Not A Fairytale -- Lauren/Sark (Alias)
Nov. 7th, 2004 10:42 pm![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
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anythingbutgrey
'Ship: Lauren/Sark
Fandom: Alias
Spoilers: Through all of season three
Website: Obsession -- The Lauren/Sark fanlisting
It isn't a fairy tale. It's a mess, a jumble of truths and lies, with a side of betrayal. It isn't love, but it could be, if given the time. But this isn't Sydney and Vaughn, this isn't Jack and Irina. There is no fluffy I-love-you-forever love or you-betrayed-me-I-can't-live-anymore love. There is I-want-you-I-need-you-but-to-the-extensive-of-which-we-don't-know love (?). This is Lauren and Sark, and this is real.
Lauren started off as an association. Vaughn's wife, broke up the oh-so-heaven that was Syd/Vaughn, and a vast majority of the fandom hated her for that. One of the first things she ever says is that she is the infamous Michael Vaughn's wife, and how nice it is to put a name with a face.
For me, Lauren began with a car chase. Before that there was little of her, there was Michael Vaughn's Wife, and where's the interest in that? So, Lauren Reed came to life with a car chase. In Repercussions (3.05), Lauren and Sydney are involved in a high speed chase. Sydney is shocked to find that Lauren can do more than just handle herself—she can handle herself well. Lauren dismisses Sydney's insistence that they make a sharp turn, because they can't make it through the alley way. Lauren is strong in her convictions and they manage to make it through the alley way. Lauren did not let Sydney tell her what she should do—despite the fact that Sydney is a high ranking CIA operative.
It is in this instance that we see that Lauren isn't just some flitty character who was created purely for us to hate. I, like much of the fandom, was in the Lauren-hating stage before that scene, and I came out of it with a newfound respect for the character. I realized that this character had a story—and a story that was yet to be discovered.
By Prelude, I was spoiled for Lauren's turn to the bad side. So, when Sark appeared in her life at gunpoint, I immediately saw their potential. I was on the phone with my friend Catherine during the commercials when she pointed it out—so I should say that she was the one who immediately saw it.
And for anybody who didn't see it, JJ didn't waste time. Just a few episodes later, in After Six (3.13) Lauren/Sark arrived in full force, as Sark intruded on Lauren as she was trying on clothes. What I love about this scene is how completely comfortable they both are. If someone you worked with, no matter how gorgeous he/she was, if they randomly walked into your changing room, wouldn't you at least react? But Lauren and Sark are immediately established as having the perfect vibe—and the perfect chemistry they needed to create the relationship that would officially begin later that episode, after an episode of undeniable lust, with a kiss.
Something I like about Lauren and Sark is that they're not subtle. Hey, Lauren as a character became, um, a character after a car chase, and the relationship came to life at gunpoint. You don't get less subtle. They're analagous of Wesley/Lilah from the Angel fandom, when you think about it. I don't think anyone is going to suggest that Lauren and Sark fell in love at first sight. They're masters of deception, creators of lives and aliases and neither of them are true. We know nothing about either of their pasts, and we know that they don't have the best parents ever. We all know they have physical similarities (there was a rumor that they were siblings that, thankfully, was not true). People tend to seek out mates who resemble them physically.
Some may suggest that Lauren and Sark aren't capable of feeling the love and compassion that's necessary for any sort of relationship. I know some 'shippers have no problem with that, but that doesn't make it true. Lauren and Sark started out as pure unadulterated lust. There was no compassion, no caring. There's no room for that in a business like theirs. Compassion could get them killed.
However, that's quick to change. In Unveiled (3.18) Sark kills Bomani to protect Lauren. This is monumental. It could be suggested that Sark was just trying to get rid of an obstruction to power, or maybe he held some slight desire for Lauren—but not love. Certainly not love. But Sark's words prove otherwise, in a perfect establishment of Sark in this relationship.
SARK: I went to Los Angeles to warn you, not to kill you. Perhaps in the future, you should try trusting me a little more.
Earlier that episode, Lauren believed that Sark was trying to kill her, leading to Sark's comments above.
