> I think they genuinely like each other, and they're very similar, but have some
> significant differences too. They both have an appropriately cynical view of the
> world and the way it works. But I think the difference is that Burnside is still
> a closet idealist, who'll put his career on the line for a matter of principle.
> Ross wouldn't, I don't think - at least not to the extent Neil does on several
> occasions. He's given up tilting at windmills (if he ever did in the first
> place). That difference makes their relationship interesting.
This may be true, but the question that needs to be asked is why does Neil constantly
put his career on the line, especially after Laura's death. Jeff thinks Neil is
trying to get himself fired, and I think he's right. I think Neil is not operating
out of principle in the end; he's trying to find a way out of his job. It's like an
addiction to him. He can't live with it, but he can't bear leaving because his
self-worth is too tied up with his job so he has to engineer his own exit. Willie,
too, tries to leave several times but can't bring himself to do it.And Alan Denson
too. They all choose duty over love. It's what makes them so good at what they do,
but such messed up people.
Mark