TRICORDER READINGS

Fiction

DUST AND SADNESS by C. Joy

(First Time 49—Merry Men Press)

Reviewed by Christine

Germany

This is a most unusual piece, and it is extremely intense. The characters are painted very precisely with very few words and even though there is no real plot, it is immediately very involving.

The first sentence is: “Jim, what was the longest time you have ever gone without sex, as an adult?” It is McCoy who asks, and a less skilled author perhaps would have had problems turning this into the very revealing and absolutely believable discussion that follows now. The Kirk who answers the question (after some thought) is much darker than we usually see him, but he is also very powerful, and he knows himself much better than most people would like to know themselves.

After the excellently drawn discussion between Kirk and McCoy, McCoy plays matchmaker, and finally our two favorite people get together. Seen it before? Not the way it is done here. The strength of the story lies in the characterisation and the psychology, and there are no long-winded speeches but only very accurate observations.

I’m afraid I’m not doing the story justice as I don’t find the right words, so perhaps you should just o get that zine (or get it out from wherever you have buried it) and (re-)read it. I have done so at least a dozen times, and loved it more each time.

FIELD OF SCREAMS by T. Jonesy and Cordelia Naismith

(First Time 54 (The Contest Zine)—Merry Men Press

Reviewed by Mary S.

New York

In this skillfully written, humorous tale, the officers of the Enterprise are all very much in character, despite the fact that they are in the unusual position (for them) of having to tackle a task for which they have neither the aptitude nor the training. Can they, against all odds, put together a winning baseball team? Or will they disappoint their captain and lose the game--along with an opportunity for that coveted shore leave on Wrigley’s? You’ll have to read the story to find out, but rest assured that you will be entertained, not only by the baseball part of the plot (which does not really require more than a passing familiarity with the game), but also by the K/S. I absolutely loved the moment when Kirk realizes how he feels about Spock. It just works perfectly and feels absolutely right, even though it occurs in an extremely unconventional setting. (Just wanted to also note that I thought the structure of the story worked very well: it’s broken up into short sections with titles such as “The Problem,” “The Locker Room,” and “First Practice.”)

LOST NOW AS LOVE TIGHTENS by Islaofhope

(First Time 55—Merry Men Press)

Reviewed by Linda B.

California

Islaofhope has done an excellent job of weaving an enjoyable K/S story into the episode "Dagger of the Mind", and using the dialogue and events of that episode in her story. There are lots of little intimate glances and moments between Kirk and Spock in this episode that imply a closeness between them that make it a great choice for a K/S story.

(Warning - many plot details revealed in this LOC!) As the narrative begins, Spock is meeting Kirk at the transporter room, and notices Kirk is a little drunk after having a few drinks with an old friend (Commodore Decker, actually). I liked this beginning section, in which Kirk and Spock walk to Kirk’s quarters and converse as Kirk showers and changes in preparation for the science section Christmas party. (Yes, that Christmas party that is referred to in the episode!) The story is told from Spock’s POV and we soon realize that Spock is in love with Kirk. (I liked the part where as Kirk finishes dressing, "Spock silently bid farewell to Jim’s nude body.") This beginning part also establishes the deep friendship between Kirk and Spock. Kirk mentions that Decker told him Spock was offered command of a ship and turned it down, and Spock says one reason he refused was because he wanted to serve with Kirk. Kirk tells Spock he’s relieved because he won’t be losing his best friend, and Spock responds by telling Kirk that even if they are separated, they will always be friends. This was nice - I love declarations of undying friendship and loyalty between the guys!

Dr. Helen Noel is introduced in the Christmas party scene, and is immediately attracted to Kirk, and makes a play for him. (As a confirmed Kirk fan, I couldn’t help but agree with Dr. Noel as she described Kirk as "absolutely stunning", "scrumptious" and "The one who looks like he’s carved out of marble and dusted with gold". Great description!) I also liked this whole section - the interaction between Uhura and Chapel as they discuss Helen Noel and Kirk, Spock’s watchful attention over Kirk, and Spock noticing Kirk has drunk even more, and is getting too friendly with Dr. Noel.

Spock takes Kirk back to his quarters and a discussion of how Kirk has been acting with Dr. Noel leads to Spock seducing his captain! This was nicely done, I thought. Earlier in the story Spock had several drinks at the party (three of Dr. McCoy’s mint juleps), and we know Spock isn’t used to drinking, so that helped explain Spock’s somewhat uncharacteristic behavior. Also, the story had been exploring the feelings between Kirk and Spock, and that Kirk feels equally drawn to Spock. Kirk freely touches Spock, at one point almost caressing his face and ruffling his bangs, which leads directly into Spock offering him the "comfort of a friend" to relieve his sexual arousal. The sex in this story is really, really hot, but tender and caring, too, as Kirk and Spock declare their love for each other. I loved the whole business with Kirk calling Spock "sweetheart", and Spock not liking it because he’s afraid Kirk is drunk and not aware of who he’s making love with. And there’s some nice touches of humor to end this part of the story. As Spock holds Kirk and is drifting off to sleep, he is thinking about the cost of the party (organized by Lt. Palmer in this story). First Spock decides that he will make up the costs out of his own funds, if necessary. Then as he kisses Kirk one last time before sleeping, he has some more thoughts about the party: "Lieutenant Palmer, Spock further decided, was most deserving of a commendation for her stellar efforts on behalf of the science department". Very cute!

Skip forward 6 months to Tantalus, and Kirk and Spock on their way to the transporter scene with Dr. Noel. But first we have a very nice part in the turbolift, in which Spock is trying to hide his concern over Kirk beaming down without him. Without giving us any more details of their relationship since the night they first made love, this little scene lets us know they are still happily together. And I loved the part where Kirk called Spock "sweetheart" again, and Spock says "And cease calling me such ridiculous terms. My name is Spock," he added, gently chiding Kirk for the use of the endearment, which his beloved continued to use on occasion despite Spock’s exasperation - or perhaps because of that exasperation." My K/S friends and I have had some friendly debates on how many, or few, endearments we want Kirk and Spock to use with each other. My opinion is that they should be used sparingly, and I don’t see Kirk saying anything more than "love", and Spock saying "t’hy’la", so this whole part just appealed to me.

