Blake's 7 Revisitation (rewatch)

[Sindatur]

So...I watched Blake's 7 back in the day, on PBS with T. Baker and Davison (and Maybe C. Baker also?) as the Doctor and Blake's 7 alongside it. Haven't seen a bit of it, since then (am good 24+ years ago), other than a single Blake's 7 episode I happened to have on my Dr. Who VHS'es that I transferred to disk.

I've recently acquired equipment that allows me to watch the PAL DVDs of Blake's 7 (Not available in NTSC ). So, I am rewatching for the first time in 2 1/2 decades, I give you:

Blake’s 7 Revisited

The Way Back
The First episode (Premiere or Pilot in American English) is one of the most perfectly executed, opening episodes ever. It lays out the Gov’t Head Games and the Political Environment within the first 15 minutes, and then it takes you to the Resistance Meeting, then the trial, the belief by the legal council of his Client, and the early shipping off to the Prison Planet. Every stroke was hit, today’s Series (at least American Ones) can learn a lot by studying this opening Episode

Space Fall

The second episode continues on from the first, and shows our heroes working together and Meeting Liberator/Zen. It’s awesome that the first episode had them all prisoners, with no hope, as a surprising twist ending/cliffhanger, and then the escape onto the Liberator. And the way Zen accepted them and offered himself and Liberator, when he killed the Prison Ship Crew
Cygnus Alpha

A good casual approach to the Transporter testing (4 minutes the first time, and then 4 hours, I believe).

Brian Blessed, how can you go wrong with Him?

Crew is finally all together (well 2 are still to come, but, that’ll take a while to get all 7 in place). This could’ve easily been a 4 hour Mini-Series lead-in for the next Trek, BSG, whatever Franchise… if only someone was able to bring the right bent on it to be sanctioned for a reboot.

[Spoilers mostly avoided in case anyone wants to follow along watching. (BTW, going out of town Weds through Weds, so, not much new watching before the blackout period). Cooments welcome, and spoilers, may be appropriate in further episodes, depending upon participants]

Watching Episode 4 now.

Mods, please correct the spelling error in the thread title, if possible

 

[Candlelight]

Re: Balke's 7 Revisitation (rewatch)

I would love to rewatch it but don't have the time.

I found the first season had dated horribly, but the stories were still enjoyable. A lot of the scripts came in under and sadly Terry Nation told the producers it was either a rewrite or the next script (cos he wrote all 13 of the first season), hence much padding in the first few episodes.

I look forward to your reviews.

 

[Starkers]

Re: Balke's 7 Revisitation (rewatch)

Best TV show, EVER!

I shall keep an eye on this thread

 

[Harvey]

Re: Balke's 7 Revisitation (rewatch)

This is one of those SF TV series that I've meant to see, but haven't been able to. The fact that it STILL isn't on DVD in the United States outside of a Region 2 import will probably continue to keep me from seeing it in the near-future. And that's too bad.

 

[Asbo Zaprudder]

Re: Balke's 7 Revisitation (rewatch)

I found the first season had dated horribly, but the stories were still enjoyable.

What's kind of amusing is that the BBC used to claim that the budget for the series was high -- even in the 70's, we used to laugh at the cheapness of the sets and the effects. What saved it was the quality of the writing, particularly the diversity of the characters in the motley crew and their interaction.

 

[Lonemagpie]

Re: Balke's 7 Revisitation (rewatch)

I've just started that as well, for work (I'm writing a book on the series, called Standard By 7) and watched the first three episodes on Sunday.

Loved it back in the day (it started when I'd just turned 9) and still do. Having not watched it for a few years I'm actually impressed by how well the opening arc is done. Having said that, I'm all too aware of some of the horrors to come, especially in season 4...

 

[Lonemagpie]

Re: Balke's 7 Revisitation (rewatch)

The Way Back
The First episode (Premiere or Pilot in American English) is one of the most perfectly executed, opening episodes ever. It lays out the Gov’t Head Games and the Political Environment within the first 15 minutes, and then it takes you to the Resistance Meeting, then the trial, the belief by the legal council of his Client, and the early shipping off to the Prison Planet. Every stroke was hit, today’s Series (at least American Ones) can learn a lot by studying this opening Episode

Blake's being framed for paedophilia was actually the first thing I thought of when Julian Assange's rape accusation made the news... The whole false memory implantation to create such accusations is also scarily prescient of the Orkney and Cleveland scandals in the UK, and some US ones, throughout the 80s and early 90s.

