Subject: Re: [FFML] [Rave](Again!)A Tokyo Senshi in Queen Rei's Court
From: Cynewulf
Date: 12/1/1996, 2:12 PM
To: "Ranma Al'Thor" <ranma@falcon.cc.ukans.edu>
CC: fanfic@fanfic.com


Cause it's 1. Long
           2. Non-Ranma :)
           3. The real problem with the Arthurian material seems to be, 
not that it's too familiar, but that it's too UNFAMILIAR :)

	Well, I'll agree with those comments - it _is_ long, and it _is_ 
SM, so I almost skipped over it... but when it quickly became obvious 
that the arthurian elements showed a more than passing familiarity with 
them, I read the whole thing - and quite enjoyed it.
	I havn't looked up on my Arthurian stuff in quite a while (and I 
don't consider Excalibur or Camelot 3000 reliable sources... and I 
absolutely refuse to watch First Knight), but the whole story was a 
refreshing reminder of the legends.  The SM stuff was blended in quite 
well, although I will agree that it was weird seeing Usagi as Lancelot - 
although it did fit the romantic triangle quite well.  Odd seeing Mamoru 
so passive, though - he didn't really _do_ anything, which seemed out of 
character for the SM side of him, and arguably, even the arthurian side 
of him.
	Some of the philosophical stuff was neat - I particularly liked 
the love and justice argument - but some of the others I seem to recall 
zinged by a little quick.  Actually, the whole ending armaggeddon war 
seemed to zip by - armies being slaughtered, massive demonic beasts being 
killed, but it just flew by.
	Liked the grail quest.  The ending part, though, where Mercury's 
got to choose between saving the bystander, or going home, reminded me 
for some reason of the old AD&D cartoon. <grin>  Guess it's just me...
	And, like in Lemon SHerbert, it's just great how you mix in the 
dubbed and original aspects of SM.  I'm not too familiar with the later 
stuff, but obviously you are, and somehow, using one version of the show 
to enhance the other is just... neat.  The side references to other stuff 
is always nice, too - the chicken of bristol, the Dawn Treader, others I 
can't remember and likely didn't catch.  Was hoping for a reference to 
Badon Hill, though...

	Ummm...
	Can't think of much else right now.  Just glad you didn't base 
yourself off of some horrible hollywood hackup of the legends.  It's 
pretty sad when Monty Python's rendition of the Arthurian Legends seems 
to be the most accurate (well, ok, maybe not, but it at least seemed like 
they knew how it went, and chose to ignore it...)

	Later!
	-Mike Noakes