I grew so fixated on Avon that I remember being angry when Blake finally reappeared in the finale - this isn't your show, scarface - hoppit*! There was something great about someone so cynical, selfish and with such villainous overtones at the heart of a gang of supposed freedom fighters, and I feel I've looked in vain for that dynamic ever since. None of that would have worked without Paul Darrow's perfectly judged performance, in lesser hands you'd ended up with Dr. Smith, Jayne or even Mr. Spock. Instead, we got one of the great creations of small-screen SF, and TV in general. RIP Paul.
*No disrespect to the late great Gareth Thomas.