Polarity

Fanfiction
Title:	Polarity
Author(s):	Brenda Antrim (glacis)
Date(s):
Length:	11,181 words
Genre(s):	slash
Fandom(s):	The Sentinel
Relationship(s):
External Links:	Polarity at AO3
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Polarity is a Jim/Blair story by Brenda Antrim.

Reactions and Reviews

Brenda Antrim's Polarity is not for those who shy away from mention of underage sex, especially underage prostitution. But if this doesn't put you off, then please do check out this wonderfully wrought story of how Blair's past resurfaces during the investigation of a case. What I most appreciate about Polarity is its authentic, unflinching, non-moralistic exploration of "the life." Brenda leaves it up to us to ponder how young is too young, whether prostitution is inherently harmful, what constitutes consent, and other such questions. It makes for quite an interesting read.

Why this must be read:

Because it's a gray world out there, and more than one world view. In this story by a very prolific and long time author (she's written under several names) Blair made some decisions as a vulnerable and lonely, and broke, teen college student. It almost ended in disaster for him, but he skated by, leaving him with one of those “But for the grace of God” realizations.

Now, eleven years later, a case is given to Major Crime that brings back those memories, and Blair has a new decision to make. Should he keep quiet or tell Jim and Simon about his past and how it ties into their current case? One thing he knows for sure: Jim is not going to like or agree with Blair's reasons for that long ago decision.

On a personal note, I was asked to make the same decision as Blair made when I was a broke college student. I chose differently, but I did consider it, and it was a great values clarification exercise. Glacis explores Blair's reasons for saying yes, and Jim's for not agreeing with him. And as a reader, I had to think it through to decide if I agreed with Blair, or with Jim. There was a lot of tension as I read to see if this case was going to break them apart or bring them closer.