Neil asked:
So how come Avon killing Blake is perceived as different, or at least more important, than all the other violent deaths that perforate the series?
Actually, rewatching the whole series last spring when I finally purchased the videos, the bits that shocked me were Avon's 'Next please' in 'Shadow' and Blake destroying the Ortega and the ship that docked with it in 'Mission to Destiny'. Rewatching the end of 'Blake' just now, the thing that actually disturbs me most is Avon shooting an unarmed and outnumbered Klyn.
The series itself takes the death of Gan rather seriously, and there's a lot of fanfic emoting about that or replaying Orbit, so I'm not sure that Blake's is the only death that fans take seriously.
Tavia
From: Tavia Chalcraft tavia@btinternet.com
Actually, rewatching the whole series last spring when I finally purchased the videos, the bits that shocked me were Avon's 'Next please' in 'Shadow' and Blake destroying the Ortega and the ship that docked with it in 'Mission to Destiny'. Rewatching the end of 'Blake' just now, the thing that actually disturbs me most is Avon shooting an unarmed and outnumbered Klyn.
And that, as most fans know, is actually a joke, since Klyn was played by PD's wife.
Blake and the Ortega is a thorny one that Blake fans especially have to contend with. It really strikes me as heavily out of character (and note the way Blake is quite cheerful about blowing up an unspecified number of people). It's a good example of the way killing goes unquestioned as an essential premise of the series.
The series itself takes the death of Gan rather seriously, and there's a lot of fanfic emoting about that or replaying Orbit, so I'm not sure that Blake's is the only death that fans take seriously.
No, I don't think it is either, but it is the one that attracts the most attention and the most discussion. The Orbit shuttle is a situation where no one actually dies (except in some fanfic), so arguably doesn't count (though the intention to kill is definitely there). Plaxton's death also attracts attention. So GP isn't totally alone, merely at the top of a rather short list.
Neil
Tavia
Neil said:
Blake and the Ortega is a thorny one that Blake fans especially have to contend with. It really strikes me as heavily out of character (and note the way Blake is quite cheerful about blowing up an unspecified number of people). It's a good example of the way killing goes unquestioned as an essential premise of the series.
He's also quite cheerful about blowing up a now-functional spaceship (that Avon has just spent days fixing). One could argue that Sara's contacts were accomplices in felony murder and no loss, but the Ortega didn't do anything to harm anyone. Well, it'll be a bloody long time before the Ortega crew send out another distress signal from their new ship. LEVETT: Sorry, sir, we seem to be having a fairly serious problem. KENDALL: (Shrieking) I DO NOT NEED BLAKE! I DO NOT NEED ANYONE AT ALL!
-(Y)
I have nothing to add to the discussion at this point. I just want to say that that's got to be the best subject line I've ever seen on Lysator.
Fiona
The Posthumous Memoirs of Secretary Rontane Available for public perusal at http://nyder.r67.net
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Tavia Chalcraft