Review BLAKE'S 7: THE WAY BACK - Episode 01

Doctor Omega

Member: Rank 10
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Doctor Omega

Member: Rank 10
Hard-hitting stuff.

The story, and particularly the charges against Blake, would surely, almost certainly be toned down now, were the series ever to be rebooted.

Along with the obligatory gender changes. :emoji_alien:

As it is such an atypical episode, plus having to set up at least part of the whole format it has some hard work to do, but acquits itself well, putting our poor hero up a tree with stones being thrown at him.

For all that it achieves....

A sterling

7 out of 10.
 
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Doctor Omega

Member: Rank 10
Yes, it was well made drama, regardless of the sci-fi setting. I think programme makers today could learn a lot from the conviction with which this was made. All the characters are taking events seriously. The stakes are high.

Not one quip. Not one funny line. Not one smart Alec comment. Blake is deeply in trouble and he knows it.

The casual way in which his enemies plot and agree to destroy his life is chilling in it's blandness.

Good writing and good, top quality, experienced actors.

I doubt that that combination would be a component in any remake/reboot/"re-imagining" of this opening episode. :emoji_alien:

Not when there is a zingy, smart-arsed, tension-destroying one liner that can be thrown into the script and badly delivered by some young actor who is not as talented as he/she thinks they are.

I also find it interesting that Michael Keating plays Vila in a slightly different way than he ever did again. Almost slightly sinister?
 
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ant-mac

Member: Rank 9
A gritty start, and a clever one, tarnishing the hero with child molestation charges. It was a lie of course, but why did The Federation think that the oppressed masses would readily believe it of Blake?
Also the FX are no where near as bad as legend would have it.
The scene of Blake and Ravela crossing the wasteland with the Dome City behind them is very good for BBC tv in the 70's.
Must take a point off for the silly ease at which Varon obtains the hospital records from Havant without disguising his voice!. Initially I remember being shocked at Varon and Maja's casual deaths at the end. The first of many surprises in store during this series. As usual the costuming for a BBC series is good. I suppose this is a sort of costume drama set in the future. The Federation guards creepy black uniforms were great, they just look totally sinister.
9/10
NOTE TO NEW SAGES
--the tradition is to mark each episode out of 10, so Brimfin can do his end of series statistical analysis. It's not obligatory, whatever you wish on that count is fine.
I've always marked everything out of 5. Every film and every episode or complete serial of every TV series I own.

So all Brimfin has to do is double my score to fit it into his system of analysis. :emoji_relaxed:
 

Brimfin

Member: Rank 3
Not sure if this is where I should reply but I do plan to join up with you all on reviewing BLAKE'S 7. I just need time to watch the first episode and then do my review. I don't plan to look at the other reviews until I post mine so that I won't be influenced by others' opinions. That's the way I've always done it. Afterward, I'll read the other reviews and possibly compare notes. I'll be watching STAR COPS as well. Looking forward to hopefully an interesting time.
 

Cloister56

Member: Rank 3
Ok so straight off the bat we have the intro.
The theme tune is epic, inspiring and sinister.
The images we see, a dome, a pixel image of someone in pain, I think a camera and then a trooper shoots us before a face appears with eliminate below it. All very interesting and tie in nicely with a lot of the themes in the episode, surveillance, torture and brain washing and an oppressive regime.

Sadly I do think the intro is slightly impaired by the Monty Pythonesc spaceship. I don't know how it looked back then but it looks awful, and seeing as they have pretty good models for the prison ship London later in the episode it seems odd they didn't do it with models.

The plot is very well structured. By Blake having no memory we get to naturally discover things with him.
It also explains why the rebels take such a risk bringing a new comer to their meeting, he has been a important member before.
It always seems odd in movies and TV shows why the hero gets to infiltrate the enemy so close to the big event and after having only joined the group yesterday.
Roj Blake is instantly likeable, he is inquisitive but not prepared to take peoples word on things. He is instantly established as having a bit of a rebellious streak. Now free of the suppressant drugs he raises objection to going outside but goes along with it without much fuss.

Blake's memories breaking through repeat through the episode. They are powerful images and work well. I do wonder why the trooper with the sledgehammer starts walking backwards after hitting Blake.

And who's that following them in the distance? It's Kellman from Revenge of the Cybermen (Jeremy Wilkin).
At first I assumed he was a member of the federation tailing the rebels. But on arrival to the meeting it is revealed he is a rebel. (Including being the most polite rebel ever, "We are going to start the meeting now, If you could come over here and make a group")
This deflected my suspicion so when he turned out to really be a traitor I was surprised, clever stuff.