And the way Zen accepted them and offered himself and Liberator, when he killed the Prison Ship Crew

We don't actually know that he did kill the prison guards - we're given two lines of dialogue about what that deadly cocoon thing was: 1) whatever enemy weapon drove the crew out, and 2) a defence mechanism left by the crew. But it's never mentioned again, so we never find out which it was, but it doesn't look to me like a product of the same technology as the rest of the ship.

 

[Starkers]

Re: Balke's 7 Revisitation (rewatch)

I found the first season had dated horribly, but the stories were still enjoyable.

What's kind of amusing is that the BBC used to claim that the budget for the series was high -- even in the 70's, we used to laugh at the cheapness of the sets and the effects. What saved it was the quality of the writing, particularly the diversity of the characters in the motley crew and their interaction.

But the budget wasn't high, quite the reverse. I've heard it mentioned on multiple occasions that the show was chosen to replace Z-Cars, and was given Z-Cars' budget! Classic Who probably had more money pumped into it IMO.

The defence mechanism abourd Liberator is curious, as it doesn't seem particularly like something Zen would do, but it might have been a secondary secrutiy device installed by the System (because it does seem like something they would do).

Really it's only purpose is to kill off enough members of the London's crew that the captain considers sending Blake and co on board.

The Assange link is interesting, but as fit up jobs go its a bit weak. Everything I've read about the guy suggests he enjoys the noteriety that comes with Wikileaks, and likes the attention he gets from the opposite sex as a result as that noterierty. I think he just chose to indulge in the wrong country! (Although having said that for all the curious charges Sweden have on him, there is an actual charge of rape in there as well.

 

[Candlelight]

Re: Balke's 7 Revisitation (rewatch)

Having said that, I'm all too aware of some of the horrors to come, especially in season 4...

I actually enjoyed the fourth season much more than the first. The characters are firmly set in their ways (although Dayna is vastly different from her role in Season Three) and the production values seem more polished.

Instead of strings on the Liberator we get a circle around Scorpio.

We don't actually know that he did kill the prison guards - we're given two lines of dialogue about what that deadly cocoon thing was: 1) whatever enemy weapon drove the crew out, and 2) a defence mechanism left by the crew. But it's never mentioned again, so we never find out which it was, but it doesn't look to me like a product of the same technology as the rest of the ship.

Minor spoiler - It shows up again in Season Three, and is most definitely an internal Liberator defence mechanism.

 

[Lonemagpie]

Re: Balke's 7 Revisitation (rewatch)

Minor spoiler - It shows up again in Season Three, and is most definitely an internal Liberator defence mechanism.

I don't remember that, but it's been about a decade since I watched the series all the way through. I guess I'll come to it soon enough!

 

[Starkers]

Re: Balke's 7 Revisitation (rewatch)

Having said that, I'm all too aware of some of the horrors to come, especially in season 4...

I actually enjoyed the fourth season much more than the first. The characters are firmly set in their ways (although Dayna is vastly different from her role in Season Three) and the production values seem more polished.

Instead of strings on the Liberator we get a circle around Scorpio.

We don't actually know that he did kill the prison guards - we're given two lines of dialogue about what that deadly cocoon thing was: 1) whatever enemy weapon drove the crew out, and 2) a defence mechanism left by the crew. But it's never mentioned again, so we never find out which it was, but it doesn't look to me like a product of the same technology as the rest of the ship.

Minor spoiler - It shows up again in Season Three, and is most definitely an internal Liberator defence mechanism.

Ah yes, that's in Dawn of the Gods isn't it!

 

[Count Zero]

Re: Balke's 7 Revisitation (rewatch)

It's my favourite show. I rewatched the first two season not too long ago because I rushed through the whole series when I first saw it. Unfortunately, I don't have the time to rewatch along with the thread at the moment.
One thing I really like about the show is that it uses all kinds of sci-fi (and non sci-fi) clichés but then finds unusual twists to them. One example is the prisoner rebellion in Space Fall where most people would expect our heros to succeed and at first it looks as if they will but then they fail.
Ultimately, I think, the series has a rather dim view of the world, but this really resonated with me because it rings very true and it's poetic in its own way. A tragic story of ancient Greek proportions, if you will.

The special effects are often so bad it's hilarious and the costumes of the main characters deserve a special honorary mention but the stories and the great dialogues more than make up for it.

Inspired by the costume choices (especially Blake's) in season two, I once made this:

 

[Sindatur]

Re: Balke's 7 Revisitation (rewatch)

LOL Count Zero

Episode 4

Time Squad

Blake speaks of his ruthless rebellion plans, with no regard to the victims of the sabotage (both direct victims of the destruction and victims having to live without those services)

Avon is a cold and callous, self serving individual. He'd sell his mother for a doughnut, if he got a craving.