The rest of the story continues like this, with scenes from the episode alternating with what our lovers are doing and saying behind the scenes. After the bridge scene that ends the episode, Kirk and Spock finally reunite in private for the first time since the events on the planet. Obviously, since Spock came to rescue Kirk and found him kissing Dr. Noel, some things will need to be explained and resolved, and this is done quite satisfactorily. Kirk is obviously still distressed and disturbed by what happened, as the aborted love scene makes clear. Afterwards, Kirk asks that Spock meld with him, and the first mind meld between Kirk and Spock ends this story. I remember that when Spock melds with Van Gelder, Spock says he has never melded with a human before. If Spock and Kirk are lovers, how is this possible? Isla explains this by mentioning how Spock is violating Vulcan customs by involving himself with Kirk despite his bond with T’Pring. Spock thinks about this several times in this story, and I liked that. Sometimes stories that have Kirk and Spock becoming lovers before the events in Amok Time either ignore Spock being bonded, or too quickly and easily dismiss it. Here, Spock thinks of his betrothal to T’Pring before he and Kirk first make love, and doesn’t meld with Kirk despite wanting to do so very much. He only does so at the end because Kirk needs "the comfort of a friend"; the healing love of Spock’s mind. I thought this was a nicely written, interesting, and well thought out story with some great love scenes, and I enjoyed it very much.

A MEAL TO REMEMBER by kira-nerys

(Beyond Dreams 2—Beyond Dreams Press)

Reviewed by Sara M.

At first, this story seems like it's going to be a somewhat gimmicky first time story. Kirk and Spock are sharing a meal of a Vulcan delicacy, a cucumber shaped vegetable. The proper way to eat this vegetable is to eat them whole; watching Spock do this gets Kirk very aroused. I expected this beginning to lead to a hot sex scene and very little else.

However, I should have had more faith in kira-nerys. I have never read a story by her (or recommended by her) that I haven't liked. She goes from the expected extremely hot sex scene to Spock's reaction to the flood of emotions and his loss of control. Spock's reaction of fear and shame, and total retreat, is very sensitively handled, as are Kirk's efforts to show Spock that loss of control in sex is a good thing.

There are many different ways to characterize Kirk and Spock and to envision their relationship, as can be seen from the huge variety of K/S stories. I really liked kira's vision of Kirk and Spock in this story. Kirk is sensitive, persuasive, and passionate. This Spock is a particularly brilliant creation. He wants Kirk, wants to love and make love. However, he is too well trained as a Vulcan to do anything. And his humiliation at the experience he shares with Kirk leads him to retreat in shame and confusion. He gives the impression for a bit that he's ashamed of his sexual inexperience, but it becomes clear that he's talking about emotional inexperience.

This story wound out being much more emotionally involving and substantive than it appeared it was going to be from the first two pages and wound out being a very beautiful exploration of how Kirk shows Spock that sex and love are beautiful and good.

NO MORE TROUBLE IN MY BODY OR MIND by Islaofhope

(Legends 2—Mkashef Enterprises)

Reviewed by Linda B.

Islahope’s No More Trouble in My Body or Mind is set during Way to Eden. Normally a K/S story set within the context of one of the episodes is a favorite format of mine (I really enjoyed Isla’s story in First Time 55 that followed this format.) However, I hate, loathe and despise Way to Eden and think the whole episode is ludicrous, so I was probably prejudiced against the story as soon as I realized the setting. Then, I usually don’t like stories in which either Kirk or Spock is involved with someone else. In a K/S story, I want the main interaction to be between Kirk and Spock, not between Kirk and someone else, or Spock and someone else. And for that someone else to be Adam, whom I find repulsive, was another strike against this story. (I was really quite mystified by this pairing of Spock with Adam. I’ve been a Star Trek fan for 35 years, and haven’t met anyone who liked the character at all, so it seemed odd for the author to pair Spock with him.) Finally, I simply found the basic premise driving the plot to be too unbelievable. In this story, Spock is immediately attracted to Adam, has sex with him, (twice, no less) and even plans to leave the Enterprise and settle on Eden with Adam!

Now, the author does try to provide some reasons for Spock’s behavior, the main one being he is discontented and lonely on the Enterprise because he feels he has become estranged from Kirk. In the story this estrangement starts with an incident after Plato’s Stepchildren, in which Spock thinks he’s somehow revealed to Kirk how he really feels about him. I thought this part was quite clever, actually. The comment made by Kirk that panics Spock can also be interpreted as Kirk admitting he’s attracted to Spock. However, Spock with his deeply hidden desire for Kirk (or what he thought was his deeply hidden desire) believes Kirk has figured out how he really feels, and is determined to prove to Kirk that he has nothing to fear. So then we come to the next part of the story, which is neat in one way, because it answers a question that has puzzled Star Trek fans for years - why was Spock flirting with Droxine in The Cloud Minders? In Isla’s story, Spock flirts with Droxine (and even goes to bed with her) as a red herring to distract Kirk from how Spock feels about him. (However, another problem for me was Spock’s sexual promiscuity in the story. In order for me to accept Spock so casually having sex with almost complete strangers, I need the author to establish much better why Spock would behave in this manner, since I don’t feel the ST episodes support this interpretation of his character.)

Spock feels that Kirk becomes increasingly distant after The Cloud Minders, and Spock misses the closeness they once shared. The author adds to this Spock feeling discontented with serving with a human crew without Kirk’s close friendship as a buffer and a refuge, and his sympathy with the feelings of alienation of Dr. Sevrin and his followers as additional explanation of his behavior.

So while the author does provide some reasons for Spock’s actions, I did not think they were sufficiently compelling to explain such wildly out of character behavior. I mean, here Spock is suddenly hopping into bed with someone he doesn’t know very well, deciding to throw away his career, and basically abandon his life long adherence to the principles of Vulcan (I’m quite sure Surak would not have approved of his plans!) to go off with someone he has known for only a day or two. There was little attempt in the story to give Adam’s character some depth and substance to explain why Spock would be willing to sacrifice everything for him. Such extreme behavior resulting in such drastic changes in Spock’s life would have to be a lot more convincingly explained and developed than it was in this story for me to even begin to accept it. So for several reasons this story didn’t work for me.

ONCE AND AGAIN by Deanna Gray

(Within the Mirror 14—Merry Men Press)

Reviewed by Karen P.

I have to say, I am definitely not a "Mirror" universe fan in any way. I really do not like the TOS episode very much and there have been very, very few "Mirror" K/S stories I have read over the years that I would bother to do so a second time. But as is often said, there are exceptions to every rule and for me, that certainly applies in this case. While this story is filled with a great deal of violent content, it is a necessary element in that it reflects the brutality of that alternate universe. As the author once said to me, there is no way she could have written this story to fit in the TOS universe and I certainly cannot argue that point.

