BLAKE'S 7 | S2. - Ep.13 "Star One" | REACTION

[@MarieClaresWorld]

FULL LENGTH | Blake's 7 | S3 - Ep.1 "Aftermath" | REACTION www.patreon.com/posts/80447842?pr=true

[@Ravenscroft82]

Easily, far and away, my favorite episode of the series. So many characters have epiphanies: Blake, deciding his quest needs to be put off so that Star One can be preserved against the aliens, and telling Avon he trusts him, Avon, actually honoring his pledge to Blake to fight on despite all odds and the protestations of the crew (some character growth), Jenna alerting Servalan, her blood enemy, about the alien threat, and Servalan, understanding her quest to destroy Liberator needs to be stopped so it can be used against the aliens. Just great on all levels, emotional, dramatic, thematic. Incredible.

[@frankshailes3205]

It has been interesting to see Chris Boucher go from being Terry Nation's "script doctor" through the ambitious first solo flights like Shadow and Weapon, to knowing the series and characters and potential better than Nation himself. His work here is incredibly good.

[@Ravenscroft82]

@@frankshailes3205 I've enjoyed most of Boucher's stuff. He intensified the Blake/Avon conflict/friendship and infused both with even more depth. Props to Nation, though, he created a great foundation for others to build on, and there would be no B7 without him.

[@stickytapenrust6869]

B7 was consistent in that it always had absolutely banging series finales! That applies to the future finales too!

[@tombaxter6228]

Now, THAT'S how you do a cliffhanger... Travis goes out like a boss, Servalan launches her coup d'etat, and there's the slight matter of an invasion from the Andromeda galaxy.

[@callanj7282]

yes people who right drama can watch BLAKE'S 7 Star One and weep, as mister punch would say that's the way you do it.

[@ewanmorgan9000]

I was 8 years old at the time. Having been convinced at the age of 7 the previous year that they had been destroyed (I had no conception of prediction, all I saw was the explosion followed by tears, lots of tears). For the second year, during the end titles it was announced that 'Blakes Seven will return for a new series next year' or words to that effect. Terrific ending, great reaction, you made the hairs on the back of the neck stand up yet again, well done.

[@callanj7282]

yes that was an all singing all dancing finale.

[@digipeeper]

The best Season of the Series alone. The most positive quote…. “Avon, For What It’s Worth. I’ve Always Trusted You. From the very Beginning”.

[@petersvillage7447]

Ah, but was Blake being sincere, or just trying to manipulate Avon? As we saw, it seemed to play on Avon's 'finer feelings'. Likewise - when he says he wants to be free of Blake, does he mean free of the pain-in-the-backside goody-goody that he can't stand... or does he mean free of the man who keeps disproving his cynical view of the world and playing on the virtues that Avon works so hard to suppress? Every time he mocks others for being easily led by Blake, is he inwardly angry at himself for being one of them?

[@frankshailes3205]

@@petersvillage7447 Excellently put. Many of the reasons why the series still fascinates people 40+ years later.

[@RoundTheArchives]

'Star One' was shown 3 April 1979 and 'Aftermath' comes along on 7 January 1980, so yes there was quite a gap! 🙂

[@scimitaredgebooks]

But we were used to that. It didn't seem like a wait, it was just what it was.

[@frankshailes3205]

@@scimitaredgebooks Speak for yourself, me and my Auntie (who was a huge Avon fan) spent months yearning for a new episode and endlessly speculating about what would happen, between seasons!

[@rfirth1]

The other thing about cliffhangers in the 'olden days' was that was it. If there was a cliffhanger like that now, within a few weeks bts and filming photos of the next episode would be on social media within a very short time. Then - there was nothing till maybe the Radio Times just before the next series.

[@markbelsom3174]

Fantastic episode with probably one of the best cliffhangers.

[@derekcfoley]

And stolen by Star Trek The Next Generation... Riker's line "FIRE" when they engage the Borg in "The Best of Both Worlds."

