I actually really miss "passive" evasion tanking. The reason being: Once tanks get "active" mitigation they all basically get the same buttons...I prefer tanks to have a unique identity which may include just stacking as much dodge, parry and block as possible to reduce over-all incoming damage. Then of course cooldowns and abilities to supplement this identity. Samurai may be a good fit for this.

However overall I still thing the common media portrayal is that of a damage dealer rather than damage soaker or taker.