Basically, this story is the "Mirror" universe version of ST:TMP, with some very notable differences. First, whereas it is generally accepted that the reason our Spock fled to Gol was to try to regain his "Vulcanness", here the "Mirror" Spock finds himself imprisoned there after having been tried and found guilty on Vulcan for the heinous crime of violating his captain's mind. Unbeknownst to Kirk, Spock is systematically tortured and abused by his captors until at Kirk's insistence, he is reinstated to his former position on the Enterprise. But even that is not quite the same, since Spock returns not as a free man, but to all intents and purposes as Kirk's slave, although the captain refuses to look at it at that way. It is only after Spock arrives on board that Kirk becomes aware of the brutal treatment the Vulcan has undergone by the masters at Gol. To add to Kirk's horror, he soon discovers that the most violent act perpetuated upon his first officer came from the one person Kirk thought would protect Spock, that being his father Sarek. What follows is a well-written sequence of events where Kirk and Spock try to rebuild their relationship, both professional and personal, and struggle to find the means to reestablish the love and trust they once held for each other.

I know that for a lot of K/Srs, they would find this story quite upsetting because of the blatantly savage acts perpetuated upon Spock, but for me, it was not really a problem. Violence in K/S stories has never bothered me as long as it is not there just for shock effect, but is part of the overall picture. There are very few K/S authors who have not at one time or another written a story where violence played a part and here it is a necessary element, since in the "Mirror" universe, brutality is the way of survival for everyone, including Spock. Although what happens to Spock in this tale is shocking, based on what we saw in the TOS episode, it could not be called unexpected by any means. The only thing I don't like about "Once and Again" (and this is the main reason I don't like Mirror stories as a whole) is that if you are going to remain true to the characters in that universe (as this author does), then Kirk by necessity must be portrayed as a coldhearted bastard. That goes for this story, as well. There is a point in "Once and Again" where Spock is hurting and Kirk can't give him the comfort he needs, not because he doesn't want to, but because he just doesn't know how to, as it is not a part of his nature. It is only after the truth is revealed that Spock allowed everything to happen to him because he felt he deserved it, that Kirk was able to find in himself the compassion and love that Spock needs in order to heal.

There is also a very important point that the author was trying to make when she wrote this story and it has to do with how we deal with changes, good or bad, in our lives. In "Once and Again", Spock has lost a vital part of himself. He is forever changed by what has happened to him. As a result, he and Kirk will never be able to share the same type of physical relationship they had in the past and there is nothing that either of them can do to change that. So they do what we all must do when faced with tragic events in our lives, they accept what has happened and try to go on living as best they can. For me, this is the most telling part of this story, that life is not always pleasant and there are times when no matter how strongly we wish to do so, sometimes we just can't prevent the ones we love from coming to harm. But like many of us, when faced with the harsh realities of life, this Kirk and Spock somehow, someway, find the strength to go on. And it is this lesson, so well-portrayed in this work, that really sells this story for me.

SHADOW TOUCH by Deanna Gray

(Beyond Dreams 4—Beyond Dreams Press)

Reviewed by Joyce B.

"Shadow Touch" is nine pages long. It is the second story in this zine. This is just after the Triskelion episode. This is a distinctly K/S story with a lot of touches that make this story very specific to Spock and Kirk. In other words, you can't take this story and insert some other slash couple's names in another fandom and have it work.

However, I do have a problem with this story and it is something that is rather common in K/S. And that is the concept that both men are really heterosexual, but because of their love for each other that they as grown experienced adults accept a homosexual relationship. That is just something I don't see. But aside from that quibble which is not limited to this story alone by any means, I think the story is nice. While I don't really believe that a true blue het Kirk is suddenly going to go homo over Spock, it could happen. I would have preferred Kirk to have had more doubts or problems with coming to his decision and carrying it out. Everything just happened very quickly and also fairly smoothly. I don't think real life really works that way.

The idea of the shadow touch is really a believable touch. Deanna Gray is a good writer, and if my memory serves right, I in general do like her writing story after story.

THE SPELL by Cervelle Morais

(First Time 55—Merry Men Press)

Reviewed by Joyce B.

This is about 11 pages. Kirk is 38 so this is set near the middle of the five year duty we see in the original series. This is a good PWP that I don't believe for one minute. A cliché "ice breaking" incident is used, but that's not necessarily a criticism because I have used this in one of my stories in another fandom. Kirk and Spock are not very "realistic" in this, in my opinion, but realism and staying true to characterization are not high priorities in a PWP. For a PWP, this certainly is entertaining.

TREASURE TROVE by Rosemary Heaton

(Beyond Dreams 4—Beyond Dreams Press)

Reviewed by Joyce B.

"Treasure Trove" is 14 pages and leads the rest of the stories in this zine. Frankly, I wondered why this story had the honor. I would have reversed the order of the first two stories and put "Shadow Touch" first because to me that story is more of a distinct K/S story. And that brings me to my only criticism of the story: that this is a generic story which is about two men who are trapped in a shelter during bad weather. This story could with just a few changes even be made into a common 21st century story that could happen today. (And I STILL have not gotten used to this being the 21st century. That shows you how old and very 20th century I am.) I could take the story and with a few changes make it into a Blake/Avon from Blake's 7 story, if I wanted to plagiarize it. (And, no, I promise you---I will not do that and have never done that.)

However, there is definitely a correlation between Blake & Avon and Kirk & Spock.
Getting past that problem, this is a nice exciting story. And I can relate to problems of flooding and heavy storms because here in Laguna Beach houses have fallen down hills and people have been killed by mudslides during storms. This May 2002 the midwest had severe flooding problems, and some people were killed. I think everyone can relate to this danger--unlike perhaps the danger that a horta or a salt monster might cause. So what is a problem in this story for me also makes it more relevant or easy to relate to.

This is well written and very exciting. And there are some places of very nice dialogue between Spock and Kirk. There are definitely K/S touches. It's just that overall that there aren't enough things about this story that make it K/S or set in the Star Trek universe that we all have come to love--both in the stories as created by professionals for money and the a/u sexy slash stories created by amateurs just for the sheer love of our two favorite men: Kirk and Spock.

I am just assuming that Jenna and Dusky choose this story to lead off because it wasn't too long or short, it was filled with lots of action, it concerned a danger that we all could relate to, and that it was well written.

TWENTY-FOUR HOURS by Helen

(First Time 55 – Merry Men Press)

Reviewed by Cathy

A perfect title for this short story in First Time 55, as it spans the 24 hours immediately following the resolution of the V’ger crisis. At last Kirk and Spock reveal their feelings for each other and they make love. A simple plot, but so nicely done in this author’s talented hands. There is so much feeling in this short work, and the sex is loving and erotic. A definite must-read.

TRICORDER READINGS

Miscellaneous

2003 K/S CALENDAR by Liz

Reviewed by Ivy Hill

How many times have you wished for a nice Kirk and Spock picture to flip over (as in turning the page) or flip over (as in dancing with glee) the first day of every month? Haven't you bought those commercial calendars just living for the one month of the year that Kirk and Spock appear together? Well, wish no more. Liz has come to our rescue with her 2003 K/S Calendar. This is very nicely done on card stock paper, comb bound. Oh, to heck with the kind of paper...let me tell you about the drawings!

