It's a difficult topic for anyone to handle, and my apologies for bringing it up. My dislike of death fics and my experience in RL are intertwined. If anyone else had posted this topic I'd never have said so, though. I probably shouldn't have.

I think your point about control is well taken.

Good writing can take us right inside a character's head. Video is more evocative, especially with a well chosen soundtrack, but writing can literally spell it all out. Maybe that is part of the difference.