Sally Manton wrote:
Anyone want to talk about this? What do you think the Mutual Disparagement Society *actually* thought of each other behind all the insults?
I think this was another interesting, complicated relationship, one that *definitely* had, to use your word, "chemistry." Personally, I do think there was some genuine liking -- even affection -- between Avon and Vila, on both sides. I think, actually, that they were a *lot* more alike than either of them would ever have admitted. Indeed, I think they had very similar philosophies of life, in some ways: It's stupid to be a hero. Gotta look out for Number One. Money is wonderful, and there's nothing wrong with taking it from someone else if you can get away with it. Take pride in being the very best at what you do. Witty insults are fun. :) So I think, in some ways, they were more temperamentally compatible than nearly any other duo on the ship.
On the other hand, I think that Avon often very genuinely found Vila's cowardice and his complaining and his prattling to be extremely annoying. And I think it likely that Vila did sometimes find Avon's contempt for him -- apparent or actual -- rather hurtful. I mean, hey, Vila could be really immature, and Avon could be a total bastard, and neither of them was remotely blind to the other's faults. But I think they generally knew where they stood with each other, so that it was, generally speaking, a comfortable relationship (and, in that regard, and IMHO, rather different than the much edgier relationship between Avon and Blake).