working on timelines...

[glennagirl.livejournal.com]

Some of you may have paid attention to a recent trend in my stories that have to do with validating the Return Movie, that most vilified of MFU non-episode yet solidly canon film in which we have Messrs. Solo and Kuryakin no longer with UNCLE but out having a life elsewhere.


I'm also delving into pre-New York life, particularly Illya's, in which there must be a reasonable timeline established for his remarkable assortment of degrees, accomplishments and general Illya-ness.
The other night I watched the Gazebo in the Maze Affair, in which Napoleon states that he and Illya encountered Emory Partridge seven years prior.  Now, the episode was shown in the spring of '65, so I'm going to go with that, which means they would have been in South America routing Emory sometime in 1958.  
Illya graduated Survival School in '56, correct?  He would have already had his Bachelor's from the UG in the Ukraine by then, and before heading off to South America he should have finished the Master's at the Sorbonne.  He would then, after ruining the Partridge's party, have needed to head straight for London and start on his doctorate at Cambridge while working, we have all surmised, for Harry Beldon.  Now, I'm not sure how long it takes someone to gain a PhD in Quantum Mechanics from Cambridge, but I'm thinking he's going to just make it to New York in time to film the pilot in 1963... tongue in cheek here.
Does that track with people here, or am I missing something?  Those writers in Season 3 should have checked on what happened in Seasons 1&2 before they started handing out doctorate degrees to a man on such a tight schedule.  No wonder Illya doesn't show a lot of interest in women, he's probably still pooped from all of that academic overload.

''Can I just rest now?''

Comments

[rosywonder.livejournal.com]

I am with Carabele on practically everything she says including the absurd 'Return' film. I've always adopted the 'make it feel right' method, try to get the canon thing as right as you can, but don't tie yourself in knots over it. As she says, the MFU series writers obviously didn't.

When I started writing, I worked out a time line/back story that worked for me, making Illya a couple of years younger, and giving him chance to complete his doctorate (av time 3 years) in the peace of the Cambridgeshire fens without anyone, including UNCLE breathing down his neck. Despite the series, he is a proper academic in my stories!

As to the 'return' thing, I did use one of its more absurd ideas (Illya as a fashion designer) and re-work it somewhat in my third long story. Well, you'll have to read it to see what I did . . . .

[glennagirl.livejournal.com]

It's funny how we see the man in many different lights. I'm more of a creative, and not only did I not have any interest in math or science, I resented them like crazy for getting more hours credited for the time they spent in class and labs than us poor fine arts people.
I have no difficulty seeing him in my world, and welcome him with open (ahemmm...) arms.

[reapermum.livejournal.com]

I resented them like crazy for getting more hours credited for the time they spent in class and labs

Whereas us poor scientists resented the free time the arts side had. The scientists were the only people who made it to breakfast on a regular basis as we had 9am lectures every day, followed by six hour labs on three days. We fitted in more lectures on the other two days.

[glennagirl.livejournal.com]

We were all over worked, I'm sure. I had a lab (don't roll you eyes at the idea of an art lab, they exist) five days a week and received one hour credit. Science majors had the same amount of time and an hour for every actual hour. An Associates degree (two years) in Fine Arts or Music took three years unless you took more classes than was reasonable to expect. But I beat the system haha! I quite. One does not need an art degree in order to paint, happily. It might help you to get a job, but hey... details.

[reapermum.livejournal.com]

five days a week and received one hour credit.

No, that's not fair. If you were required to be there then you should get the credit for turning up and working.

And I'm sure there were people doing practical stuff that was a lab equivalent, it's just that I hung out with theologians and linguists who only had to read books (and then only enough to get by).

[glennagirl.livejournal.com]

Pre-computer... hand lettering. Do I need to say more?

[reapermum.livejournal.com]

I was early computer, I never did get the hang of programming with punched cards.

Art v Science

[rosywonder.livejournal.com]

Oh I am not scientific either, although I really enjoy the maths and science I teach little children now! And I do think that Illya is very creative, which is why he is made to be so musical and linguistic in my stories. But as to being a fashion designer, well I just don't see it. I always think he looks like (and comes across as) someone for whom clothes are something you put on, not something you really get interested in. I've given him a lover in my stories that tries her hardest to dress him up (oh the thought) but even she struggles. Personally speaking, I love clothes and adore shopping, but Illya? the rag trade? mm. You'll have to make time to read the story (am wickedly self-publicising now) and then see if my solution was not creative and imaginative!

Re: Art v Science

[glennagirl.livejournal.com]

I've started Font of Life; is it in there? I'm sure your telling of it is masterful, even if your world is not the one I always envision. That's the beauty of it, so many variables.
I think Illya dressed well enough, he has some sharp looking suits. Obviously the original characterization of Illya was rather a snappy dresser if we are to judge him by that opening tan ensemble that he sports in Solo.
Anyway, I won't budge off this! I like Illya knowing about weft and warp and using words like auburgine and chantilly. Mmmmm....

Re: Art v Science

[rosywonder.livejournal.com]

And good on you! I would love that sort of Illya, we could spend hours shopping together comparing textures . .!

Sorry to be pushing these stories! The answer is to be found in the story 'double or die' which follows 'Font of Life'. You are very kind to even consider ploughing through!

Re: Art v Science

[glennagirl.livejournal.com]

Optimally I would like to print it, but I'm low on ink ;)

Re: Art v Science

[rosywonder.livejournal.com]

And it's very long! Perhaps I should send you the ink!

Re: Art v Science

[glennagirl.livejournal.com]

Perhaps we need our own Zine. There is something to be said for sitting down with reading material in hand.

Re: Art v Science

[rosywonder.livejournal.com]

You're not the first person to say that. I still like the rustle of the page myself.

Re: Art v Science

[glennagirl.livejournal.com]

Nothing will replace books in my affections. When George Harrison published his 'autobiography', which isn't really but at least he wrote something, he let Genesis do it up royal in leather with the photos, etc... pricey but wow! That would be fun, wouldn't it, to do something like that with original artwork and so much self-gratuitous extravagance.
I can think of a hundred ways to not make money :D No wonder I'm unemployed.

Re: Art v Science

[rosywonder.livejournal.com]

Your idea sounds absolutely beautiful and far too good for the stuff I churn out, but it would be nice to think you had something like that as a reward for all the blood sweat and toil that I am sure you and I put into these writing things. Sadly, I can't draw for toffee but you are more multi-talented!

I'm sad that work is still elusive - I've had some good weeks at school lately so am clinging on there, wanting my last couple of years to be good ones.