GREAT SLOW FIGHTING!

He's not pretending to be anything else, unlike Blake. This is only about the presumption of leadership, nothing else. Blake's presuming it, without first consulting, is the problem. His assuming that everyone will always do what he wants is dictatorial. His sense of revenge is over-riding anything anyone else might think or want. They may all be glad to be there but that doesn't necessarily mean they should always go along with what Blake says. Simples, as the little meercat says.

What's actually supposed to be wrong with Gan that he has to haul himself about like that?

That was annoying. The DVD suddenly froze, then started jumping around. I hope it isn't damaged.

I was so busy being part of the discussion, that I think I just forgot to watch the episode, LOL might have to go and do that now….. :-)

Another situation for which there is no appropriate emoji. I sympathise.

To answer your point about Blake, though, Ms Virn, I think Blake quickly sees that if he allows discussion it will be infinite - especially if Avon is involved, as he is clearly a contrarian who will attempt to argue that balck is white on even the most minor of issues. So he simply takes charge. Not democratic, but efficient. At the beginning of series 3, I think that Avon is determined not to do it like that - but he's a natural loner and critc, not a leader, and the result, a few episodes in (the Harvest of Kairos is a good example), is that he seems to spend his time sulking and being passive-agressive with Tarrant, who is seriously pissed off with this. (My take on Tarrant is that he is ex-military, he is used to a chain of command and is, I think, slightly frightened without one. He tries to take charge himself, but the crew don't really know him, and Avon, the dog in the manger, frustrates his attempts). When Avon sorts himself out and realises that he does have to actually lead (and that Blake was not as wrong as he always thought (not that he will ever tell Blake that)) things improve a lot, and Tarrant stops being a nuisance and settles down as a mostly reliable second in command. Then Avon goes mad, but that is another story! [mail][/mail]

That was annoying. The DVD suddenly froze, then started jumping around. I hope it isn't damaged.

Avon is not a contrarian for the sake of it, but the character is written as the Devil's Advocate that Blake has to have. He doesn't want to be a leader but he does want a fair say. In the end he might agree with what's happening, but he simply wants to be asked. If he were asked more often, he'd be less of a pest and probably wouldn't argue so much. It's the bit of human nature that wants at least to know that your input is being acknowledged (better word than considered, because that's not necessary).

I was so busy being part of the discussion, that I think I just forgot to watch the episode, LOL might have to go and do that now….. :-)

Think you're right about the wanting to be heard.

OK, I'm getting cold now (fan heater going full blast and it's not making much difference). Thanks for some great discussion and things to think about. Hope we can do the same next time! Although the Web isn't particularly inspiring SF, IMO. It's just something we have to do before we can get to the proper episodes - the ones with Servalan in.
Enjoy your week, rebels.

Avon is not a contrarian for the sake of it, but the character is written as the Devil's Advocate that Blake has to have. He doesn't want to be a leader but he does want a fair say. In the end he might agree with what's happening, but he simply wants to be asked. If he were asked more often, he'd be less of a pest and probably wouldn't argue so much. It's the bit of human nature that wants at least to know that your input is being acknowledged (better word than considered, because that's not necessary).

I think he is mostly a natural critic, which is a good and useful thing, and is why Blake doesn't want to lose him - as you say, Blake needs a Devil's advocate, especially as he is somewhat cavalier and gung-ho himself - but he does slip into opposition for opposition's sake. Children of Auron is a case in point - Cally is alarmed about her people, Tarrant (being basically a decent soul) immediately says 'we'll go and help', Avon says 'Oh no we won't' and 'What about my revenge?'. He rows back on that to the more sensible position of 'What if it's a trap?' (and he is right, it is), but his initial response, IMO, was based on nothing nobler or more intelligent than 'Tarrant wants to do it, therefore I don't'.

But perhaps I am projecting - this is a failing of mine (and of many academics, IMO), as you can see from the fact that I am tenaciously pursuing this thread! But it is something that I simultaneously sympathise with in Avon, and criticise.