[@Epsilon1Zeta]

I still love watching Blakes 7. And yes, I did see it when it was first broadcast in the 1970s. A very close second to my favourite TV series which is DOCTOR WHO. But to be fair that is when the great Tom Baker was in his heyday as the Fourth Doctor. From Blake's increasingly fanatical perspective, attacking and destroying STAR ONE made perfect sense. The Terran Federation was an interstellar empire with vast resources, a powerful army, space fleets, and scattered opposition to its corrupt, brutal, and oppressive rule. Blake is facing long and almost impossible odds in his war against the Federation.

[@pablohanc]

Terry nation actually considered making the daleks from dr Who be the aliens who were invading ( he created both the daleks and Blake's 7).

[@lindahaine9507]

I can remember shouting, "You can't leave it there!". And then a 9 month wait for the next series. It was hard without my Blake's 7 fix and not seeing Avon. I'm so glad you are enjoying this amazing TV show.

[@apollo12002]

I saw it when first broadcast (BBC) on Tuesday evenings. I had to wait till the following year to find out what happened. I didn’t have a vcr so couldn’t even rewatch it and I don’t remember it being repeated the wait was a nightmare.

[@madran7731]

"I am shocked by that cliffhanger." So was I! On the original transmission, we had to wait 9 months for the next series. I remember thinking, "You can't do this to me!" But they could! This was a cliffhanger to top all cliffhangers! It was a superb episode and things on Blake's 7 will never be quite the same again! This was a much anticipated reaction and you didn't disappoint! I had to watch your reaction to Travis death several times. Thanks MC! Watching the next episode the following day feels like cheating! Seriously though, those 9 months were quite the wait! For me, the first 2 series of B7 were the best but I'm sure you will appreciate series 3. Enjoy!

[@callanj7282]

Marie-Clare, you are fabulous i love your love for BLAKE'S 7.

[@andrewkearley]

This is absolutely fantastic. The way this plays out is stunning - the fact that they get to Star One, and realize they can't blow it up because the galaxy needs the Federation's infrastructure to stand against the aliens. Travis turning his anger into a need for revenge against the whole human race. Jenna giving away their position to Servalan, because some things are more important. Then Blake telling Avon he's always trusted him. And the ending - the Liberator positioning into the hole in the minefield to hold off the aliens until the Federation fleet gets there. What a cliffhanger.

[@ShamrockParticle]

How did the aliens break through the defenses before they met Travis? They were there longer... Travis did contact them at one point, but it all seems to be a bit too fast.

[@alexlee2237]

​​​​@@ShamrockParticle I'd assume smaller ships can sneak through the gaps in minefield to get a few agents through but not the larger main fleet. Once Travis tells them Star One's location, those agents can go there and deactivate the minefield. Replacing the technicians probably took a couple of weeks. It feels a bit quick onscreen, but we can probably assume there's a couple of weeks between The Keeper and this episode while the Liberator flies to Star One.

[@frankshailes3205]

@@ShamrockParticle Yes, as Alex Lee says, a scout ship was small enough to sneak through without detection, it probably took a long time and possibly some inventive course corrections to weave through the mines without setting them off. A hulking great fleet of battleships wouldn't be so delicate, and the Federation would've been alerted to their presence; the satellites were detectors as well as weapons, and the fleet stopped short, ready for the detectors' deactivation. Liberator had longer-range detectors, so picked them up.

[@michaellevenson2200]

​​​​@@alexlee2237 Stott didn't recognise Travis on sight, so he was on Star One with the others when possibly a scout ship reported that they've intercepted Travis. So their take over was already in full swing. The aliens couldn't let him go and alert humanity, and Travis realising this throws his lot in with them, arriving on S1 in an alien ship. In The Keeper Travis was wanting to take over Star One , so he was unfortunately faced with either death once his ship was intercepted or join them, totally in character, he joins them.

[@elainemusselwhite2325]

We get the impression you really enjoyed that episode. It is a corker of a finale, the original plan was to have the Daleks involved but Terry Nation ended up not writing this episode, Chris Boucher had his own ideas. Thankfully the right decision was made, as much as I like the Daleks, they belong in Doctor Who. Looking forward to your forthcoming reactions with Series C.