SARK: (cell) When you get off the escalator, you'll see that I'm in the northwest corner.
LAUREN: (cell) You came all this way?
SARK: (cell) We need to talk.
LAUREN: (cell) There are other ways to make contact.
SARK: (cell) Yes, but he insisted I meet with you face to face.
LAUREN: (cell) What else did Bomani tell you? Did he instruct you in the quietest way to murder me?
SARK: (cell) Absolutely not.
LAUREN: (cell) You pathetic little errand boy. Tell Bomani he'll get proof of my worth the next time he sees me, when I deliver the Passenger.
LAUREN: (cell) After all that we've been through, I thought I could rely on you. I'll never forgive you for this.
Note: I made the things I'm going to stress now bold.
From this exchange we can see the damage that what she believes is a betrayal does to Lauren. Her first comment, “You came all this way?”, while it may appear a remark proving her fear of her demise to the unship-wise, take a look at Sark's next comment. Now, isolate those two comments. Pretend you're the kind of person who over analyzes. Insert shippiness here.
Need more concrete proof? That's understandable. I'm a pathological shipper, and things don't always make sense to other people.
LAUREN: (cell) After all that we've been through, I thought I could rely on you. I'll never forgive you for this.
Lauren and Sark have somehow—along their wild trips and illicit affairs—come to have some emotional bond. Lauren, who believes that Sark is meeting her in Los Angeles to kill her, is shattered by his apparent betrayal. Neither of them understand it. Lauren's trust has been broken—and these are people who are not easily trusting. The trained spy can't be distracted and can't allow themselves to feel anything—that's why they're so good at compartmentalizing everything. When Lauren and Sark let each other in, they took a risk. A very dangerous risk that could have very easily led to both of them lying dead on the ground of a Covenant building.
That Sark was the one protecting Lauren shouldn't be surprising. The only time we've seen Sark give half a crap about anyone but himself was with Lauren, both in Unveiled and on other occasions as well, such as when, in Legacy, when Sloane's safehouse is infiltrated by the CIA and he sheilds Lauren as she runs out behind him, shooting as he exits. It's also apparent in Blowback, when Sark immediately takes to calling Lauren pet names, much to her annoyance. And in Ressurection, Lauren and Sark's relationship is finally exploited when Sydney pretends to be Lauren and effectively learns the passcode to Sark's contact's information.
We don't know what comes after the finale. David Anders isn't a regular anymore, and news of Melissa George's return are sketchy at best. I'm still holding out hope for their return in full force hot blond british-ness. Until then, I hope I've said something slightly convincing/interesting/something else entirely. I could ramble forever on these two, but this is what I've got for you.
Other fun stuff for the shipper in you:
The Lauren/Sark soundtrack I made like, five minutes ago: http://www.livejournal.com/community/justpopemotion/54285.html#cutid1
The Lauren/Sark section of Cover Me
Specific fic recs:
There really aren't that many Lauren/Sark fics out there. Comment with any you love and I'll add them to this list right herrre.
Equinox -- Basically considered the classic Lauren/Sark fic, Siryn creates a beautiful and tragic backstory for these two crazy kids. Read it.
Nomenclature -- I looove this story. It's one of my favorite alias fics ever, because it's just fabulous like that. It's more of a Lauren centric thing (I'm a big Lauren fan, in case you couldn't tell by me rambling for about 360 words), but it is Lauren/Sark and it's pretty.
Midnight in the Holy City -- See last two sections. The true essence of Lauren/Sark, in my opinion.
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larkfans
laurenreedfans
amanofmystery
The Lauren/Sark fanlisting
anythingbutgrey'Ship: Lauren/Sark
Fandom: Alias
Spoilers: Through all of season three
Website: Obsession -- The Lauren/Sark fanlisting
It isn't a fairy tale. It's a mess, a jumble of truths and lies, with a side of betrayal. It isn't love, but it could be, if given the time. But this isn't Sydney and Vaughn, this isn't Jack and Irina. There is no fluffy I-love-you-forever love or you-betrayed-me-I-can't-live-anymore love. There is I-want-you-I-need-you-but-to-the-extensive-of-which-we-don't-know love (?). This is Lauren and Sark, and this is real.