The rebels generally come across as a very British resistance group (makes me think of Father Ted "Down with this sort of thing, steady now") clapping politely to Foster's speech. But they do show their ruthless side having planted evidence incriminating Blake, they won't take No for an answer.

Then there is the bad guys. I don't know if it was an active decision but by calling them the "Federation" calls to mind Star Trek. I tend to think of a Federation as a benevolent regime so subverting this makes them a more real evil where it's citizens are probably kept in the dark.

When they do arrive at the meeting the troopers say nothing and casually gun down everyone.
It's a horrifying spectacle, there is nowhere to run. During all of this our "hero" hides, no attempt made to help. It's a realistic move, there was nothing he could do, but it is an interesting start to establish our central character.

The casual way in which his enemies plot and agree to destroy his life is chilling in it's blandness.
Yes they don't grandstand, cackle or twirl their moustache. It is a problem, they discuss the options and decide on a solution. You get the feeling it was item 4 on the agenda for that meeting. The routine nature of it makes it so much more powerful.

The decision to fabricate Blake as a child abuser is key element I feel. It's one of the worst crimes imaginable, it would give even his most staunchest allies pause and it destroys him as a potential figurehead for the resistance. It is also completely unrelated to his previous crimes of sedition and terrorism robbing it of any direct political power.
It also is another demonstration of the lengths the Federation will go to. They not only make these accusations but actually implant the memories of the events in some innocent children. It is a truly terrible act and is done as just a ways to a means.

The court room scene is a bit odd. It seems a computer makes the verdict. This is interesting as it would appear to be impartial and perhaps nullify the argument that the jury were swayed by the nature of the crime.
Interesting Tarrant turns up at the end, he was very concerned about his cover being blown. Seeing as Blake is later free to converse with visitors and fellow inmates it seems odd he would expose himself. Perhaps he just couldn't resist.

We are introduced to 2 more characters. Vila Restal (who gets a few very quotable lines) and Jenna Stannis. She initially seems to be flirting a little with Blake, playing with his hair (and what hair it is) but then pushes his head as she tells him he's got no hope. She does soften later as her fear grows. I think she finds a little hope in his potential release.

The advocate Tel Varon and his wife Maja form a great team during this episode. They bounce ideas of each other naturally and show really affection for each other.

Must take a point off for the silly ease at which Varon obtains the hospital records from Havant without disguising his voice!.
Yes this was odd. They also overhear their superior Ven Glynd very easily. I initially thought they had some device they were using to intercept but they just stand a good 3 foot from the door, they don't even put a glass against it. I guess it could show the arrogance and feeling of complete security of senior officials that they don't even need to buy better more sound suppressing doors.

As the episode closes it seems at first that the Varon's won't be in time and will have to work to get Blake back. But as the London takes off we find that they have been killed by Tarrant. This is doubly cruel as they were established quickly as likeable characters and secondly Blake doesn't know what happened to them. For all he knows they just gave up.

Overall it is an excellent start to the series. It establishes a regime we can dislike, puts the main character in a deep dark hole but ends with him determined to get out.
9 dodgy paper spaceships probably better replaced with fairy liquid bottles strapped together, out of 10
 
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michaellevenson

Member: Rank 8
As Cloister 56 says the child molestation charge is shocking.
The character of Alta Morag is so damaged that she, even though looking like your favourite aunt, casually condemns innocent children to the nightmares of rape that will surely haunt them for years to come. OR is she just a civil servant doing her job?
 

ant-mac

Member: Rank 9
As Cloister 56 says the child molestation charge is shocking.
The character of Alta Morag is so damaged that she, even though looking like your favourite aunt, casually condemns innocent children to the nightmares of rape that will surely haunt them for years to come. OR is she just a civil servant doing her job?
Whilst I certainly don't support the actions of the authorities, it must be remembered that certain operatives inside the Federation are very probably highly-skilled when it comes to certain brainwashing techniques. Therefore, once the children had served their purpose and Blake was on his way to Cygnus Alpha, it's entirely possible they received further attention to remove the disturbing "memories" from their minds.
 

The Seeker

Member: Rank 6
I knew if Blake didn’t escape there’d be no show, but I was still on the edge of my seat. I was surprised at how easily the show killed off its characters.

