Posted by LCAS on July 16, 1998 at 14:09:16:
In Reply to: Byron Research posted by triona on July 14, 1998 at 20:19:26:
: Hi there folks,(following a brief email exchange with the lovely Jennie) I'm hoping to write a wee piece for the RAD newsletter on" Byron's appeal", and I was looking for quotes or thoughts from, you the fans, RAD's dad, or indeed the man himself. I'm going to try and keep it about the character of Byron, rather than (if you will forgive me) RAD himself, otherwise we'd be here forever....
: You could post your answers here, or if you'd rather you could email me (and having a full in-box would make me a very happy bunny). Hope to hear from y'all soon.
I usually lurk, but this question intrigued me.
Let me say first that I didn't like the character of Byron right off, and I certainly wasn't alone in that. The continuing discussion of the fans' love/hate relationship with the Bryon is proof of the character's complexity. When he made his initial appearance I was mesmerized but wary. He felt dangerous. I came to trust slowly.
In trying to sum up what is appealing about the character, I tried to see him through the eyes of other characters. I think what made him feel dangerous was the sense that he understood exactly who you were (think of his first conversations with Lyta and with Garibaldi). But for those who could confront that, and could face themselves honestly, he offered an unqualified acceptance. The exchange between Byron and Lyta, when she talks about being afraid of burning him, seems to sum it up (as well as being wonderful foreshadowing.) Can anyone listen to the line "Then let it burn!" and not feel drawn to Byron?