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The Sentinel


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#1

Elle Renee

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Posted Jan 5, 2004 @ 4:48 PM

Voce, in the final episode, Blair finishes his first draft of his dissertation, in which he's identified Jim by name. Naomi comes to visit, and he won't let her see it, claiming that he's not sure if it's any good. Naomi tries to help by emailing a copy to a publisher friend of hers, so he can help Blair with whatever might be wrong. The publisher goes crazy over it, and wants to publish it with a huge advance. Blair tries to keep it quiet and tell the publisher NO, but the publisher keeps upping the advance. Jim, of course, finds out, and is predictably furious.

The publisher ups the advance to $1 million, and Blair's tempted, but he still says no. Then the publisher issues a press release about their "new bestseller" (which he still doesn't own, btw, so the press release is waaaaay premature), the press runs with the story, and suddenly they're all in Jim's face about his Sentinel abilities. Jim is furious with Blair. The university loves Blair for bringing them so much positive attention. Blair doesn't know what to do.

There's some discussion on why Blair used Jim's name (he just says he doesn't know), and when he thought he'd actually be able to publish this (again, didn't know). After lots of thought, Blair comes to a decision.

He holds a press conference (Jim and Simon watch it on TV) where he says:

"Hi. Thank you all for coming. I just have a short speech prepared here. Um... In our media-informed culture, a scientist receives validation by having his or her work published and after years of research there is great personal satisfaction when that goal is reached. However, my desire to impress both my peers and the world at large drove me to an immoral and unethical act. My thesis "The Sentinel" is a fraud." [Here his voice breaks.] "While my paper does quote ancient source material, the documentation proving that James Ellison...actually possesses hyper-senses is fraudulent. Looking back, I can say that it's a good piece of fiction." [by now, he's almost crying.] "I apologize for this deception. My only hope is that I can be forgiven for the pain I've caused those that are close to me. Thank you."

He's immediately fired, and loses his position as a grad student. He later runs into Jim, who thanks him for doing that, and for everything he's done over the past three years. In the end, Jim, Simon, and all the Major Crime guys invite him to join them for real, as a cop. He agrees to enroll in the Academy, but still refuses to cut his hair.


For a transcript of this episode, go to this place.
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#2

freeyourmind

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Posted Jan 5, 2004 @ 5:28 PM

And the above? Is why I can't really watch that episode. It's very emotional and makes my eyes damp. That speech? One of the bravest things Blair ever did for Jim.
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#3

cynicat x

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Posted Jan 5, 2004 @ 6:15 PM

Oh, and there's some kind of crime, assassination, blah blah plotcakes but who even paid attention? It was an awesome wrap up. One of the few finales that really tied things up nicely. BUT, it sure opened the door for a bazillion possibilities of what could have, should have, would have happened next. Fanfiction writers have had a field day with Blair as cop/not-cop.

One of the bravest things Blair ever did for Jim.

Pure, sweet, true love. Only explanation. Can I get a Ho Yay from the congregation? Amen.
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#4

Elle Renee

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Posted Jan 6, 2004 @ 10:14 AM

That speech just broke my heart. It was Blair's barely contained tears that broke me. He gave up everything, everything he ever wanted, trashed his entire career to protect Jim. Sure, Jim invited him to join the force for real, but that wasn't Blair's dream. That wasn't what he'd worked for since he was sixteen.

I've read a lot of fanfic that has Blair quitting the Academy because he doesn't want to use his gun (which is wrong, I think-- I've seen several eps where he's been prepared to shoot people). I haven't seen much with Blair as cop. I do think Blair would like being a cop, eventually.

Maybe I need to write some post-TSbBS fic. I'm all upset now.

Flight was on yesterday! Watched it last night, for the first time. Man, that look in Blair's eyes when he tells Jim he's not going to Borneo... that is True Love.

So Blair gave up Borneo, and eventually his career, for Jim. Anything else? What's Jim given up that's remotely comparable? His privacy, maybe? Is that on the same level as Blair's sacrifices? Maybe his active acceptance of his Sentinel abilities in Flight rises to that level?

