Loved this ep and loved this story. You made it believable. They made it through but, at times, barely. And they made it by supporting each other. Now how about a little sequel showing us what happens after they drop these guys off with the sheriff. The boys must be in pretty bad shape and Mark didn't really have any extra weight to lose. Thanks for giving us this peak at this missing scene.

I thinking this was a very good so you knew everything and could picture them and what all they went through while vacationing in the wilds of Oregan.

Even though they had to realize they'd make it through all of this they had to be a little concerned there was a possibility they may not make it out alive,especially with those to Sciopaths there.

Very good story.

JeanneZ84

This was most definitely an episode that begged for a missing scene! You filled in the gaps beautifully, and I continue to be in awe of the depth of your knowledge. If I'm ever stranded in the wilderness, I hope you'll be by my side.

As always, the guys remain wonderfully in character, and the call-back to the steak tartare cracked me up! Thanks for gifting us with another great story.

Another wonderful story, this was one of my favorite episodes and one that I always wish had lasted longer. You filled it in so well and I enjoyed reading it so much, I was late for an appointment because I couldn't leave it till I finished. Just wonderful!

Yep, I agree with Owl; we've needed to know for a long time now what took place during those long weeks hiking back to civilization. I'm glad you finally hammered it out for us, even if it was a strain for you. :-)

I think my favorite theme throughout might be the idea that Mark understands the psyche of these bad guys a little bit; he knows it's time to dial back the attitude with the judge. Not because he thinks one or both of them will die and he owes the guy that final act of respect, or anything overtly sentimental like that- nope, he just understands when it's time to quit running the mouth to make things a little bit easier. I've always liked that about him. (though, in terms of an increasing feeling of fatalism, I did like the bit about the shovel.)

Thanks for showing us that these two guys made it through such an ordeal exactly the way we would've expected them to: working together and trusting each other.

Finally! We now have one of the largest "missing scenes" all filled in and it's a gem! The plot's outstanding and the guys are completely in character all through. Not a word or action that isn't completely _them_; not a scene that doesn't either advance the action or explain personality. No overt emotion, but there's lots and lots there under the surface, where they normally keep it.

I love the backstory of Staller and Walsh and the way you flesh them out. Three-dimensional bad guys are not only more believable, but scarier and these two are "people" now instead of cardboard stereotypes.

The interaction between the judge and McCormick is not only believable and comprehensible, it's perceptive. No easy dialogue here; it's much more subtle and realistic as well as being totally representative of the guys as originally portrayed. A beautiful story, and one that needed to be written. It was just waiting for the right author to come along!