Utter word on Rue's awesomeness. Rue and Ahiru's friendship is one of my favorite relationships in the series; she didn't expect it, wasn't sure what to think of it, but she wanted it. And in the end, I thought it really felt like they'd been friends all along.

Rue's tolerance for emotional pain is interesting. She acknowledges it wholeheartedly. After a point she seems to almost expect it, accept it as part of her life, and try to get along with it. And she does manage. It's sad, but I thought she really took to the Depths of Despair--a lot better than Ahiru, at any rate. It really does show the strength in her.

And I agree that Rue was handled really well by the creators. They let her be what she is, which is both a deeply sympathetic person and someone who can fill the shoes of the villain. And there's never any apology.