Hmm. You could look at it like Blair didn't sacrifice for Jim, but for the Sentinel. And Jim gave up the chance of a normal life for the Sentinel. Neither planned for their lives to take those paths, but they chose to give up what they wanted so the Sentinel could protect the city. Viewed like that, it makes me feel better about Blair's actions. I don't want Blair to be the only one who changes his life.
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#5

Bitterswete

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Posted Jan 6, 2004 @ 11:13 AM

In my perfect world, Blair's reputation is salvaged when the truth comes out. (Since he never sent the manuscript to the publisher, and didn't give them permission to release it to the public, how can it be fraud? In order for it to be fraud, you have to deliberately set out to mislead everyone, which Blair obviously didn't do.) Blair then sues the publisher and the university, and ends up with a ton of money. He then decides he's had enough of the academic life and accepts a position as a paid consultant with the CPD. However, he's still invited on the occasional expedition.

If we ever get a SENTINEL movie, this is how I want things to be when it starts.

Edited by Bitterswete, Jan 6, 2004 @ 11:14 AM.

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#6

Elle Renee

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Posted Jan 6, 2004 @ 4:13 PM

Bitterswete, I would so love that. I want him to be vindicated.

Sentinel movie? Ahhhhh. I wish. And maybe it'd be successful enough that they'd bring back the show. Like Firefly. Ah, happy dreams. :)
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#7

freeyourmind

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Posted Jan 6, 2004 @ 4:48 PM

Elle are you a Firefly fan? Becasue I am, of the highest order. Did you see RB in one of the unaired episodes? He was great. I had fun briefly in imagining him as a descendent of Jim's since it's set five hundred years in the future.

I know one of the first fics I read had Blair as a paid consultant to the PD. I havent' read many where he's a cop either. They might mention it for a moment but I don't think any i've read had that as the main focus of the story. I think I've read more where he gets harassed at the academy because everyone knows who he is and everyone thinks he lied so they don't like him and don't understand how he got in the academy.

Also wasn't the idea that once Blair finished the academy he would become Jim's partner? Would he have been a detective? Aren't most academy graduates rookies and do patrol like stuff? I guess maybe they woud have taken in consideration his three year ride along with Jim.

Now I need to go read some fic, some good sweaty fic.
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#8

Elle Renee

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Posted Jan 7, 2004 @ 11:10 AM

freeyourmind, hell yeah I'm a browncoat. :) I used to post over in the Firefly forums, but I haven't for quite a while. I did see the RB Firefly episode (bad guy Jim! gaaaaah!) but only in not-very-good quality on my computer. My DVDs should be coming in any day now.

I read one fic with Blair as a full-fledged cop. He was going out to work crowd control at a protest, without Jim. Jim was all twitchy about letting Blair go out alone, and Blair protested that he couldn't have Jim taking care of him all the time. It was neat, showing that Blair could succeed in Jim's milieu.

Also wasn't the idea that once Blair finished the academy he would become Jim's partner? Would he have been a detective? Aren't most academy graduates rookies and do patrol like stuff?


That's what I'd think. It takes a while to make detective, right? Although I guess you're right about the three-year ridealong, with all the detective and undercover work Blair did for them. (unpaid! I'm still annoyed about that.)

Now I need to go read some fic, some good sweaty fic.


And the congregation said HOYAY!
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#9

Bitterswete

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Posted Jan 7, 2004 @ 11:42 AM

I've actually read quite a few fics where Blair is a cop, and the story focusses on him working his first case, or dealing with hard noses who saw the press conference, etc.

