Hey Mark, everyone on the FFML,

This is my take on the final chapter of Doors Best Left Unopened.

==========

I don't know what to say... at first I thought it was the mood I was in
when I read it... but Mr. Flair's commentary more or less confirmed my
thoughts on part 17.

It feels incomplete. The lack of Shampoo/Mousse exposure was noticed by
myself as well. The fact that Mousse truly makes about one appearance in
the battle then is lost (killed, possessed, captured or whatever) is
very... minimalistic. It's like you were trying to avoid letting us get
attached to him before his disappearance. This could be turned around that
when Mousse doesn't return, it's a major shock to all the readers. A build
up (even a little one) will dispel the illusion that you are just getting
rid of him. As it stands, at the end, I felt nothing for Mousse... which is
strange since I like his character in the CALS continuity.

Obviously, the situation with Ranma would take quite a bit to resolve (if
he ever gets out of it). Ranma's been seriously damaged in a way that he is
not prepared to deal with (and none of Genma's crying about manliness will
help this time). This, of course, isn't to be resolved in Doors... but I
felt like saying it anyway.

All in all, the climatic impact that I was expecting (considering your
previous writing) was not there. Everyone seemed to limp away from the
battle, with no real winner (except maybe for Riana). She limped, but she
got everything she wanted (including Wynneth... another powerful pawn).
Seems to me that Doors was a big "Demons bashing the Ranma cast" fest.
Through the whole thing, they really did nothing but lose. The demons
constantly did more damage to themselves than the heros did. The heros were
basically worthless.

I was expecting the finale to have SOMETHING that would tip the scales a
bit towards the middle to at least give a light of hope to the heros of
succeeding/surviving.

At this point, the demons are still far far stronger than the rest and the
heros have 2 of their "best" fighters semi-useless (Ranma who's
incapacitated at this time and Reiko who knows she will turn against the
heros at Wynneth's call). And of course, Mousse is gone.

Honestly, I don't see how this will be resolve short of everyone dying. The
demons seems to have hordes at their beck and call... all of which are far
more powerful than any of the "good guys." 

Yes Akane can fight... but she was totally outclassed by a fairly lesser
underling. The only reason she beat "what's-her-face" was a fluke and
sloppiness on the demonesse' part. 

Even Kunou sucked (which isn't too surprising all told)... although he know
has a piece of information that may turn Kusekei around. Kusekei's feelings
for Riana (especially if she was the one that lied to him) will reverse
catastrophically if this were to come to pass... but what damage will have
been wrought before that happens (IF that happens).

Of course, an exchange of Kusekei for Reiko isn't that good. Reiko trashed
him the last time they met.

It just seems so hopeless.

I guess I'll have to wait and see. I am looking forward to the next stop in
the Cast A Long Shadow continuity... because there, I'm hoping to find some
form or resolution to all of the loss suffered here.

See ya

P.S.: Kunou needs to have his ass kicked up around his ears a few times.
The fact that he turned his nose up at his mother (who is barely a
combatant) after she saved his life is truly low (not that I disagree with
how he is portrayed though. He's an asshole... and I think that this grudge
will take time for him to work through). All told, I think that his actions
are totally unworthy... and of all the people, he deserves the pain he's
going through. When the secret comes to light, I expect that he (and Nabiki
for her complicity in keeping such a deadly secret) will pay... and dearly.
Beyond the Ranma cast, there are many other victims of this secret. Holding
onto this secret so that he could feel superior is making it easier for the
demons to win. The heros don't even know that they are sitting on something
horrid.

Anyway, enough. Good luck on future writing. I'll be watching for it.

  ___________
 / Here lies:\  Save the Whales -> Harpoon a Honda
|   Andrew    | 
|             | The light at the end of the tunnel may be an 
|   I think   | oncoming dragon.
| he's hungry | 
|             | What UNIVERSE is this, please?