Paul Cornell<\/a> has written a few very short stories to help you make it through the lockdowns and quarantines that you may be experiencing. The first is \u201cThe Shadow Passes\u201d<\/a> and is in text form. The second, \u201cShadow of a Doubt,\u201d will immediately remind you of Christian discussions of repentance and the idea that \u201call you need to do is say sorry.\u201d The third is called \u201cThe Shadow in the Mirror\u201d and gives another perspective on the story. The discussion of topics like sin and mercy are profound and provocative. Perhaps most timely is the reference to how \u201cfamily of mine\u201d had become who they had in response to injustices they and their own people experienced. The potential for experience of injustice to turn into practice of injustice is one of the reasons revenge is so pernicious \u2013 and why forgiveness and breaking cycles of retribution is so crucial. Also interesting are the hints in the original ending of the television episode which are picked up here, to the effect that the judgment\/vengeance on the youngest of the Family of Blood is most merciful and the Doctor checks in on her regularly. Whatever one\u2019s view of efforts towards restorative justice, could most or all agree that it is appropriate at least in the case of younger offenders? But in this story, the offender does not appear sorry at all. Not in the slightest. Should they get a chance for restoration and a future of their own determination even so?<\/p>\n See the discussion on IO9<\/a>\u00a0and on Bleeding Cool<\/a>, as well as on Paul Cornell\u2019s own blog:<\/p>\n