As for whether Blair could become a detective straight out of the Academy, I have no idea. I've actually seen shows and movies where "uniformed" officers get assignments where they wear plain clothes and do detective work, but they aren't officially detectives. Now, whether or not that actually happens, I don't know. Still, I'd like to think Simon could pull some strings to get Blair assigned to Major Crimes, even if he wasn't officially a detective yet.
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#10

cynicat x

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Posted Jan 27, 2004 @ 7:10 PM

Is anyone still watching? I keep thinking I'll get sick of this show, but it just doesn't happen. I don't know what it is...
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#11

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Posted Jan 29, 2004 @ 2:54 PM

Yeah, I'm surprised at how quiet this thread is at the moment. What episode is airing these days? I'm not in an area that is running them, but I enjoyed the commentaries of people who were watching every day.
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#12

freeyourmind

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Posted Jan 29, 2004 @ 4:08 PM

*raises hand*

I'm watching! Well, when I'm up at 8am which has happened for the past 3 or 4 days. Yesterday 'Smart Alec' was on and today it was the episode with wacky Naomi and her psychic friend.

Blair always looks embarrassed and apologetic when his mom shows up. It's like he's thinking, "Okay, I know she's unusual but it was just her and me against the world for so long and I love her and she just wants what's best for me."

Although I wouldn't mind watching the episode where she first showed up because I want to see Blair drive that truck again and I laughed at how Jim was looking at her until Blair was like, "Come on man, that's my mom!"


In terms of fanfic anybody ever read this story about Blair and it had Magnum P.I. in it and it was angsty and stuff? I know I read it but I couldn't find it the other day when I was searching for it and well, I get distracted by all the stories, especially ones I've read before and then I click on them and read them over and lose all focus.


Edited to add: Anyone read Martha's crossover with TS and SG? It's called 'Lovely' and it's a great story. She's got a nice chunk of a sequel written too and she's got the group from 'Angel' involved. Come on, Wes, Daniel, Blair? Jack, Jim, Angel? What's not to love? It's a kick ass story written very very well. I figure if i'm obsessed and loving it some people here might like it too.

Edited by freeyourmind, Jan 29, 2004 @ 4:14 PM.

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#13

cynicat x

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Posted Jan 30, 2004 @ 9:56 AM

Blair always looks embarrassed and apologetic when his mom shows up

Yeah, but he does love her. One of my favorite scenes in this episode is when Blair gets in Charlie's face saying that his mom is hurting. He then says "I got a real problem with people who hurt my mom". Naomi might be unconventional, but Blair was more than willing to kick some ass in order to protect his mother. What a good boy.

I've read a few Magnum stories. I'm not sure which one you want, but here's a list of crossover stories from the Cascade Library . Hope that helps!

Today's episode is Disappearing Act, where the guy who used to work for the mob turns up alive after everyone thought he was dead. The subplot is Blair trying to find a gift for Sam's birthday within the "48 hour window". The window that everyone inherently knows...except for Jim.
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#14

Zanne

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Posted Jan 31, 2004 @ 11:49 PM

Anyone read Martha's crossover with TS and SG? It's called 'Lovely' and it's a great story. She's got a nice chunk of a sequel written too and she's got the group from 'Angel' involved. Come on, Wes, Daniel, Blair? Jack, Jim, Angel?


Where's the sequel? Is it up, yet? I couldn't find anything.
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#15

patty1h

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Posted Feb 2, 2004 @ 4:23 PM

Where's the sequel? Is it up, yet? I couldn't find anything.


I remember reading a few months ago that Martha has a blog where she's posting snippets of the sequel to "Lovely". Unfortunately, I don't know where the URL. Perhaps someone else knows?
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#16

littlekat

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Posted Feb 2, 2004 @ 6:45 PM

I found the sequel here.

There's already three parts posted. I've only started reading it and I am really enjoying it.
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#17

Overnighter

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Posted Feb 3, 2004 @ 11:58 AM

I remember reading a few months ago that Martha has a blog where she's posting snippets of the sequel to "Lovely". Unfortunately, I don't know where the URL. Perhaps someone else knows?


She's still posting the sequel, Tatters, on her LJ, with periodic, but pretty regular, updates here:
Martha's LJ

She posted Chapter 19 on January 28, and there's still more to come. Like Lovely, it's a crossover with Stargate.