Tel Varon seemed like a real sap, not knowing anything about his superiors. I find it hard to believe he’s never had a questionable case before. Are there no other rebels in the city?

The Federation shows itself to be cruel and ruthless, brainwashing children with such awful memories. They truly have no boundaries and no sense of decency.

The flashbacks were nicely done. The show, while obviously low budget, looked good enough to suck you in. It was well-paced and the stakes were high. Overall a good first episode. I can’t really add to anything that’s already been said.
 
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Mad-Pac

Member: Rank 5
That was an interesting beginning. I just wish we'd been given more time than less than 24 hours to watch, rewatch, take notes and write a decent review about a brand new show.

Anyway. The story has great potential. I'm not exactly overwhelmed by the premise, but it has possibilities. The thing that bugs me about tyrannies in general and virtuous rebels is that one is supposed to assume that if someone is a "rebel" or part of a "resistance" they're necessarily the heroes. The fact is, we still know very little about this universe and how it works.

OK, OK, I can see that the "Federation" is doing pretty nasty things, particularly in the area of brainwashing and framing an innocent person. But we still don't know if the system is structurally rigged, or this is just a conspiracy involving a few corrupt public agents. After all, the prosecutor that accuses Blake goes dig the truth and the truth he finds! and he seems convinced that he has evidence to prevent Blake from being sent to jail elsewhere. For all intents and purposes, the system works. Or does it?

Well, not for the prosecutor and his wife, as they are both killed. And Blake, is sent to a prison planet of the sorts. And in jail awaiting transport, he meets the characters I'll call Elegant Lady and Mr. Con Artist (sorry, I don't know the names and I didn't find a list with the actors and characters' names in the opening thread).

Again, it's true the Federation (or some Federation faction or some rogue administrator, or the local version of the Mafia,or Blake's grandmother...) does nasty things, but usually in evil empire X heroic rebels stories the empire does evil and nasty things to the rebels and to innocent people and that's enough to justify their status as "the evil ones" (yes, I'm looking at you, Star Wars.)

The problem is this: Why does the resistance fight the empire? Because the empire does nasty things to the resistance and collaborators. And why does the empire do nasty things to the resistance and collaborators? Because the resistance is constantly attacking them! So methinks if either the empire stopped doing nasty things or the resistance stopped resisting, all would be fine.

This is very different from reality. In reality, opposing groups have different views of how things are run, so resistance or no resistance they'll do their thing. Say one group wants the means of production to be in the hands of the state and another that supports private enterprise. None is necessarily evil, and nasty things might result if there's a guerrilla or civil war, but that's a natural consequence of the conflict.

And there's more. We live in a democracy (whatever your country is). But we might be horrified if we knew all the nasty things our legitimately-elected government would do to maintain said democracy. Sometimes it']s tough but fair, sometimes fatal and totally unfair. But how the secret intelligence services of modern democracies work.

And another thing that called my attention is the use of the old cliché of making the good guys nice and likable, and the bad guys faceless and dehumanized. But I won't fall for that! Oh, and the bad guys wear all black! Right.

Some time ago I expressed to Michael some reservations about adapting to British shows because of cultural differences. Michael seemed to find it a joke that I cold suggest what he interpreted as Blake´s 7 being too British. So, is it too British? Well, long story short... Yep. The accent is unmistakable. And their manner of speaking and acting as well. I swear I was expecting that at any moment someone in the resistance would speak with (some) emotion: "for Her Majesty!"

Speaking of emotions, everyone is so polite and collected. Even when Blake is supposed to be getting desperate being framed as a pedophile (urgh!), he doesn't lose his composure. He keep his phlegm (not the mucus!) intact all the way.

Once I was speaking with my cousin how I love cats and she said dogs are more affectionate. I objected. Cats are just as affectionate if you know how to look, if you understand their subtleties and quiet manners. Her answer: "Nah! That's too British for me. I prefer dogs." So, in other words, cats are British, while Latinos are... dogs. Mutts actually. But we do have fun.

What I really would like to see is a big twist. Say Blake is really a Federation Agent, or the resistance proves to be much nastier than we assumed. Notice that the rebels threatened to frame Blake for their activities, doing much like what the Federation ended doing to him. There are many possible plots that could subvert the good vs. evil notion.

Let's see what happens next.
 

ant-mac

Member: Rank 9
I knew if Blake didn’t escape there’d be no show, but I was still on the edge of my seat. I was surprised at how easily the show killed off its characters.

