In Another Life (Beauty and the Beast zine)
| Zine | |
|---|---|
| Title: | In Another Life |
| Publisher: | Martin Enterprises |
| Editor(s): | Deborah A. Martin |
| Date(s): | 1991 |
| Series?: | |
| Medium: | |
| Size: | |
| Genre: | |
| Fandom: | Beauty and the Beast/Quantum Leap |
| Language: | English |
| External Links: | |
| Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
In Another Life is a gen Beauty and the Beast/Quantum Leap crossover.
It is an alternate third season published in two issues.
While it is a crossover, the Quantum Leap elements are mostly there for the premise, rather that the characters from that show playing much of a part.
Issue 1
Another Life 1 was published in 1991 and contains 143 pages.
From the editorial:
In Another Life is sort of an alternate third season Beauty and the Beast fanzine. I personally did not find the third season entirely disagreeable, but like most, I top would have preferred that Catherine not have to die; a happy ending. I considered many possibilities for 'resurrecting' her and finally came to what is written here.
There were many possible explanations for Catherine not being 'really dead' and thus she could be reintroduced, with a plausible explanation, at the point where the third season left off. I found that scenario unsatisfying. Another possibility was simply to ignore the third season completely and start where the second season left off. Appealing, but impractical. I saw the third season, therefore, for me at least, it exists.
The natural resolution to this impasse came in the form of another television series that I am fond of: Quantum Leap. For those who are unfamiliar with the show, it is of the science fiction, time-travel genre, but not the usual fare.
[much about the premise of Quantum Leap snipped]
Having chosen Sam as the catalyst for change, I can now alter the third season without ignoring it completely. It happened, and yet it did not!
I thought a long time about who Sam should be. I considered Vincent the obvious choice, but I thought the shock of waking up as Vincent might be more than Sam's frayed mind could take. Not to mention what it would do to Vincent, in his condition. No, Joe Maxwell is the character of choice. He has the position, connections, access to information and such required to affect a rescue with Sam as Joe, knowing what the future will be, Joe is the one in the best position to change the course of events.
After the rescue story, the remainder of this zine focuses on the relationship between Catherine and Vincent. The basic storyline Above continues with only minor changes. It is referenced, but not discussed at length because you have already seen it. It is only addressed where it has changed and where it affects events Below.
Vincent told Elliot that he dreamed of another life; one where he died in Catherine's place. I dreamed of another life, too; one where both Vincent and Catherine live to share a 'happy life.' This is not a 'happy ending' story, for as we all know, true love stories have no ending.
- Prologue ("The story of what happened the night in the cavern and excerpts from Vincent's journal afterward, through Catherine's kidnapping.") (13 pages)
- Nor Lie In Death Forever -- The Rescue -- March 15, 1990 ("Sam leaps in about midway through the episode "Though Lovers Be Lost." -While Sam, as Joe, is trying to figure out why he is there, events progress as in the episode. Catherine has been kidnapped. Knowing that Diana Bennett helps solve Catherine's murder in the future, Sam goes to her for help, but Diana discovers more than just the kidnapper. Sam, aided by Joe, Al and Ziggy in the future and Diana in the present solves the case, locates Catherine and organizes the police raid that rescues her. Gabriel escapes the raid and vows to return for 'his' child. His job done, Sam leaps out and Joe returns.") (24 pages)
- Go Slowly - The Homecoming ("Catherine claims that her pregnancy is a result of a rape during her captivity to protect Vincent's identity. To escape well-meaning friends and press heralding her return, Catherine is granted time off to recover from her ordeal. She disappears to the tunnels, where Vincent is waiting to welcome her home. Vincent believes the press stories of Catherine's pregnancy and is willing to accept her rape-child, but Catherine wonders whether or not he will accept his own child. As Vincent's fragmented memories of the night in the cavern threaten to plunge him back into madness, Catherine must tell Vincent the truth or risk losing him to his dark side forever.") (42 pages)
- Evermore - The Wedding ("Catherine and Vincent are wed in a tunnel ceremony and with the exchange of vows, their bond is restored. While Joe and Diana work to bring Gabriel to justice, Gabriel orders Moreno's execution to prevent him from testifying against him. Elliot Burch, in possession of the incriminating ledger, continues his own investigation, making him a target also. Diana discover's Elliot's involvement and together they close in on Gabriel.") (36 pages)
- A Cry at Midnight - The Birth ("Vincent adjusts to married life and Catherine's baby is born in the tunnels, with Father attending and Vincent there to share the blessed event. The baby is named Jacob in the traditional tunnel welcoming ceremony. Learning of the child's birth,·Gabriel becomes obsessed with his quest to reclaim 'his' child. Gabriel discovers Elliot's investigation and tries to silence him by ruining him financially.") (22 pages)
Reactions and Reviews: Issue 1
This is an alternate 3rd season zine consisting of 4 connecting stories with a prologue that tells what happened in the cave, plus excerpts from Vincent's journal both during and after Catherine's kidnapping. As a means of rescuing Catherine from Gabriel, the author has added the crossover element of Quantum Leap as Sam 'leaps' into Joe. After her rescue, Catherine, unable to find the words to tell Vincent she is pregnant with his child, claims she was raped. Vincent is willing to accept the baby, but eventually Catherine must tell him the truth as his memories of the cave threaten his sanity. Catherine and Vincent are married and the baby is born. While they adjust to married life, Joe, Diana, and Elliot try to track Gabriel who has become obsessed with finding 'his' child. This sets the stage for Part II.[1]
Four interwoven stories create an entertaining, well-written SND, alternate 3rd season storyline. Dr. Sam Beckett of Quantum Leap borrows Joe Maxwell's persona to help Diana save Catherine's life, then “leaps out.” One broad stretch of the reader's imagination occurs when Catherine, unable to find a way to tell Vincent of her pregnancy, at first allows him to think it's the result of rape by Gabriel (?!?). As their relationship strengthens, she shares the truth. They marry, and the zine culminates with Jacob's birth. Interestingly, almost all the events of the televised 3rd season seem to come to pass- Moreno's death, Diana's involvement with the case-but for different reasons. Now has an attractive cover by Su Abbott.[2]
Issue 2
Another Life 2 was published in November 1991 and contains 232 pages.
