I'm still a HL newbie, and haven't seen all the episodes by a long shot, so let me just weigh in here. *g* Actually, I saw the Byron episode recently, and my take on it is that he's a vicarious suicide. Not only does he lead people to their deaths, he dies with them -- at least with the first guy we see -- though *he* of course revives. And then there's the scene where he's screaming at the lightning to come get him. The man is suicidal. But he can't die.

I suppose there are there are ways to cut off your own head -- but where is the drama in that? Duncan is his chosen instrument -- he's the "lightning" who *will* strike. And by fighting him, Byron can have it both ways. He can give in to his destructive urges and fight Duncan with reckless abandon. If he wins, he can wallow in the quickening and exult over destroying a fellow "abomination." If he loses, he gets the death he seeks.

Imho, as always.