1 [Report This]Date: August 26, 2021 06:11 am Title: Benihana Christmas
This version of the inspiration of her prank against Dwight is inspired, as is circling back to the way she keeps getting all these little reminders of him and this one act she took to try to bring them back together in response.
Ooooof. The idea of Pam throwing out those momentos is a gut punch... and somehow one that's even worse knowing how it ends, that Pam isn't going to have all the reminders of the beginning of their story once they're together. Thank goodness she missed the yogurt lid.
LOVE the now-canon confirmed idea that they always gave each other SOMETHING for Christmas, and the way you describe them walking the line between friendship and not.
Another connection I hadn't made before: the way in which Pam might see some parallel to HERSELF in Roy's longing for her. VERY interesting and highly plausible.
This new parking lot exchange hurts.
1 [Report This]Date: December 22, 2020 04:07 pm Title: Benihana Christmas
The author’s note alone and I already know that this is about to be my new favorite thing...
“In an effort to cling to the remains of her dignity, she had trashed them all, a victory that, instead of propelling her forward, filled her with regret, and left her hollow.” Right in the feels. I am the biggest sentimental hoarder and this genuinely weighs on my heart. I can feel the depth of that regret, achingly so.
“The ever-revolving door of wanting him and wanting to hate him.” Oh. That’s Season 3 energy all over.
“He was pining after a woman that was long gone the same way she was longing after a man she had given up” I. Wow. Yes. This hurts my heart for them all.
Although, that gifting her a book she already has touch is amazing and so completely perfect. My sympathy for Roy just rose and fell in such a spectacular crescendo.
This hesitant Jim holding himself back in the parking lot is everything.
“She shook her head in agreement” Bored. The way this is perfection.
Author's Response:
Thank you Jenna, so much!
"My sympathy for Roy just rose and fell in such a spectacular crescendo." I love that! Even your reviews are poetic! (Teach me sometime, okay? Because I'm a horrible reviewer.)
1 [Report This]Date: December 02, 2020 02:36 pm Title: Benihana Christmas
Oh my... I love that you have them *almost* having an actual honest conversation! You've made a great job of capturing the anguish and pain of season 3.
Author's Response: Thank you so much, Sam! There is so much left unsaid during this time but the payoff will be worth it. :)
1 [Report This]Date: December 01, 2020 07:02 am Title: Benihana Christmas
I pride myself on not crying over this chapter, but oh dear, it stung so much!.. And with so few words — each of them hit with a double force.
I want to hate it, honestly, as it causes me pain over and over again, but I absolutely love it!
Thank you!
Author's Response: I know it is rough right now but there is hope on the horizon. The pain makes the payoff so much better! Thank you, friend!
Date: November 29, 2020 04:02 pm Title: Benihana Christmas
I started copying lines to exclaim over in this review and then realized I was copying the whole thing. This take on the story gives me the feeling of a heavy heart. So much left unsaid between the two of them. You take a familiar scene and give it so much more depth.
Author's Response: Thank you, Sprinkles! I know it is heavy now but there is a promise of better days. ;)
Date: November 29, 2020 03:32 pm Title: Benihana Christmas
"She had always loved Christmas."
Perfect bookends.
Author's Response: Thanks!
1 [Report This]Date: November 29, 2020 09:29 am Title: Benihana Christmas
“The tendency towards retaliation wasn’t a personality trait she was necessarily proud“
Listen, I LOVE THIS. Pam gets romanticized so often but she has real flaws and this is absolutely one of them. I love that you included this because it gives depth to her character that we don’t see often. Her pranks and jokes get written off as silliness I think but she absolutely wants to get even in her own way, and you wove that in expertly. And then just that heartbreaking parking lot scene, murder me right now.
So so good, lady. I loved it. Will you write literally every episode? Thank youuuu
Author's Response: I agree with you, I'm here for the real flaws. Neither of them are perfect and I love bringing that out on occasion. I *plan* on touching just about every episode, but you know what they say about plans. ;) Thank you!
1 [Report This]Date: November 28, 2020 08:36 am Title: Benihana Christmas
I was going to choose a few favorite lines but honestly, they’re all my favorite. I can’t stress enough how beautiful your writing is! It’s poetic and vivid, and the imagery is amazing. You capture the essence of Pam’s inner turmoil so well. Thank you for this!!
Author's Response: Thank you so much, WW. I think I find it easy to write her because I *am her* in many ways. Thanks for reading!
1 [Report This]Date: November 27, 2020 07:20 pm Title: Benihana Christmas
I must say, I don’t often feel very deeply, if I am to feel anything at all. And yet, something about the way you write has actually got me feeling sad for Pam. Your written acuity is unparalleled. Keep up the good work.
BlindManCassidy
Author's Response: What a tremendous compliment, BlindManCassidy! Thank you so much!
Date: November 27, 2020 05:07 pm Title: Benihana Christmas
Hauntingly beautiful again here. You do such a great job getting into her head space. Also offering a ton of extra details. She's teaming up with Karen for more than one reason to get back at someone. Roy gives her a gift she already has and he should have known about. Her despair when she hears his rejection and then the faintest glimmer of hope when he accepts the present. The feeling of stealing time as they walk out the door and her imagination running wild while sitting in the car. All great. Glad you had time to get back to this one. Even though it stings a bit since we're in S3 you do a great job of writing Pam right where she is at the time.
Author's Response: Thank you Warrior, so very much!