Carnell Knowledge |
Welcome to
Carnell Knowledge, the Angst Workshop I set up after my defection from the
Federation. In each
session, we will be looking at a different pairing from within our noble group
of resistors and we will try to supply an answer to that crunch question: did
they do the deed? We will be
examining all the available evidence for signs of true love - and there is a
wealth of evidence for us to wade through, since Zen and then later Orac, took
it upon themselves to make routine viscast recordings of daily life on board the
Liberator and Scorpio. Our heroes lives are wide open to us, wide wide open. The supporting evidence and my conclusions are laid bare for you below; in the case of the more complex parings the amount of evidence is extensive, so pour yourself a glass of soma, relax on the couch and drink in the analysis… We begin our group
therapy sessions with that most complex of pairings: Avon/Blake
|
The Glorious Carnell |
Vila comes in for a private therapy session |
Many assume that
one can see the presence of love in the eyes of lovers.
They are wrong; love is not displayed in the smoldering looks that travel
between lovers, nor is it shown in the gentler, more soulful glances they may
exchange. It is only our actions
that betray the presence of love.
The eyes are
powerful windows on our souls, giving a tantalising glimpse of our thoughts
& feelings to any who may care to look into them.
But, because of the complex range of emotions each coy glance will
include, the eyes cannot be reliable indicators of that one true emotion we call
love.
Only our actions
will betray where our love is given, only our actions ultimately count in the
love stakes. A skilled man such as Avon can weave a mask around his
emotions – his eyes will not betray them easily.
But in stark contrast, his actions will have left a trail to follow that
is clearly signposted in big meter high letters in 12 different languages.
In common with every other sentient creature he is unable to prevent
himself from announcing where his love lies with every action he takes.
The first recorded
evidence we have is when Avon, Blake and Jenna have successfully taken control
of the Liberator. This is recorded
in the viscast labelled “Cygnus Alpha”.
Avon points a Liberator gun at Blake; Blake promptly ignores him and
walks away. Later in the same
recording, Avon appears to be ready to abandon Blake on Cygnus Alpha when great
wealth beckons.
Carnell’s
psychoanalysis:
This is the beginning of the power games continuously played by Avon in an attempt to force Blake to define their relationship. At this stage the relationship in question is merely one of leadership…but tug of attraction has been awakened in Avon and will not easily be laid to rest.
Would
Avon have abandoned Blake? – it is my belief that he would not.
He goes along with Jenna when she suggests that they wait another hour,
making a token protest but going along with it nevertheless. His attempts to stop Jenna operating the teleport when the
time comes fool nobody – if he really wanted to stop her he would easily have
been able to overcome her with his physical superiority. No, he wanted Blake back safely, but did not want to
acknowledge his feelings towards Blake at this stage, even to himself.
From the beginning
of this viscast it is clear that Avon is once again pushing at Blake’s limits,
testing to see just how far he can push him.
But when Blake is trapped on the alien projectile and is running out of
air, Avon works hard to rescue him.
Avon further
delights in winding up Blake in this viscast, delaying before answering a direct
summons from Blake. Yet a short
while later, when Blake’s life is in danger from the explosive device planted
by Cally, Avon risks his own life in saving Blake - he had no way of knowing how
powerful that explosion was going to be. Later
on in the recording Avon tries to convince both Gan & himself that the time
will come when Blake won't make all the decisions.
Carnell’s
psychoanalysis:
Avon shows his
inner turmoil clearly here. He is
drawn towards Blake but refuses to accept his own feelings, thinking of them as
a potentially fatal weakness. We
also note that this gives Blake his first inkling that Avon harbours feelings
towards him. Blake’s shock at seeing this evidence is clear; indicating that
at this stage at least, he does not return those feelings.
In this viscast,
Avon clutches Blake protectively when there is heavy turbulence on the Liberator
after Travis’ pursuit ships attack it. Less
surprise on Blake’s face this time, but still his discomfort & awkwardness
at the situation show in the way he quickly moves out from Avon’s embrace.
Again, there is more exploration of the boundaries by Avon, as he baits
Blake by questioning whether he is being given a true choice – when Blake
tells him that he is, he agrees with Blake’s proposition of ramming Travis’
ship immediately.
Carnell’s
psychoanalysis:
What is most telling in this
recording is the fact that it is Jenna who is chosen to demonstrate the death of
a friend. Avon’s lack of
importance to Blake as a potential partner is cruelly laid bare by that choice.
