Taking the missing memmory approach reminded me of what's likely to happen if you don't first establish the nature of the societies you are likely to encounter on the plateau. If you know their motives, you can develop unique ones for a Challenger expedition character. That's why I went to so much trouble to outline a Moroccan / Songhay Empire model ( posted minutes ago ). I didn't know of your girls as slaves idea, probably because you posted it before I showed up on the board or while I was having fun with Grea - who , incidently, has disappeared again. That's bad, I miss her wit.

: : If Marguerite was viewed as a traitor influencing the outcome of the battle at Jutland, she would be pursued as surely as Adolph Eichmann. That's not a story angle, that's reality.

: My knowledge of German history is not strong, but I have enough general knowledge to combine with your explanation of the battle at Jutland to recognize that you are absolutely right in this case. Surely they will go with that angle - the Jutland reference went right over my head in "Tribute", but they must have put it in for a reason.

: Something in me still feels that Marguerite is Austrian, not German, although I realize that the differentiation is pretty fine. I do think, though that as an Austrian she might not have seen betraying the Germans in the same light that they wouuld have. Not that our Marguerite puts too fine a point on these things, but I believe she does have her own strict if rather unusual code of conduct. That is part of what Roxton recognizes in her.

If she is Austrian, the Germans will still pursue her, this might be doubly true if she betrayed the German's at Jutland for personal gain. I think Marguerite had to fight to maintain her sanity and any shred of self - esteem as a child against her mother, and that that battle continues into adulthood. If she doesn't take care of herself, no one will.Before she reached the plateau she operated in her best interests at all costs. She is not self - centered because she has been spoiled, she is self - centered for the sake of personal survival. She is at once vulnerable and hard as nails. Coupled with her beauty and intelligence, those facets would appeal to any man. Changes in her attitude and feelings occationed by interactions with members of the expedition showed through in the season's closing episode. Half the party was gone, she was down by the river. She looked up and said something like " they are gone" and she really made me feel the pain behind those words. There was even the shine of tears wiped away under her eyes. Rachel is a hell of an actress.

The only problem I can find with the Marguerite / Jutland connection right now is the fact that the battle appears to have been decided at sea. I can't see how she could have influenced the outcome.
Steve Faust
Steve Faust

: Silver