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Blake's 7 Guide
[This file is from the Sf-Lovers Archives at Rutgers University. It is
provided as part of a free service in connection with distribution of
Sf-Lovers Digest. This file is currently maintained by the moderator of
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The BLAKE'S 7 Abbreviated Programme Guide
Compiled by James J. Poltrone
([email protected])
([email protected])
Versions 3 and 4 by Michael Portuesi
([email protected])
Format of guide entries
Story #) Title
Original air date, Running length, Writer, Director
Brief plot summary (2-3 lines).
[Changes to regular crew]
Notable appearances (mostly of interest to Doctor Who fans)
BLAKE'S 7
Series created by Terry Nation
CAST
Roj Blake Gareth Thomas (1-26,39,52)
Jenna Stannis Sally Knyvette (1-26)
Kerr Avon Paul Darrow (2-52)
Cally Jan Chappell (4-39)
Vila Restal Michael Keating (1-52)
Olag Gan David Jackson (2-18)
Del Tarrant Stephen Pacey (27-52)
Dayna Mellanby Josette Simon (27-52)
Soolin Glynis Barber (40-52)
Zen (Liberator) Peter Tuddenham [voice] (3-39)
Orac <name unknown> [voice] (13),
Peter Tuddenham [voice] (14-52)
Slave (Scorpio) Peter Tuddenham [voice] (40-52)
Servalan Jacqueline Pearce (6-51)
Travis Stephen Greif (6-13),
Brian Croucher (14-26)
CHARACTERS
The Original Crew:
Blake:
Earth native. Crime: trying to overthrow the Federation. Punishment:
At first, mind-wiped and put on trial, made to confess error of his ways,
rebellion fizzled. Later, after being recruited by new rebellion,
framed for child molestation and sentenced to life imprisonment on
Cygnus Alpha. Highly trusting and idealistic.
Avon:
Earth native. Crime: embezzlement. Tried to break the Federation.
banking cartel. Galaxy's second best computer programmer (the first was
the person who caught him). Had psychopathic tendencies, which worsened
as show continued, especially in fourth season. Enlisted in attempt for
freedom from prison ship London by Blake.
Vila:
Earth native. Crime: theft. Vila is a chronic thief and alcoholic.
Met Blake while waiting in holding cell for trip to Cygnus Alpha (Vila
was in the process of liberating Blake's watch). Terrible coward, but
very intelligent at times.
Jenna:
Crime: smuggling. Also met Blake while waiting to go to Cygnus Alpha.
Had great fondness for Blake.
Gan:
Crime: murder. Killed the Federation guard who had raping his
girlfriend. Has limiter implant that prevents him from violence.
Friend of Vila's from prison ship London.
Cally:
Auron native. Guerrilla fighter. Telepathic (can only send to other
life forms, two way with other Aurons). Was only survivor of an
anti-Federation guerrilla mission, and could not return to her world due
to her failure to complete the mission. Liked Blake and believed in his
cause, so joined crew.
Zen:
Alien computer that runs the Liberator's functions. Zen's primary duty
is to preserve the ship, and will do so to the point of rejecting orders
which are certain to result in the ship's destruction.
Replacements/Additions:
Tarrant:
Ex-Federation starship pilot. Stole a Federation ship and found the
Liberator in the wake of the Galactic War. Having nowhere else to go,
joined crew. Very impulsive and headstrong.
Dayna:
Earth native. Father offended Federation somehow, was in exile.
Weapons specialist extraordinaire. Has blood feud with Servalan, who
murdered her father.
Soolin:
Joins crew after death of Dorian, original owner of Scorpio. Excellent
gunmaster, also has blood feud with Federation. Semi-assassin.
Orac:
Galaxy's most powerful (if ornery) computer. Has a carrier wave
capability that can link with and control other computer systems across
light years of space. Would much rather spend time contemplating the
mysteries of the Universe than helping mere mortals.
Slave:
Master computer of the Scorpio. Very meek, and has severe inferiority
complex. Can be very humorous at times.
The Bad Guys:
The Federation:
Very Big-Brotherish. Earth and all the other planets ruled by the
Federation are controlled by drugged air, food, water, and nothing is
done without approval from the Federation. See George Orwell's "1984"
for a good idea of what life is like in this time period.
