Blakes 7 - Vol.5

 

 

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The next two episodes titled Project Avalon and Breakdown
In Project Avalon we find Blake and the others heading to a planet held by the federation. Blake intends to find the rebel leader in hopes to get more crew and possably a way to get the federation off his back. Travis and Servalan are already on the planet having captured the leader decide to make her the tool of Blake destruction. Blake telports down to the site where he was to meet her. All he finds is death. He figures out the federation has her. He makes a daring raid into the compund and gets her out alive. Blake wondering why all the guards missed while shooting at him or even why Travis didn't try and take his head off? Something is very wrong and if Blake can't figure out why soon then he and all the others on board the Liberator may just very well die.
In Breakdown Gan implanted chip which controls his aggression is breaking down. Gan losses all reason and attacks the crew. Blake knowing that none of them are docotrs can do nothing for him. Zen informs Blake that many planets and space stations with the right medical care for Gan are to far away. Excpet that Avon knows of a space station very close but they have to cross a part of space unkonwn even to Zen. They set course for the space station XK72. Gan holding onto dear life and Zen stops working and the crew have to fly by the seat of thier pants to get through. Once agin Blake does all he can to save the life of his fellow crewmen all the while the federation have found Blake and pursuit ships are hot on there heels.

Volume 5 of the "Blake's 7" video series contains two more episodes of this classic British sci-fi TV series. These two episodes continue the interplanetary saga of Blake, the rebel leader who, together with a crew of convicts and outcasts, wages an unrelenting war against the tyrannical Federation.

In "Project Avalon," Federation officer Travis plots to use another rebel leader as a lure in order to capture Blake. This episode contains a good sci-fi plot device. In the next episode, "Breakdown," Blake's crewman Gan suffers a devastating medical emergency when his brain implant malfunctions. Blake seeks medical aid from a neutral research station. This episode offers a fascinating window into the politics and personal conflicts caused by the Federation's dominance of so many worlds. Together, these episodes exemplify the suspense, memorable dialogue, and intriguing characterizations that have made this series such a cult favorite. If you are a fan of great British science fiction, don't miss this volume in the "Blake's 7" saga.

Finally, two enjoyable Blake's 7 episodes running consecutively - meaning they are both on the same tape! "Project Avalon" and "Breakdown" are among the highlights of the series' first season - both are taut, suspenseful stories which plots that progress and develop. "Project Avalon" continues Blake's Robin Hood style quest against the Federation; this time he is coming to the aid of another high profile freedom fighter, Avalon. But she has been captured by Travis, and the rescue attempt begins. The fact that viewers have the foreknowledge that Travis is setting a trap for Blake, but are unaware of its exact nature, adds to the tension. While Stephen Greif's performance of Blake's nemesis is good, and his character firmly established, it is at this point evident he is the central enemy - he will be behind all plots, schemes and machinations and, because of the hero/villain rule, will never be successful. This is perhaps the only problem with Travis - the character's single-mindedness can only lead to "single-plottedness" as well. But this is not to fault "Project Avalon". The atmosphere builds up as the story progresses, with the plot shifting between two halves: the "action" half, in which the task is to get into the complex and rescue Avalon. This includes walking through caves and corridors, a not very well realised shootout and the obligatory retreat and escape. In my opinion, this is the poorer half. Much better is the "suspense" half, after the crew escape in the Liberator. This is indeed suspenseful - the pace of the story has slowed down, but in its place is the creeping anxiety that something is not quite right - the true nature of Travis's plan will be revealed. "Project Avalon" is the kind of story with fast and slow moments, but the story is served better by the slower paced scenes, rather than the outright action packed ones. The following episode, "Breakdown", is also played out in two halves, although neither are clearly divided between action and suspense. Blake is forced to face an interesting dilemma. A malfunctioning limiter implant puts Gan's life at risk - he will die if he does not get specialist medical treatment. But as the Liberator crew are wanted criminals, where do they turn? The two halves serving the plot make for a well balanced story - the first is the race against time, and journeying into the unknown, to find help for Gan. The second part of the story deals with what unfolds when they arrive at their destination. Unlike "Project Avalon", this episode explores more character traits - Jenna's loyalty, as she will not give up on Gan; Cally's naivete and alien (almost child-like) innocence where she deplores restraining Gan, and Gan's ability to trick her into releasing him; Avon's motives and his preparedness to leave Blake. The episode also tackles the issue of neutrality - its feasibility and, indeed, whether it succeeds or fails. This is the cue for the always brilliant actor, and perhaps the biggest guest star in the series so far, Julian Glover. He plays the neurosurgeon Kayn, a member of a neutral space station, XK-72; Kayn is in fact a Federation sympathiser who informs them of Blake's presence. Glover plays Kayn with an icy coolness; a blend of arrogance and determination. One of the best moments of the story is when Blake threatens to destroy his hands; the other is after Kayn murders the station administrator - a long shot when the neurosurgeon stares at his own hands, reflecting on what he has just done. There is one irritating quibble with this story. Surely the crew of XK-72 shouldn't have to wait for the administrator's order when a plasma bolt is about to hit them? Surely it's not as bureaucratic as that? Arrrgh! However, it doesn't ruin "Breakdown". Nothing can ruin either of these excellent episodes of Blake's 7.

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5.0 out of 5 stars Two excellent first season episodes, esp. Project Avalon
"Avalon" is one of the first season's best episodes. Excellent plot, well-executed. "Breakdown" is also very good and features Gan. Read more

Published on Oct 7 1998 by dialysis biller

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