Wow, excellent ficlet, thanks

Nicely done and a good variation on the classic drowning scheme. Most of the fandom does generally seem to agree that Malcolm can overcome that particular phobia if there alternative is a fellow member of the crew dying. Drowning in guilt can be the more destructive of the two options in this fic. Thank you for writing and posting this!

Brilliantly in character for everyone in the story, particularly Captain Archer. The part about *his* paralyzing fear was particularly poignant. Very well done indeed!

Excellent, thank you.

A great story. Very good.

What a descent into Malcolm Hell...trapped inside his head, seeing the world from his perspective as he watches his worst nightmare unfold before his eyes. Gut-wrenching, riveting. The talk with Trip in the mess hall was great, but the one with Archer was better, and such a relief after what Malcolm had put himself (and us) through. Archer's rock-solid certainty following him out, filling his lungs with air again...wow.

Characterizations are spot-on, layered and rich, with voices so perfect I hear them in my head. Several memorable lines have already been quoted; this one made me laugh out loud: "As we trudge along under roiling dark grey clouds, cold and miserable, I hear Commander Tucker trying out his inventory of colloquial North American profanities, an impressive collection that would make his mother proud, I’m sure."

My favorite line? Archer's confession that his paralyzing fear is "losing any one of you." Got me right in the heart, and made enormous sense to me. Some may screech that it would impair Archer's ability to command, while others would point to it as the quality that sets him apart...count me squarely in the latter camp.

Great last line. Wonderful story.

Poor Malcolm. He lets on that he has one little phobia, and ends up having a whole month devoted to it! Great job with your 'drowing.' It's an interesting change to read a story by you devoted to Malcolm (and in first person POV, no less!); it just proves you can write other characters well, not just Archer. Great story, and I agree with the earlier point raised about Malcolm being unable to jump in and save the captain - it does feel more real.

Thank you. This was beautiful, so right for Malcolm. Why am I so drawn to characters who beat themselves up for their own faults? Ah but I am, and this is just how Malcolm should be in his weak moments.

One possible edit necessary:

You say T'Pol, coming from a desert planet, surprisingly has a hard time swimming. I rather think that should be "unsurprising". Why would it be surprising?

Amazing! I loved your story. Of all the drown Malcolm stories I have read, yours is a different take. I like that Trip got Malcolm drunk, trying to get him to talk and relax. Excellent job!

Emma

Powerful story...and yes, Malcolm's not jumping in to save Archer was more believable, considering his aquaphobia.

Trip has a point: everyone fears something. And good that he makes Malcolm see reason...and I'm glad Malcolm and Archer had that talk. I like Archer's line “You know, we could go on like this, Malcolm, until we both end up unemployed. . . ” and his admitting his greatest fear too...

Great story! Thank you! :)

Ah, excellent. Very strong story, quite well written. I found Malcolm, especially, to be completely in character. I liked seeing Trip and Archer through his eyes as well.

You have some very gentle moments in this, despite the harsh subject matter. Like this: "After a while, Trip puts his cup down on the table. “Wanna tell me what happened down there, Malcolm?” he asks, low enough that only I can hear him. This is why people confide in Trip; his voice is neutral and non-judgmental, quiet."

And I like how you get us to feel the environment on that planet, without going excessively into detail.

I love how Malcolm, as you portray him, is so very self-aware in some ways ("After seven years, I am still unable to make small talk with this man without sounding like a wind-up toy.") and yet so very clueless about himself in others.

Nicely done.

Very well done! First person monologue is difficult to work with. And I love the line "Drowning in guilt is just as overwehelming and painful as drowning in water".

More than one way to drown indeed. Nice take on the theme, with some very good lines too. I really liked “the matter is not up for debate, Lieutenant,” – when is it ever? –.

Loved it! Maybe it's strange, but my favorite part was Malcolm admitting that he wouldn't jump in after the Captain, no matter what the circumstances. The "typical" plot device would be for Malcolm to conquer his fears in the face of danger, and I like the fact that you actually had him freeze. It'a a far more realistic approach, and I enjoyed it immensely.

I very much liked Trip in this story. I think giving people the benefit of the doubt is very much part of his character, and you captured that very well.

Thanks for a great story!

Ooh, that asks for a sequel, next year! Drowning in guilt, I like that new perspective. And you used an interesting style for this story. I must admit I had to read more slowly because of the present tense. But it was a great adventure, and very realistic. The reactions of Trip and T'Pol as well. Even T'Pol getting into the water. Thanks for writing!