Blake's 7: Difference between revisions

''Blake's Seven'' is an iconic British SF series created by Terry Nation, who had earlier created [[Doctor Who|the Daleks]] and the [[After the End]] drama series ''Survivors''. It ran for four thirteen episode series between 1978 and 1981. The series takes place during the "third century of the new calendar" (fans estimate this as approximately 2700 AD). The series is about the quest of a group of rebels to overthrow the evil and fascistic Federation that controls Earth and most of the known Galaxy. Though it is sometimes referred to as a [[Space Opera]], it tended to the cynical end of the [[Sliding Scale of Idealism Versus Cynicism]], particularly after a certain point. The format had elements of [[Wagon Train to the Stars]]. It was also lower-budget, and looked it.

 

 

''Premise'':

 

 

En route to exile, Blake and a group of prisoners managed to escape from captivity and take control of a mysterious, and very advanced, ship which they called the ''Liberator'' and resolved to fight back against the Federation. The series then chronicled their attempts, which were usually ({{spoiler|and ultimately}}) unsuccessful, to overthrow the Federation.

 

 

The Federation was represented by an array of troopers, usually outfitted in uniforms of black leather and gas masks. For the first two series, the Seven were pursued by '''Travis''', a psychotic killer (and [[The Dragon]]) dispatched to "seek, locate and destroy Blake" by [[Big Bad]] '''Servalan''', the impossibly glamorous Supreme Commander (later President) of the Federation.

At the end of the first series, the Seven beat Servalan to find the supercomputer '''Orac''' (originally presented as a [[Weapon of Mass Destruction]] but downgraded when it was kept on), which was capable of finding information on almost anything but was also programmed with the personality of its creator, an irascible old man.

 

 

Despite Gareth Thomas, who played Blake, leaving at the end of the second series, the series retained its title, with Avon now becoming leader of the Seven. Blake was replaced by '''Del Tarrant''' (Tarrant), a former Federation officer who'd deserted. Jenna had also gone, being replaced by weapons expert '''Dayna Mellanby''' (Dayna). At the end of the season, they appeared to have found Blake again, but had been tricked. ''Liberator'' was destroyed and the crew were abandoned on planet Terminal.

If anything, the final series was even darker than before, with almost all the Seven's plans failing and ending with the episode "Blake", perhaps the ultimate [[Downer Ending]] of any series. {{spoiler|Finally finding Blake again, Avon kills him, believing he has betrayed the rebellion (and, more importantly, him) before the rest of the crew are then killed by the Federation with only Avon left standing. Surrounded by Federation troopers, he aims his gun at the camera, smiles and then it cuts to the final credits with gunfire sounds in the background.}}

 

 

In 2007, a new audio version was produced with some interesting twists to the story. It can be listened to at the [[Sci Fi]] UK website. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7364663.stm A couple of scripts have been ordered for a possible TV revival]. [[Development Hell|...Or]] [http://io9.com/5605619/the-federation-wins-again-blakes-7-remake-stalled-out possibly not.]

* [[Bottle Episode]] and [[Die Hard on an X]] in "Powerplay"

 

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{{tropelist}}

* [[Depending on the Writer]] - In the later seasons. It's particularly noticeable because in the first season, each script was written by the showrunner with assistance from the script editor, so the characters tended to be internally consistent and have nice, smooth arcs. Then things started to disconnect: Servalan's priorities and competence, the state of Avon and Vila's relationship (it's always argumentative, but its balance varies widely; sometimes they trade barbs, sometimes Avon simply insults Vila, and sometimes they casually team up to scam a casino). Vila's intelligence also varies - in Terry Nation's scripts he's highly intelligent and competent, but will [[Obfuscating Stupidity|play the fool to avoid dangerous situations.]] In Chris Boucher's scripts he's an incompetent alcoholic. Tarrant's character lurches from being the cold and calculating mercenary he was originally conceived as, to heroic and chivalrous, and back again. Cally is either a passionate fighter or a passionate pacifist, depending on the script.

** However, at actor Michael Keating's request, Chris Boucher wrote the third series episode, "City at the Edge of the World". While Vila's fearful nature is still in evidence, the episode also features him at, arguably, his most intelligent and skilled as a safecracker. He's even the romantic lead in the story, and does some genuinely heroic acts.

* [[Diabolus Ex Machina]]

* [[Die Hard on an X]] - "Powerplay"

* [[Equal Opportunity Evil]] - Most prominently Servalan, also Morag, Major Thania, and others.

* [[Even Bad Men Love Their Mamas]] - In "City at the Edge of the World", Beyban the Butcher (played by [[Colin Baker]]) speaks fondly of his mother ("Wonderful woman. Truly evil personality.").

* [["Everybody Laughs" Ending]] - Happens a few times, usually when someone's cracked a joke at [[Butt Monkey|Vila's expense.]]

* [[Evil Is Hammy]] - "Evil" is an open question, but it's certainly true that the more embittered and compromised Avon becomes, the more studs he wears, poses he strikes, and lines he delivers in staccato barks.

* [[The Other Darrin]] - Done with Travis. Less visibly, Orac's voice was provided in "Orac" by Derek Farr, who had played his creator Ensor, but in later episodes by Peter Tuddenham. The Federation official Ven Glynd was played in "The Way Back" by Robert James and in "Voice From the Past" by Richard Bebb.

* [[Painted-On Pants]] - Common among Liberator crew members. Apparently, Paul Darrow once wore a pair of leather trousers that were so tight, he had to be helped up and down in scenes where Avon was kneeling down to do something technical.

*** Yes. The outdoor scenes in Pressure Point required extra manpower to help Darrow kneel and stand up.

* [[Sean Connery Is About to Shoot You|Paul Darrow Is About To Shoot You]]

* [[You All Meet in a Cell]] - Blake, Jenna, and Vila in "The Way Back". Notably not Avon, who did not appear until "Spacefall," though he did meet them on the prison ship.

* [[You Fool!]] - A favourite insult of Avon's, often not unfairly.

 

{{reflist}}