Avon hides his feelings well here, only exposing his deep understanding
of Blake as Blake hesitates over killing Travis – it is only Avon who
anticipates the result, even gentle Gan can justify this killing.
For once it is Blake who betrays his
feelings the most here, his anger (at both himself and Avon) questioned by
Cally:
CALLY: Why are you angry with Avon?
BLAKE: I'm not.
CALLY: You sound as if you are.
BLAKE: He has a decision to make. If he wants to stay with us, it's got to be for his reasons.
CALLY: You'll do nothing to persuade him?
BLAKE: Nothing at all.
Carnell’s psychoanalysis:
Blake’s anger comes from knowing
that Avon has feelings for him and yet also knowing that he is unable to use
those feelings to persuade Avon to stay; such self-sacrifice comes at a price
and Blake pays that price.
Blake voices his concern over
Avon’s health twice, but immediately accepts Avon’s denials of ill-health.
Avon torments Blake by not sharing
his insight into Orac’s prediction. When
an explosion rocks the ship, Avon’s arm is draped protectively over Blake as
they stumble. Later in the
recording, Blake escapes from the live coil with Avon’s help, but Avon is left
trapped on the wrong side of the door when it closes and survives because the
explosive device he has planted goes off just in time.
At the end of this recording there is further confrontation between Avon
and Blake:
AVON: Why Earth Sector?
BLAKE: Would you rather stay here?
AVON: You make them sound like the only alternatives.
BLAKE:
They are, for us … go back to your position.
They look at each other for a moment and then Avon goes back to his position.
Carnell’s
psychoanalysis:
Avon will have
been deeply hurt by Blake’s easy acceptance of his apparent well-being.
This is a significant milestone in the relationship and Avon is quick to
repay the hurt by keeping his insight into Orac’s prediction to himself.
However, Avon is unable to keep this up, as he considerately guides Blake to the
correct conclusion rather than just spell out the answer to him.
Although Avon is
unable to help himself from shielding Blake when he is in danger, the result is
quite different when the situations are reversed.
The interesting thing here is that Blake leaves Avon to fend for himself
without a backward glance - yes, they both try to open the door afterwards, but
Blake’s primary concern is clearly for the crew as a whole and not for Avon in
particular. The confrontation at
the end of the viscast is further evidence of this.
Blake and Avon have a revealing conversation about Cally:
BLAKE: She is an alien.
AVON: She is more
human than I am.
Carnell’s
psychoanalysis:
This reveals the
fundamentally different understanding of human nature & frailty that Blake
and Avon have. Blake displays a tendency to pigeonhole people, whereas
Avon’s understanding of his own failings makes him more tolerant of any
failings in others. Even though
Avon clearly judges them for those very failings, his understanding and
acceptance of them is the key to understanding his relationship with the other
crewmembers. This explains Avon’s
tolerance of Vila, which contrasts sharply with Blake’s frequently noisy
intolerance.
Avon toys with the
idea of taking the liberator, but ends up rescuing Blake and the others instead.
Carnell’s
psychoanalysis:
The viscast
shows that Avon was clearly looking for an excuse to stay, when he kept asking
Orac for confirmations that were patently unnecessary.
His justification for abandoning the others “therefore I do not need
Blake, I do not need any of the others” fails to ring true when, at the first
sign of a decision being imperative, he hesitates and awaits justification from
Orac again. He then jumps at the
opportunity to rescue Blake (and the others) while being able to tell himself
that he has not sacrificed his self-serving principles.
In reality, Avon’s addiction to Blake is complete and total; he is at
the point of no return.
Avon makes an
assumption that Blake’s understanding of him matches Avon’s understanding of
Blake:
BLAKE: The others have decided to go with me.
AVON: [smiles] I thought they would. Not very bright, but loyal.
BLAKE: That leaves you.
AVON: I have thought about it
BLAKE: And? [pause] Come on Avon, stop playing games. Are you going to go with me or not?
AVON:
Well, of course. I am surprised you ever doubted it.
Later in the
viscast:
BLAKE: Do you want to tell me why?
AVON: I like the challenge.
BLAKE:
You don't want to tell me why
Carnell’s
psychoanalysis:
Avon falsely
assumes that Blake’s mind is in tune with his.
