From: ekho@cybernet.cse.fau.edu (amanda rothman)
Newsgroups: rec.arts.sf.tv
Subject: Re: Re^2: B7: Orbit (SPOILERS) (was "Yet Another Blake's 7 Question"
Date: 9 Sep 92 15:43:40 GMT
Organization: Cybernet BBS, Boca Raton, Florida

grohol@novavax.UUCP (John Grohol) writes:

> ramsey@cua.edu (Betsy Ramsey) writes:
> 
> >As to why Vila didn't kill Avon, that's not in Vila's nature.  On the
> >other hand, we didn't see any warm moments between the two of them
> >(with the possible exception of Vila's initial realization "You think
> >you've found Blake") after that, and the Warlord alliance must have
> >taken a fairly long amount of time to put together (weeks at least,
> >more likely months).  I think it can be inferred that the incident
> >aboard Egorian's shuttle did a significant amount of damage to their
> >relationship.
>  ^^^^^^^^^^^
> 
> You're speaking as though they had had a relationship to begin with.
> Avon has never found himself to be attached to *any* of the B7 crew,
> with the exception of *perhaps* Blake himself. I believe he cared
> more for Servalan than he did any of his fellow crewmembers. He saw
> them only as useful tools in their own speciality and as a means to
> an eventual end. Avon was constantly and consistently surprised when
> he discovered that the others were always looking out for him and
> trusting him, while he returned none of their feelings.
> 
> Avon only ever saw Vila as an excellent locksmith and in that, a
> valuable asset to the crew. The fact that he became more of an
> alcoholic by the end of the 4th season (Vila, that is), probably
> did nothing to help Avon's already low valuation of Vila's personality.
> 
> Now Vila, on the other hand, may have thought that he and Avon had had
> some sort of friendship or something. But again, that was his
> point of view, not Avon's. And since Avon always held the cards...

  I am one of those insufferable soft-hearted sods who are of the opinion 
that Avon _did_ care somewhat for his companions in misery (within 
reason, of course! ;)  Why else would he have stayed with them at all 
after finding Orac?  He could have jumped ship at any time with the super 
computer and lived in the lap of luxury on some (hopefully) moderately 
civilized planet.  All he would have to do is erase any computer 
knowledge of the planet/ system/ sector (take your pick) he chose to 
reside in!  His personal honor was a large factor in his decision
to stay ("I want it finished.... I want to be free... of him!"), as is 
his desire for Liberator, but Avon is a very patient man (look at how 
long he waited for a chance of revenge for Anna!).  He could wait as well 
in a much less stressful situation and then call the Liberator to him via 
Orac.  Instead, he chooses to stay on Liberator, even though it means he 
"chooses to follow" Blake's orders.

  As to his relationship with Vila, I believe that they are the closet 
two of all the crew.  Both of them being thieves (of a sort), they 
understand eachother, especially Vila's understanding that Avon will not 
show sentiment (which he always speaks against) in public.  The badinage 
between the two are one of my favorite elements in Blakes 7!  And about 
That Shuttle Episode, it only was a shuttle; there aren't a lot of places 
to hide on a shuttle which has just been stripped to the gills!  Plus the 
fact that Avon did not move one piece of metal (such as ventilation shaft 
covers...) in his search; he just kept calling to Vila in that voice 
which he would never normally use.  (Until, as mentioned, he found 
another way to solve the problem without threat to Vila's life)

  As to trusting the crew or anyone else, trust must be earned, not 
given, according to Avon's philosophy.  But a pretty good way to begin 
earning that trust is to show him that he is trusted by you.  The crew 
had very good instincts, did they not? :)

  Finally, as to his "relationship" with Servalan, I am of the opinion 
that her respects her ability and cunning (he stated as much), but as for 
caring for her (more than the crew?), I find it hard to believe.  If not, 
he could have jumped ship and gone to be with her instead (although he 
knows that any safety and/or comfort in that situation would be temporary 
at best. And they both know it...).

  Just another thought about "The Life and Quirks of Kerr Avon".  Another 
entry will be forthcoming, I'm sure... ;} )

        Yours in Time and Space,

                Ekho (Killer Queen, Dynamite with a Laser Beam)