Each month features an original drawing or painting by Liz. There are several fairly benign ones, and some that fairly steam! In January Spock looks over Kirk's shoulder as both stare into the distance, looks of concern plain on both faces, looking into the unknown future of the New Year. A starry background makes this an impressive piece. February is a very nice black and white rendering of Kirk resting his head on Spock's shoulder. Both men's eyes are closed and we can only imagine why they seem so relaxed. Liz has done a beautiful job here with the faces and the musculature. February is definitely warmer than usual!

Ah, March. An older couple...very nicely drawn. Kirk's face is exceptionally well done, it is unmistakably a more mature Kirk, but that rare beauty of his youth is still there...this truly looks more like Kirk than some of his photos. Is that possible? Spock is, I believe, bestowing a light kiss upon his rounded human brow.

April is rather spectacular! A vividly colored painting depicting Kirk and Spock in elaborate Vulcan robes standing at the place of Koon Ut Kalifee, I believe. Reddish alien landscape, obviously a ritual is about to take place. Spock is regal in dark, rich colors and Kirk resplendent in flowing gold. Dual portraits brighten up May. Both men are sporting very similar smiles. Kirk is just a bit mischievous looking and Spock is displaying his "For Kirk Only" smile...it even lights his eyes. What's really neat about this and took a minute for me to catch is that Spock is in the upper left corner of the frame, Kirk in the lower right, with a slash mark separating them. Slash!

A scene from Return of the Archons is next, with concern evident in both their features. Again, a superb portrait of both Spock and Kirk. This lady knows her faces! Kirk has that little vertical line between his eyes and a lock of hair flopping down. If you could hang the former in a public place, better take it down before July arrives, because it is lusty lovemaking at its best. The body language is unmistakable, the facial expressions unforgettable. Liz has done an amazing job of capturing their ecstasy just as they take that final plunge. This is one of the best explicit pictures I've seen, it is so very alive -- you can feel the sexual tension. There is a reason the background on this page is sizzling red! This one alone is worth the price of the calendar.

But we aren't finished. There remains the amazingly realistic black & white drawing of the scene from Galileo 7 where Kirk entices Spock to tell him the reasons for his illogical behavior, an intriguing image of the two men, bare-chested, facing each other. They look youthful here, perhaps a first time encounter? Then there is a very creative montage showing one view of Spock at his station with Kirk standing beside him, arm outstretched to touch Spock on the shoulder. The facing view has the same gesture, the same body language, the same loving expression on Kirk's face. But in this one Spock is laying face down his bare back and arms exposed. Kirk standing alongside, with his bare arm outstretched to touch his lover on the shoulder. This is an amazing and clever image, to see the two in such different circumstances, yet showing just how intimate the touch that occurred on the bridge really was.

There are two more drawings, a color one of Kirk just as he realizes the love of his life has returned from Gol, and his surprise, awe and love for Spock are all there in his eyes. Finally, an ambitious multi-image montage brings us to the close of the year. The main focus is on both their profiles as Spock initiates a mind meld. Visions of their life together form the remainder of the drawing: side by side facing danger, side by side sharing an intimate moment on the bridge, together in Errand of Mercy. Also shown is a tempting almost-kiss and a very exciting image of lovemaking at its best.

Liz has also produced a generic calendar which has near-K/S moments from the series. In it she has captured some memorable moments of togetherness straight from the broadcast episodes. These are the scenes from which K/S was born. Moments of concern and tenderness, of meeting adversaries head-on, of walking through life side by side. Both are gorgeous not to be missed collections! I know for certain there won't be a single month this year that will bring me anything less than a K/S thrill!

TRICORDER READINGS

Art

COVER ART by C.L. M.

(First Time 55 – Merry Men Press)

Reviewed by Cathy

This is a lovely piece, done by an artist new to K/S, I think (sorry if I’m wrong about that). It’s a stipple of Kirk and Spock’s faces, and it’s incredible to me how dots can be made into such a wonderful picture. A really nice piece. I hope to see more of her work.

COVER ART-Loving To Touch by Marianne Mueller

(Beyond Dreams 5 – Beyond Dreams Press)

Reviewed by Cathy

This is another lovely piece by Marianne. The title is just perfect, because this picture shows the love between Kirk and Spock so clearly. Two strong men tenderly holding each other and touching one another. It’s a peek at a beautiful, quiet moment between them.

INTERIOR ART by Marianne Mueller

(First Time 55 – Merry Men Press)

Reviewed by Cathy

I don’t know if it’s proper etiquette to review a piece of art that appears in my own story, but I have to say I love this picture. It’s hot, erotic, passionate, hot, fantastic and oh, yes, hot! I look at this and I swear I think I can see them moving. It’s that good. I think it’s one of Marianne’s best, one of my favorites certainly. A big thank you to both Marianne and Robin for the privilege of having it in my story.

LOST IN THOUGHT by Shelley Butler

(Legends 2—Mkashef Enterprises)

Reviewed by Helen

This is one Shelley's best Kirk faces! He has a brooding, pouty look that is very sexy! And of course Spock is perfect, as always, as the object of Kirk's thoughts. Actually it looks as though both men are each thinking of the other. Simply gorgeous. Shelley's trademark flowers add the finishing touch of course. Never stop drawing Shelley!

Poetry

BURNING DESIRE by Starr Copeland

(Legends 2 - Mkashef Enterprises.)

Reviewed by Helen

I have to say I enjoyed all the poetry in this zine. This poem is especially good! We see Spock through Kirk's eyes and feel the angst and love arching between them. It's very passionate. The last stanza is wonderful:

You stand,

a shocking silhouette,

a statue afraid to live,

a Vulcan who burns...

a man who loves

and is loved in return.

KIRK'S LOSS by Khylara

(Legends 2—Mkashef Enterprises)

Reviewed by Helen

This is a beautiful poem about the heartbreaking scene in the reactor room in ST II. It describes, very poignantly, Kirk's love for Spock, his pain, and his loss. I was very moved by it. I also enjoyed Khylara's other poetry offerings in Legends 2.

NO DEEPER MOMENT by S. R. Benjamin

(First Time 55 - Merry Men Press)

Reviewed by Mary S.

I’m a big fan of most of S. R. Benjamin’s poetry, but this particular piece does not quite work for me, and it’s too bad, because there are parts of it that are just wonderful:

“It is us, again, surviving

While about us others die

I will have you planet nightfall

Luminous against this sky.”

That “planet nightfall” line is just perfect, and I loved the fact that it is “Luminous against this sky,” rather than “Luminous against the sky.” The more specific “this” makes it seem like this coupling is something that is really going to happen, in a definite setting, and soon!