Tel Varon seemed like a real sap, not knowing anything about his superiors. I find it hard to believe he’s never had a questionable case before. Are there no other rebels in the city?

The flashbacks were nicely done. The show, while obviously low budget, looked good enough to suck you in. It was well-paced and the stakes were high. Overall a good first episode. I can’t really add to anything that’s already been said.
If there were any other rebel in the city or any other city, the Federation's security forces would've probably dealt with them in the same manner as we saw in this episode.

And we have no idea Tel Varon had not been through the brainwashing process himself.

The Federation authorities don't mess around.
 

ant-mac

Member: Rank 9
That was an interesting beginning. I just wish we'd been given more time than less than 24 hours to watch, rewatch, take notes and write a decent review about a brand new show.

Anyway. The story has great potential. I'm not exactly overwhelmed by the premise, but it has possibilities. The thing that bugs me about tyrannies in general and virtuous rebels is that one is supposed to assume that if someone is a "rebel" or part of a "resistance" they're necessarily the heroes. The fact is, we still know very little about this universe and how it works.

OK, OK, I can see that the "Federation" is doing pretty nasty things, particularly in the area of brainwashing and framing an innocent person. But we still don't know if the system is structurally rigged, or this is just a conspiracy involving a few corrupt public agents. After all, the prosecutor that accuses Blake goes dig the truth and the truth he finds! and he seems convinced that he has evidence to prevent Blake from being sent to jail elsewhere. For all intents and purposes, the system works. Or does it?

Well, not for the prosecutor and his wife, as they are both killed. And Blake, is sent to a prison planet of the sorts. And in jail awaiting transport, he meets the characters I'll call Elegant Lady and Mr. Con Artist (sorry, I don't know the names and I didn't find a list with the actors and characters' names in the opening thread).

Again, it's true the Federation (or some Federation faction or some rogue administrator, or the local version of the Mafia,or Blake's grandmother...) does nasty things, but usually in evil empire X heroic rebels stories the empire does evil and nasty things to the rebels and to innocent people and that's enough to justify their status as "the evil ones" (yes, I'm looking at you, Star Wars.)

The problem is this: Why does the resistance fight the empire? Because the empire does nasty things to the resistance and collaborators. And why does the empire do nasty things to the resistance and collaborators? Because the resistance is constantly attacking them! So methinks if either the empire stopped doing nasty things or the resistance stopped resisting, all would be fine.

This is very different from reality. In reality, opposing groups have different views of how things are run, so resistance or no resistance they'll do their thing. Say one group wants the means of production to be in the hands of the state and another that supports private enterprise. None is necessarily evil, and nasty things might result if there's a guerrilla or civil war, but that's a natural consequence of the conflict.

And there's more. We live in a democracy (whatever your country is). But we might be horrified if we knew all the nasty things our legitimately-elected government would do to maintain said democracy. Sometimes it']s tough but fair, sometimes fatal and totally unfair. But how the secret intelligence services of modern democracies work.

And another thing that called my attention is the use of the old cliché of making the good guys nice and likable, and the bad guys faceless and dehumanized. But I won't fall for that! Oh, and the bad guys wear all black! Right.

Some time ago I expressed to Michael some reservations about adapting to British shows because of cultural differences. Michael seemed to find it a joke that I cold suggest what he interpreted as Blake´s 7 being too British. So, is it too British? Well, long story short... Yep. The accent is unmistakable. And their manner of speaking and acting as well. I swear I was expecting that at any moment someone in the resistance would speak with (some) emotion: "for Her Majesty!"

Speaking of emotions, everyone is so polite and collected. Even when Blake is supposed to be getting desperate being framed as a pedophile (urgh!), he doesn't lose his composure. He keep his phlegm (not the mucus!) intact all the way.

Once I was speaking with my cousin how I love cats and she said dogs are more affectionate. I objected. Cats are just as affectionate if you know how to look, if you understand their subtleties and quiet manners. Her answer: "Nah! That's too British for me. I prefer dogs." So, in other words, cats are British, while Latinos are... dogs. Mutts actually. But we do have fun.

What I really would like to see is a big twist. Say Blake is really a Federation Agent, or the resistance proves to be much nastier than we assumed. Notice that the rebels threatened to frame Blake for their activities, doing much like what the Federation ended doing to him. There are many possible plots that could subvert the good vs. evil notion.

