Using retooled to describe what was done to Brandon’s character in S&S3 was in no way meant to be derogatory.

Fair enough. (:D)

ET says AR’s Brandon is virile yet sensitive, powerful yet quietly slightly dangerous (I agree).

Virile? Powerful? S&S2's Brandon allowed his father to force him into the army. He was too weak to stand up for himself and Eliza. He barely manages to carry Marianne in from the rain, falling over the threshold. What about him is "powerful," in your opinion?

Sensitive? IMO, he seems generally cold and distant, except for one notable scene in which he can't seem to control himself and begs Elinor for something to do. I suppose that counts.

I don't see much that I would call "slightly dangerous," either, but I do think that Alan Rickman is rather creepy in the role, as he is in most of his performances. Again, where do you detect the "danger" in the performance? I assumed that Emma Thompson was referencing the (cut) lines that mentioned the duel.

I like the duel scene in S&S3. I did notice something amusing. They also cut the dialog about the duel. It is not part of Brandon’s confession to Elinor. She does not ask and he does not tell. Did DM’s Brandon not think a duel was fit knowledge for a woman?!