[@Tyrconnell]

DW actors in B7 Ep26: David Webb (Stot) died in Episode 1 of 'Colony in Space' as Leeson. Gareth Armstrong (Parton) was Giuliano in 'Masque of Mandragora' (he was also the voice of Sandy in the English version of 'Monkey' - this is of no interest to you, but I just found it out and that programme meant a lot to me!) I don't recall if you have watched the Peter Cushing Doctor Who films, but in case you haven't I'll just say that John Bown (Durkim) had a role in one of those. As usual, familiar faces in the background, but this time also a familiar voice. Michael Spice is the voice of the Nova Queen pilot. You have heard him before as the voice of Morbius and under the mask of Weng-Chiang.

[@charlesclinton3305]

It is kinda amazing how they turned the fact that they ran out of money for a space battle into a pretty good cliffhanger.

[@sixstanger00]

The idea of Liberator single-handedly facing off an entire armada of alien ships. Vila: _"Avon, this is stupid!!"_ Avon: _"When did that ever stop us?"_

[@Jamienomore]

One of the reasons I love your Reactions is you don't constantly talk all the way through it. People who do that drives me round the bend. You concentrate on the Story and that's how everyone should do it. When one of your Reactions to a Programme stops, I think it's time to do Reactions to ALL the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts Movies. That way I will be able to count all the Jump Scares you get per Movie. Ha! Ha!

[@memoir4you]

It's a gripping episode isn't it ? It holds your attention from start to finish. A brilliant episode from series B. and yes , I was surprised by the blood on the technician.

[@chrisjackson5210]

A thrilling episode that very effectively concludes (and at the same time totally frustrates) Blake's long-planned scheme to destroy the Federation by wiping out its computer centre. Though I'm surprised no-one else has commented below on the bleakness of Blake's ultimate solution to the question of the Federation's control over the galaxy. Although it's been implied throughout the series I still find his willingness to let so many people die in order to achieve his ideal of 'freedom' quite chilling. Avon's previous statement that 'he could never stand heroes' seems understandable in this context..

[@frankshailes3205]

Yes, Blake isn't a white-hat wearing goodie by any means. You can't win without compromises and sacrifices.

[@Darren79]

Excited for you to start series 3 - for reasons that will reveal themselves in the course of time😎

[@BenVaserlan]

Terry Nation wanted it to be a Dalek invasion. He was talked down.

[@Eltonlaleham]

I will say Marie-Clare this Blakes Seven episode when it went out in the late 1970s I was aged 10, and when Travis got blasted down the shaft by Avons handgun I was by no means sorry to see him go. I still wish he could have gone, at the end of series 1 in Orac instead when Stephen Greif was in the part. If Travis had died in season 1 finale Orac, and in season 2 Brian Croucher had been cast in an entirely new role altogether it would have been better in billions of ways. I also noticed the actor playing the technician who Avon, shot down in the room where the bodies of the real technicians were stored was played by David Cann who has appeared in many shows I am sure he was in a modern Dr Who episode with David Tennant.

[@Darren79]

This is the only episode that Blake's 7 Producer David Maloney was director of. [edit to add: I'm wrong he did another episode] His Doctor Who director credits are The Mind Robber, Krotons, War Games, Planet of the Daleks, Genesis of the Daleks, Planet of Evil, Deadly Assassin and Talons of Weng-Chiang)

[@johng5859]

Maloney also directed the second episode of series 3.

[@Darren79]

@@johng5859 Well I've completely missed that before - thanks. Uncredited I take it.

[@johng5859]

@@Darren79 Yes, uncredited.

[@frankshailes3205]

@@johng5859 Now available on Marie-Clare's channel on Patreon. She doesn't disappoint.