But the problem is that this poem is signed “Spock,” and, while most of the poem definitely sounds like Spock, there are places here and there where the words just did not sound like him. Nor, for that matter, did they sound like the Mirror Spock, whose voice I also tried to fit to this poem. Take, for example, the line “Now the moon is hiding shyly.” I tried to imagine that line spoken in Spock’s voice and I just couldn’t do it. The problem, I think, is that the “hiding shyly” phrase sounds more like something from a child’s poem than an erotic love poem--it just does not fit into the spiritual, almost mystical atmosphere created by this poem’s best stanzas. Because of this problem and a few other smaller ones, for me, “No Deeper Moment” will have to remain one of those poems that almost works.

LEAVETAKING & RATIONALE by S. R. Benjamin

(Beyond Dreams 5 - Beyond Dreams Press)

Reviewed by Mary S.

These two poems--one signed “J.T. Kirk” and the other “Spock”--are set just after Spock’s departure for Gol.

In “Leavetaking” we learn that Kirk has always wanted Spock, but felt that Spock was always “far too cold” for their relationship to evolve into an intimate one. “I was lost upon your leaving,” Kirk says, “But the fact is finally clear:/ You are no more distant having left/ Than ever were you here.”

In “Rationale,” Spock says of his efforts to connect with Kirk: “I tried to blame my heritage,/ My upbringing, my pain,/ Until the day I realized/ You were not mine to gain.” I especially liked the final stanza of “Rationale”: “They say the desert’s dry expanse/ Is greatest on Gol’s plain./ I say with grieving freedom/ It is here I’ll find the rain.” I just loved the “grieving freedom” phrase--it seems a perfect description of what Spock is experiencing.

Dark, sad, yet beautifully so, these poems are moving and true to the characters of both men at this difficult period in their lives.

NEWS FROM THE WORLD OF STAR TREK AND K/S

Leonard And His Book Shekhina

A NEWS REPORT SENT BY MORJANA C.

Star Trek star Leonard Nimoy has been dropped from a Jewish fundraising event —after the actor used religious symbols in a photography book featuring nude women. The original Mr. Spock was due to speak at the October 23 bash for The Jewish Federation Of Greater Seattle—a community group that raises around $10 million a year for charities. But Federation director Barry Goren withdrew the invitation this week after it was discovered the actor—who was born into an orthodox Jewish family—had used ritual objects in Shekhina, a recently published book of his nude photography. The cover for Shekhina shows a woman with her left arm wrapped in phylacteries, a prayer accessory men traditionally wear, and her right breast visible through a translucent garment. Goren to Associated Press, "I think it's pretty self-explanatory. If you were running a charity fund-raising dinner and there were going to be images of naked women or naked women with Jewish ritual objects draped on them, that might be offensive to some folks." But 71-year-old Nimoy—who played the pointy-eared Vulcan in Star Trek TV shows and movies for over 25 years—was stunned to be ousted by Goren. Insisting the federation knew about the photographs when he was invited to the event in July, Nimoy says, "It may be an anomaly. I hope it is. We have not had this kind of reaction anyplace else. It's a photographic essay on the subject of the Shekhina, which is the feminine presence of God, the feminine aspect of divinity. This is not some figure that is a foggy mist in a cloud somewhere. I have depicted her as being a flesh and-blood woman."

APPEARANCE REPORT

AN APPEARANCE REPORT FROM DOT L.

(Note: See news report directly above for background information.)

Leonard Nimoy came November 5th to the Jewish Community Center in Rockville, MD to speak about his new photography book, Shekhina. He was one of several famous Jewish authors scheduled to speak at the center's annual book sale.

As soon as I heard he was coming to my neighborhood, I ordered tickets for myself and my
daughter. It was a very rainy and cold night, but a near capacity audience braved the elements and scarce parking spaces. (The center was also being used as a polling place that night.) I spotted one guy in a blue Starfleet uniform, but he was a minority of one.

Leonard first thanked us for not un-inviting him, referring to his experience in Seattle, where some synagogue officials there decided that his book was
too controversial for members of their congregation because it contained photos of semi-nude females with traditionally male worship objects.

He gave a very interesting talk, touching on incidents in his career. One that he mentioned was being cast as Golda Meir's husband in the movie,
"Golda." At first he was going to turn it down until he heard that Golda was being played by Ingrid Bergman. That got a knowing chuckle. During the filming, his
director was not very nice to him and when Leonard asked for advice about how to play a particular scene, the director said, "What does it matter? You're all wrong for the part. I wanted a Jewish actor." Leonard said, "I guess he thought Ingrid Bergman was Jewish." That got a good laugh.

Leonard explained to us that he'd only recently learned the true meaning of the split fingered Jewish blessing from which he derived the Vulcan salute. According to his Rabbi, the blessing was intended to call forth the "Shekhina," the feminine presence of God. The congregation was instructed to cover their eyes because it was said that the light emanating from her was too bright for mortals to bear. The Shekhina came to be understood as a crucial element of both divine and human spirit, symbolizing the creativity and wisdom without which no human being is complete.

There was a large screen on stage where photos from the book were shown. They were all in black and white. Light was the most important element in them because Leonard wanted to express the presence of the Shekhina in human form. Leonard's explanation of how he came to do the book and about the meanings of the photographs made it clear that his intention was to express the spirituality of the subject, not sensationalize it.

He looked very good; trim and full of vitality in a black turtleneck and tan slacks. His hair was short and spiky, slightly graying at the temples. After
the talk, I got his autograph on my copy of Shekhina while my daughter took our picture! It all went very quickly to keep the long autograph line moving, but he looked me directly in the eye at one point, which was thrilling.

HEARTBEATS

GAIL P.

Johnston, Rhode Island

Gaila(zero five five zero)

Jenna and Shelley, Thank you for sending me the November issue of The K/S Press via email! I'm really enjoying this issue. And how wonderful to see that you have a Beyond Dreams web site and Robin Hood has The Merry Men Press site. So cool to see the covers of the First Time's and Beyond Dreams artwork/issues I don't have yet. Perhaps Santa will leave me a few K/S fanzines if I ask him! —smile.

I've been a Star Trek fan since the 1970's when K/S was just beginning. I remember being over at a friends house after school and she had the television on in the kitchen and there was this incredibly handsome man in uniform kissing a woman character! I immediately became alive and asked my girlfriend which show was on. She said "Oh, that's just Star Trek." To tell you I was hooked would be an understatement. I instantly fell in love with Captain James T. Kirk. Then I remembered my parents never allowing me to watch this science fiction show as a child because they had 'monsters' and they were afraid I would have nightmares. Overprotective parents.

