Guy wrote:

What still troubles me is why Avon needs Blake. Various reasons

have been suggested, but I don't really find any of them very convincing.<

Apart from the last episode, I don't see any evidence in the series for Avon needing Blake. And in "Blake" he gives a rational reason - they need him as figurehead.

IMO in Terminal Avon doesn't go looking for Blake because he needs him but out of a sense of duty. Blake's disappearance meant that Avon couldn't keep his part of the bargain - bringing Blake to Earth in exchange for the Liberator.

I don't think Avon would lose any sleep over it but, as a man of his word, he'd prefer to honour his debt if the occasion arose. Of course, the chance for Blake to stir up things on Earth is over, so they'd have to find some other arrangement.

I think the idea of trying to establish a base on Obsidian ("Volcano") is especially meant as alternative for Blake: if the road to Earth is closed, providing Blake with a base elsewhere - in exchange for the Liberator - is the next best thing Avon can think of.

Minority opinion of one, I know :-)

Marian