[@stecurrell5863]

Another brilliant episode

[@johng5859]

A fantastic reaction to a fantastic episode, one of the best the show has to offer - I was a foetus at the time of original broadcast, but if I had been sentient the nine month wait for Series 3 would have felt like an eternity! It was a really good twist to have Travis in league with the alien invaders, forcing the Liberator crew to ally with the Federation against the common enemy. Mind you, given the debate Blake and his crew have early on about the suffering they could cause if they do manage to destroy Star One, I suppose you could argue the intervention of the aliens conveniently resolves the moral dilemma they were facing. In the very early stages of planning the episode, Terry Nation did float the possibility of using the Daleks as the invaders, but David Maloney and Chris Boucher (who ended up writing this episode instead of Nation, who was originally supposed to do it), quickly nixed the idea as they were keen to keep the B7 universe completely separate from that of Who. Travis gets a memorable death scene, and I think it was the right time to kill him off, as his story had reached a natural end point - it’s telling, however, that it is Avon rather than Blake who kills him, as it shows how much more ruthless Avon is. I love Avon’s reaction at the end when Blake tells him he always trusted him, as you can tell he is moved in spite of himself, and has to silently admit the real affection and loyalty he feels towards Blake. Anyway, congratulations at reaching the halfway point of B7 - although series 2 is probably the most consistent, there is still plenty to look forward to in 3 and 4, and some of the very best episodes are still to come…

[@frankshailes3205]

Perhaps Avon feels being trusted is a burden of expectation, given what happened with Anna Grant.

[@johng5859]

@@frankshailes3205 Good point.

[@scimitaredgebooks]

When I first watched this my main takeaway was OMG Travis is dead! That was age 9 or so. On rewatching it in the 1990s, it was WOW, the crew have to tell Servalan what is happening for the sake of humanity,. Her interaction with her advisor and statement she will not be president of a ruined empire are epic. Then she starts sending ships to the frontier, we hear updates on their ETAs but it is too late, the Liberator has to stand alone

[@normandavidtidiman9918]

Any episode that has Marie-Clare with mouth wide open is worth the admission fee itself 😁👍🏻

[@DVB0]

The first three seasons aired from January to March/April. The cliffhanger resolves were always recorded several months after the previous episode aired, although the conclusion scripts were (mostly) written by the time the season finales had gone out.

[@alextaylor1705]

After you have seen the first few episodes of Season 3, definitely seek out "Blake's Junction 7". Its a comedy short film where the crew of the Liberator beam down to Newport Pagnell Services on the M1 😂

[@Harry75]

An absolutely brilliant episode of Blake's 7, one of the all time classics, and how could you not have liked it, Marie-Clare? It's so well written, acted and directed. As nobody else has chimed in, the Doctor Who connections this time around are that David Webb, who played Stot, played Leeson in Colony in Space and Gareth Armstrong, who played Parton, was Giuliano in The Masque of Mandragora.

[@johntomlinson6849]

As others have said, a 9 month gap. I saw 51 out of 52 on first transmission but the season gaps were worth it as it made the finales so special and memorable.I wish Who had done it.

[@frankshailes3205]

Yes the only time they came close (with more of a curiosity-cliffhanger than a deadly peril one) was Logopolis, where we had an agonising 9 month wait for Castrovalva. Though even then we had K-9 and Company just before the new Doctor Who season. And the Five Faces of Doctor Who repeats season of old stories.

[@MariaLeel]

This is another episode I've been waiting to see your reaction to... It's a doozie!

[@t43iavmoi]

I did hear years ago 'either on a documentary or something' that Terry Nation wanted the alien invaders in this story to be the Daleks, but sadly the BBC didn't want this to happen. Perhaps they didn't relish the idea of Blake's 7 and Doctor Who existing in the same universe. I'd be overjoyed if they did eventually bring back Blake's 7, they'd give us viewers a crossover story with the Doctor. Now that would be fun thing to sit back and watch.

[@robalexander8065]

Gareth Thomas and Tom Baker were keen on a crossover.

[@modehead101]

I'm so glad that this idea was thrown out by Chris Boucher. Blake's 7 was a huge creative success in its own right and didn't need any help from Dr Who.