Happy Reading!

Edited by Overnighter, Feb 3, 2004 @ 6:50 PM.

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#18

Slashgirl

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Posted Feb 14, 2004 @ 10:06 AM

Yet another TS fan bumping this thread up. I've only been watching this show for a few months & it's definitely some of the slashiest slash that ever slashed. (LOL) Richard Burgi & Garrett Maggart are equally scrumptious & they have great chemistry. None of the female beards TPTB tried to pass off as so-called "love interests" ever sizzled with Jim or Blair as much as J/B sizzled together, IMO. For example, in the Inside Man episode, while it had Shirtless!Jim, when he macked on/shagged The Woman Formerly Known As Lilah (Angel reference), I thought, "Back off, bitch-he's *Blair's*!" (LOL)

Reading in previous posts about how cool RB & GM were with the HoYay & seeing screencaps of their kissing bloopers is the icing on the cake. If only more HoYay-centric shows took a page or 100 from TS's book. (cough:Smallville:cough)

Edited by Slashgirl, Mar 11, 2004 @ 10:19 AM.

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#19

andel

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Posted Feb 15, 2004 @ 6:13 PM

I'm a relative newcomer to TS, and damn. The Jim/Blair subtext is not even subtext. It actually flashes across the screen in large letters.

Also, I'm loving this show for its copious use of slow-motion action sequences.
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#20

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Posted Feb 17, 2004 @ 4:01 AM

There was no sub on the show. And guys, Lex and Clark have started with the face touching, the hugging, and now Clark got super-hearing. It's almost TS.
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#21

cynicat x

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Posted Feb 21, 2004 @ 9:08 AM

That escaped criminal (can't remember his name right this second) from Survival said it best: "All you need is the cape, Ellison".
TS was just Smallville, ahead of it's hoyay time.
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#22

Bitterswete

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Posted Feb 21, 2004 @ 11:44 AM

TS comes to mind so much when I'm watching SMALLVILLE, it's not even funny. Mostly, I think TS handles Jim's abilities in a far more interesting way than SV has handled Clark's. The super hearing is just one example.

And yet, I'm convinced the producers/writers of SV watch TS. There are just too many similarities.
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#23

cynicat x

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Posted Feb 23, 2004 @ 12:05 PM

For a somewhat poorly written show, TS was like the "little engine that could". I think the chemistry among the cast (and probably crew) elevated the scripts and gave them a dimension that wasn't originally written. And being so, so pretty didn't hurt either.
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#24

Slashgirl

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Posted Feb 28, 2004 @ 2:03 PM

Only one post this week? For shame! (LOL)

Re Carrie, the recurring forensics "expert" or whatever, Hated. Her. Her impulsiveness has almost gotten the boys killed more than once. With her in the way, it's a wonder the boys succeeded-or *survived*.

Another female cop I hated was Captain Finkelman from the "Finkeleman's Folly" episode, the one who temporarily replaced Simon after he was shot. As if Cassie wasn't clueless enough! While insisting on a dress code was understandable, doing an undercover job without backup was stupid, to say the least. Jim wouldn't even have considered pulling that kind of job without an escape plan & he's got superpowers, for Pete's sake! While Blair, in fairness, basically did the same thing sometimes, from what I've seen so far, he never went undercover without telling Jim or Simon, before or after the fact. While Jim's subsequent smackdown of Capt. Finkelmoron was good, Blair's was even better, especially when he told her that what he does on his own time & whom he does it with was his business & that he & Jim were partners whether she liked it or not so she'd better get over it. In other words, Blair not only stood up for himself, he stood by his man! You go, boy! (LOL)

Edited by Slashgirl, Feb 29, 2004 @ 1:12 PM.

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#25

lootie777

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Posted Mar 1, 2004 @ 4:46 PM

I'm catching TS for the first time around on Sci-Fi (what, so I'm a little slow) and I'll tell you why Cassie is so damn annoying.

