Mainstream

Mainstream was an intended spin-off series for Storm Front and star vehicle for Marcel Lewis. After languishing for a decade, it was finally released in October 2010 and is set to become one of the largest parts of the StormVerse Chronicles.

History
When 'This Is How We Party', now known as the season finale of 'Stormy Weather', was in the planning stages, it was already known that Marcel would be leaving as a main character in Storm Front. The intent for this was to give him a spin-off series in a larger setting than Merlow could provide. The series barely got off the ground, and was eventually deleted. In 2010, it iwas restored to the canon storyline. Mainstream was originally intended to cover Marcel's rise and fall in Drake, from being a promising athlete to having his career derailed after a brutal rape. It now has been reworked to cover his entire life during the timeline of the StormVerse Chronicles.

The Star of Mainstream: Marcel Andreveich Lewis
Marcel Lewis is the star of Mainstream and one of the most pivotal characters in the StormVerse Chronicles.

Background
Marcel Lewis was born to Conrad Lewis and Katerina Petrova. He is often referred to as 'Blondie' or 'Poppums'. He is a native of St. Petersberg, where his father had amassed considerable wealth, trading in commodities and establishing oil refineries across Russia. He spent his childhood years travelling with his parents and it was rare for them to spend more than a few months at home at a time. A chance trip to Merlow and Lake Herren on vacation appealed to Marcel's mother, who felt it was time to start giving her son firm roots. The decision was made to settle in Merlow when Marcel was ten years old.

The Lewis Empire
Marcel's mother was born into a wealthy Russian dynasty, while his father built his own empire trading commodities and establishing oil refineries. Their marriage was as much about connecting wealth as it was for love. This is obvious in their matter of fact way of dealing with each other and the distant relationship they have with their son. The true level of wealth the Lewis family possess has often been something Marcel has tried to hide from his closest friends, feeling it would act as a point of division. However, Marcel has watched how his father has continued to build his wealth and as young as sixteen, began his own portfolio and share trading to establish his own financial empire.

Role in Mainstream and the Stormverse.
Marcel is one of the original members of 'The Pack' a group of friends whose loyalty to each other has helped them all through difficult times. Marcel consideres The Pack to be his family, for better or worse, and his loyalty to them has been a pivotal part of his life and development as a person. While he left Merlow at the age of sixteen, he returns frequently to see members of The Pack, including his best friend, Daniel 'Storm' Marcus, the long time object of his affection. Throughout each of the major installments of the StormVerse Chronicles, Marcel's story weaves in and out, while at the same time telling a greater story of its own in Mainstream. Mainstream is the story of Marcel's life and how it grows and changes, sometimes for good, sometimes for bad. Throughout it all, he endeavours to keep his ties to his loved ones strong, seeking to have a closer and warmer relationship with them than he does with his blood family. It is this desire that keeps him ever present in the lives of those elsewhere.

Viktor Nemov
Viktor is one of the regularly recurring characters in Mainstream. He is a Russian native, whose background is known only by Conrad Lewis. He is the 'go to' man of the Lewis Family. When they need something done, he does it. He is handsome, well presented, but still has the presence of someone who in another life may have been connected to shadier elements. Despite this, Viktor is the closest thing Marcel has to a family in the Lewis Empire, as Viktor is often the one charged with keeping tabs on Marcel while his parents are in Europe. Viktor's loyalty to Marcel's wellbeing and future is one of the reasons he is so well liked by those in Marcel's life. Known for his trademark suit, black leather gloves, and sunglasses, Viktor is also well known for his good heart.

Nate McLeod
Nate is a character that begrudgingly, Marcel eventually forms a bond with. Nate is Scottish-Australian and known for being slightly crazy or eccentric, though there always seems to be a method in his madness. He has his own view on how the world should be. A student at Drake, Nate is trying to train to become part of the Australian Olympic Swim Team.

Serene Hastings
Serene is one of Marcel's closest female friends during the early phases of Mainstream. She is also the only girl he has ever had sex with. Serene's crush on Marcel led to moments of confusion for Marcel, who identifies himself as gay, but still found himself drawn to her. He has stated on more than one occasion, that if he were straight, she would be the only girl for him. Generally warm by nature, Serene lives up to her name by being a calm, comforting presence for Marcel and a resource he often calls upon.

Daniel 'Storm' Marcus
Daniel, or Storm, was Marcel's first love, at first unrequited. Eventually Marcel and Storm spent a night together that acted as a precursor to a relationship some months later.

Lucas Sheridan
After Storm's death, Lucas and Marcel become closer, with Lucas acting as a moral compass for Marcel as he deals with his anguish over Storm's death. Eventually the two become intimate and fall in love, with Lucas becoming Marcel's constant companion as he begins his own career as a model.

The Mainstream 'Bible'
Like Storm Front, Mainstream had its own reference bible, in which the key themes, arcs, and development points were listed. These were designed to ensure that the story never waivered from its original core. Here are some excerpts from a very tattered old scrapbook.

The 'Don't' Rules
No relationships. No constant fighting. No fighting between Nate and Marcel.

Marcel's Coda
Will spend his time in Mainstream becoming a young man. Learning about life and growing up. How to become the best.

Mainstream future
Will carry the series. Follow his trials and tribulations of trying to be the best. Finish with a much more confident and strong Marcel. Ready to face the world.

Storm Front future
Returns not long after Storm’s cameo appearance.

Will return to carry that series in Storm’s absence. Dade beginning to lose it, Mike won’t talk to Lucas. Lucas on the verge of being suicidal.

(Notes: Due to Mainstream not being developed, Marcel didn't return to Storm Front to take over Storm's departure in Season 4, the scheduled time for Mainstream's end. Storm Front was rewritten as Marcel's character hadn't been developed enough in Mainstream as a lead character to take over Storm Front in Storm's absence. The role was given to Dade, after which Storm returned to retake the lead role at the end of Season 5.)

The Nate Factor
Nate McLeod was intended to be Marcel's best friend at Drake Sports Academy. An Australian, with two years experience on Marcel, he is both a friend and competitor. The two are roommates who form an unusual friendship. Not as close as Marcel's friends back in Merlow, but enough to show mutual respect and support. When Marcel comes out to Nate, promptly followed by a visit by Mike, Nate promptly assumes Mike is Marcel's boyfriend. This is strengthened by the obvious close bond that Mike and Marcel share. Despite Marcel's denials, Nate spends most of Mainstream asking when Marcel's real boyfriend is coming back to see him, and he isn't referring to Dade. Nate's role was to provide some straight faced humour and wit against Marcel's often uncertain character. His quips often make no sense or are at Marcel's expense. Had Mainstream been developed to its full potential, Nate would have been the one to find Marcel after he'd been raped and alert the authorities. He would have also been the one to tell Storm the identities of the people who were responsible, as seen in the Drake Interlude. Had Mainstream been developed, Nate also would have made a cameo appearance in Storm Front, after becoming sick of hearing about Merlow from Marcel and demanding a hosted visit. This would have led to Nate becoming a prime candidate for a regular role in Tempest Fore, once again playing opposite Marcel.