Interesting twist of the plot with Maidstone's departure. Poor Bertie, to be left to the clutches of a conniving replacement for some time before George gets there. And knowing the vagaries such a voyage with an interim mission could entail, it could be a fairly long time until George arrives to make his decision as to what to do about the governorship.
As Ricky already said, on this crazy Olympic weekend: "Let the games begin!"
In the latest bruhaha, Claire is in Will's corner. I'd say that means Will isn't too far off base. I think the last episode has sealed it for her. She has gone from asking Will to get along with Jeanine, to telling him he can always come live with her. Somehow, that should give Brad pause. Stefan like Brad likes to keep things private in the family. In this case he was wrong as well.
Jeanine is a loose cannon and Michael is evidently a complaisant cohort which could be a portent for more problems.
Mark certainly know how to keep it interesting!
So Jeanine really does think Will is totally expendable and Michael is nowhere in sight! Can't wait to see what happens next, but I wish Will could get his relationship with his family (sans Jeanine) back to some sort of normalcy.
I currently like Wade better. Will's story is gripping but the teenage angst needs the balance of Wade's POV to keep the story from becoming too much like an emotional roller coaster. Just my opinion!
You done good with the breakthrough between Miro and Shay! The (almost) revelation about the complete date to include presumably the year was tantalizing and stopping there was terrible. Have you been reading CJ or Cia?
Mark: You certainly seem to keep your beta readers and editor busy. Over the past 3 years I have been repeatedly astonished at your output. Realizing you accomplish this while still leading a life, raising a family and working professionally boggles my mind.
So Maidstone is the one to replace Bertie as I speculated. It would be more ironic if he should become sick or injured on the voyage and have to rely on the skills of the good doctor.
Another interesting chapter.
Every county in Missouri has been declared a federal disaster due to the drought. Trees are dying. The crops are toast. The rivers are low and getting lower. NOAA has said the exceptionally warm and dry weather looks like it will continue right through October which means it will be a really long, long, hot, hot, dry, dry, sweltering summer in MO.
The biggest take-away I got from Ch. 52 is that Brad is learning he has to deal with Will as an individual who is not a child and won't be treated as one. And Will, bless his heart, isn't afraid to throw Brad's own life experiences back at his dad when he thinks they are warranted as he did about Brad and his relationship with his mom. I don't see Will bothering to waste any time on Jeanine, nor cutting anyone in his family any slack if they think they can impose her on him.
Looking forward to the catch-up chapter on Wade and 'lil Riley and hot Matt.
Well Michael is history and probably will be blackballed from ever doing security again as I'm sure that Brad will put the word out to every reputable security company.
Will handled the confrontation with JJ with aplomb and his later confrontation with his dad over getting together with Jeanine was handled nicely as well. Poor Brad, his son is just like him and can read him like a book. Further, Will has all the dirt on his dad, of which there is plenty.
The article makes the point clearly and concisely. Unfortunately, with the (un) religious right and the GOP completely hijacked to their causes, I see damn little headway to be made in the foreseeable future. Keeping your head down and your orientation private is a matter of personal survival for many. Outing yourself is a big deal and probably will be for a long time in the good old U.S.A.
Thanks for pointing the article out Jack. I think it's something we all need to consider.
Chapter 5 does indeed answer some questions and provides the basis for a lot more answers. I still have several questions as to how Shay actually defended himself against the juvenile lizard and actually created Miro and what other powers he may have.
Some questions answered, but not the one that I consider paramount. Shay is bright and he knew that he was in stasis, just not exactly how long. While he doesn't yet want to disclose that fact, he could very easily have told Konstantin and Lily that he lost track of time in their chaotic world and asked for the full date. Somehow, I think he will be surprised that much more than 7 months have passed......
I guess I should of PM'd you that I started the forum about your story but figured you'd stumble across it eventually!
Your story is just getting started so I don't think you have to worry about frustrating your audience just yet. So far the story has just raised several interesting questions. Hopefully, some of them get answered along the way!
The title is perfect and the closing scene was also perfectly played out. Christian has a winner---and so does David! Ain't love grand!
P.S. If you screw up their wedding, your readers will call for your head!
Your speculation is interesting and thoughtful. (Which means Mark probably has something else entirely and certainly more devious in mind.)
I actually had previously thought that Tiffany may be the one to die as that would impact Wade and really thrust him into the role as father. Your scenario would even be more devastating.