We may be far too quick to idealize (or to idolize) the Blair/Angel relationship.
Do they really have that much in common? The first time they were together it was a combination of Blair's schoolboy crush and Angel's emotional weakness over Rosie's death... and that apparently fizzled out. Angel didn't stick by Blair through his trial - or apparently even stay in contact with him during his exile (to her credit, she did defend him to the press immdiately after the loss of the Tiger's Claw).
Then when they got back together eleven years later, their common bond was over a shared tragedy rather than anything permanent - Spirit's death (Blair considered her to be like a sister and she was Angel's best friend). I think the experts will tell you that that's not a great foundation.
The little we see of the relationship in Wing Commander II is fraught with issues. What do we make of Angel's refusal to support Blair over Tolwyn? Or to accept that the stealth fighters were real? What do we make of Blair's kissing Minx - moreover, what do we make of the fact that he never mentions it to Angel? What do we make of the fact that Blair is completely willing to ignore Angel's orders to better win glory for himself?
Yes, I've thought about this as well... my take on thier relationship is this: They broke up because the reappearance of Bossman shook things up. Now I don't know about anyone else, but I find it undesirable to stay in contact with my exs. If we have to serve together, I'd be requesting a transfer.
At that point she was under no obligation to stand by him during the trial, though as you said, she did defend him publicly.
I agree with you that Angel and Blair's relationship may not have been well founded, and during war time isn't the best time to start a relationship. What do we make of Angel's refusal to support Blair over Tolwyn? I don't think she really refused to support him. It did seem like she was trying to organize a transfer for him to the Concordia... As we all know, Tolwyn can be a tough man to get along with.
Is it at all possible that he just said to her what he said to Paladin just in a sterner way? He told Paladin that Blair would have to prove his worth to Tolwyn, but Paladin wasn't under his command, and from what I've seen, didn't really have to answer to him. Angel on the other hand did. He might have just been like, "Blair is here for now, be satasfied with that. If I hear anything more on the matter, I might have to transfer you to ISS with him."
As for accepting stealth fighters were real or not... I don't know how much she believed or didn't believe, but I do think that her hands were tied and there was no way Tolwyn was going to listen to that sort of "ridiculous claim."
Which orders of Angel's did he ignore exactly? Are you referring to the final mission where Blair duels Thrakath and takes out 'Mang? If so, I just finished playing Wing Commander 2, and honestly the order to patrol rather than attack seemed more like a direct order from the Admiral. "Non, the Admiral wants you to fly this patrol." As for winning the Glory, well who wouldn't? Show me someone who tried to do something ten years ago, failed, and was disgraced for it, and then given a second chance? Who wouldn't take a shot at redemption?
I know if it were me, I'd be like, "No one else is going to be sacrificed for mistakes made ten years ago. Seeing the end of that base is my responsability and I'll see it through.
As for the kiss with Grimaldi, come on now, she surprised him with that, and I don't know how I would handle it either, for the sake of maintaining piece, I might just shut up about it and hope she gets transferred off soon.
You may be right on the money about Angel and Blair, however I think we need to give Angel a bit more credit then that, not a lot, but maybe a bit. Lets not forget, her duty as an officer, a pilot, and a warrior came first and foremost in her mind. Something Blair understood.