Let's see what happens next.
Less than 24 hours?

You've got a whole week to watch it.

Or at least as much of that week as you need.
 

The Seeker

Member: Rank 6
If there were any other rebel in the city or any other city, the Federation's security forces would've probably dealt with them in the same manner as we saw in this episode.

And we have no idea Tel Varon had not been through the brainwashing process himself.

The Federation authorities don't mess around.
True. The only reason they didn’t kill Blake was because he was a figurehead, of sorts.
 

Mad-Pac

Member: Rank 5
Less than 24 hours?

You've got a whole week to watch it.

Or at least as much of that week as you need.
I know that a new coordinator means new coordinating rules. But typically after announcing the winner we always had 5 to 7 days to begin watching the show. This would give time for people to buy the DVD, find an alternate source, download the show, etc, and also give time for people who missed the announcement to join the discussion in timely manner. Therefore, I only worried about watching the show once the winner was official, not before. Hence, less than 24 hours.

OK, now rereading your reply you']re talking about the week ahead, so, let me organize my thoughts. In my experience when an episode is announced for some particular day, it is much better to reply on that day or the next. When this happens, people read it and participate more intensely. if you reply, say three days later, the novelty is sort of gone and the response is not as good. At least that's how things used to be.with us.

So, between the whole Star Cops imbroglio, viewing the episode, and writing some resemblance of a review, here I am at a little past 1 A.M. still involved with IMDF, which has lasted a couple hours already... Fortunately we have a holiday until Wednesday (Carnaval) so I don't have an early meeting or something tomorrow morning.
 

ant-mac

Member: Rank 9
I know that a new coordinator means new coordinating rules. But typically after announcing the winner we always had 5 to 7 days to begin watching the show. This would give time for people to buy the DVD, find an alternate source, download the show, etc, and also give time for people who missed the announcement to join the discussion in timely manner. Therefore, I only worried about watching the show once the winner was official, not before. Hence, less than 24 hours.

OK, now rereading your reply you']re talking about the week ahead, so, let me organize my thoughts. In my experience when an episode is announced for some particular day, it is much better to reply on that day or the next. When this happens, people read it and participate more intensely. if you reply, say three days later, the novelty is sort of gone and the response is not as good. At least that's how things used to be.with us.

So, between the whole Star Cops imbroglio, viewing the episode, and writing some resemblance of a review, here I am at a little past 1 A.M. still involved with IMDF, which has lasted a couple hours already... Fortunately we have a holiday until Wednesday (Carnaval) so I don't have an early meeting or something tomorrow morning.
However you wish to organize your time, or at whatever stage you wish to participate, the point is you still have up to a week if you should need it. Plenty of time to watch and review a single episode of a TV series.

By the way, although the Federation may well be depicted as tyrannical, what makes you think the rebels are virtuous? You've only encountered one small group so far.

And the reason that everyone is so polite and collected is that they're all doped up to the gills with suppressants. That's why Blake went without food and drink for 36 hours in the beginning. Although by the end, he'd been brainwashed and drugged - yet again.

As for British accents... So? British accents, American accents, Australian accents, French... So long as you can understand what's being said, that;s the main thing.

And I doubt the monarchy still exists by that point in time.
 

Mad-Pac

Member: Rank 5
However you wish to organize your time, or at whatever stage you wish to participate, the point is you still have up to a week if you should need it. Plenty of time to watch and review a single episode of a TV series.
Sure, but as I said, a couple of days after the episode thread is created the entire conversation will probably not be as relevant. In many cases a late publication might go unnoticed, as people tend to move on to their personal affairs and only come back to the site when it's time for the following episode.
 

Mad-Pac

Member: Rank 5
It is never specifically stated when this takes place, but clues surface later to put the figure at 1000 or more years in the future. There is no monarch ,or indeed England, U.S.A., or even Brazil.[/QUOTE
Maybe, but based on the first episode alone we coukd never reach these conclusions. We can only assume it's the future or anithef planet and the Federation doss nasty things. Anything else at this point would be speculation.

By my "for Her Majesty" quip was duebto the actors' typical English accent and demeanor, not for anything provided in the historical contest of the story.

And by the way, even 1000 years in the future there could still be a queen in theory. But, of course,she wouldn't be from the Windsor House. Cone to think of it, it's unlikely a Federation would have a queen as leader, so from tgat perspective, the queen theory is discarded.
 
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