In a message dated 10/06/01 10:19:17 GMT Daylight Time, smanton@hotmail.com writes:

<< blakes7@lists.lysator.liu.se >>

I suspect avon was probably far less (if at all) aware of his physical attractiveness, than he was his intelligence.

Cases in point: Avon could easily have taken advantage of Meegat (who he obviously found tiresome.) ST's Kirk certainly would have done (he knew he was 'attractive' and acted thus!). Avon was for the most part a one-woman man, and would require a mindmate rather than a disillusioned nubile dupe. Hence the interest in Servalan.

Sarcophagus. Wouldn't you smile too if a friend of yours kissed your evil doppleganger? The Avon/Cally relationship during series three (ignoring anything Blake said in 'Voice') was based upon Cally being the only other 'intuitive' (other than Orac) since Blake had gone. There was sympathy as illustrated, but Avon was still a man alone. Cally was a 'believer', therefore no more a 'soul-mate' to Avon than Blake was. Orac on the other hand...

The Avon/Pella kiss. I dislike this episode, but if it has to be analysed, Avon's treatment of Pella in that scene seems to point to the fact that Avon was able to make an immediate judgement of Pella, based on instinct - something none of the others could have done - and as a result, reacted outwardly to it. The kiss is pure bile, rather than an expression of sexual attraction. Also, counting Avon's tenacity at resisting pain, (Hackers are almost as renowned for their stamina as they are their ability to survive on coffee) and his spite at women-in-general, it's possible that these were manifestations of his 'shadow' feeling function, which unleashed in people like Avon is often naive, misguided and inappropriate. (See also the mad laughter in 'Gold', and there are other examples of him 'ratting off'. This interpreted as a 'panic attack' probably accounts for 'Blake' too.) He may also of been subconsciously trying to convince himself, which is hard when the perception in question is based on an irrational function, as is intuition. Hence, I would argue that both emotion and intuition be subordinate to intellect, otherwise common sense may be blinded.

On the subject of intellect over emotion, Avon's 'Brains but no heart' quote from 'Star One' is used in irony. It's for Travis's benefit for goodness' sake. Why would someone perceived as being so cold (heart in this case is used in the 'emotion' sense, rather than as the seat of will power, which Avon did not lack) deliberately send himself up? Avon is obviously proud of the fact that he's read this way, (See also quote 'She is more human than I am' in 'Shadow') and Vila did a lot to promote this. ('There isn't a volcano alive that'd dare to swallow Avon...' Vila in 'Volcano' - there are tons of other examples!) He isn't B7's equivalent of Spock, as some may believe, although he is a very logical, unemotional and honest (as far as avoiding out and out lies, e.g. the end of 'Gambit', and it's all in the wording) person.

To this matter, I would question Avon's apparent averse also. I don't believe Avon's statement that the great bank fraud was committed in the attempt to 'undermine confidence in the Federation credit system', any more than I believe it was just for the money. This was made up simply to make it 'respectable', although it was true in the fact that it was a side effect. It's much more likely that Avon committed the crime as a challenge to himself - e.g. to see if he could. (Because it's there?) Again, Avon puts his own intelligence above all other factors - it's the only thing he really believes in. The only problem was, trying to get others to believe in it also, by sharing his 'success' got him caught. Therefore politics had nothing to do with it. Why did no-one trust Avon's competence in 'Headhunter'? Isn't it probable that Avon wanted the android as a 'pet', rather than as a serious weapon? Everyone else drew this conclusion, even though Avon was successful. (In this case, Blake was right about Ensor's flying thing from 'Orac'.) Most of the things that took Avon's interest (this is an understatement!) were technology based, and he would have only used the money to gain more technology.

I have never got the impression of Avon as a particularly physical person, this is in my opinion where he gets the reputation of being 'trigger happy'. He isn't a good fighter. Most 'civilised men' aren't. Tarrant never really bought Avon's superiority, but became subordinate due to having to trust Avon's ability to see beyond the here and now, rather than being challenged by his physical ability. Add to this his answer to Jenna over 'could he kill someone face to face.' He had killed before, but in self-defence. Shooting someone isn't a personal experience. I don't think he could rip the throat out of a tiger with his bare hand either - even if he could, (maybe the tiger was sedated) that kind of rush would mean nothing to him.

mark

Innocence is a fairy tail; intelligence hangs itself on its own rope, the light of logic will show us that all moonstruck magic is dissolute : Life's accomplishments being ephemeral with uncertainty fundamental, devastation overtakes each in thereafter.