Servalan:
The most evil person in the Galaxy. Has ceaselessly worked her way up
the Federation hierarchy through double-crossing, backstabbing, and
murder. Will stop at nothing until she achieves total rule of the
galaxy.
Travis:
Servalan's right hand man. Has blood-feud with Blake, who nearly killed
him. Arm was destroyed when Blake fired upon him; it has been replaced
by a robotic arm with an embedded blaster gun.
SERIES A (First Season - Winter-Spring 1978)
Producer: David Maloney Script Editor: Chris Boucher
1) The Way Back
2-Jan-78 0:47 Terry Nation Michael E. Briant
Former Federation resistance leader Roj Blake learns that his memories have
been selectively tampered with by the Federation, and is being accused of
crimes he did not commit.
[intro. Blake, Jenna, & Vila]
2) Space Fall
9-Jan-78 0:52 Terry Nation Pennant Roberts
Blake's attempt to seize control aboard the Federation prison ship London
meets with failure. The London encounters the abandoned Liberator, which
Blake and Jenna manage to control over after Zen kills several members of
the London crew.
[intro. Avon, Gan, & Zen (Liberator)]
3) Cygnus Alpha
16-Jan-78 0:52 Terry Nation Vere Lorrimer
Blake tries to rescue the rest of the prisoners from the prison colony on
Cygnus Alpha, and from the clutches of the high priest Vargas.
Brian Blessed as Vargas
4) Time Squad
23-Jan-78 0:52 Terry Nation Pennant Roberts
A ship whose crew had been put in suspended animation is picked up by the
Liberator, while Blake attempts to destroy the Federation communication
base on Saurian Major.
[intro. Cally]
5) The Web
30-Jan-78 0:52 Terry Nation Michael E. Briant
The Liberator runs into a web created by psionic means; the crew meets the
race of genetically-engineered Decimas. Blake learns of the attempt at
genocide being waged against the Decimas by the creator of the Web.
6) Seek--Locate--Destroy
6-Feb-78 0:52 Terry Nation Vere Lorrimer
The crew steals a Federation deciphering unit, only to leave Cally behind.
Travis finds her alive and holds her hostage as a trap for Blake.
[intro. Servalan & Travis]
7) Mission to Destiny
13-Feb-78 0:52 Terry Nation Pennant Roberts
Someone aboard the Ortega, en route to its home planet Destiny, is killing
the crew members one by one.
John Leeson as Pasco
8) Duel
20-Feb-78 0:52 Terry Nation Douglas Camfield
The Liberator, low on power, engages three Federation ships in combat.
Before the battle reaches its conclusion, the goddess Sinofar suspends the
battle and sets Blake and Travis in a one-on-one death battle on a forest
planet.
9) Project Avalon
27-Feb-78 0:52 Terry Nation Michael E. Briant
Another freedom-fighter, Avalon, is held hostage by Travis in a Federation
detention cell, and is recovered by Blake's crew. Travis devises a plan to
destroy Blake and his crew using Avalon.
Glynis Barber as a Mutoid
10) Breakdown
6-Mar-78 0:52 Terry Nation Vere Lorrimer
Gan's limiter malfunctions, and the crew go to space station KX-72 to have
it repaired, at the risk of being discovered. The neurosurgeon notifies
the Federation and delays surgery long enough for Federation forces to
arrive.
11) Bounty
13-Mar-78 0:52 Terry Nation Pennant Roberts
The crew land on the planet Lindor, where a deposed leader has been held in
exile. Blake and Cally ask him to return to his people. Meanwhile, a ship
in distress is helped by the Liberator, only to encounter a group of bounty
hunters who seek to turn Blake and the Liberator over to the Federation.
12) Deliverance
20-Mar-78 0:52 Terry Nation Michael E. Briant
The Liberator crew brings back the survivor of a ship that blew up while
delivering some medical supplies to Ensor, the survivor's father. Jenna is
captured on the planet, while the survivor of the destroyed ship forces
Blake to leave the planet by holding Cally at gunpoint. On the planet,
Avon is considered a god by a priestess leading her people there.
13) Orac
27-Mar-78 0:47 Terry Nation Vere Lorrimer
The Liberator crew fly to Aristo to deliver the supplies to Ensor, in
exchange for radiation drugs and the computer Orac, which Ensor gives to
Blake before he dies. Orac predicts the destruction of the Liberator.
