The first episode of B7 stands out, partly because there is no Liberator, no Avon, so it doesn't feel like a regular episode, but also because of its focussing on the lawyer for the last third of the episode then killing him off. Very good at establishing the Federation as being evil so we know Blake is right to rebel against it. The final scene of Blake defiantly saying "I'm coming back" is a brilliant moment.
Sat 12 Jan: 2. Space Fall
First episode with Avon in it! Immediately the dynamic with Blake is established - Avon is sarcastic and superior, but nevertheless Blake is always in charge - and he'll remain so as long as he's in the series. Not such a one-off as the first episode (in feel, I mean), this is a bit more like a regular episode, except still without the Liberator, which makes a big difference.
Sun 20 Jan: 3. Cygnus Alpha
AKA 'The Brian Blessed Episode.' This episode really shows the characters of each of the main cast - particularly Avon who spends most of the time trying to convince Jenna to join him in betraying Blake by leaving him behind. Paul Darrow is ace.
Terry Nation is also ace. Perhaps because of the recent Golden Compass film controversy, I was very aware of the parallels between Brian Blessed's religion of ruling through fear and an addiction to a non-existent drug and organised religion. Done 30 years ago, remember - shows the Philip Pullman controversy is nothing new.
Sun 27 Jan: 4. Time Squad
First weak episode in my view. The last of the episodes to introduce all the characters and the setup for the series to come, the plot that brings in Cally is fine. The other plot, however, is padding and makes the episode slow and boring.
Sun 3 Feb: 5. The Web
Not much to say about this episode - it's not bad, it's just not very memorable. A bit dull, certainly not one of the most re-watchable episodes.
Sat 9 Feb: 6. Seek-Locate-Destroy
First episode with Servalan and Travis. Terry Nation created two magnificent villains, even if they do take the series further down the road of camp than I think he intended. The first half of the episode is the Liberator crew on a mission, in which they each get a chance to do something different (even if it is 'get captured' for Cally). The second half introduces the Blake/Travis rivalry, and works it into the plot really well. In fact it is the plot! Excellent.
Sun 17 Feb: 7. Mission to Destiny
Superb little mystery episode by Terry Nation. Is more like a Doctor Who plot than a B7 one, with Blake, Avon and Cally turning up in a location and helping the people they find solve their problem. I like the '54124' clue, and Avon has some brilliant lines.
Mon 25 Feb: 8. Duel
Tosh. Terry Nation uses the 'two sides exterminating each other in a massive war' metaphor for the Cold War again. Still, had quite a bit of Jenna in it, which is good as I think she's an underused character.
Sun 2 Mar: 9. Project Avalon
Another good episode from Terry Nation - this one has loads of atmosphere and it is easy to get the feeling that the heroes are in real danger from Travis's trap.
Sun 9 Mar: 10. Breakdown
The one with Julian Glover in it. This episode has great characters in it - both the regulars and the minor charcaters. Vila shows his intelligence, Avon is great as usual, even Blake shows a ruthlessness that neither Vila nor Avon display when he threatens the surgeon's hands.
Terry-Nation-ism: Space Medicine.
And Gan beats up Jenna's stunt-double.
Sat 15 Mar: 11. Bounty
Not much to say about this one. I am left wondering: where else have I seen the actors that played Ex-President Sarkov and his daughter?
Sat 22 Mar: 12. Deliverance
Another good episode from Terry Nation, even if it does feature another civilisation that has had a big war and then reverted to primitivism. The scenes where Avon is taken for a god are brilliant, and I also like that there are scenes with Servalan and Travis that are only setting up for the next episode, not interacting with Blake & co at all.
Sun 30 Mar: 13. Orac
Not quite the Ultimate Showdown of Star One or the ends of the later seasons, still a great last episode for season 1, built up to by the previous episode.
A lot of the episode is spent building up for the climax, and even Blake and Cally failing to find a door is used to build up mystery and suspense.
Servalan and Travis hardly interact with Blake & co, but they have scenes on their own that build their characters further.
The radiation sickness is an effective danger, well acted by those affected - they had to, seing as it is invisible.
Terry Nation may have re-used the same tropes: monsters in tunnels, radiation poisoning, etc. but he did use them brilliantly.
Terry Nation may have re-used the same tropes: monsters in tunnels, radiation poisoning, etc. but he did use them brilliantly.
No comments:
Post a Comment