The Manipulation of Julian Bashir
| Star Trek DS9 Fanfiction | |
|---|---|
| Title: | The Manipulation of Julian Bashir |
| Author(s): | The Tystie |
| Date(s): | April 11, 2015 |
| Length: | 218,339 words, 34 chapters |
| Genre: | Gen, Canon Divergence AU, Angst |
| Fandom: | Star Trek: Deep Space Nine |
| External Links: | Fanfiction.net |
Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
The Manipulation of Julian Bashir is a novel-length Star Trek: Deep Space Nine fanfiction by The Tystie. The fanfiction was posted on Fanfiction.net in 2015, although the second wave of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine fandom is generally more active on tumblr and Archive of Our Own. The fic is fairly popular regardless and has been recced and reviewed on other websites.
As of August 2020, The Manipulation of Julian Bashir has over 300 reviews and 150 faves on fanfiction.net and is the second-most reviewed fanfic for the Star Trek: DS9 fandom.
The story focuses on a deviation from canon in season five, where Julian Bashir has to fight a legal and PR battle to retain his medical license. Most of The Manipulation of Julian Bashir takes place on Earth, which is less common for Star Trek fanworks. The story also portrays a strong platonic relationship between Julian Bashir and Benjamin Sisko, with some elements of hurt/comfort.
Reactions & Reviews
On Fanfiction.net
[Danielle Harwood (2016)] "Doctor Bashir, I Presume" has always been one of my favourite episodes of DS9. From the moment I spotted your story, it promptly hijacked the rest of my day. It was intriguing and disturbing, so much so I had to read it all in one sitting.In many ways I emphaise with Dr Bashir's plight, his difficulties in socialising, something I have always found so hard to master myself. It also disgusts me that there is a preception about intelligence being dangerous, which exists both now, and in Starfleet's future. It seems to be a crime to be smart, and that this will continue to be so, is disturbing, particularly in Starfleet culture, who claim to hold principles of tolerance, and turn out to be just as flawed and racist as society is today.
That this reached a sort of hopeful conclusion, though that may be an optimistic view, Dr Bashir still has a long journey ahead of him in his fight for himself and others like him, made me want to review, and to record this as one of my favorite stories. I have enjoyed reading it, as difficult as it has been to read, because of how it touched me personally and generally, with regards to my views on tolerance, and society.[1]
[DoubleNatural (2017)] Bloody hell. I've been reading fanfic since forever, and I can count on the fingers of 1 hand the stories that have engaged me with a stunningly well written and plotted story of this length. Like, I can name them. You just made that list. It has taken me several all-nighters to finish this bad boy. Loved every chapter. Loved the father/son dynamic with Bashir and Sisko. Loved the well drawn, complex, multiple baddies. So much delicious hurt wrapped up in comfort. God this was a good one. Bravo.[2]
[mb (2017)] Reading this story is a time like this is sobering but hopeful. I cried when it got to the party and Julian saw just how many people love and support him. The trials, the conspiracies, the hatred, all if it was harrowing but real. I greatly appreciate this story after doing a rewatch of Star Trek series throughout this year and questioning the Federation and Starfleet, especially after the reveal of Julian's situation (which seemed brushed off). I was SO HAPPY that Fischer was arrested. It's a drop in the pail of the over all problem but it gave me gratification. I hope wherever you are right now, you are safe and loved and not suffering as your characters have suffered and that people like Julian continue to fight and believe in their worth, value, and agency as people and humans.[2]
On Twitter
""The manipulation of Julian Bashir" is one such [good] story that comes to mind. Covers societal prejudices against a minority, bioethics and a really good story. Genre: Science fiction."[3]@Mysticvean
"I have never read any Trek fic, tie-in novel or even episode that took on the Federation hypocrisy that this +200,000 word story does. It builds out Julian's neuroses about his life that we get glimpses of in the show, the Sisko family is an amazing support system."[4]@sleepygeeky
On Other Websites
"y’all i found an amazing novel length ds9 fic on ffn set in an AU where starfleet and the federation aren’t so cool with julian bashir being augmented and follows him on earth during the political and cultural fallout.there’s twists, carefully thought out plots, emotional nuance. it looks at the toll a lifetime of hiding and his upbringing did to julian. if you love sisko and love sisko being captain dad and looking out for his people while trying to navigate political bullshit this is for you." [5]
borgjaneway on tumblr
This is a fic where Julian Bashir isn't accepted easily back into society after the news of his genetic enhancements breaks. The majority of the story takes place on Earth, which is an interesting departure from standard Trek fare. The writing is simple but strong. The pacing is amazing and I read through the whole fic in one day. This is a really good fic to read if you enjoy emotionally vulnerable protagonists or discrimination metaphors.[6]error_cascade on Ficdb
"Before Ezri shows up in season 7, there are only a couple of vague references to a counselor named Telnorri in connection to the amount of trauma O'Brien suffers. We're never even given his species.
So I'm making Telnorri a thing. I'm cribbing a bit from having met him in other fanfics like "The Manipulation of Julian Bashir" although other tales have gone other directions--I highly recommend zaan's "The Incarceration of Elim Garak," which has a holographic counseling program. But we'll meet Telnorri soon and I will feel much better knowing that at least somebody on that damn station is getting therapy."[7]
From the author's notes of Until I Remember It's You
"This relatively recent novel-length (2015 on ff.net) is one of the best DS9 fics -- or Star Trek fics -- I have ever read. It is virtually ALL about Bashir's backstory, with the genetic manipulation, the Federation and Earth's stance on it, etc. And on top of it, there is superb world-building (of Earth!!!) and the deepest, best depiction of Benjamin Sisko I have ever seen. Also the most incredible Bashir ever. Seriously! One thing I will mention is that this is not a Garak/Bashir story. Garak makes a cameo, that's it. But anyway... JUST READ IT!"[8]wcdarling
"On of the best (if not THE best) Julian Bashir stories I've ever read: 'The Manipulation of Julian Bashir' by The Tystie"[9]
References
- ^ Page Five of Reviews, Archived version (Accessed July 30, 2020)
- ^ a b c Page four of reviews, Archived version (Accessed July 30, 2020)
- ^ @Mysticvean. Tweet, Jul 31, 2019. Archived from the original on Feb 21, 2021.
- ^ @sleepygeeky. Tweet, Oct 8, 2019. Archived from the original on Feb 21, 2021.
- ^ A rec by borgjaneway on tumblr, Archived version (Archived July 30, 2020)
- ^ Dead Link Review was sourced from the now-defunct Ficdb. There is no archived version.
- ^ Until I Remember It's You on AO3 (Accessed August 1, 2020)
- ^ May I Come In?, Archived version Review is in the author's notes of this fanfiction, listed as a partial inspiration. (Accessed August 1, 2020)
- ^ Deleted User. ST: Deep Space Nine Story Recs, Archived version on allkindsofeverything.boards.net. (Accessed August 1, 2020)