[intro. Orac]
SERIES B (Second Season - Winter-Spring 1979)
Producer: David Maloney Script Editor: Chris Boucher
14) Redemption
9-Jan-79 0:50 Terry Nation Vere Lorrimer
The crew encounter the System, builders and original owners of the
Liberator (known to them as Deep Space Vehicle-2). They disable its
defense systems in an attempt to try to get their craft back. A sister
ship (DSV-1), in pursuit, is destroyed by Orac.
15) Shadow
16-Jan-79 0:50 Chris Boucher Jonathan Wright Miller
Blake wants to enlist the aid of the Terra Nostra, an organized crime
organization, in order to help them against the Federation.
16) Weapon
23-Jan-79 0:51 Chris Boucher George Spenton-Foster
Servalan uses clones of Blake in order to get information on a new weapon -
Imipak, from one of Blake's friends.
17) Horizon
30-Jan-79 0:50 Allan Prior Jonathan Wright Miller
The crew are put to work in a mine on the planet Horizon after teleporting
down and being captured by Federation guards. Avon considers leaving the
planet by himself with the Liberator.
18) Pressure Point
6-Feb-79 0:49 Terry Nation George Spenton-Foster
The Liberator returns to Earth, and Blake wants to capture Federation
Control, in the belief that it would cripple the Federation. An important
episode for the series, and also one of the best.
[Gan dies]
19) Trial
13-Feb-79 0:51 Chris Boucher Derek Martinus
Travis is put on trial for the deaths of civilians. Blake goes to a barren
planet to think about the loss of his fallen comrade.
20) Killer
20-Feb-79 0:51 Robert Holmes Vere Lorrimer
The Liberator crew journey to a planet where a friend of Avon's works, in
order to get TP crystals. The derelict spaceship K-47 is retrieved, and an
on-board virus spreads throughout the complex.
21) Hostage
27-Feb-79 0:51 Allan Prior Vere Lorrimer
The Liberator is ambushed by several Federation ships. Travis captures
Blake's cousin. He claims to want to join Blake's crew.
22) Countdown
6-Mar-79 0:51 Terry Nation Vere Lorrimer
The crew travels to the planet Albian in search of information on the
location of the Federation computer system Star One. Avon defuses a bomb
with the help of Del Grant, who had thought Avon deserted his sister.
Important background information for Avon's character.
23) Voice From The Past
13-Mar-79 0:49 Roger Parkes George Spenton-Foster
A "time bomb" planted in Blake's memory by the Federation has been
stimulated. He goes to an asteroid to meet with the legendary Shivar and
Governor Le Grand, who also wish to overthrow the Federation.
24) Gambit
20-Mar-79 0:52 Robert Holmes George Spenton-Foster
The crew search for the only man who knows the location of Star One - in
Freedom City. At the Big Wheel gambling casino, a miniaturized Orac helps
Avon and Vila win large amounts of money.
John Leeson as Toise
25) The Keeper
27-Mar-79 0:51 Allan Prior Derek Martinus
In their quest for information on the location of Star One, the crew search
for a member of the royal family of Goth who has an amulet containing a
brain print.
26) Star One
3-Apr-79 0:48 Chris Boucher David Maloney
The crew reach Star One, only to find it is already being overtaken by
Andromedan forces. Avon kills Travis. The Federation computer is
destroyed. Blake is seriously hurt. An important episode for the series.
[Departure of Blake and Jenna]
SERIES C (Third Season - Winter-Spring 1980)
Producer: David Maloney Script Editor: Chris Boucher
27) Aftermath
7-Jan-80 ~0:50 Terry Nation Vere Lorrimer
Severely damaged by combat in the Galactic War, the Liberator disperses its
crew while it repairs itself. Avon lands on a planet and is rescued by the
daughter of a former revolutionary. Priceless scenes between Avon and
Servalan. One of the best episodes of the series.
[Intro. Dayna]
Richard Franklin as First Trooper
28) Powerplay
14-Jan-80 ~0:50 Terry Nation David Maloney
Avon and Dayna return to the Liberator, only to find it has been claimed by
Tarrant. The rest of the crew are rescued by a medical ship and eventually
brought back to the Liberator.
[Intro. Tarrant]
29) Volcano
21-Jan-80 ~0:50 Allen Prior Desmond McCarthy
The crew search for a new home base on the planet Obsidian, whose volcanic
outbursts, and a nuclear device buried in the planet's core by its
inhabitants, protect the planet from being overtaken. Servalan employs an
elaborate plan to take control of the Liberator.
