Yes! I agree with all that- and I think my point of discussion here is this-
"And the conflict often, I think, spirals out of control."...
In that, this story brings up just how far out of control it gets/got-- and I can buy that in this particular universe, this John let it go that far. I can still see his discomfort with it and that he's not just an unfeeling evil monster; but that he takes it to the point of beating Sam til he can't stand and then shows no tenderness whatsoever toward him, (that Sam can see and feel) that's why I can't have any sympathy for him in this story.
Now for me, this isn't canon!John, I just don't think their relationship (such as it was) would have survived even to the point of what they had when they reunited, and that Sam wouldn't have been as (relatively) well-adjusted as he is, if this had been the real history with them.
That things got out of control, I have no doubt. For me, this is just a slightly darker version than the actual canon universe.
BTW, I love this discussion too! It's helping me process my trauma- of having read this story!! LOL--
Just sorry if I've hijacked arliss's comment! Because she had a valid point...
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"And the conflict often, I think, spirals out of control."...
In that, this story brings up just how far out of control it gets/got-- and I can buy that in this particular universe, this John let it go that far. I can still see his discomfort with it and that he's not just an unfeeling evil monster; but that he takes it to the point of beating Sam til he can't stand and then shows no tenderness whatsoever toward him, (that Sam can see and feel) that's why I can't have any sympathy for him in this story.
Now for me, this isn't canon!John, I just don't think their relationship (such as it was) would have survived even to the point of what they had when they reunited, and that Sam wouldn't have been as (relatively) well-adjusted as he is, if this had been the real history with them.
That things got out of control, I have no doubt. For me, this is just a slightly darker version than the actual canon universe.
BTW, I love this discussion too! It's helping me process my trauma- of having read this story!! LOL--
Just sorry if I've hijacked