For me, the person who does not much like A-plots, this story is nevertheless enthralling. Probably because the A-plot itself is enthralling, and because the story really is so B-plot heavy, with excellent interaction between Lois and Clark. And of course, the fact that neither of them knows that Clark used to be Superman makes it even more fascinating!
Since I have not seen the episode with Dr Deter - big surprise there - I don't know what his real motivations are. But I'm guessing that he is a disgusting sleazebag who likes to liberate women of their men and then make use of the women to his own advantage. But clearly there must be someone behind Deter. I'm sure Baby Rage got a kick out of burning down people's property, but it was Bill Church who had hired him for his own, sinister reasons.
Not one of the spouses or former patients had been willing to talk to her, not even off the record. The last woman had been positively rude, claiming Lois was out to get a "good man' – and this was the woman who had filed a multi-million dollar suit against the Center, naming Deter's advances as the reason behind the complaint.
...
“Do you think they got paid off?” Lois wondered aloud.
“Well, some of the suits against Deter and the Center were dismissed for lack of evidence,” Clark reminded her. “But the others were simply dropped. It's possible they reached an out-of-court settlement that included a gag order.”
To me it sounds as if Deter is costing his employer a fortune in various out-of-court settlements. Why would anyone want an employee like that? Unless his boss wants to keep Deter
because he is totally unscrupulous and ruthless and will use his psychiatric knowledge to destroy his boss's enemies?
Compare the cases of "Roger" and Clark. In several respects they are awfully similar. Both men disappeared, lost their memory, and when they were found again they were diagnosed - by Dr Deter! - with disassociative retrograde amnesia. Deter made improper advances towards Roger's wife as well as to Clark's "fiancée", Lois. Deter also claimed that Roger would become a danger to his wife and children, and Clark would become a danger to Lois. Roger was treated by Deter, got worse and killed himself. What would have happened to Clark if he had agreed to Dr Deter's treatment?
But what is Deter's agenda? And who is behind him? Mendenhall? Then what does
he want? Is Mendenhall just a pawn, too? Could the real "Boss" behind it all be Luthor?
I liked how you described Clark's session with Dr Friskin. Clark felt Superman die. Yes, indeed.
Like I said, this is a totally captivating fic, Dandello.
Ann