She's TPTB attempt at a female version of Blair. This hit me as I was brushing my teeth yesterday. I had just woken up and I've given blood since then, so this may sound crazy.

Things Cassie & Blair have in common:

Hyper, at times spastic behavior - Now don't get me wrong, I love Blair bouncing all over the place. On Cassie it just bugs.

Very smart and very good at what they do - Cassie & Blair are both great at what they do. Cassie, like Blair, seems to make intuitive leaps and has a good grasp of her profession.

Trouble magnet - I mean, come on. All Blair has to do is wake up in the morning and people are trying to kidnap/beat/kill him. One character is enough, we don't need another "always in jepordy" character in the show. see Damsel in Distress below.

Inappropriate flirting with Jim - It's ok if Blair flirts with Jim. Not Cassie. Even Simon doesn't like Cassie flirting with Jim.

Damsel in distress syndrome - This is especially prevelant in the "Silence of the Lambs" rip off with the serial killer tying Blair & Cassie to chairs in the loft. Blair makes up for it by throwing random objects at criminals and knocking them out. Again, on Cassie it just bugs.

I could go on, but I think I made my point (I hope!). The only problem is, the actress has no chemistry with Jim. I think I'm still at the point in the series where TPTB are trying to throw a female, any female into the path of the slashy goodness that is J/B.
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#26

Slashgirl

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Posted Mar 2, 2004 @ 10:44 AM

Word, Lootie77! Cassie was just another worthless beard in a string of beards whose sole purpose was to ruin the J/B slashy goodness, which backfired, big time. At the risk of sounding corny, when it comes to TS, J/B are, were & always will be the magic.
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#27

cynicat x

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Posted Mar 5, 2004 @ 4:29 PM

I seem to remember hearing that they were, in fact, trying to replace Blair with Cassie--literally. I don't know how true it all is, but the story goes that Richard Burgi did not want GM replaced, and fought the battle to keep him. Knowing that possibility, I've often wondered if the plan was to have Blair killed in a cave in during Breaking Ground and have Cassie take his place.

Fact or fiction, it makes interesting food for thought :)
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#28

patty1h

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Posted Mar 9, 2004 @ 11:01 AM

I feel sorta like a cheerleader for doing this, but figured the Sentinel fans out there would appreciate the info.

For all you Garett Maggart fans, it was posted on several TS fan pages that he has a new headshot up on his webpage. Grab hold of something, then look at this.

Also, Fangoria Magazine has a blurb announcing that the movie Garett's filmed last year, "Demon Under Glass", will be released on DVD on 3/18/04. You can read that here.

For Richard Burgi fans, it was announced that he's currently filming two movies, one with Kim Basinger and the other with Cameron Diaz. Not too shabby!

Edited by patty1h, Mar 9, 2004 @ 8:54 PM.

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#29

cynicat x

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Posted Mar 9, 2004 @ 6:03 PM

For all you Garett Maggart fans out there, it was posted on several TS fan pages that he has a new headshot up on his webpage

Wow. Just wow. How is this man not getting work? I'll pay him just to sit there and look like that.

Edited by cynicat x, Mar 9, 2004 @ 6:04 PM.

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#30

lootie777

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Posted Mar 10, 2004 @ 9:36 PM

I just finished watching Sentinel Too (part 1) for the first time. If I didn't know where the storyline was going, I'd be a big spazzy ball of angst.

Jeez Jim, bitchy enough? The scene in the bullpen between Blair and Jim, with Simon looking on was slasherific. I'm siding with Blair on this one. Jim completely closed up and freaked out. If my partner, best friend and room mate acted like that with me, I'd give him space too.

I wasn't sure if I would like Jeri Ryan, but she was great! Very scary and I felt, a credible threat to Jim.

I would have loved this story line to have been an arc over 3 or 4 episodes. More of a build up would have been great. Did I read up thread that TPTB were going to cancel the show at this point? That's just crazy!

Anyway, really good episode. My Tivo purchase has repaid itself in Sentinel goodness!
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