Saturday, 1 February 2014

A1 "The Way Back" (Blake's 7)


  First off; I bloody love this theme music. 

Deadly Dudley excelled with this.

This is very 1984, isn't it?

So for context, this was broadcast between the Doctor Who stories The Sun Makers and Underworld

Budget-wise, you can tell it's that era, because the sets aren't up to much. 

But this is claustrophobically lit, shot and acted. 

It's forbidden to go outside, but Blake's fallen in with some resistance-types who can bring him news of his family.

Kellman from Revenge Of The Cybermen has a limp and is sneakily following Blake & co.


Within the city all food and water is drugged to keep the population under control.

The others tell Blake that his memories have been altered, and take him to an illegal meeting of outsiders.

Blake's memories were wiped so he doesn't remember General Cutler.

If they animate episode 4 he might remember.

This could do with a bit of restoration IMO; the colours in these film sequences are a bit washed out.

Blake was a resistance leader but to avoid him becoming a martyr he was brainwashed, instead of executed.

His family weren't so lucky.

I don't really trust limping Kellman.

Uh-oh. Armed guard-types.

Don't fancy the chances of this lot planning civil disobedience.

Limping Kellman is really "Dev Tarrant" so if you're playing Terry Nation bingo, mark off "character called Tarrant."

The Federation guards gun down General Cutler and Blake's chums.


Well, all the others are slaughtered...

...but Blake survives, only to be captured by the guards.

Back to the brainwashing...

Lovely direction on this interrogation scene.

The authorities plot to dispose of Blake.

Deportation to Cygnus Alpha is on the cards.

So it seems that discrediting him is the next move.


Limping Kellman is still up to no good.

These silent sterile corridors are unnerving.

Blake's been assigned a public defender, who breaks some bad news...

The Federation have fabricated charges of crimes against children to destroy Blake's reputation.

I always think Gareth Thomas' performance as Blake is very underrated.

It's interesting that Blake's original memories still haven't returned.


We've shifted from Orwell's 1984 to Kafka's The Trial now. 

Surprisingly, Blake's found guilty...

...and sentenced to life imprisonment on Cygnus Alpha.

While he's sleeping in the cell, someone tries to pick his pocket...

It's Vila! Yay! "I steal things. Compulsive, I'm afraid... other people's property comes naturally to me!"


Vila seems a lot more laid back and cool than later on.

And Glamourous space-pirate type, Jenna. The 7 are starting to come together!

Just so you know it's not for kids like that Doctor Who, the public defender gets in some canoodling, with a lady!

Dinner-dinner, dinner-dinner, dinner-dinner, dinner-dinner, WALKMAN!

The public defender has his nagging doubts about the evidence at Blake's trial, and pulls rank...

...to start digging at the evidence.

Definitely something fishy about these witnesses all wagging school on the same day. 

 And this walkman nerk.

Blake's pointed the finger at limping Kellman. Maybe he'll get his comeuppance after all! 

Vila & Jenna aren't so sure.

The public defender's gone to his boss, Lesterson.



Mistake; he's involved in the conspiracy. 

I have a bad feeling about this...

Jenna's a strong character, but her fate is just starting to sink in.

The public defender and his wife follow the trail to the outside...

...but they're observed.

Worse, Blake's about to be moved out. Time's running out...

It's only a model!

Weird video camera device he has. Well, he's got the evidence he needs, so Blake's saved, right?

Nope, limping Kellman has had them both killed.


So Blake's on the prison ship...

...and away to Cygnus Alpha.

"Say Goodbye to the Earth, that's the last you'll ever see of it."

"No, I'm coming back."

Oooh! Now the series can really start! 

TTFN! K.
Coming Soon... A2 "Spacefall"

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