Actually, I wrote this last night, but accidentally posted it to alt.games.civ2 (grumble). So, here I repost it, in the correct NG. (If Agent missends this...)
Being bored at the moment, just got off work (and probably won't sleep for a while as a result), I just visited Outpost Daria searching for fanfics. I just HAD to review this one. This is the second time I've read "The Way Things Ought to Be," by Barry Eshkol Adelman; this is the only fanfic I've ever read twice, and with good reason. Though it's known I'm a fan of CE Forman's fanfics, I think this standalone crossover is probably the FINEST piece of work the fanfic community has produced. The characters were _very_ well done. The shallow Daria of the other side of the Twilight Zone is precisely what I'd expect, down to the room simelar to Quinn's, but with more stuffed animals, the drugs, the considerably more crass than Quinn's attitude toward guys, even the utter ruination of Treant; all were as I expected. Though I haven't seen enough B&B to comment on the teachers characterization, they seemed well done as well. Even the use of Upchuck as the narrator, and later, as the one who guided Daria out of that nightmare (making sure to remain his usual reptilian self) was absolutely perfect in my mind, and the advice he gave her was great as well, and not totally out of place (coming out of Upchuck's mouth, that is). The way it was written was masterful; I was almost literally removed from the text as I read. I didn't see the monitor. I saw the characters; I heard the voices. This is one I would seriously like to see animated. The only characters I couldn't properly imagine were the shallow Daria and the clean and not totally moronic Bevis and Melvin. Quinn was easily enough imagined, though I think I borrowed from Doug's (think Nickelodian) sister somewhat for that image. When I read this the first time, I wanted to send e-mail to the author praising his work; however, he didn't leave the address at Planet Daria. So, Mr. Adelman, if you're lurking, kudos!