Michael Gough as Hower
30) Dawn Of The Gods
28-Jan-80 ~0:50 James Follett Desmond McCarthy
Orac steers Liberator off course to investigate a black hole, and Liberator
lands on the artificial planet Crador. The only episode where you get to
see Liberator parked.
31) The Harvest Of Kairos
4-Feb-80 ~0:50 Ben Steed Gerald Blake
One of Servalan's former subordinates, critical of her inability to catch
the Liberator, is given an opportunity to catch it. Kairopan crystals
harvested from the planet Kairos are taken aboard the Liberator after an
attack run on the Federation freighter transporting them. Servalan boards
the Liberator for the first time.
32) The City At The Edge Of The World
11-Feb-80 ~0:50 Chris Boucher Vere Lorrimer
Crystals would be provided for Liberator's weapon systems, in exchange for
Vila's help in obtaining a treasure on the planet Keezarn. Vila finds a
gateway to another world. Vila's best episode in the series.
Colin Baker as Bayban the Berserker
Valentine Dyall as Norl
33) Children Of Auron
19-Feb-80 ~0:50 Roger Parkes Andrew Morgan
Servalan introduces a plague to the people of Auron, and the crew journey
to Cally's homeworld to save them. Servalan uses this plan to get the
Liberator, and to make clones in her image. An important episode for the
development of Servalan's character, and much background information on
Cally's character.
34) Rumors Of Death
25-Feb-80 ~0:50 Chris Boucher Fiona Cumming
Avon wishes to hunt down the person who killed his former girlfriend, Anna
Grant. He finds her alive, now working as an agent of the Federation. An
important episode for the development of Avon's character.
35) Sarcophagus
3-Mar-80 ~0:50 Tanith Lee Fiona Cumming
The crew find a drifting ship, whose artifacts have a strange effect on
Cally. An alien avoiding death has possessed her, and Avon has to break
the spell.
36) Ultraworld
10-Mar-80 ~0:50 Trevor Hoyle Vere Lorrimer
The crew go to the planet Ultraworld, only to discover it is a mental
reprocessing plant. Vila saves the crew by telling riddles to Orac.
37) Moloch
17-Mar-80 ~0:50 Ben Steed Vere Lorrimer
Tarrant is teleported into a spaceship bound for the invisible planet
Sardos, which the crew of Liberator discover after nearly crashing into it.
Servalan is interested in the matter replication technology developed by
the inhabitants of the planet.
38) Death-Watch
24-Mar-80 ~0:50 Chris Boucher Gerald Blake
The crew visits the Teal and Vandor systems, currently at war with each
other. A representative of each system is chosen for a battle. Tarrant
kills the warrior who killed his brother.
39) Terminal
31-Mar-80 ~0:50 Terry Nation Mary Ridge
Avon secretly takes over the ship and flies it through a field containing
enzymes which eat away at the Liberator's hull. They reach the planetoid
Terminal, where Avon believes Blake is residing. Another important
episode, both for the series and for Avon's character.
[Appearance by Blake. Destruction of Liberator (and Zen).]
SERIES D (Fourth Season - Fall-Winter 1981)
Producer: Vere Lorrimer Script Editor: Chris Boucher
40) Rescue
28-Sep-81 ~0:50 Chris Boucher Mary Ridge
Dorian, owner of the spaceship Scorpio, rescues the crew from Terminal. He
tries to enlist the help of Orac to build a teleport mechanism for Scorpio
and attempts to kill the crew.
[Intro Scorpio (and Slave) & Soolin. Death of Cally.]
41) Power
5-Oct-81 ~0:50 Ben Steed Mary Ridge
The Scorpio, rendered inaccessible by an elaborate security system, is
stolen by a native of the planet who seeks to escape. Avon completes the
Scorpio teleport system with the help of Orac.
42) Traitor
12-Oct-81 ~0:50 Robert Holmes David Sullivan Proudfoot
The planet Helotrix is falling easily to attack from a new Federation
pacification drug, as are many other star systems. Tarrant and Dayna
teleport down to the surface to investigate. Servalan, deposed of her
presidency in the Federation, is back under the alias Commissioner Sleer.
