Susan Beth wrote: <Blake is 'The Chief.' <snip> He rarely takes time to build consensus or garner support - not unless he is forced to in order to achieve his goals. He expects people to line up and follow his directives unquestioningly.'>
Oh dear of dear oh dear ... well, I wouldn't say 'unquestioningly', he's not that deaf :-) but I would agree that part of the reason this unruly crew *do* what he wants is his unspoken faith that they will (yes, even Avon. Time Squad, anyone?)
<'His powerful personality often forces others to align themselves with his plan, and he usually wins the day even if all the details have not been pinned down and discussed.'>
<chortle> Time Squad *again*, anyone? Dear I love that episode ...
Actually, there are lightly sprinkled indicators that the crew do discuss everything more than is normally assumed (the comfortable round-table discussion in Weapon, the open shock that he *has* been keeping plans from them in Pressure Point, Vila's "You've always explained, given us reasons for things," from Voice). I think Jenna's "You lead. We don't take commands," is very close to the truth; Blake gets his own way, but they make him work for it (for instance, Gan disagrees strongly with Blake's plans in both Shadow and Pressure Point, but Blake talks him round :-)).
But the point is valid, that they tend, albeit neither quietly nor always cheerfully, to go with his flow whether the whole thing's been thrashed out or not. I recently read a story (hi, Predatrix!!) where Blake, shepherding them all off for a rest, was reminded of the legend of the man who tried to herd cats and I just thought that metaphor was sooooooo perfect.
<'Stubborn - The CHIEF sometimes becomes so focused on the mission before him that he loses track of when a cause is lost. Obstinate to a fault, even when someone points out that the battle is over, he continues to fight.'>
Yes, well it was a good idea *sometimes* (the end of Redemption). I love the bit in Spacefall:
BLAKE: [Sighs] It was my fault. AVON: We know. BLAKE: I'll try and do better next time.
Lucky Avon didn't have a hand free, or he'd have thumped the irrepressible bastard ...
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