[@graemejardin5569]

David Moloney produced and directed this episode. He also directed Genesis of the Daleks for Doctor Who in 1975. If you compare the sight and sound of the Aliens in their true form after being killed, they do look and sound very like the Dalek incubated creatures in Part 5 of Genesis.

[@alexfletcher5192]

So many creators have probably inserted the Daleks into the ending of this story now that it's untrue. I don't know how seriously the idea of them being the invaders was taken in the end (I know Gareth Thomas had been keen at one point on a little nod to the 'other show' by having Blake pass Tom Baker's Doctor in a corridor and exchange a brief greeting), but I think it's just as well. If the show was going to end here it would lead to years of speculation (and probably fanfic) about what happened next.

[@frankshailes3205]

If they're going to have a curly-haired crossover I'd want James Hazeldine (and Louis Jameson) passing by from The Omega Factor, too!

[@Payne2view]

I imagine the gap would have been about 8 months or more. I'm sure it would have been talk of the school at the time.

[@Darren79]

A cracking episode - one of the best!

[@robalexander8065]

The nine month gap was pretty bad. The later series were repeated but the first two series weren't, aside from an omnibus repeat of Deliverance and Orac on the afternoon of 27th December 1978 (27th December afternoons had previously been home to omnibus repeats of Pertwee and Baker Doctor Who serials). 1979 saw BBC1's Points of View resurrected (with Barry Took) and the feedback on Blake's 7 was always a highlight. It was well-liked by the viewers at the time. Series 1, 3 and 4 went up against Corrie on Monday nights and still got decent ratings (7-10 million). Series 2 screened on Tuesdays against the first series of Give us a Clue and Charlie's Angels, saw a slight decline in viewership (6-8 million).

[@stickytapenrust6869]

11:50 - 9 month gap. S2 ended in March or April 1979, S3 started in January 1980.

[@martinpakes5436]

Torture for a 13-year old geek of the time, I remember

[@russytherutan]

It was a very long 9 months to wait to find out what happened next!!

[@Beowolf1uk]

I have been waiting for you to react to this juicy episode. You're reaction didn't disappoint.

[@therealpbristow]

02:33 "Plot twist: It's been on the Liberator this whole time." Oh, where were you in 1979? We needed (today)-you on the writing staff of this show! =:o}.

[@Eltonlaleham]

I would certainly say the idea of a crossover in Blake,s Seven and Dr Who sounded good but saldy it was vetoed and the chance of that happening was lost and IMO I think it would have been an awesome thing to do.

[@rudolphclancy8293]

Not sure if anyone has mentioned it, but: Series 1: January - March 1978 Series 2: January - April 1979 Series 3: January - March 1980 Series 4: September - December 1981

[@Villafarrell]

I just KNEW you wouldn't speak much during this episode!!! :) There's too much good stuff going on! So glad u can enjoy an old retro show and still appreciate the quality that it had....the cream logo reaction was hilarious!! Never had anyone else point tht out before !!

[@stickytapenrust6869]

13:00 - it depends on whether they planned that far in advance. If they already had a script available and cast and studio booked, with budget to pay for it all. If they didn’t have all of these, then it was put off to the start of the next series’ recording block. I can’t tell you whether B7 did the former or the latter without giving hints at the next ep, so I’ll leave it there.

[@derekcfoley]

Marie-Clare... I love your videos... great to see you enjoy Blakes 7 so much, which was my favourite show of my childhood and Avon was always my role-model anti-hero! Here's a fun fact for you. Did you know that creator Terry Nation originally wanted the aliens in Star One to actually be the Daleks. Obviously he could have made that happen given he created both. Can you imagine how cool that would have been. Especially back then in the 1970s! Crossovers were never really a thing back then! Such a shame the BBC ruined that idea and swapped it for shapeshifting blobs from the Andromeda galaxy instead!

[@psionicdreams]

I have no idea how big the gap was between series 2 and 3 as the first Blake 7 I ever saw was series 3 when it first aired back in 1980 something... This (and Dr Who- City of Death) were among the first sci-fi I'd ever watched, the first eleven years of my life we were in Uganda and UTV had almost no sci-fi that I recall. The closest I remember would be Batman and Robin the Wonder Boy. No having seen the first two series on the show it was a long time before I learnt why it was called Blake 7.

