hq, where it was reviewed with Broadcast Difficulties
- ^ 2008 comments at CI5hq, where it was reviewed with Broadcast Difficulties
- ^ 2008 comments at CI5hq, where it was reviewed with Broadcast Difficulties
- ^ 2008 comments at CI5hq, where it was reviewed with Broadcast Difficulties
- ^ 2008 comments at CI5hq, where it was reviewed with Broadcast Difficulties
- ^ 2008 comments at CI5hq, where it was reviewed with Broadcast Difficulties
- ^ 2008 comments at CI5hq, where it was reviewed with Broadcast Difficulties
- ^ 2008 comments at CI5hq, where it was reviewed with Broadcast Difficulties
- ^ 2008 comments at CI5hq, where it was reviewed with Broadcast Difficulties
- ^ 2008 comments at CI5hq, where it was reviewed with Broadcast Difficulties
- ^ from alicambsrecs (2010))
- ^ comment at Crack Van (September 8, 2011)
- ^ Echo by Ellis Ward, a review by krisserci5 of Ellis Ward's Echo was posted to crack van on September 8, 2011: