Post by monsoon on Oct 14, 2003 8:13:58 GMT -5
Hi to all the fans:
I like the Archfiend but he has yet to master his emotions and exercise discipline. He's powerful for sure but not necessarily astute and patient. He's a reactor rather than a responder allowing himself to get caught up in circumstances rather than weighing the situation and acting appropriately. He must be ruled by his mind as well as his ax and right now he's immature. If he does not develop this discipline, he'll find himself in a mess he will not be able to extricate himself.
Power will either be used wisely or unwisely and these episodes show a lot of power struggles where the rule of the jungle seems to apply.
I like whom I call the Master Monk. He's like the voice of conscience for the archfiend. He adds a philosophic element to the series. One must serve society and the individual must give way to the group. Justice is important and truth. We see too much of the individual players looking out for their own interests. Peace does not flourish in this atmosphere but rather a state of war where people are constantly fighting and bickering and jockeying for position through alliances.
Human behavior is very complex and it's not always easy to determine the inner motives behind an action. People sometimes act virtuously and sometimes, well, often times, ignobly. But in the end, no one can escape the consequences of their actions.
In our own times, we see military juntas and dictatorships. Human nature has not changed much and to ignore our capacity to inflict harm on others and act selfishly is a lesson in naivety.
Finally, I am disappointed in Sir Yi. He was warned over and over by Muby not to trust anyone. In his own sense of invulnerability he was self-blinded to betrayal and counted on trust and loyalty. He was a fool!
He who lives by the sword shall perish by the sword, it's been said. Sir Yi, a violent man, perished by the sword so to speak. He said once that "the old must give way to the young." He deluded himself into thinking he was working for the Great Cause. I, for one, do not take stock in those who look to the past and long gone glory days. Either adapt or perish! And he perished.
Always appreciate what others have to say here. When I examine myself----and this program causes me to do so----and ask how I would have behaved in the same period and circumstances, I am struck by how heartless and ruthless I could be. It forces me to look at own power needs and what I have done and am willing to do to wield that power. Still in the end, no man is an island. We all need others and this applies even to the lone warrior. He or she stays in power because people for whateve reason maintain that position and consent to it. Withdraw that consent, and then risk losing your power to some degree. Compromise, concessions, negotiation, etc. are necessary. This is the skillful use of power, I believe.
In this sense, the Superior General has it over the others but he too is still vulnerable. Others may be willing to do his bidding but only for so long. Continue to take and not give enough back, and your are in jeopardy. Still, like many of these warriors, their actions mirror an inner and constant fear. They must always cover up that fear. It's to be seen how much courage this Superior General has, if any.
Crisis determnes character. And crisis we have. We could use a little more character....
I like the Archfiend but he has yet to master his emotions and exercise discipline. He's powerful for sure but not necessarily astute and patient. He's a reactor rather than a responder allowing himself to get caught up in circumstances rather than weighing the situation and acting appropriately. He must be ruled by his mind as well as his ax and right now he's immature. If he does not develop this discipline, he'll find himself in a mess he will not be able to extricate himself.
Power will either be used wisely or unwisely and these episodes show a lot of power struggles where the rule of the jungle seems to apply.
I like whom I call the Master Monk. He's like the voice of conscience for the archfiend. He adds a philosophic element to the series. One must serve society and the individual must give way to the group. Justice is important and truth. We see too much of the individual players looking out for their own interests. Peace does not flourish in this atmosphere but rather a state of war where people are constantly fighting and bickering and jockeying for position through alliances.
Human behavior is very complex and it's not always easy to determine the inner motives behind an action. People sometimes act virtuously and sometimes, well, often times, ignobly. But in the end, no one can escape the consequences of their actions.
In our own times, we see military juntas and dictatorships. Human nature has not changed much and to ignore our capacity to inflict harm on others and act selfishly is a lesson in naivety.
Finally, I am disappointed in Sir Yi. He was warned over and over by Muby not to trust anyone. In his own sense of invulnerability he was self-blinded to betrayal and counted on trust and loyalty. He was a fool!
He who lives by the sword shall perish by the sword, it's been said. Sir Yi, a violent man, perished by the sword so to speak. He said once that "the old must give way to the young." He deluded himself into thinking he was working for the Great Cause. I, for one, do not take stock in those who look to the past and long gone glory days. Either adapt or perish! And he perished.
Always appreciate what others have to say here. When I examine myself----and this program causes me to do so----and ask how I would have behaved in the same period and circumstances, I am struck by how heartless and ruthless I could be. It forces me to look at own power needs and what I have done and am willing to do to wield that power. Still in the end, no man is an island. We all need others and this applies even to the lone warrior. He or she stays in power because people for whateve reason maintain that position and consent to it. Withdraw that consent, and then risk losing your power to some degree. Compromise, concessions, negotiation, etc. are necessary. This is the skillful use of power, I believe.
In this sense, the Superior General has it over the others but he too is still vulnerable. Others may be willing to do his bidding but only for so long. Continue to take and not give enough back, and your are in jeopardy. Still, like many of these warriors, their actions mirror an inner and constant fear. They must always cover up that fear. It's to be seen how much courage this Superior General has, if any.
Crisis determnes character. And crisis we have. We could use a little more character....