Rec: The Benefits of Being Monochromatic, by Primsong

[stellastars]

Hello! I'm stellastars and this week I'll be pointing you in the direction of just a few of the fics I have enjoyed at Teaspoon. There will mostly be a mix of Classic Who, New Who, and Torchwood, but with a hint of Sarah Jane Adventures, Big Finish, and maybe even a crossover. I thought we'd kick off the week by starting at the very beginning, with a gen adventure featuring One.

Story: The Benefits of Being Monochromatic
Author: Primsong
Rating: All Ages
Word Count: 19,646
Author's Summary: "One and Ian set out to explore, and of course the girls must follow - but where do they go from there? And does it matter how you're dressed?"
Characters/Pairings: Barbara Wright, Ian Chesterton, Susan Foreman, First Doctor
Warnings: None

Recced because: Simply put, this fic feels like it should have been an episode during the 1963-64 season. The characterizations are spot-on, especially in the dialogue and the interactions between characters. (Plus, there is a lovely bit of Barbara/Ian shippiness!) The plot is well-developed, well-written, and captivating. Even the pacing of the story feels like a classic serial: when the action breaks at a chapter's end, you half expect the title of next week's adventure to appear and the episode's credits to roll. The only significant difference between the classic show and this fic, is that Primsong has the opportunity to write "in color" and uses it to brilliant effect. Whether you're a fan of the original team TARDIS or more partial to New Who, the skill with which this story was crafted makes it an absolute pleasure to read.

Comments

[clocketpatch]

I've been a follower of Primsong's work for a while now, and I avidly second this rec. This story is Classic Who as it would have been in colour, and its easy enough to lose yourself in the intricate plotting and to begin thinking that you might be reading the script for a lost episode. Wonderful stuff!

[ionlylurkhere.livejournal.com]

Oh, god, this rec totally shames me. Primsong wrote this for me in the classic ficathon at the end of last year and I still haven't found time to read it. Shocking. I'm putting it right on the top of my To Do In My Free Time list.

[thisbluespirit]

Yes, this is a brilliant story that really deserves reccing. I don't think I've ever read anything that captures the feel of that first TARDIS team quite so perfectly. And on top of that, it's a clever sci-fi story in its own right.