I don't object to Avon's redemption as such, but I'm rather sceptical of the stories that redeem characters with the Love of a Good Person.

From the fannish recollections on Fanlore and elsewhere I got the impression that Blake bashing was quite common in the early fandom. :( Even now many fans either dislike him or are just not interested in him, and those who do like him are usually primarily B/A shippers, and while I don't mind B/A, this tendency significantly limits the range of stories that provide Blake with the major role or good characterization.