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As I understand it, in 4E, a Reflex defense uses your Dexterity modifier... or your Intelligence modifier, whichever is higher.

While I like the flexibility of this mechanic, how does it work for character development fluff?

I guess the reasoning is an intelligent character can better predict an incoming attack. But Intelligence is defined as learning and reasoning. It is the Wisdom fluff that mentions perception and sensing danger. Sounds like Int is mostly booksmarts, and Wis (especially with a combination of Dex) is more about thinking fast on your feet. But Will Defense is founded on Wis or Cha, so Wis was already "taken". That left Intelligence, even though it doesn't contribute much to Reflex.

This leads to weird inconsistencies. A wizard with 18 Int and 8 Dex (=bad hand-eye coordiation, poor agility, slow reflexes and bad sense of balance) has a great Reflex. A different character of the same level with 16 Int and 16 Dex has a worse base Reflex (there is no averaging or synergy, just take the higher stat).

(P.S. Does anyone else feel that this is a case of over-simplification and may house-rule this one?)

So how can pure 4E mechanics (without house-ruling) emulate the bumbling genius professor type?

Or maybe I missed the boat? Maybe 4E is not about flawed character archetypes with one or two shortcomings, but heroic types who are always well-rounded and average/normal at the very worst?

Dexterity is about fast reflexes.

Intelligence is about thinking quickly.

Both help you avoid bad stuff.

Simple as that, really.