What's a Partner For?
| Fanfiction | |
|---|---|
| Title: | What's a Partner For |
| Author(s): | Rosemary C |
| Date(s): | 1982 |
| Length: | |
| Genre(s): | slash |
| Fandom(s): | Starsky & Hutch |
| Relationship(s): | |
| External Links: | What’s a Partner For? |
Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
What's a Partner For is a slash Starsky and Hutch story by Rosemary C .
It was printed in Trace Elements and is online.
The sequel is A Virgin in These Woods.
Reactions and Reviews
1982
‘What's a Partner For’ is not terrible, but it is not as finished, nor as well-characterized or complex, as its sequel, ‘A Virgin in These Woods.’ The tandem postulates a post-SR beginning fro the love affair, quickly complicated in the second story by the fact that Starsky was not the first man Hutch ever had, although his former affair, with Jack Mitchell, was so transitory and so extremely long ago, one things Starsky ought not be that concerned about it. Still, the paired stories are reasonably believable and intermittently strike a note of brilliance. [1]
‘What’s a Partner For?’ and ‘A Virgin in These Woods’ appear to be parts of the same universe. One the debit side [with the former] the technical problems run rampant. The p.o.v. switching drove me wild, the transitions are poor to non-existent and some of the sexual details are unbelievable (Starsky rims Hutch the first time they make love – hepatitis city. It’s a nice gesture, but to it the first time he sleeps with a man strikes me as highly improbable). One the credit side, the story has a lovely warm feel to it. There is a nice quality of tenderness here. A.V.I.T.W. is cooler, though more technically proficient. There is an interesting plotline concerning Hutch’s past sexual relationship with Jack Mitchell, but this needs to be more carefully explored if these stories are indeed part of the same universe. The thread should have been woven into the first tory for best effect. Again, we have two stories that are crippled by lack of work. [2]
'Trace Elements' lived up to its expectations. All five of the writers have excellent reputations and the stories represented are a prime example. 'What's a Partner For' was followed by the sequel, 'A Virgin in These Woods.' It was nice to have the sequel rather than waiting for the next issue (hint, hint) or leaving it to the reader's imagination. [3]
‘What’s a Partner For?’ was a standard post-Sweet Revenge first-timer, but with the intriguing twist that all during the … um… festivities, neither Starsky nor Hutch says a word. Rather a relief after all the talking they seem to do in other first-time stories. This story, too, suffers from a ping-pong approach to PoV, which is occasionally confusing as hell. This is followed by a postscript, long than the work which sparked it off, called ‘A Virgin in These Woods.’… I have serious trouble believing a junk-food devouring Starsky in the post-SR days; that particular shtick has been overdone and does not work as characterization. There’s another similarity between the stories in that there’s a nifty idea handled without the deftness it requires. In this one, Starsky has trouble with the term ‘gay’ as applied to himself and Starsky, with results that are interesting if somewhat predictable. Nothing really special about these pieces except Hutch’s final line in the latter: ‘We still have a long way to go.’ The authors have the right idea, and present it with reasonable competence –they just aren’t quite able to make it unique, or at least uniquely handled. [4]
2003
'What's A Partner For': I go to it when I need some heartfelt romance and emotion. [5]
2004
Now, I don't care as much for that story. I'm thinking it's because I don't like Starsky's initial reaction to leaving Hutch. Or how he couldn't handle the fact that Hutch had a love with another man prior to his meeting Starsky and practically blamed Hutch for hiding it. What else was the poor man supposed to do in those times?
- I never read the story and thought that Starsky wanted to leave Hutch. And I have read that story many, many times. My interpretation of the story is that Starsky is upset that Hutch could didn't tell him the truth, that maybe "me and thee" didn't mean everything to Hutch as it did to Starsky. But Hutch re-assures him and the story proceeds. I don't ever read anything about Starsky wanting to leave Hutch. But I will have to re-read tonight and watch for the sequence of thoughts.[6]
Post-SR, it's often believed that Hutch would be with Starsky non-stop during his recovery. Often, they're believed to be living together through this recovery. The pain of almost losing your partner, the joy of having him alive, the horror of reliving the nightmare of "what if he died" over and over and over again, coupled with the constant struggle to just get them through the day to day life is bound to cause problems and perhaps even open some doors that were locked a long time ago. [7]
Every time I see Rosemary I gush about this story. I'm not sure if it's the content of the piece or the amazing way that she presents it. I have a feeling it's mostly her style. There's something about the economy of words. I don't know how she gets so much feeling from so few words but I would love to be able to do that. Her writing is to-the-point, crisp even...but it gives the reader so much. It's funny you should mention the scene where Hutch throws up outside the Torino. That's also a favourite of mine. Not throwing up, but the emotion that led to it. Nothing that wasn't totally believable, nothing over-the-top, just sheer *fear* on Hutch's part. His reaction to almost losing his chance with Starsky is *intense* and so much the "Hutch" I know. I'm not sure the song at the end had the same effect on me, but that would be the only minuscule portion of the story that I would have changed. [8]
How do I love thee, let me count the ways....
This is one of my all time favorite Starsky & Hutch romantic stories. I was honored to meet Rosemary at ZCon at tell her how much this story affects me.
The love, the trust, the beauty of their relationship is all told through unverbal communication. While there's natural and real hesitation in the actions of Starsky and Hutch, there is no hesitation in the writing. Rosemary flows from one emotion to another, from one realization to the next. This unspoken communication says more than any written or spoken words could ever say, and more eloquently.
The bit with the Mickey Mouse nitelight is a lighthearted addition and shows not only Starsky's ability to hang onto his childlike charm, but as much normalness as possible during a trying recovery.
Waking up in each other's arms on the couch had to be uncomfortable, but Starsky only sees the beauty of being held by his partner; feels the warmth of Hutch's body and love.
Not only can you feel the love in Rosemary's words that Starsky and Hutch have for each other, but you can also feel the love that she has for them.
This is a story I've read many times, and will always remain dear to my heart. [9]
I love anything written by Rosemary...
What's A Partner For is just perfect. From Starsky watering Hutch's jungle, trying to talk to the plants like Hutch would. To Starky watching Hutch throw up outside the Torino and loving and understanding him. To Hutch singing David Soul's song to Starsky at the end of the story.
Just perfection. And I re-read it all the time too. [10]
This is my favorite Rosemary story, and one of my all-times favorites. I'll everyone some time before I dive into why I love it so much, later tonight. [11]
The beauty of her writing, combined with the aura of the scene just moves me every time. [12]
References
- ^ from S and H #37
- ^ from S and H #37
- ^ from Hanky Panky #5
- ^ from S and H #37
- ^ comment at The Pits Mailing List, quoted anonymously (December 12, 2003)
- ^ comments at The Pits Mailing List, quoted anonymously (February 9-11, 2004)
- ^ a 2004 comment at Crack Van
- ^ comment at The Pits Mailing List, quoted anonymously (February 9, 2004)
- ^ comment at The Pits Mailing List, quoted anonymously (February 9, 2004)
- ^ comment at The Pits Mailing List, quoted anonymously (February 9, 2004)
- ^ comment at The Pits Mailing List, quoted anonymously (February 9, 2004)
- ^ comment at The Pits Mailing List, quoted anonymously (August 20, 2004)