On Tue, 4 Sep 2001 17:34:32 -0400 Sondra Sweigman sweigman@world.std.com writes:

Alison wrote:

...

Or does Blake secretly hate human beings in some way, as deeply as Travis does, and for similar reasons? After all they are both aiming for the same goal ?

I don't see Blake as being like Travis in this respect, but (when I'm thinking mythologically) I do see them as maybe being opposites of a similar type. Only, to be honest, Travis cracked up a lot more under pressure.

At one point, they are both loyal supporters of the Federation. We might guess they think more alike than the series usually suggests overtly - two people shouldn't keep tripping over each other in a galaxy that big otherwise. Also, Blake shows he can perceive the underlying reasoning in a trap Travis' had set in the past and adapt it to his own needs. Both certainly have a certain grudge to bring down the entity that destroyed them.

While, in both cases, this desire is supported by their personal philosophies (Travis - rebels are bad, Blake - dictatorships are bad), Blake's is essentially outside of himself. He's motivated by harm to others more than harm to himself. He's also able to sacrifice his personal grievances and desires to serve the greater good. Travis, on the other hand, slowly gives up whatever ethics and virtues he may have for revenge. In the end, the whole human race can be destroyed so long as it gets him what he wants.

However, there is still a link. On some level, Blake might fear his own potential to be like Travis. It might even be argued (not that I'm really arguing it here, since it doesn't fit the overall tone of B7) that, if Travis were an avatar, that his destruction would only mean the emergence of a new avatar. If anyone's ever read The Golden Bough, it starts with a discussion of a priest in ancient Rome whose duty was to defend a certain tree. The enemy who killed him, replaced him.

Which, like everything else, leads to Avon. In dealing with his 'Travis potential,' Avon plays an important role for Blake, embodying certain of those destructive impulses but in a way that Blake can accept, deny, or (to a limited extent) control without having to deal with them in a way that would destroy him.

No wonder he became such a mess without him.

OK, probably an idea that would play better in an AU, but I thought it was worth mentioning.

Ellynne ________________________________________________________________ GET INTERNET ACCESS FROM JUNO! Juno offers FREE or PREMIUM Internet access for less! Join Juno today! For your FREE software, visit: http://dl.www.juno.com/get/tagj.