[@mark-s]

Death of travis yes all blakes seven finales were excellent now end of season 2 halfway through the entire series wow when you start next season big changes and we go into the 1980s too

[@andysvinyl1565]

Great reaction, as others have said, the gap between season was approx. 9 months given each season was 13 episodes long. I was at school at the time but as with classic Doctor Who I didn't compare notes on my TV viewing habits as Si--Fi wasn't considered cool back then. The addition blood was a deliberate creative decision for this episode, the Blake’s 7 production team thinking was that they could get away with it on the last episode of the season. Production wise it was a BBC programme that shared many talents with Doctor Who both behind and in front of the camera.

[@frankshailes3205]

It was cool at my school, but we were only aged 10 or 11.

[@alexfletcher5192]

It isn't actually the greatest cliffhanger ever. I've seen the greatest cliffhanger ever...

[@graemejardin5569]

When some millennial complains about 70s sci-fi and its cardboard scenery and rubbish special effects, Star One has to be Exhibit A in the defence. This episode is just superb from beginning to end. It showcases all that was best in this era: inventive story telling, great acting, plot twists and gothic horror. The regulars are terrific with each other (especially Avon and Travis), but the taut scenes between Servalan and Durkim as the crisis unfolds typify the high quality of this era of drama. Why rely on just special effects (that always date) when so much more can be conveyed with top class acting?

[@frankshailes3205]

They've swapped cardboard for fake-looking CGI now, in most movies. At thousands of times higher budget, it still looks naff.

[@BenVaserlan]

A number of audios were made, and after you have finished the series, there's a novel I can recommend. It has a spoilery title so I tell you after you seen D13 AKA 413. I've reviewed all 52 episodes on my channel with Texan Jeff.

[@madgeordierob7890]

"Avon...for what it is worth I have ALWAYS trusted you, from the very beginning"...Oh boy, will that statement turn out to be very ironic. FUN FACT: The BBC higher ups wouldn't allow it, but the invading alien race was originally going to be the Daleks, thus officially linking Doctor Who and Blake's 7 in the same universe.

[@kcmurdarasi]

It's also a total lie (or more likely a self-deception, being Blake). It was not so long ago he was taking safety measures because "Avon might run".

[@frankshailes3205]

@@kcmurdarasi Blake was a great manipulator. He knew which buttons to push on Avon.

[@kcmurdarasi]

@@frankshailes3205 Perhaps you're right. Avon was usually immune to Blake's manipulation, but he was occasionally vulnerable, especially where trust was involved.

[@therealpbristow]

This is at least the second, maybe third, time you've mentioned loving the Federation logo. How familiar are you with Star Trek? Have you spotted the connection/counterpoint yet?

[@hornorsilk2901]

Waiting for it....

[@ShamrockParticle]

Great point. How was this set up in the first place, complete with barrier to keep things out yet nobody knows nothing except there's a big base somewhere. It would be dumb to wipe everyone's minds and claim there is no alien potential, and a base that doesn't look as self-sustaining as all that. Nitpics aside, I still love this story for tone and execution!

[@Eltonlaleham]

This episode certainly ended on a cliffhanger and seeing Travis going out, in a blaze of glory was awesome in bilions of, ways and also I have said this before Travis really would have been better killed off in season 1 of B7 seriously and also I liked the sets in this story.

[@BenVaserlan]

You not liking change: I suggest you check out the Keirsey "Guardian" temperament.

[@markstirton]

10 feking months!