The next thing I did was to go to a local bookstore to find anything on my new obsession "Star Trek." The first book I found was "Star Trek: The New Voyages." I eagerly read all the stories in this book and at the end was a poem that just shook me to the core. It was from Spock's point of view. It went something like this: "What will they find when I am ripped apart? "I love you Captain written on my heart." My first introduction to slash and I didn't even know it at the time. I remember reciting this poem to my girlfriend back then and I recall her giving me a really weird look. My first introduction to homophobia and I was too naive to notice. All I wanted was MORE! This is when I became a Spock fan!

Then in one of the books about Star Trek there was an address for an organization called "The Star Trek Welcommittee," I received their newsletter and found out about all the wonderful Star Trek Conventions in New York City. Through the Welcommittee I was able to find some wonderful friends who were also Star Trek fans -- but GEN fans only. Then on the very first New York Con I ever went to I wandered on over to the ST Welcommittee's table where they had loads of wonderful fanzines. The first one that jumped off the table at me was Gayle Feyrer's "THRUST." I remember squealing as I grabbed the zine up in my hot little hands. The cover was so incredible I'd never seen anything like it: Kirk and Spock making love. When I went to check out to pay for my fanzines the woman behind the table gave me a very nasty stare. Again I didn't recognize it as being homophobia. What can I say? I'm a little slow on the uptake.

At this time I was also in Dark Shadows fandom and Kathleen Resch was the publisher of a DS fanzine that I subscribed to. In one of our correspondences with one another, we discovered both of us loved slash Kirk/Spock. She then told me she wanted to publish a slash fanzine for K/S and I was so happy I even helped type up one story for her first fanzine. I wasn't a good typist and this was way before computers. As everyone knows by now, her fanzine is called T'hy'la. And she has kept the dream alive all these years by keeping her fanzines in print for the newest generation of K/S fans. (Hi Kathy!)

Then back in 1980 I met my boyfriend Bill whom I lived with for nearly ten years. He always found my K/S fanzines amusing and had no trouble with the slash aspect for Kirk and Spock. I even had him pick up some K/S fanzines at a convention he was going to and I was unable to go. I always feel badly when I hear that a K/S fan has to hide her hobby from friends and relatives. My Mom knows about the same-sex stories I read and is curious as to why I would want to read about two men. I think I've enlightened her, however, as she no longer talks about it in a negative way.

And in 1988 I had a Spiritual Experience that pointed me in the direction I would take. For years I had been reading everything I could get my hands on, from Tarot Cards, The I-Ching, Reincarnation etc. searching for the Truth. It was then I found my Spiritual Teacher whose name is Swami Gurumayi Chidvilasananda and is from India. She is the first woman Swami in this centuries old lineage. The first thing I did was sell my K/S collection. I can hear you all gasping! And as time went on, I became more and more depressed and couldn't understand why. Then my friend Terri, who was also on her own Spiritual Journey, asked me if my Teacher told me to give up fandom and K/S. I said "no" and the whole world opened up for me again. This Path teaches reincarnation and I have always felt that Kirk and Spock have been soulmates for all time. Siddha Yoga teaches all the religions, that's why I love it so much. We celebrate every holiday from Jewish, Christian, Buddhism, Sufi etc. This path is perfect for me. And the fanzine "Scattered Stars" is AU and so much fun to read. Am behind in my zine buying--she's up to issue #13!

Right now I am in the process of recollecting K/S fanzines for my collection. I ordered over fifty zines in used zine sales this year alone. I have 'Thrust' out on loan from the K/S Library. How wonderful it was to see all that K/S Gayle Feyrer artwork again! So many warm memories.

I'm also into other slash/gen fandoms. You can call me a "slash bunny." I love The Wild Wild West (James West/Artemus Gordon), Star Wars: The Phantom Menace (Obi Wan/Qui Gon), Due South (The Real Ray V/Fraser), The Addams Family, F-Troop, Here Come The Brides, The Ghost and Mrs. Muir. I guess I'm still in my childhood and wish there were more television series like they had back in the 60's. Kirk/Spock will always be my first love! Would love to hear from other fans of the above shows!

Before closing, I'd like to personally thank Liz Woledge for posting me the two K/S calendars she has for the year 2003. They are so beautiful! I can highly recommend her service as she does not ask for the money first. Money on the way, Liz!

Happy Holidays to Everyone!

Love to you all,

Gail

ROUNDTABLE

CAROLE W.

England

I’m sure all the folks out there will be sorry to hear that Eileen Mitchell passed away October 9^th this year. She was sixty-five and had been ill for a very long time. I knew here for many years, becoming good friends in more recent years. She enjoyed Star Trek in all its many forms and attended several conventions until she became too ill to do so. Under the name Erato she wrote many stories and poetry. And as is know was the other half of Soulmates.

I have lost a dear and valued friend and K/S has lost a good storyteller.

Take care. Live long and prosper.

Peace in our universe.

JOYCE B.

California

I am not very good about doing Roundtables or even responding to comments directed to me or joining in discussion topics. I don't know why that is, but it is. But if you have ever directed comments to me in the past and I haven't responded, it's just because of a glitch in my nature. In fact, I don't even have any clue why today I am actually motivated to do a roundtable. Maybe it's because traditionally I think December and January are very lean months for KSP because everyone is involved in holiday activities.

And speaking of holidays, let me wish you all a Merry K/Smas and a Happy New Year. It's hard to believe it's almost 2003.

To Kira-nerys: No need to thank me for comments. In fact, sometimes I feel a little bad about doing LOCs if I make any negative comments. Part of me says that since everything that I read is much better than what I could write, I shouldn't make any negative comments. And another part of me says that if all I do is gush about a story that I do the writer no service. I really don't care to do LOCs, believe it or not. But I consider it important to keep a dialogue of some sort going in KSP. Anyway, I do try to participate and just wish more readers of K/S did the same. And for some reason, I feel doing LOCs is easier than doing a roundtable. And I can hardly urge others to participate if I don't do it myself.

I have never left K/S myself BUT I have replaced it with Blake's 7 as my number one fandom. K/S is now number two. And, by the way, there is no number three. I absolutely refuse to get suckered into another fandom fan fiction. I am just too damn compulsive. I had to get rid of 90% of my Star Trek--K/S collection for the Blake's 7 and I just refuse to go through that agony again. I have liked Kirk and Spock since 1966 or 67, whenever it first aired. I have been in love with Kirk and Spock since 1982 when Wrath of Khan made me a Kirk/Shatner fanatic. And I have been into K/S since 1989 and I read my first slash zines, a Nome and a First Time. And even today, I have both Kirk and Spock looking down on my bed from the Saderup print up on the wall. I have a pewter Enterprise gracing the bedroom bookshelves and an original oil Enterprise on another wall which alternates with a Shelley Butler original "Kirk" currently in the closet. He's so gorgeous that my husband declares he looks nothing like Shatner, but truth to be told, he really does. My husband needs new glasses.