Lauren started off as an association. Vaughn's wife, broke up the oh-so-heaven that was Syd/Vaughn, and a vast majority of the fandom hated her for that. One of the first things she ever says is that she is the infamous Michael Vaughn's wife, and how nice it is to put a name with a face.
For me, Lauren began with a car chase. Before that there was little of her, there was Michael Vaughn's Wife, and where's the interest in that? So, Lauren Reed came to life with a car chase. In Repercussions (3.05), Lauren and Sydney are involved in a high speed chase. Sydney is shocked to find that Lauren can do more than just handle herself—she can handle herself well. Lauren dismisses Sydney's insistence that they make a sharp turn, because they can't make it through the alley way. Lauren is strong in her convictions and they manage to make it through the alley way. Lauren did not let Sydney tell her what she should do—despite the fact that Sydney is a high ranking CIA operative.
It is in this instance that we see that Lauren isn't just some flitty character who was created purely for us to hate. I, like much of the fandom, was in the Lauren-hating stage before that scene, and I came out of it with a newfound respect for the character. I realized that this character had a story—and a story that was yet to be discovered.
By Prelude, I was spoiled for Lauren's turn to the bad side. So, when Sark appeared in her life at gunpoint, I immediately saw their potential. I was on the phone with my friend Catherine during the commercials when she pointed it out—so I should say that she was the one who immediately saw it.
And for anybody who didn't see it, JJ didn't waste time. Just a few episodes later, in After Six (3.13) Lauren/Sark arrived in full force, as Sark intruded on Lauren as she was trying on clothes. What I love about this scene is how completely comfortable they both are. If someone you worked with, no matter how gorgeous he/she was, if they randomly walked into your changing room, wouldn't you at least react? But Lauren and Sark are immediately established as having the perfect vibe—and the perfect chemistry they needed to create the relationship that would officially begin later that episode, after an episode of undeniable lust, with a kiss.
Something I like about Lauren and Sark is that they're not subtle. Hey, Lauren as a character became, um, a character after a car chase, and the relationship came to life at gunpoint. You don't get less subtle. They're analagous of Wesley/Lilah from the Angel fandom, when you think about it. I don't think anyone is going to suggest that Lauren and Sark fell in love at first sight. They're masters of deception, creators of lives and aliases and neither of them are true. We know nothing about either of their pasts, and we know that they don't have the best parents ever. We all know they have physical similarities (there was a rumor that they were siblings that, thankfully, was not true). People tend to seek out mates who resemble them physically.
Some may suggest that Lauren and Sark aren't capable of feeling the love and compassion that's necessary for any sort of relationship. I know some 'shippers have no problem with that, but that doesn't make it true. Lauren and Sark started out as pure unadulterated lust. There was no compassion, no caring. There's no room for that in a business like theirs. Compassion could get them killed.
However, that's quick to change. In Unveiled (3.18) Sark kills Bomani to protect Lauren. This is monumental. It could be suggested that Sark was just trying to get rid of an obstruction to power, or maybe he held some slight desire for Lauren—but not love. Certainly not love. But Sark's words prove otherwise, in a perfect establishment of Sark in this relationship.
SARK: I went to Los Angeles to warn you, not to kill you. Perhaps in the future, you should try trusting me a little more.
Earlier that episode, Lauren believed that Sark was trying to kill her, leading to Sark's comments above.
SARK: (cell) When you get off the escalator, you'll see that I'm in the northwest corner.
LAUREN: (cell) You came all this way?
SARK: (cell) We need to talk.
LAUREN: (cell) There are other ways to make contact.
SARK: (cell) Yes, but he insisted I meet with you face to face.
LAUREN: (cell) What else did Bomani tell you? Did he instruct you in the quietest way to murder me?
SARK: (cell) Absolutely not.
LAUREN: (cell) You pathetic little errand boy. Tell Bomani he'll get proof of my worth the next time he sees me, when I deliver the Passenger.
LAUREN: (cell) After all that we've been through, I thought I could rely on you. I'll never forgive you for this.
