From: Zen [SMTP:databank@mindspring.com]
Sent: Thursday, December 18, 1997 4:41 PM
To: Matthew Campbell; fanfic@fanfic.com; sterman@sprynet.com

In conclusion, I'd have to say that the deaths of Ranma and
Ukyou *ARE* Akane's fault.  How can she ever get better until
she accepts her own culpability?

You raise an interesting point.  Zen does not think that it was
Richard's intention to absolve BE Akane of all guilt - though
Zen can see how that impression might be given.  Akane's refusals
to seek help, or to accept it, are partially symptomatic of her
disorder - but that is, as you say, NOT an excuse.

Er... why not?  Seems like a good excuse to me.  Yes, she might have trusted her family and husband enough to overcome the compulsions of her disorder.  But that's a difficult struggle at best, and she could have used some help that she didn't get in BE.

It might be a good idea to go into more depth with that.  As Richard
said, this version of the story is rough.

Right.  Still some stuff to polish.  A lot of stuff.

TIL Ranma gives her the hope she needs to get better.  This
Ranma does not hate her, even with what she did - so maybe
now, she can stop hating herself.  It is not absolution that
he gives her - it is forgiveness.

The difference is subtle, but it is important.

Well stated, Zen.  That's exactly right.  She can't face up to her sins until she allows herself to be treated for her mental disorder.  And she couldn't do that until somehow she was able to find a reason to forgive herself.  Ranma gave her that reason.

She hasn't forgiven herself yet, but she's begun the journey back.

Richard?  How about it?  Have a go at clarification?

Roger.  Wilco.

While what you describe DOES have some interesting humour potentials, Zen
is rather glad that Richard wrote this the way he did.  Had he turned it
into a slapstick piece, Zen would have been more inclined to plant him next
to Ranma and Ukyou than to pat him on the back.

Hehehehehehehehe.  BE does not lend itself well to slapstick.

<Flash!>

A new crossover!  "The Bitter End" and "The Three Stooges"

"Ow!  My eyes!  You poked it out!"

"You bwoke ma ja!"

"Woo woo woo woo... ack!"  <death rattle>


Okay, probably not.  ^_^

Taken *strictky* as slapstick, the Ranma characters would be
shallow, and two dimensional - it is those little bits of depth
- the hints of seriousness that make them so special.

Heh, very well put.  *That's* why I like Ranma 1/2 so much.  I *live* to see that occasional bit or seriousness, hinting at something deeper going on between Ranma and Akane then the slapstick insults/pounding.

A good story provides a balance between the darkness and
the light - tempering humour with the occasional serious
thought, and vice versa.

Zen thinks that Ranma provides a pretty good platform for either.

<nodnod>  Very nice mini-essay, Zen.  Mirrors my thoughts almost exactly.
 

Zen no Itan-sha

-Richard
sterman@sprynet.com

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