The front cover is by Susan Abbott. It has three interior illos by an unidentified artist.
- Heaven's Weep - The Betrayal ("Elliot betrays Catherine to Gabriel. Gabriel offers the ruined Elliot everything he wants, if he will betray Catherine. Elliot agrees, but at the last minute can't go through with the plan and is shot protecting Catherine from Gabriel's men. Father rescues Catherine and the baby.") (52 pages)
- Snowstorm - The Assassin ("Gabriel sends Snow to kill Vincent. Seeing Vincent as the source of all of his failures, Gabriel sends the assassin, Snow, to kill Vincent and he is nearly successful when Vincent is forced to surrender himself to save Catherine and Jacob.") (28 pages)
- A Time for Us - The Consummation ("Diana meets Vincent. With Catherine recovered from childbirth and Vincent recovered from his injuries, they finally consummate their relationship. Believing the only way she will ever be free from Gabriel is to bring him to justice, Catherine returns to work, leaving a worried Vincent to take care of the baby. Diana discovers the tunnels and meets Vincent.") (52 pages)
- Dark Night - The Secret ("Rolley returns, Vincent is trapped Above. Rolley comes Below for help after being wounded in a robbery attempt. A drug addict, Father must not only treat his wounds, but also his addiction. Vincent, angered by what drugs have done to him, destroys and illegal drug lab owned by Gabriel. Caught in the lab explosion, an unconscious Vincent is trapped Above and Diana must locate him and bring him home.") (54 pages)
- Aftermath - The Beginning ("Gabriel's death; Joe meets Vincent. The lab links Gabriel to his crimes and the DA's office closes the noose on him, crushing his empire; but Gabriel himself escapes. Broken and on the run, Gabriel comes Below to hunt and kill Vincent personally. Among Gabriel's effects, confiscated by the DA's office as evidence is the video tape of Vincent. Joe wants to organize a massive search for the creature and Catherine is forced to reveal Vincent's secrets, and her own, to save him from the manhunt.") (46 pages)
from issue #2
from issue #2
from issue #2
Reactions and Reviews: Issue 2
The saga from Volume I continues. As Catherine and Vincent adjust to married life and parenthood, Catherine soon finds herself drawn Above to help solve her case. Events of the 3rd season, as put forth in the series, are loosely followed. Diana discovers the Tunnels and Vincent but vows to keep his secret and help capture Gabriel. Gabriel tries to kill Vincent and kidnap Jacob after Snow's attempt fails. Catherine is forced to confide in Joe when he recovers Gabriel's video tape of Vincent after the police raid on Gabriel's mansion fails. Elliot and Rolley also appear.[3]
In further alternate 3rd season developments, Catherine (rescued in IAL-1) now lives in the tunnels with Vincent and Jacob. Diana and Elliot help thwart the surviving Gabriel, who's determined to find Jacob....or kill him. There are interesting discussions of the dark side of Vincent's nature, though he's generally portrayed here as shy, hesitant, unsure of himself, and often hurt and in need of rescue and comforting. Catherine and Diana take the initiative in making things happen. Besides the central plot, incidents with Jenny and Joe provide variety; V/C cherish Jacob and consider having another child, and have a happy Halloween excursion. Some V/C sex, one instance revealing that Vincent really likes fuzzy nightwear...for Catherine. Another demonstrates the drawbacks of condoms for someone with claws on his thumbs. This is married sex-humorous, comfortable, and accustomed, not dramatically romantic. Though a lot is lifted directly from 3rd season episodes, there's enough new material, and the series' events are altered or rearranged enough, that even those familiar with 3rd season should find this pleasant reading. The attractive cover is by Su Abbott.[4]
References
- ^ from the The Beauty and the Beast Buyer's Guide to Fanzines
- ^ Helpers' Network Quality Fanzine Review -- 1997, Archived version
- ^ from the The Beauty and the Beast Buyer's Guide to Fanzines
- ^ Helpers' Network Quality Fanzine Review -- 1997, Archived version