Natasa wrote: <It wasn't Ellynne, it was me, but in a Blakish manner, 'I forgive you'.>

Oops, sorry :-)

<Actually it's curious that B7 doesn't have a physician as a regular character and crew member. Last evening I watched an episode of 'Deep Space 9' and it occured to me that in Trek and its sequels there's always a physician playing a prominent role.>

<grin> they could have had a doctor or nurse as one of the London prisoners, but I'm sure Vila or Avon would have wanted to make damn sure what he was convicted of before he got anywhere *their* precious persons ...

Pity Renor didn't survive (he'd been quite fun once Jenna slapped him down a few hundred times) or better still (though rather late) Dr Bellfriar.

Or maybe Jarriere was a cybersurgeon!!!! (close enough if you aren't in a position to be fussy?) We aren't given much idea what he does do, after all ... <Hence, on the 'material' level, B7 could use a regular doctor character to heal all the battle wounds. On the 'symbolical' level, however, there's no need for a doctor becuase Dr Blake tends to 'cure' the society in a bit more drastic way.>

OTOH, they could use one for *him* - physically (being the hero, he gets dumped on rather more than the rest) or metaphorically as he is IMO clearly reaching the limits of his strength, and while Cally may be able to stand in for the former, none of the crew he has *can* fill the latter role. A situation copied and magnified with Avon in S4.

Me: <OTOH, what with battle wounds, they've hopefully had a fair bit of practice in the mudical unit since Breakdown - there *is* a practical reason for all Avon's fanfictional Suffering, you know ...>

and Natasa: You mean, he suffers additionally because they're clumsy and can't heal him properly? (No, I know it's not what you meant but it would be a nice piece of fanfic...)>

Love the idea ... though he'd probably suffer quite sufficiently anyway; no matter who was trying to do the 'nursing', he'd probably find them intolerable (except maybe Cally, and possibly Soolin. If it were Gan, Vila or Tarrant, there'd be even more bloodshed. Theirs :-))

But - whether one likes it or not - part of Avon's raison d'etre in fanfic is to be the hurtee in hurt-comfort; 'tis nice to be able to claim that this would enable the rest to get lots of practice with the brand-new you-beaut where-the-hell-do-we-stick-this alien equipment.

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