I'm sort reiterating (and perhaps expanding on) a few points from the "slash" thread here, I realize. Some slash content here, also. Be warned!
Fiona Moore wrote:
On balance, then, the existing evidence does support a *potential* relationship between Blake and Jenna (not saying it did happen, not saying it didn't, just that there's interest and it's not all Jenna's),
I certainly agree that the possibility exists, and that this stuff is at least mildly suggestive. And I do think that the attraction on Jenna's part is very clear (although there's no good indication of just how strong that attraction might be). But I still don't think any of the physical touching constitutes a solid proof of sexual interest on Blake's part. *Emotional* concern, yes, but that ain't the same thing.
Which leads me to take the exact same attitude towards it as I do towards A/B: It might be there. It might not. See it if you want to.
(The "Duel" thing is a different matter, and is, I think, a very interesting point.)
whereas on the same whip-through of the series, I *was* also watching to see if the same could be said for Avon and Blake, and I didn't see any contact between them that was remotely suggestive.
What about the way Blake touches Avon's elbow in "Redemption?" That seems to me to be about on par with some of the examples you mentioned for Jenna.
It *also* seems to me, though, that there's an important consideration here when comparing Blake's responses to Jenna and his responses to Avon, which is that the two of them have very different personalities. Jenna welcomes the touchy-feely stuff from Blake, as she demonstrates very early on, when she hugs him in "Cyngus Alpha" (which you cited). Avon is a much more prickly and distant kind of person, and it would not seem to me to be in character for him to easily accept physical affection (whether sexual or platonic), particularly in public or when in the midst of a serious situation. It can easily be speculated (and, indeed, has been by many) that the reason we pretty much only see Avon and Blake touching "suggestively" is when there's been an explosion or something is because Avon uses stuff like that as an excuse. :) (Actually, I could make a semi-reasonable grounded-in-canon case that we see that happening in "Duel." I wouldn't expect you to believe it for a moment, of course, but if you wanna hear it, just ask. I think I'm about posted out for right now...)