This is one of the first signs we see that Avon’s normally pragmatic
view is given a rose-tinted edge where Blake is concerned.
Avon has built up an ideal version of Blake in his own mind and fails to
spot the flaws in the real Blake until he has already exposed himself to
Blake’s curiosity. Avon deals
with this by hiding behind words, afraid to further expose his feelings to
Blake.
Avon has a dig
about risks to Blake’s “three remaining followers” if they attempt to
rescue him. Avon voices his own
fears that Blake may run out on them (him) by throwing plausible suggestions on
Blake’s motives & actions at the group.
Before these can be acted on, they hear Blake’s recorded explanations:
BLAKE: ...And I was wrong. Completely, utterly, stupidly wrong.
AVON:
I noticed that.
BLAKE: …So, that is what we've got to decide, you and I: where do we go from here?
AVON:
So that is what we have got to decide, is it?
CALLY: You think he was faking it?
AVON:
Everything but the self-pity. That was real enough.
And later in the
viscast:
VILA: I see. You've decided to be led like the rest of us.
AVON: I shall continue to follow. It's not quite the same thing.
VILA:
I don't see the difference.
Carnell’s
psychoanalysis:
Avon’s dig at
Blake doesn’t have the quite the impact he was expecting; instead, we get one
of the first instances of voluntary physical contact from Blake, when he rests a
hand on Avon’s shoulder. He goes
to great lengths to rescue Blake even though the opportunity to abandon him as
“punishment” is there and can be taken without blame, if not guilt.
Avon tries hard to convince himself he doesn't care for Blake, using
conversation with the others to voice this apparent disinterest, but at crunch
time he is a helpless victim of his love and cannot stop himself from rescuing
the man he loves – it is far too late for him to turn away now.
Vila questions
Avon’s attitude towards Blake; Avon claims that he “could never stand
heroes”, insisting that Blake's “great big bleeding heart” is going to get
them all killed.
Carnell’s
psychoanalysis:
Avon's is
clearly envious that Blake cares overmuch for everyone else - albeit
dispassionately. His words are
reminiscent a sulking pout, even if the strong self control he has over his body
prevents that pout from showing on his face.
Avon’s past
catches up on him in the form of Del Grant, brother of Avon’s former lover
Anna Grant. Blake is curious and
asks for details:
BLAKE: Are you going to tell me about Anna?
AVON: You wouldn't understand.
BLAKE: Wouldn't I?
AVON:
I doubt it.
Avon believes he
has destroyed Travis’ ship while Blake is on the planet Goth, but he doesn’t
quite receive the gratitude he was expecting.
Blake goes so far as to hint that that Avon may be responsible for any
federation ships knowing their whereabouts.
Avon takes his revenge for that remark later by letting Blake know that
he and Cally were close to abandoning him.
Carnell’s
psychoanalysis:
This is another
blow for Avon – he wants Blake to be interested in his future, not his past.
His disappointment in the lack of praise from Blake for destroying Travis’
ship quickly turns into spite as Avon continues to cover up the exposure of his
true feelings when Blake fails to respond to them.
Cracks are appearing in those rose tinted glasses, but it is now too late
for Avon to turn his back on his feelings for Blake.
Star One has been
found and Avon seeks closure on his part in Blake’s revolution:
AVON: Why are you listening to this drivel, Blake? We can take Star One, let's get on with it.
JENNA: Very stirring. When did you become a believer?
AVON: Are you just going to sit there? You have led them by the nose before.
BLAKE: 'Scuse me, are you going to answer her question?
AVON:
Show me someone who believes in anything and I will show you a fool.
And later:
AVON: When Star One is gone it is finished, Blake. And I want it finished. I want it over and done with. I want to be free.
CALLY: But you are free now, Avon.
AVON: I want to be free of him.
BLAKE:
I never realized. You really do hate me, don't you?
When they return
to their ship, Blake is injured and Avon is left in command, carrying out
Blake’s instructions, much to the bemusement of the rest of the crew.
“ I gave him my word” is Avon’s only justification of his apparent
about face. However, Avon’s
concern for Blake’s well being is voiced in front of the crew:
AVON: Why didn't you stay in the medical unit? Couldn't you bring yourself to trust me just this once?
BLAKE: I thought I might be able to help.
AVON: In that condition?
BLAKE: All right I'll go back.
AVON: Can you manage, alone?