Note: I made the things I'm going to stress now bold.
From this exchange we can see the damage that what she believes is a betrayal does to Lauren. Her first comment, “You came all this way?”, while it may appear a remark proving her fear of her demise to the unship-wise, take a look at Sark's next comment. Now, isolate those two comments. Pretend you're the kind of person who over analyzes. Insert shippiness here.
Need more concrete proof? That's understandable. I'm a pathological shipper, and things don't always make sense to other people.
LAUREN: (cell) After all that we've been through, I thought I could rely on you. I'll never forgive you for this.
Lauren and Sark have somehow—along their wild trips and illicit affairs—come to have some emotional bond. Lauren, who believes that Sark is meeting her in Los Angeles to kill her, is shattered by his apparent betrayal. Neither of them understand it. Lauren's trust has been broken—and these are people who are not easily trusting. The trained spy can't be distracted and can't allow themselves to feel anything—that's why they're so good at compartmentalizing everything. When Lauren and Sark let each other in, they took a risk. A very dangerous risk that could have very easily led to both of them lying dead on the ground of a Covenant building.
That Sark was the one protecting Lauren shouldn't be surprising. The only time we've seen Sark give half a crap about anyone but himself was with Lauren, both in Unveiled and on other occasions as well, such as when, in Legacy, when Sloane's safehouse is infiltrated by the CIA and he sheilds Lauren as she runs out behind him, shooting as he exits. It's also apparent in Blowback, when Sark immediately takes to calling Lauren pet names, much to her annoyance. And in Ressurection, Lauren and Sark's relationship is finally exploited when Sydney pretends to be Lauren and effectively learns the passcode to Sark's contact's information.
We don't know what comes after the finale. David Anders isn't a regular anymore, and news of Melissa George's return are sketchy at best. I'm still holding out hope for their return in full force hot blond british-ness. Until then, I hope I've said something slightly convincing/interesting/something else entirely. I could ramble forever on these two, but this is what I've got for you.
Other fun stuff for the shipper in you:
The Lauren/Sark soundtrack I made like, five minutes ago: http://www.livejournal.com/community/justpopemotion/54285.html#cutid1
The Lauren/Sark section of Cover Me
Specific fic recs:
There really aren't that many Lauren/Sark fics out there. Comment with any you love and I'll add them to this list right herrre.
Equinox -- Basically considered the classic Lauren/Sark fic, Siryn creates a beautiful and tragic backstory for these two crazy kids. Read it.
Nomenclature -- I looove this story. It's one of my favorite alias fics ever, because it's just fabulous like that. It's more of a Lauren centric thing (I'm a big Lauren fan, in case you couldn't tell by me rambling for about 360 words), but it is Lauren/Sark and it's pretty.
Midnight in the Holy City -- See last two sections. The true essence of Lauren/Sark, in my opinion.
larkfanslaurenreedfansamanofmysteryThe Lauren/Sark fanlisting
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no subject
Date: 2004-11-07 08:00 pm (UTC)You know, that's such a simple and yet such a brilliant statement. Because really, that just about sums everything up, right there. I don't believe Lauren or Sark would keep anything from each other or even deceive each other very deeply (or at least, I would say this is the case in late S3 not right away in After Six, obviously). I think their physical attraction would be so strong as to supersede logical response when it comes to these two.
Well done! An enjoyable analysis to read.
I like the fics you've recced and I'm not sure what else to rec because as I'm sure you've noticed, the dearth of good Lauren fic is quite unfortunate. 'Equinox' is easily one of the best fics I've read in the last year.
I will, though, stick my neck out and offer my own. Facing Forward (http://www.livejournal.com/users/carmens_quill/454.html) Series - it's not overtly a Lauren/Sark fic, but Part 1 and Part 4 are Lauren and Sark centric, and I'd be curious to know if you think my Lauren/Sark measures up. ;)
*smooch*
no subject
Date: 2004-11-07 10:04 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-11-08 06:26 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-11-08 01:48 pm (UTC)*skips off to see about renting DVDs*
no subject
Date: 2004-11-12 02:42 pm (UTC)