I said: <In short, we have lower expectations of Avon because he's told us what to expect from him. If Blake claims moral high ground, he has to act in a way to back that claim.>
Sally said: Yes and no - there is probably *some* of this to the question, but it doesn't explain why, when Blake *does* live up to higher standards and do the Right Thing, he gets called [a] a boring goodie-goodie and [b] hypocritical, just doing it for reasons of manipulation and self-conceit
(and yes, I have seen [a] and [b] argued simultaneously,
Well, not having ever been to the forum that brought up this current discussion, I was only speaking for myself, and the reasons I am more apt to point out Avon's better moments, and Blake's lesser ones. It seems to me, additionally, that while Blake is more likely to meet with the approval of mainstream society, the fans attracted to this downbeat show are not so very mainstream in their evaluation of behavior. So they argue against a mainstream interpretation, and it becomes redundant as they argue as if they are a minority in a place where they are the majority. Wording is stronger than needed to convey the basic idea of feeling uncomfortable with some of Blake's choices and being nonjudgemental of Avon except when his actions are... irrationally detrimental to others? Among non-fans I have spoken to, Avon is universally criticized as a selfish bastard with not one tenth of the tactical sense of Blake. To the majority who have seen episodes but not become followers of the show, he's completely devoid of compassion, morals, etc. So I think fans try to counterbalance that perception, and bring those arguements here. Also, there are those here and in other fan groups who will deny any virtue in Avon's saving the others in Horizon, as an example of one of his better moments his fans enjoy. Blake has a hundred moments of heroism; Avon has only a few here and there-- when they are denied, his fans feel cheated. Some of the more biazarre arguements against Blake may be an attempt to put the show on the other foot.