BLAKE:
Yes. Avon, for what it is worth, I have always trusted you, from the very
beginning.
Carnell’s
psychoanalysis:
Avon’s
emotions are, in the end, naked for all to see.
Even Blake, who is still unable to return those intense feelings, finally
acknowledges the truth. The other crewmembers are also left in no doubt about
how Avon feels about Blake – and how Blake feels about Avon.
Servalan convinces
Avon that Blake is still alive, albeit injured and unable to be moved.
Avon attempts to protect the rest of the crew by keeping them in the dark
about his plans to rescue Blake. However
this is simply an illusion planted in Avon’s brain by the use of drugs and
turns out to be a disaster for the crew when the Liberator is destroyed and they
are abandoned on the planet. The
poignant conversation between Blake and Avon tells its own story:
AVON: Blake.
BLAKE: Well, you certainly took your time finding me.
AVON: There didn't seem to be any hurry. Anyway, I always said I could manage very well without you.
BLAKE: It must have been so dull having no one to argue with.
AVON: Well, now, there were times when your simple-minded certainties might have been refreshing.
BLAKE: Careful, Avon. Your sentiment is showing.
AVON:
That's your imagination.
And Avon reveals the extent of his commitment to Blake to Servalan:
SERVALAN: I knew you'd never let Blake die.
AVON:
Death is something that he and I faced together on a number of occasions.
I always thought that his death and mine might be linked in some way.
Then later:
SERVALAN: Blake is dead.
AVON:
I saw him. I spoke to him
and he…
Carnell’s
psychoanalysis:
This viscast
confirms everything for us. Avon's
drug induced fantasy shows how he'd like Blake to be with him.
The despair that weighs down his every action when he realises that Blake
is dead shows how deeply desperate Avon had been to find Blake again. His loss leaves him unable to pull himself together
this one last time; it is Tarrant who takes charge of the situation.
We are left in no doubt about Avon’s feelings for Blake.
Avon is forced to
abandon his base and takes the crew in search of Blake once more.
This time he has compelling evidence from the dispassionate Orac to prove
to a sceptical crew that he has found Blake.
Avon is at pains to point out that he has known Blake’s whereabouts for
some time; only the change in their circumstances made it necessary for them to
go to him now. When asked whether
it is possible for Blake to be a bounty hunter; Avon’s simply replies, “Does
it matter?” When Avon does
finally meet up with Blake again, Tarrant’s warning of “He sold us, Avon.
All of us. Even you” has a
disastrous impact on an already mistrustful Avon:
AVON: Is it true?
BLAKE: Avon, it's me, Blake.
AVON: Stand still! [Blake does] Have you betrayed us? Have you betrayed me?!
BLAKE: Tarrant doesn't understand!
AVON: Neither do I, Blake!
BLAKE: I set all this up!
AVON: Yes!
BLAKE:
Avon, I was waiting for YOU.
As Blake continues
to move forward, he is shot several times by Avon. In the confusion that
follows, the rest of the crew are all shot.
Avon watches as the troopers form a rough circle around him.
He looks back down at Blake and then straddles Blake's body.
He looks up. The alarm
stops. Avon slowly raises his
weapon and smiles.
Carnell’s
psychoanalysis:
The tragedy that
unfolds in this viscast is as a result of Avon believing that Blake has betrayed
him; the sense of betrayal making him lash out uncontrollably at the perpetrator
of this deep betrayal – Blake. Avon’s
love for Blake does not die with the object of his affections, his protective
stance over Blake’s body finally showing us all where that love was directed.
Ah, sadly I have
to co me to the conclusion that this is very much a case of unrequited love;
they never got together to “do the deed” anywhere other than in Avon’s
fantasies. Avon and Blake were
star-crossed lovers from the very start. Lack
of trust on Avon’s part and an unequal level of affection made the sad end to
the affair as tragic as it was inexorable.
Now I am aware that some of you may disagree with my hypothesis. I am unable to change the facts and I can only interpret actions that are recorded on the viscasts. However, if you have a strong desire to have you views on this heard, I am still taking bookings for personal therapy sessions, at which you may air all your views in on the comfort of my therapy couch. Please make your booking by emailing me here at carnell@vilaworld.net - it would be helpful if you could include a brief summary of your views. Everything we discuss will be in complete confidence of course, but I will respond publicly to your collective views here in this forum in the coming weeks.
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