In a message dated 2/28/01 2:08:35 PM Eastern Standard Time, ragan@sdc.org writes:

<< I agree with Neil, actually (again!). Conditioning is an interesting theme in B7, but it *can* be used in ways that feel like a bit of a cop-out to me. >>

Yes, I can see that, too (I have, indeed, read many a story where it was used as the "cop-out"... the very reason why Avon should be forgiven TOTALLY for shooting Blake). I think it's interesting that as the fandom has grown and matured over the years, we see more and more stories where Avon *isn't* easily forgiven for what he did. This is certainly the more realistic approach to take. I think that what often happens in fan fiction is that people honestly want to feel good about the character they like and/or admire the most and they want to redeem him *somehow*. We see it all the time in Highlander fandom/fan fiction with the character of Methos (who has a very naughty past).

Annie