Reviewer: sandman579 Signed
Date: May 01 2021
Title: Chapter 1: A Brand New World
Whew, it's a relief Brian got his "I'm alive, just very smol" video out so quickly. Jen was giving me a worrying suicidal vibe after learning her dead brother was innocent all along for certain. And it gave me a chuckle that Senator Day reached out to Jen, but snubbed Laura Bentley, especially if she knew before calling Jen that Brian was alive. I'm a little confused about Brian saying he's permanently shrunk in his video, unless that's just a jab to pull at people's heartstrings. I see the Senator pouncing on that during her "End the Shrink Penalty" preseidential campaign. "Good news everyone! I, Senator Day, have reached out to scientists who say they can restore poor Brian Bentley. That's right! Senator Day has helped your little hero!"
I wonder if Brian will refuse to see Jen until he's restored to his real size. He'll almost certaintly at least call her or video chat with her, but I wonder if he's too scared to let her see her big brother so vulnerable like that.
Personally, I'm all for a good grudge. But I think the story will head towards reconciliation instead. Don't know what she'll do to earn it, her last word with him is that she'd happily kill him herself, and the day after his execution reporters asked for her statement and she said she didn't care that he was dead since he was no longer her son. I think the chance of Laura being allowed back into Brian's life will depend on how Jen feels about how she's been acting in the past 3 years. Still, you could let Allison or Elizabeth get a few good hits in when Laura tries to see her son again.
Author's Response: Right? Although, Jen's mental trauma has now been replaced with a *different* mental trauma, so she's not feeling good no matter what.
As for the permanent thing, it was definitely to create hella sympathy for him. Also, they have to play into what the audience believes. The whole 'not permanent' thing is a closely guarded secret, so they can't just let that slip on national TV. Of course, it also presents an opportunity for the senator to become a hero, for sure!
As for a reconciliation or not, just know that I'm not ever going to try and justify her actions, or create quick forgiveness just for the sake of the plot. Brian isn't about to forgive her any time soon, and as he said in part 2, he doesn't even want to meet with her at all. Jen will definitely influence that, though, so I hope you'll find it interesting. Glad to have you back!
-Pluto