Although, I myself would like any PGP to start with

...

Avon's mental state thereafter, and deal with the question of what it would take to get him to be, well, human again.

Who says he isn't still human? At Redemption 99 there was a panel on weaponry in science fiction which I hosted with Steve Kilbane, and Steve can correct me if my memory's severely astray, and at one point it suddenly sunk into me that I was listening to some guy in the audience who was effectively admitting that he had machine-gunned defenceless prisoners in the heat of battle. He didn't seem any less human for it. I think it's easy to overestimate just how easily people can come to terms with some of the things they've done, often things far worse than Avon ever did.

Actually, what I was doing was underestimating Avon's ability to come to terms... I was suggesting that in my min, he would be in such a state of shock over the deaths of the others he might go into a complete emotional shutdown (most likely) or some other basic snapping of his mind that would make him act in non-normal ways. I'm afraid I didn't make myself clear. Frankly, I think shooting Blake was "Human, all-too human". It's not that the act is inhuman, but rather, I thought Avon might dehumanize himself in one way or another as a response. However, as you say, he tends to cope very well. Personally, I thought his weird mode of speech in Orbit was the indicator he was near a breaking point (not just bad acting). In "Blake" his positioning himself over the body with his grin suggests he's getting ready to be killed. So there are indicators in favor of him snapping, although I tend to exaggerate them. As you say, people are resiliant. We're pretty much in agreement that his shooting Blake was a battleground judgement that was an error, but was one made with the intention of protecting himself and those he still trusted. If he's willing to look at it that way, he should be normal enough.

Helen