Sure, if it's convenient, and people are valuable enough he'll expend the effort to cover their back, as long as it's not with his own back.

Avon starts to exhibit a surprising respect/worship for Blake in this episode. Avon spends great chunks of time, just staring at Blake in awe in this episode.

It's like watching one of Charles Manson's accolytes in love with him. And when they do bicker, they're like husband and wife, or Londo and G'Kar, or Lucy and Ethel

What was it that drew Avon so much to Blake? He never seems so connected to anyone else, in the entire 52 episodes (aside from the one girl from his past later on)

We meet Crewman #6 Cally and in the end, Avon is right there, performing miracles for Blake, causing the devistation Blake asked for, risking everything with his back exposed.

Agan, he does this for no one else, and he's in 51 out of 52 episodes.

Oh, and Jenna can compete with the Dr Who Girls Avatars any day of the week

 

[Mistral]

Re: Balke's 7 Revisitation (rewatch)

Wasn't Balke that character played by Bronson Pinchon?

 

[Sindatur]

Re: Balke's 7 Revisitation (rewatch)

Wasn't Balke that character played by Bronson Pinchon?

YES, he was, hence my plea for a Mod to fix the title for me

 

[Starkers]

Re: Balke's 7 Revisitation (rewatch)

It's hard to determine what it was about Blake that Avon found so fascinating. It's probably just the fact that he was intrigued by Blake's blind faith in "freedom", the fact he was incorruptible (ish) given that Avon thought everyone was corruptible. I think it's just a case of opposites attracting, the ultimate optimist and the ultimate pessimist. That's why Avon was so pissed in the end, he thought the one certainty in the universe was that Blake would never betray him (and ironically he was right)

Avon and Cally had something going on between them at times, although mainly that's down to Tanith Lee and Sarcophagus! and Vila he at least had a respect for the man's talents (even if he'd quite obviously throw him in front of a bullet meant for himself if needs be!) Tarrant irked him (but Tarrant irked everyone and I say that as a fan of Tarrant) but I think he liked having some Alpha male competition around. Dayna I think he thought was useful, but probably didn't think much else of. I think he rather liked Soolin, the two had a nice vibe going on at times. Gan he had no time for unless something heavy needed doing and Jenna...I think he liked Jenna, but was disappointed by the fact she fell for Blake's idealism so readily.

 

[Mistral]

Re: Balke's 7 Revisitation (rewatch)

Sorry, Bronson Pinchot.

 

[Candlelight]

Re: Balke's 7 Revisitation (rewatch)

It's hard to determine what it was about Blake that Avon found so fascinating. It's probably just the fact that he was intrigued by Blake's blind faith in "freedom", the fact he was incorruptible (ish) given that Avon thought everyone was corruptible. I think it's just a case of opposites attracting, the ultimate optimist and the ultimate pessimist. That's why Avon was so pissed in the end, he thought the one certainty in the universe was that Blake would never betray him (and ironically he was right)

** My post does delve into spoilers **

Much of it came out of self interest. He needed to be safe, or as he put it simply in 'Cygnus Alpha', "I'm Free.". With Blake striking against the very people who would hunt him down (or capture him again) he could use Blake as a shield, and the Liberator was certainly the most powerful ship humanity seemed to have encountered. Then again, this does bring about two interesting facts:

- He has always felt the need to be alone, and the desire not to rely on anyone but himself is a constant theme running throughout the series. Despite this, he stays with the crew, although, as stated in 'Breakdown' he did have a few places up his sleeve that he could leave for.

- From 'Aftermath' onwards he assumes the role left vacant by Blake, which contradicts his earlier belief about blind faith. Again to quote Avon, "winning is the only safety". His desire to be free clearly overwhelmed him to take on some of Blake's 'fanaticism' in order to destroy the Federation in his absence.

 

[Starkers]

Re: Balke's 7 Revisitation (rewatch)

Clearly he needed people, he just didn't particularly like that he needed people He had the opportunity in Horizon to take the Liberator and run, everyone else was down on the planet and for all he knew dead, and Orac advised that he'd have sufficient food and power to avoid the Federation for life...

He chose to go down and save them.

Of course it might have just been so he could say "I told you so."

 

[Marc]

Re: Balke's 7 Revisitation (rewatch)

Clearly he needed people, he just didn't particularly like that he needed people He had the opportunity in Horizon to take the Liberator and run, everyone else was down on the planet and for all he knew dead, and Orac advised that he'd have sufficient food and power to avoid the Federation for life...

He chose to go down and save them.

Of course it might have just been so he could say "I told you so."

So Avon's bascially a self-loathing people person?