43) Stardrive
19-Oct-81 ~0:50 James Follett David Sullivan Proudfoot
After attempts to match the course of an asteroid for cover result in
collision with the asteroid and severe damage to Scorpio's engines, the
crew search for an experimental stardrive developed by an ex-Federation
designer who is now working for a terrorist group. One of Avon's more
vicious episodes.
44) Animals
26-Oct-81 ~0:50 Allen Prior Mary Ridge
Dayna meets an old friend, Justin, to seek help with synthesizing an
antidote to the Federation pacification drug. Servalan learns of Scorpio's
visit to Justin's planet and of the genetic research he is performing
there.
45) Headhunter
2-Nov-81 ~0:50 Roger Parkes Mary Ridge
The crew rescue a protege of Ensor's who instead turns out to be his
android creation seeking to unite with Orac. Orac verbally slams Avon near
the end of the episode.
46) Assassin
9-Nov-81 ~0:50 Rod Beacham David Sullivan Proudfoot
Servalan hires an assassin to kill the crew by luring them to a trap set
aboard the assassin's ship.
Richard Hurndall as Nebrox
47) Games
16-Nov-81 ~0:50 Bill Lyons Vivienne Cozens
The scientist Belkov has stripped a planet of a valuable crystalline
substance and tries to double cross both Servalan and the Scorpio crew in
an attempt to escape with the private stash he has collected. He is aided
by his computer, an amalgamation of a standard Federation computer and a
pleasure planet gaming machine. The only episode where Scorpio fires its
weaponry.
48) Sand
23-Nov-81 ~0:50 Tanith Lee Vivienne Cozens
Servalan investigates a planet which contains an unknown substance of
potential usefulness whose investigation team mysteriously died. The crew
learn of Servalan's trip and decide to investigate for themselves.
Interesting scenes between Tarrant and Servalan.
49) Gold
30-Nov-81 ~0:50 Colin Davis Brian Lighthill
A plan to steal a shipment of atomically converted gold being transported
from the planet Xeroc aboard a domestic passenger ship winds up turning
into a major loss for the crew. Note the aluminum pie plates which
comprise the interior of the passenger ship's cargo hold, and the
plastic-covered Xerox machine which Avon inspects for the ship's records.
50) Orbit
7-Dec-81 ~0:50 Robert Holmes Brian Lighthill
The scientist Egrorian offers Avon a powerful weapon, the Tachyon Funnel,
in exchange for Orac. Servalan, who is behind the transfer, prepares a
plan to double-cross Avon that would give her both the Tachyon Funnel and
Orac. Avon nearly murders Vila. An important episode for Avon's character,
for this reason.
51) Warlord
14-Dec-81 ~0:50 Simon Masters Viktors Ritelis
Avon tries to form an alliance to produce an anti-pacification drug by
negotiating with the leaders of three warring star systems. The Xenon base
is sabotaged by explosives and a deadly virus. Tarrant falls in love with
the daughter of the saboteur.
52) Blake
21-Dec-81 ~0:50 Chris Boucher Mary Ridge
After Orac traces Blake's trail to the planet Gauda Prime, Avon and crew
travel there, leaving the destroyed Xenon base behind. Scorpio is attacked
on approach to the planet and crash lands on the surface of Gauda Prime.
Avon and crew travel in search of Blake, and discover that he may have sold
out to the Federation. Another important episode for Avon and the series.
[Destruction of Scorpio (and Slave). Death of Blake and possibly
remainder of crew.]
Bibliography / References
a) Blake's Seven Season Guide, by Barbara E. Warne,
Fantasy Empire #7, #8, c. 1983 New Media Publishing, Inc. (Partially
reprinted in Fantasy Empire Collector's Edition #2, c. 1983 New Media
Publishing, Inc.)
b) Blake's 7 Episode Guide for Series One, by Cherry Steffey,
Fantasy Empire Limited #3, c. 1984 New Media Publishing, Inc.)
c) Terry Nation's BLAKE'S 7: The Programme Guide, by Tony Attwood, c. 1982
Tony Attwood. Published by Target Books, Ltd., 1983.
Special thanks to Robert Chao, Henry Chatroop, Kit Kimes, and Louis Singh
for providing additional information.
BLAKE'S 7 Fan Clubs (US)
SCORPIO
4064 Appleby Lane
Richton Park, IL 60471
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