Blake's 7 - Chefelf.com Night Life

Blake's 7 is a cult BBC TV series which started its run in 1979. The story was of Blake and his gang of escaped prisoners and political dissidents. Finding an extremely advanced spaceship abandoned in deep space, they take their fight back to the repressive 'Federation'.

What made Blake's 7 interesting was the (usually but not always) good character-driven scripts, and the depth given to the characters by the actors who played them. This was a show where the leads could and did die. The ending of the series p*sses off fans to this very day. The special effects were awful (consider Space 1999 made for TV in 1975 was excellent, superior even to George Lucas' modern CGI drivel).

The hero was supposed to be Blake, but he often made bad decisions out of ego. The anti-hero was self-interested Avon with his creepy smiles and rapier comebacks. He and Blake would often clash over Blake's heroics, and fans found themselves warming to Avon rather than Blake. The series attained cult status, and to this very day there's still merchandise being produced (stories rather than crappy action figures; take notes Mr. Lucas). Paul Darrow who played Avon himself became a cult figure (his autobiography is called "You're him, Aren't You?") and maintained his association with the long canceled show.

Recently we learned the series is to be re-activated and given a prime-time makeover.

http://www.guardian....2...&feed=media

Once upon a time fans would of applauded the idea, but I know what you're thinking...

QUOTE

Interviewer: "How will you avoid the pitfalls of bringing back a more mature series, I'm thinking of the criticisms levelled at The Phantom Menace when everyone loved Star Wars?"

Paul Darrow: "A lot depends on the writer...that's really his job, but there will be no JarJar Binks!"

http://www.hermit.or...t991129_da.html

LMAO - That's classic Avon.

I've been rewatching the show and unlike some childhood shows I've reacquainted myself with, it doesn't hold up too badly. Since the main characters can and do die, if you're tempted I'd say don't read the below links (SPOLERS GALORE!) and just watch the show. Between the good acting and good scripts, be prepared for for occasional crappy one (skip any episode by Allan Prior), crappy sets, crappy special effects, Travis' losing his face and and to shout out occasionally 'OH FOR GOD'S SAKE WHY DON'T YOU JUST KILL THEM?'

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blake's_7
http://www.hermit.or...kes7/index.html

PS. If you find this post useful please post a one-liner here. I don't mind writing this stuff, but I'd like to know if people actually find this useful.

This post has been edited by Toru-chan: 28 May 2008 - 09:37 PM