In a message dated 2/27/01 10:22:03 AM Eastern Standard Time, tavia@btinternet.com writes:
<< The only way I personally could absolve Avon would be if he were clinically insane at that point, and (not much wishing to get into this debate) I tend to the view that he is highly stressed, emotionally exhausted, but not insane. >>
That's probably why so many fans over the years have speculated that Avon was suffering from traumatic stress or just plain crazy. And it also probably goes along with Neil's thoughts about fans wanting to somehow "excuse" Avon for shooting Blake.
Myself, I always thought one of the most logical explanations of Avon doing what he did at Gauda Prime was that he had been programmed to do it when Servalan had him on Terminal. Not only does it explain Avon's itchy trigger finger, it also explains the look of total surprise he seems to have on his face as he fires over and over.
I remember many American fans being quite surprised to hear from Paul Darrow at conventions that he himself never regarded Avon as crazy or stressed out in the 4th season. He gave the impression that he was given much more latitude to play the character the way *he* wanted to in the last season and what we saw was more his conception of the character. Some folks like that portrayal and some of the rest of us think he just seemed crazy (when compared to the Avon of earlier seasons). I can go with either interpretation, frankly, though. I love seeing the various different "takes" on it in fan fiction.
Annie