As for K/S waning.... Blake's 7 is in more of a decline than K/S is. There are only about 100-120 members in the one B7 slash list I belong to. I think people consider it great if they can actually sell over 60 copies of a slash B7 zine. I think K/S stays healthy because you have publishers such as Robin Hood, Kathy Resch and other publishers who keep on publishing K/S zines year after year after year. And you have a monthly K/S newsletter which has been running for over a decade under different names which I think has only missed one issue in its entire span. Blake's 7 doesn't have ONE print newsletter left in existence, by the way. The last issue of the last one was May 2001. I don't know how K/S is on the net because I don't participate on the net, but I am sure that there are plenty of lists and lots of websites.

K/S may not be as popular as it was before but that is because there is a lot of competition now. However, I think there will always be a K/S fandom simply because the original show itself is still going strong even 35 years later. I think Kirk and Spock are basically timeless creatures who will be almost as strong in fan fiction in the 21st century as they were in the 20th. Kirk and Spock are part of our culture.

To Sara M.: Don't feel too bad for me about having to hide my K/S from my husband. I do have good friends that I talk about slash in general with face to face. There is a group of people in the Los Angeles area who have little monthly meetings, and I attend those. And of course I have KSP to talk about K/S anytime I want to do that. And that is one of the great things about KSP, that it keeps K/S people together. It was hard when I was writing slash to keep it hidden. Now that I am retired, there isn't the problem. And after 13 years, it's just automatic behavior to keep my slash zines in boxes and the slash art under wraps in the closet. I even attend Escapade, a local slash con, once a year. I just tell my husband I'm off to a Star Trek convention without any of the stars and he doesn't know any difference. He respects my privacy. Thank goodness.

To Lemli: I'm glad you like William Shatner's Full Moon Fright Night, too. I love the little skits between Shatner and the bartender/big head. I recommended him to a non-Shatnerholic on Halloween (the 11 movie Sci-Fi marathon), and she told me she found the skits as stupid as the movies. So I guess it is possible to find him not funny. But I still loved all the skits and all the comments about Leonard Nimoy and Star Trek that he put in from time to time. Right now (as I type this) I have four of the shows on tape that I have yet to go through. I fast forward through the movies and only watch the skits. I do think it helps to enjoy the skits if you don't bother sitting through the movies.

The following comments have nothing to do with anything really, except I find them interesting. One thing I have always disliked in K/S is people who write K/S as if both Kirk and Spock are heterosexual, but for the first time in their lives have a homosexual relationship with each other because they love each other. In other words, Kirk and Spock love each other and engage in homosexual sex--but they are not gay, they aren't even bisexual, they are still heterosexual. Recently, I read an article in the Los Angeles Times about male rape in prisons as being very rampant and very under reported for a variety of reasons. And one of the ideas of the article was that these men were not homosexuals and were not turned into homosexuals because they engaged in homosexual sex in prison.

I thought that was as interesting as an idea I heard from a source I've now forgotten about men who are actually heterosexual who engage in anal and/or oral sex with men (or boys unfortunately) and still consider themselves heterosexual. I guess the idea is that sexuality is not what you do but how you think of yourself--how you label yourself. This goes along with the idea of gender confusion. That if a man thinks of himself as a woman, then that is what he is, in his eyes and in the eyes of some people, despite him having a penis. I really have no set in concrete opinions about this. I just think it's interesting that people can label themselves or see themselves in a different light than what tangible evidence might suggest.

As for what I think about Kirk and Spock.... I think in the series and the movies, they are as straight as can be. In fan fiction, I probably think of them as either bisexual or gay, depending on my mood and whatever the author I am reading says. I have trouble with the K/S stories where both men are really het, but that doesn't mean that I will hate the story because of it. It will, however, bother me because it conflicts with my ideas.

Live Long and Prosper.

DOVYA BLACQUE

Yucca Valley, CA

Several people, including Linda Bandriv in her review of "Acceptable Losses" in KSP #74, have asked me about Gilrain, not having seen K/S stories by her before. Gilrain is not a new author, she's simply new to writing K/S. I found her in another fandom.

Also, the identity of Geli has been brought up to me several times, as in: "Who the heck is this person and where has she been??" Again, Geli is far from new to fan art, she's just new to drawing K/S. I found her over in The Sentinel fandom and bribed her into doing some work for me there. Then I slowly bribed her into other fandoms and, finally, into K/S. She's mine. I'm keeping her!

Thanks, also, to everyone who sent in reviews to KSP of the stories from "Legends" and "Legends #2". I appreciate hearing what you think of the zines.

ANNE ELLIOT

England

I would be very interested in the views of others about the concept of the Vulcan death bond, which has never made much sense to me. I know it is a very romantic notion (two people so bound by love and cosmic forces etc etc that they cannot go on living without the other) and it is reasonably popular in K/S fandom, but no matter how much I think about it, it just doesn’t seem logical (if you’ll excuse the expression).

It seems to me that if the death bond exists, it must be one of two things; either a biological, presumably genetic, imperative in Vulcankind, or a choice made between two persons with no compulsion other than, possibly, social pressure. In either situation, for me the case doesn’t add up.

To have become a biological/genetic imperative, the death bond must have added some essential survival trait to the Vulcan race, or at least not created any survival difficulties. The need to bond unto death just seems to me to add in clear anti-survival elements, which goes against the general laws of genetics and natural selection as I understand them. In a primitive society facing disease and physical dangers with little medical knowledge, a trait that automatically doubled the adult death rate would have been enormously harmful. Childbirth has always been hazardous for women but on Vulcan must have been equally dreaded by both parties (and would have been a powerful contraceptive!). A good plague or two could well have wiped out most of the adult population, reducing it below viability levels. Wars would have been even more of a disaster then usual; the death bond concept must surely have made a warlike society, such as we understand Vulcan to have been, most unlikely.

The death bond gene, once it started to develop within the population would have been so self destructive that it should have been wiped out within a few generations; I just can’t see why nature would allow it to flourish nor why any society would encourage it. Would you allow your child to bond with someone if it meant she died if he had an accident?

If then the death bond is not a genetic imperative but a socially accepted (expected?) choice between adults, this seems even more peculiar. Again, why should any society think it right to condemn two people to death because one dies? I do accept that some Terran societies in their earlier stages occasionally killed the wife when the husband died, but this was never universal and has generally not continued into more modern times. Would Vulcan, a supposedly logical society, allow it? Again, allowing the death rate to double automatically does not seem at all sensible; thousands of children would have been orphaned (hardly a benefit for any family based society, I would have thought) and society in general would have been unnecessarily and arbitrarily deprived of its workers. Vulcan would have become an overcautious and stagnant society with people avoiding any form of risky work for themselves or their bondmates. I could go on and on.

