Vila 'There isn't a lock I can't open if I'm scared enough' Restal was one of the finest sci-fi characters on British telly. The caustic exchanges between him and Avon were priceless.
> Michael was asked whether Vila could cope living in a society stripped of all technology [..] His answer was entirely in character: "I'm sure he would survive. As long as he could make fire, keep warm and meet a young lady. He'd learn a lot about the trees on the planet, build a little hut. It would be wonderful."
I'm not sure that is entirely in character. There's a marvellous episode 'The City at the Edge of the World' where Vila is the main focus of the story. He is given more or less the very opportunity described above and he turned it down:
KERRIL Are you coming with me? VILA I can't. KERRIL Why not? It's a chance to be free. You saw that place, it's beautiful. VILA But there's nothing there worth stealing [..] a thief isn't what I am, it's WHO I am.
https://www.hermit.org/b7/Episodes/scripts/City-EOTW.html
Michael Keating also did a cameo in 'Micro Men' which can be watched on YouTube.
Rest in peace.
turning down an option does not necessarily mean you can't cope with that option.
That was my thought when reading it as well. It wasn't the only option and he chooses to continue with everything else. The real question would be if the everything else suddenly vanished, would he be able to cope then?