James wrote: <It's possible to suggest an 'in-series' explanation, in that Jenna did apparently betray the crew in Bounty (although she did use her position to save them in the end).>

I think this did have something to do with it, but moreso in the way that the rest so readily believed that she'd turned on them - even *after* she came in and clearly saw the loosened manacles. Even gan, whom she'd been so determined to save in the previous episode - gave her no benefit of doubt (only Blake did).

While Jenna did a good job in the few times he'd left her in charge, her ability to lead - especially where Avon was concerned, but also Cally and Gan - would have to be in doubt after this.

After all, among this rather unmilitary lot, the position *of* second-in-command was a fairly artificial one anyway. I get the feeling quite a bit of the 'authority' Jenna had, especially in the earlier episodes, seemed to be as 'the pilot', the most experienced space-traveller, the one teaching the others how to run the ship. As they became more experienced and needed less guidance, that authority would also diminish. When Blake was away, they all tended to throw in ideas and 'commands' and *no one* was really second in command until after Control (in Trial, they're all equal in that sniping discussion, and right up till the point where they need to rescue Blake - then all of a sudden Avon *is* in charge :-).

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