Richie & Connor

[brightknightie]

Every hlh_shortcuts, certain thought trends seem to emerge through the stories, particular themes or questions or canon moments that pop up independently in multiple unrelated, unalike stories that year.

This year, so far, "Richie & Connor after Tessa's death" seems to be a biggie. I have not yet read all the stories released to date, yet I believe I've already bumped into this concept four separate times, one way and another. (See the list of works.) I wonder whether there was a conversation about it somewhere that planted and nurtured these seeds, or whether the thought was carried on the wind long ago and only finally now the conditions for sprouting have arrived. As a trend, I'm certainly enjoying it!

Another trend this year, so far, seems to be very little Duncan. Few appearances, fewer as the perspective character. This is not as new or distinct. I suspect that, at this end of history, many folks find more unplucked story fruit with other characters.

Comments

[annavere]

I've noticed a complete lack of core four stories so far, and there were several of them last year. I suspect part of what happens is a natural response to the previous batch of Shortcuts. Maybe a lot of people notice the lack of Connor or Tessa, so lean toward ideas that encompass them, first in requests and then in their own choice of writing.

[brightknightie]

I'm not familiar with the term "core four." Which characters would you include? I'm guessing that you most likely mean Methos, Amanda, Joe, and Duncan, by fannish popularity? Those who appear most often in the opening credits sequences would be Duncan, Richie, Joe, and... tie for fourth place between Charlie and Anne and Tessa?

My own favorite seasons are the first two, so Duncan, Tessa, and Richie are my personal core that the rest of the series simply fails to respect as I feel they are due. ;-)

[annavere]

Ah yes, sorry, I did mean Duncan, Methos, Joe and Amanda. I just mentally shortened it ages ago when I noticed the proliferation of stories featuring the four of them hanging out in Joe's Bar post-show.

Going by opening credits, I think Tessa beats Anne and Charlie? She had an entire season plus four episodes.

I think if I had to choose four, the ones who I felt made the largest impact on the story were Duncan, Richie, Tessa (her loss altered the tone and Duncan's subsequent choices massively) and Joe.

[brightknightie]

Trivial trivia: On reflection, I suspect that Charlie may edge out even Tessa for a fourth place by "count of credits" alone, because -- I think? it's been a long time! -- he was in the opening credits of many more episodes than he appeared in: all of second season, or at least episode 2 on, and the first 13 episodes of third season (up to the go-to-Paris switch at the halfway point). (Anne is definitely out of contention; quite right!)