INDEXING: REFLECTIONS episode #3, "Brotherly Love."

Yay for Gerry's return!

Although, to be totally honest I really wanted Sloane to smack him several more times, maybe that would knock some sense into him. Yeah, okay, everyone gets it, Gerry; you got out and you don't want to go back, no one can blame you for feeling that way. But Henry is still up to her blood-red lips in her story, and your constant whining when she's around isn't making that easier. It's time to -- and I swear, there is no pun intended in this -- man-up and be the kind of brother she needs.

Sloane was wonderful, as always. I giggled greatly when she made the secretary faint, all with just a sweet, innocent smile. The moment when the full impact of what was going on was great too. I think I was maybe a blink or two ahead of the rest, thinking, "Okay, we've got Hansel and Gretel, so where's the ... uh oh!"

This chapters highlight for me,however, was Demi. She really stepped up for the team, just like in the first chapter. She nailed that ole secretary while everyone else was still scratching their heads, and then, scared as she was, she didn't falter as they entered the woods. And she was the one who asked the question that made Henry realize how deep it was really getting around them.

Absolutely loved it, and now I'll just have to amuse myself for the next two weeks. Let me see, now ... where did I put my flute?

And I was so not waiting up for this to appear ... honest.

I bet you weren't rechecking to see if it was up yet either!

Gerry can't ever really escape fairy tales--he thought he had, but he can't ever really. He's always at risk one way or another, so...yeah, better not be smug about that, Hansel.

I think Sloane's gonna jump into changing her story for real one way or another soon at the rate things are going there.

I most certainly was not rechecking ... I have a plugin for Firefox that does that automatically.

Yeah, Gerry can't get free. Like Henry said, all he accomplished by running away was to leave himself vulnerable and ill prepared ... oh, and break his sister's heart.

I agree Sloane is at risk here. She's very similar to Elise; she hates her story, and she's been fighting it for a hundred years, or more. I think she'll be tempted further, but I hope she doesn't fall, because the whole thing is a trap. I don't believe Elise changed her story all by herself, I think the narrative let her change it, because to make it work she had to give herself over completely, "The line between witch in the woods and wicked stepsister is thin and academic." That wasn't Sloane talking, that was the narrative speaking through her.

I loved Gerry's interest in what his students did with the skills they were learning in class, and his commentary to the secretary about the difference between legit grievances and students who need extra supplies and food because they have little at home.

ETA: It also occurred to me that Sloane might look as young as Demi, but she's had a lot more practice at controlling what others think her age is.

Also, Gerry is totally kewl with Pacific Rim fan fiction.

Hey, if I found out my students were taking the things they learned in class and using them to develop a hobby, I would be so pleased.

So happy for this chapter. I've wanted to explore Henry and Gerry's relationship, so I'm excited to see that was a large part of the chapter. I can't wait for the next issue.

I'm hopeful that the ability to change narratives can help Sloane. All narratives come with risks, but maybe Sloane can twist her narrative into something that will make her happier?