Avon (played by Paul Darrow) is by nature a loner, as the series begins he clearly trusts no-one, however his logical attitude to life means that he sees that the rest of the crew are a necesary irritation. Although he is continually on the edge of leaving them to their heroics and finding something more profitable to do. He is the logical foil to the impulsive Blake, continually questioning his authority to lead the seven. Despite this Avon does not leave, and frequently saves the others although there is no benefit for him in the process. Over time Avon's character shifts, and by the third series he has actually taken Blake's place as the nominal figurehead of the resistance, driven by the
realisation that the only safety is the destruction of the Federation.

The border between genius and insanity is famously thin, by the end of the fourth series following the discovery that his great love Anna was actually a Federation agent who was watching his scam, and the failure of several of his plans he began to act irrationally. Although not actually psychotic he was suffering from strain and starts making mistakes, the last of which is the belief that Blake has betrayed him on Gauda Prime, which coupled with the paranoia induced by his betryal at the hands of Zukan in "Warlord", has fatal consequences.

Fittingly Avon's is the last face we see as he steps over the dead body of Blake seemingly to guard it against the enclosing circle of Federation troopers. Avon, Blakes greatest ally has encompassed his destruction. The fight is lost.
Goodie

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