The Center Cannot Hold
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| Fanfiction | |
|---|---|
| Title: | The Center Cannot Hold |
| Author(s): | Iris Wilde |
| Date(s): | Nov 1998 |
| Length: | 26,000 words |
| Genre(s): | gen |
| Fandom(s): | Sentinel |
| Relationship(s): | |
| External Links: | The Center Cannot Hold |
Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
The Center Cannot Hold is a Sentinel story by Iris Wilde.
Reactions and Reviews
Blair Sandburg is, at heart, a gentle man. He is not a wimp nor a coward and fights when he must. But the character we have seen on the show is not a man who embraces violence. In this story, Iris very effectively puts Blair in a situation where he has no choice but defend himself. With lethal force.The story has it's share of action and Sentinel-esque drama that made the show so well known among its fans but it has the same heart and gives Blair's struggle an honest look. In turn, we get a damn good look at Jim's view of it. The pain of watching a friend struggle out of an extremely dark place.
This story is made all the more incredible by the fact it was the first story Iris ever wrote in the Sentinel fandom.[1]
A long and truly superior H/C drama, you'd never know this was Iris's first fan fiction story by the wonderful characterizations of Jim and Blair, uncannily true to their characters on the show. The premise of Blair shooting another person has been approached in a few other stories, but in my opinion never as well-written as by this talented author. It is full of vivid scenes, witty tension-breakers, and touchable emotion as the two men work through the difficult aftermath without ever abandoning each other. A wonderful story and a must-read. This has all the markings of a classic TS fanfic piece.[2]
If you are looking for guilt in the giant economy size, you've come to the right place. Jim is investigating a serial killer whose violence and frequency are escalating. He feels guilty he hasn’t been able to capture him. Then, something happens to Blair and the guilt starts in full force, and not just with Jim. This was her first story and it’s well-rounded (a case to solve, medical and psychological info, and relationships explored) and well-written.[3]
I suppose I have a problem with this story because I'm not so sure that Blair would be so psyched out by having killed someone in self-defence - which is the whole point of the story, so that's definitely a problem! I gather it's a popular idea, I'll just have to try to avoid those stories. But otherwise, it was a very good story! I'm glad it didn't go the usual way of revenges.[4]
References
- ^ from 2004 comments at Crack Van (Dreamwidth copy)
- ^ from Best of Sentinel Fanfiction on the Web
- ^ 2010 Rec 50
- ^ by Kathryn A at Katspace