SPARCs:Kibbitzing008

Scene 008: Gunslinger penetrates SPARTA

Gunslinger is down in the computer core with Joel. Amy, Sarah and Joe are up top-side, but they're pretty clued in to the fact that there's trouble. I assume that we'll see a fateful showdown in the computer core itself.

Known outcomes: Joel will be wounded, rather than anyone else. Some secret of Joel's will be revealed, rather than a secret of Sarah's. Azrianni further feels that what Gunslinger wants is to be reunited with his family ... which I'm totally down with.

And ... still thinking ...

One issue that's a bit of a poser for me is that ... I don't want Sarah's secret to come out to the other SPARCs members, but I really do want it to be shoved in the face of the audience a little, in preparation for the next episode. Any ideas?

Well, the obvious solution would be to separate Sarah from Joe and Amy - I'm sure someone can short out a lock or override a lift or whatever, either Gunslinger to aid his getaway or one of the SPARCs to protect the others.

Then Sarah's identity can come into play in a confrontation between her and Gunslinger/Joel/both. Maybe Gunslinger knows who she is. You could tease the 'is she an undercover villain?' angle again.

Something to remember - Frost blocked Gunslinger's main sidearm as a conflict victory last scene. I think at some point he has to try to shoot someone, ony for the gun to jam. BlackSheep 10:05, 24 April 2006 (PDT)

Okay ... 'nother issue. What do people want for Joel in this scene? He's spotlight for the episode. What sort of emotional resonances should be around his revealed secret and his wounding?

Well, I'm letting this drag on. That's no good. Let me get some fragments of narration put out here, and people can recommend material to tie them together.

AMY: Hey, all joking aside, we're part of a command structure here.

JOE: Speak for yourself.

SARAH: What he said.

AMY: Excuse me? Sarah, I thought you were keeping your head about this! You're still a member of SPARCs.

SARAH: Yes, and Joel's my friend. He's screwing his life up, this very moment. We can be his friends, and keep that to ourselves, or we can be SPARCs and turn him over.

AMY: There's got to be a way to ...

SARAH: ... have it both ways?

Sarah glances back toward the gymnasium. Quick jump-cut of the Doctors Graves, laughing and socializing with the other parents.

SARAH: I don't think that's how it works.

---

SARAH: You complete and total fuck! Why the hell would your son want anything to do with you? You had a choice, villain or father, and you made it.

JOEL: That's right. Give it up, Gunslinger. There's no victory for you here ... not today, and not tomorrow.

SARAH (muttering): ... and you're making exactly the same choice, aren't you Joel?

---

I like the confrontation, especially the way Sarah phrases it. As for stuff from other people, I don't know. Joe could get them into the computer core with a display of brute strength, which is always laffs. As to what secret of Joel's gets revealed... I think the clone thing is the obvious candidate, but I'm not sure how to implement it. -- James Holloway 09:13, 26 April 2006 (PDT)

Not sure about the phrasing, but I like how Joel's wise-cracking superhero persona takes over as soon as the SPARCs turn up. Wouldn't do to let anyone realise he's not totally in-control.

I'm drawing pretty blank on how to tie this scene together. I guess the basic flow goes Joe/Amy/Sarah > Joel/Gunslinger > confrontation on the way out > escape? Joel would probably have to get his secret(s) revealed during the confrontation, when everyone's there to see, and be injured in the escape. This is, basically, the SPARCs getting in over their heads and not working as a team as a result of their internal stresses.BlackSheep 09:40, 26 April 2006 (PDT)

OK, here's this question: once Joel figures out what Gunslinger is really up to, how does he react? Because if Joel actually feels some sympathy with the villain--maybe even is thinking of letting him go--and then the rest burst in and Joel either can't prevent the confrontation or feels he has to side with his teammates or whatever. Don't know if anybody else likes that, but to me that puts in a little more tension than just heroes v. villain.

Then the secret could be a lesser part of the clone secret: "I don't have a father." --Azrianni 04:17, 27 April 2006 (PDT)

Hmmm...there'd be a degree of sympathy, but I don't see Joel letting Gunslinger go, especially after what he did to Joe - he's just too dangerous. However, I could see him trying to talk Gunslinger out of his plan - offering advice on the situation without realising he's also talking about himself and Exemplar.BlackSheep 10:10, 27 April 2006 (PDT)