Subject: Re: Ben
From: alternat@watserv1.waterloo.edu (Ann Hodgins)
Date: 1991-01-18, 09:26
Newsgroups: alt.tv.twin-peaks

In article <1991Jan18.005441.22418@nntp-server.caltech.edu> tlynch@nntp-server.caltech.edu (Timothy W. Lynch) writes:
> >ekushnir@math.lsa.umich.edu (Eugene Kushnirsky) writes:
> >
>> >>Okay, let me try one last time to explain why I think Ben Horne's character is
>> >>being ruined. He was such a great villain, at first; scheming, ruthless, 
>> >>always
>> >>in control. He had half the town in his pocket and goons like Hank Jennings on
>> >>a short leash. Now he's walking around in his bathrobe, making wild eyes at 
>> >>Bobby Briggs and the camera. 
> >
Well, it's hard for me to get my head around the concept of a "great villian"
since to me that is a contradition in terms.  I saw Ben as a man with a hard
exo-skeleton, like a hornet, who was soft and weak inside. His
inner life was a mess.  Now it seems that he is trying to develop some
real backbone, built on his childhood strengths, that will allow him to be
softer and more vulnerable on the surface, while still strong.
 
But despite what I have just said, there is a way in which I can sympathize
with your argument.  I can't find the words to express it, but when I grow
fond of an 'anti-social ' character I feel a sense of loss when
they die or 'go straight'.
 
a.h.