[@Eltonlaleham]

I wish seriously that Travis much as I was pleased to see him get exterminated by Avons handgun, really ought to have been killed off in season 1 finale Orac instead when Stephen Greif was in the role and then had Brian Croucher been cast in the role of an entirely new character with an entirely new name altogether it would have made millions of times more sense than swapping the actor which did not really work at all. I also say that Carnell or even Provine could have replaced Travis as arch-villain Servalans new sidekick in season 2 of B7 easily. I also know much as neither Carnell and or Provine had a past history with Blake, so what despite what Frankshailes says about Blake and Travis been old enemies before the series began it does not really meaning anything. I have always said, that villains Carnell Provien and several other villains who appeared in B7 during its run on tv were more interesting and also more awesome than Travis. I always out of the 2 principal villains, in B7 say Servalan was and still is a more interesting villain and character in comparison with Travis like in Dr Who out of the Time Lord villains Omega, the Monk, the Master, the Rani and also the Valeyard I always found the monk, Omega, the Valeyard and the Rani more interesting villains than the Master they IMO had more potential and also more depth than the Master.

[@BenVaserlan]

I'd like to see your reactions to my scifi dramcom which comes out late next year on my channel. :) But if you did full length reactions on Patreon I would have you reported for copyright infringement. The only way a full length reaction would be allowed would be if you recorded each video for your Patreon AND you sent me your full length reaction videos for me to post on my locals page for my subscribers on there.

[@johnbarleycorn_]

It took me re-watching this years later after it's initial broadcast to realise how stupid the concept of Star One actually is. You've got a computer control centre that no one knows where it is. So, where are they getting their food supply from? Where do they go to get spare parts? What if they have a fault they can't fix and need help? What happens when the technicians eventually die of old age? What if they get sick? It's a flawed idea. It would have been better to have distributed the functionality between hundreds of smaller stations so there is no single point of failure. As for cliffhangers, my impression is that most of the time, the end of season ones are written without necessarily knowing how the story is going to end so the conclusion isn't written let alone produced and it's up to whoever picks up the first episode of the next series to decide. Certainly for that period, most shows were based on back-loaded storytelling rather than having a pre-planned arc to them. It wasn't really until Babylon 5 that we started to get a taste of front-loaded storytelling where the conclusion to cliffhangers would, of course, be known well in advance.

[@seanryan3020]

I'm pretty sure that the 1930s-40s film serials (the original source of the "cliffhanger") were also written from beginning to end with the resolution to each week's cliffhanger pre-planned.

[@frankshailes3205]

Hundreds of stations would've needed massive investment in defence forces. Star One relied on never being discovered. Even by the leaders of the Federation. There was the additional mask of the fake "Control" complex on Earth to be a magnet for attacks from enemy battle fleets etc. The technicians were only there to get it set up and running and make sure it could continue under its own steam, I guess the computer control centre could handle its own repairs (might've needed some androids though, the Federation is good at them so its surprising there are none here). What's more bizarre is that if they knew there was a potential threat from Andromeda, why not build Star One on the opposite side of the Galactic disk, Galactic North rather than Galactic South? Perhaps only something with that amount of processing power could handle the gigantic anti-matter minefields.

[@johnbarleycorn_]

@@frankshailes3205 Thing is, the episode actually highlights the problem; Star One's going wrong and they've no idea how to find it to fix it. The distributed solution would not necessarily need a huge defence budget. If someone attacks or gains control of one node, they've only got one node. It can be bypassed, disconnected from the overall system (same if a node goes wrong). You'd need to attack all of them all at once to destroy or gain control of the whole system. The redundancy is the defence.

[@frankshailes3205]

@@johnbarleycorn_ You've just identified what is wrong with autocracy (essentially control freakery and refusing to delegate), well done :) I guess that is why there's the "Central" bit in "Central Control"... redundancy means duplicated systems, which for a security network isn't very clever - if we had multiple copies of GCHQ systems and one of them was taken over by the Russians or Chinese, they'd be in the position of being able to do as much damage to all the country's other subsystems as if they had the original. If they're not copies., there isn't redundancy per se... - incidentally, if you remember Citizen Smith, the bit where he tries to take over Parliament with one tank, then finds no-one there as they're on recess, is very similar to Blake taking the empty "Control" in "Pressure Point"! That episode of the comedy went out November 1979, so was possibly inspired by Blake.