And then, last but not least, we have Kirk and Spock. I cannot see Kirk wanting a death bond with Spock, or Spock allowing one, whether it is a compulsory or voluntary process. They may well be committed to each other but they are, first and foremost, committed and professional Starfleet officers, operating in a hazardous environment. We know Jim Kirk takes his responsibilities towards the crew of his ship very seriously. Would either he or Spock agree to a bond that would kill both of them if one died? This would leave the ship without its two most senior command officers quite possibly in the middle of a battle or some other crisis. In addition, Kirk’s approach to sending Spock out into danger (or Spock’s apparent need to protect Kirk) would be inevitably and fatally influenced for reasons even more immediately personal than love alone.

Even if they both did feel it appropriate to enter into such a relationship, Starfleet certainly wouldn’t agree and they would be transferred off the ship (if not court martialled) so fast their feet wouldn’t touch the ground.

There is only one situation I can see anybody entering a death bond; when a couple are very old, facing the end of their lives in fact, having been together for a long time. In these circumstances, I can understand them choosing to create a bond that would ensure that one is not left behind to mourn the other. This is also a romantic notion (idea for a story, anyone?) but not one that puts the entire Vulcan race, the Enterprise and Kirk and Spock at serious risk.

I’d love to hear what others think, especially those who embrace the death bond theory!

LINDA BANDRIV

California

I very much enjoyed the November issue, and was pleased to see more contributions. I’m glad people responded to the threat of the blue velvet poodles! Seriously, I think Karen had some very perceptive comments in her Roundtable in October’s issue. If publishing the KSP becomes too time consuming and burdensome to Jenna and Shelley, then I am afraid we will lose their wonderful talents and the KSP will die. This was a possibility almost a year ago, remember, before Robin volunteered to help out. Like Karen, I also have occasionally been contacted by Shelley and Jenna when they have been short on contributions for an issue. And I happen to know that sometimes one or both of them write LOCs when an issue is really short, just to try and fill it out a little more. I want them to keep publishing the KSP for a long time to come, so let’s make it as easy as possible for them, and continue to contribute! Okay, okay, enough nagging! That’s my last comment on the subject. (At least for a while…)

Welcome, Sara! I only discovered K/S myself 2 ½ years ago, and the KSP about 2 years ago, and have been thoroughly enjoying myself ever since. I want to warn you though - you said that you wanted to buy every single K/S zine published, but this would be impossible financially, and besides, where would you put all those zines? Well, K/S is addictive! 2 years ago I had no zines and now I have 310 (mostly K/S, but about 25 gen zines) and am on the lookout for more! I puzzled over the zine storage problem, too, and ended up buying a 5 drawer lateral filing cabinet for them. So who knows how many zines you might have in a couple of years? And I see you live in Maryland - you must come to Shore Leave next year. (But beware - I bought 60 zines in a 3 day buying frenzy at last year’s Shore Leave!) Also, I wanted to mention that I really enjoyed your LOCs. I thought they were excellent. I wish I could write them like that. I often retell too much of the plot in mine, so appreciate the way you were able to convey the essence of what the story was about, and what you liked about the story without revealing every single plot detail.

Ivy - Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I always enjoy reading them. Your love and enthusiasm for Kirk and Spock is delightful, and infectious! And I always appreciate your beautifully written LOCs.

Kira-nerys: Nice to hear from you again in the November issue. I’m glad to hear your interest in K/S has been rekindled. I always enjoy your stories very much, so hope you stay interested in K/S and continue writing! However, I’m afraid I have nothing to contribute on the interesting questions you raised about this, since I am still fairly new to K/S and my interest hasn’t waned at all, yet. Hey, I still have 200 K/S zines to track down! I thought your comment about most shows being run by straight men who look at the audience as mainly consisting of teenage boys was right on. I recall the creators of Enterprise saying that T’Pol didn’t have pointed eyebrows because they weren’t sexy, and they mentioned their belief that Spock was not sexy as proof of this! Spock not sexy?!?!?! I was flabbergasted by this comment, and remember thinking that they must believe only men watch the show. Talk about being completely clueless about a significant portion of your audience!

Mary - I loved your latest Roundtable! You always have some insightful, provocative, fascinating ideas to discuss. I loved your idea that cutting edge for science fiction in TV or the movies would be to show homosexuality as no big deal, as an accepted part of daily life, without the compulsion to have the whole plot revolve around the homosexuality of the character. Written science fiction has explored many versions of sexuality for a long time, and I’ve read quite a few science fiction or fantasy stories where homosexuality or bisexuality is completely accepted as part of the normal range of human behavior. It’s too bad that science fiction in the movies and TV lags so far behind.

Kate - You raised an interesting point about K/S canon. Like the double ridges. Or, Kirk and Spock sharing a bathroom. I can’t think of anymore right now, though!

I’ll answer your Roundtable challenge, but as a Kirk fan I’ll address the reverse of your list: Why does Spock love Kirk? He loves him because of his spirit of adventure, his courage, his integrity, his idealism, his confidence, his intelligence, his determination, his problem solving abilities, his resourcefulness, his empathy, his compassion, his tolerance, his humor, his charisma, his beauty, his sensuality, his eyes, his mouth, his smile, his muscles, his … Oops, getting carried away. Hard to limit it to just five!

Jenna and Shelley - I keep meaning to mention how much I enjoy the K/S references you change almost every month in Robin’s ad for new zines. I always check the last page and see what the latest addition is. You ladies are so creative! I really liked November’s entry - I want the Kirk and Spock decorative dishes featuring full frontal nudity! (Hmmm, artists out there - an idea for the dealer’s table at the next KiScon?) Some of my favorites over the last year were:

? November 2002 - the aforementioned dishes

? October 2002 - Kirk and Spock LOC Award Statuettes (I will immodestly say that I think I deserve one of these, perhaps in the most long winded LOC category?)

? August 2002 - Kirk and Spock life size, anatomically correct blow up dolls (Hmmm, very intriguing. Definite possibilities here. Like, does it have double ridges? Is it green? How long is it? How thick is it? Inquiring minds want to find out!)

? July 2002 - Kirk and Spock look alike masseurs (YES - I want to make my appointment with guess which one?)

? January 2002 - Kirk and Spock brut champagne to put in the Kirk and Spock fluted champagne glasses (These I want, to go with the plates!)

nearly-NEW SUBSCRIPTION RATES!

TWENTY-FOUR HOURS by Helen