New Leverage Fic: Breaking Point

[ralkana]

I am still mulling over my impressions of last night's episodes. I'll post them either tonight or tomorrow. Short version: loved 3.03, had... issues with 3.04. Hence this fic.

SPOILERS FOR SEASON 3 UP TO 3.04, THE SCHEHERAZADE JOB! BEWARE!

Breaking Point
By Ralkana

Comments

[angelofmercy]

I think this might have to become part of my personal canon :)

[angelofmercy]

Accidentally hit post, but what I wanted to add was that I really enjoyed this and think you did a great job with the "kids" voice and did a good job pointing out the imbalance of power.

[ralkana]

Thanks! I'm glad you liked it. A lot of people discuss the whole parents/kids thing, but that does include a built-in imbalance of power. If they're seen as the kids, they're seen as less responsible, less mature, and less capable. And that's not right.

[renisanz]

Ditto on the personal canon. The ending of that episode unsettled me as well. Way to break down Hardison's confidence in himself, Nate. I wonder if there will be continuity with these issues in the next episode. I mean, just a hint of tension to acknowledge it would be nice.

But, back to your fic... Well played. I quite liked the pick up of Eliot's interaction and observation of Jane at the beginning. He was the perfect vessel to bring out how screwed up Nate's actions were. He can't keep manipulating people and then try to justify it because it's "for the job" or whatever.

[ralkana]

Thank you!

"Unsettled" is a very good word for it. I watched it, went "Hmm...", watched it again, thought about it, and went "Hmm..." some more, and this fic was born. I'm hoping we're supposed to be unsettled by it, that something is going to come of it, and that it won't just be glossed over.

Jane and Eliot came from someone's comment on John Rogers' blog, actually. Someone was saying that it wasn't right of Eliot to try and score with her, and I thought, "Waitaminute... how do we know he was?" So I thought I'd make her the (gentle) aggressor. *g*

Nate... is not a nice guy. Every time I forget that, he pulls something like this. We'll see if there's any repercussions.

[lmx_v3point3]

Thank you so much for writing this. I felt a little disgusted with Nate after the most recent episode, and with Sophie at the previous one. When dealing with people as damaged as they all are, the idea of taking their control away from them (Especially with Eliot, Sophie should understand this!!) is a really hideous thing. And after Nate was all sanctimonious with Archie.

There's something broken in the crew at the moment, and I'm not sure even Nate has noticed it. I have to wonder if this is the result of 'drunk thief Nate'.

[ralkana]

Thank you, I'm glad you liked it!

I was definitely uneasy with Sophie's actions in 3.02 (Eliot's reaction was way too mild, IMO), and then after 3.04, I thought, "Seriously? Mind control is normal with our crew now? And no one has a problem with it?"

My Eliot kinda raised his hand and said, "Um... I do..."

So I let him just go with it. *g*

And after Nate was all sanctimonious with Archie.

Thank you! That's exactly what I was thinking! I watched 3.03 and thought, "Awww... he's angry on her behalf..." and then I watched 3.04 and thought, "And exactly how are you any different, Nathan?"

Granted, they're all adults and Parker was a child, but still, he manipulated Hardison -- and went to great lengths to spell that out to him. Not right.

I'm hoping they're intentionally broken and will possibly get patched up, as opposed to being broken due to bad writing... :(

Time will tell.

[longbca]

A brilliant oneshot! Maybe write a sequal were Eliot, Hardison and Parker are all helping with the school and then Sophie shows up...and eventually Nate shows up.

[ralkana]

Thank you, I'm glad you liked it! I'll let the sequel idea percolate, and see if anything comes of it.

[elebridith]

If they ever need a season finale where they don't know if they get picked up, it should be like this. *nods* I can so seeing Eliot getting so pissed that he leaves. Pissed not only on his, but on the other's behalf as well. Nate Ford is not a nice man, to quote John Rogers, and here it showed. *smacks Nate*
Great job!

[ralkana]

Thank you! Glad you liked it!

Nate Ford is not a nice man, to quote John Rogers, and here it showed.

I keep forgetting that, and then he goes and does something like this. Usually, though, his sadistic streak comes out against the marks, not his own damn team. This, to me, felt really over the top.

I really hope we see some repercussions, and that it's not just glossed over.

[renisanz]

Oh my gosh, I love this icon. /random

[ralkana]

Pretty, ain't it? It's by eumelkeks and it's up for grabs.