Blake's 7 (1978-1981). Part One: The Great British Blake Off.

[@drewhardin3992]

As a kid, the episode when Kerr Avon just ignored that he sacrificed a character to save the ship sold me this show forever. As an American it was hard to get the episodes, and finally got help from one of my British friends. Shows like this are proof that if you just use your imagination to fill in the flaws in the special effects (and the limits of the budget) then great things can happen.

[@daveroche6522]

Indeed - special/visual effects should/must be a PART of the story, not the story itself.

[@bandyboo2805]

"Who"?

[@NathanTarantlawriter]

Absolutely!

[@eumaeus]

As an 8 year old when this came out, I don't recall the special effects being poor. I loved the ship and especially the deck - those chairs are iconic.

[@sachabinky2915]

Stardrive was the episode.

[@paulkinnear2727]

I will never criticize a television show or film for having an imagination that exceeds its budget. When the reverse happens, that's when you get Transformers movies. I grew up with Blake's 7, a show I'm still a fan of to this day (I buy all the Big |Finish cd's and books!) and regularly watch my DVD's of the show. Some of the best characters ever created for a sci-fi show

[@DeviantDork]

That's not the problem with the show. It's the direction, cinematography and acting. All of which don't require a big budget. This show is just $hlt

[@davewright8206]

@@DeviantDork strangely enough, not much of what you say works,especially the last bit are you below 35 yrs and lack imagination ,probably

[@happierabroad]

I love Avon's face. He looked so sharp and fierce and calculating and scheming. He looked like a master Shakespearean actor.

[@leepshin]

The Liberator was one of "the" coolest ships ever designed. The flight deck was a pure work of art, and if they ever reboot the series, that flight deck set simply "has" to be rebuilt. No questions asked.

[@56beverley]

Yes I agree. But apparently the ship set was a nightmare to work with which is why they got rid of it.

[@DeviantDork]

Disagree, wholeheartedly.

[@leepshin]

@@DeviantDork Elaborate please?

[@Bod8998]

They look like syringes at the front

[@pbrstreetgang5314]

OH! The memories of staying up late on a Saturday night watching Dr. Who, Reddawrf and Blake's 7. It's amazing what some people could do with pocket change and what coins they managed to dig out of the couch cushions.

[@jamespfp]

LULZ! Ah, Production Values, how I love your penny pinching ways.

[@wacmack]

same!

[@Jasonm25870]

Funny that because it was shown on a Monday night at 7.05pm.

[@wacmack]

@@Jasonm25870 In the states, it was shown in reruns in the 1980s/1990s on PBS. Usually late Saturday nights along with other older Brit shows. It could vary depending on location of course.

[@pbrstreetgang5314]

@@wacmack Yes, PBS was one of only four stations I could get using the rabbit ear antenna that came with the first TV i bought for my bedroom when I was in high school.

[@paulbrecken2136]

My first sci fi. The liberator was such a cool ship. Thanks for all the memories Stam Fine.

[@PapagenoMF]

That's a debatable, lol. Over ten years after Star Trek and during the era of Star Wars and it still looks terrible in comparison.

[@RighteousBrother]

It's Friday, I'm working from home and an hours worth of Blake's 7, from StamFine?? Woo-hoo! Life's good! Thank you!!!

[@random007nadir]

It's always a treat to return to the wonderfully intelligent and witty dialogue and acting of B7, especially in the first series.

[@RichWoods23]

There was so much dialogue in what was sold as an action-adventure series because writing a static scene was the cheapest way to fill screen time. It resulted in a few howlers and some overblown exchanges, but also some real gems.

[@claytonpascoe480]

I don’t know who you are, but always up for a chat about sci-fi. Blake’s 7. A Sci fi series developed by the BBC back in 1981. You may/probably already no that. But regardless, a wonderful sci-fi series. There is nothing like getting back to the originals.

[@JaneNewAuthor]

I remember going to a country wedding in the late 70s. The reception was held in a country hall. The groom brought a portable TV - so that those of us who were addicted to Blakes 7 wouldn't miss that night's episode. Nothing like it!

[@SesameR7sh]

But was the bride a fan?

[@JaneNewAuthor]

@@SesameR7sh yes! As far as I know they're still together.

[@michaelwebster8666]

Thank you! I watched this as a kid and it remains one of the great sci-fi shows of all time. " Have you betrayed us? Have you betrayed me? "

[@richarddennis3793]

was it blake or a clone

[@michaelwebster8666]

@@richarddennis3793 I think it was the real Blake

[@nufe]

Paul Darrow. He literally stole the show. Legend.

[@petergivenbless900]

Paul Darrow's Avon is like James Woods' Alan Rickman.

[@ianbrewster8934]

💯

[@Elwaves2925]

I'd put Michael Keating as Vila up there as well but Darrow definitely loved to chew the scenery and makes scenes his own.

[@thanqualthehighseer]

and Villa thought he was the master thief

[@coinopanimator]

@@petergivenbless900 comment of the year so far.

[@SaigonBrit]

I met Thomas twice at conventions and the first time me and my mate even had a pint with him. Brilliant man, a true fan's actor who was so gracious and so funny. I also saw Darrow and Thomas together on stage doing Q+A in 2004 which was magical. I never spoke personally with Darrow but got a few minutes with Thomas again. Truly amazing both of them.

[@iallso1]

My mother used to see Thomas around Stratford-upon-Avon while she was doing the grocery shopping.

[@johnnodge4327]

​@@iallso1 My sister served him on more than one occasion at Tesco in Horsham, not long before he passed on.

[@iallso1]

@@johnnodge4327 just regular people going about their daily lives.

[@Oldermodels_are_twitchy]

I can remeber 11 year old me settling down to watch the final episode of series 4, excited by the title. Blake! This is going to be awesome.... After it had finished, absolutely gutted. No series I've seen since has had that kind of impact on me. What a way to go out. Still fondly remembered by me to this day.

[@jimbodimbo981]

Me too, I was gobsmacked.

[@logicalmuslim1590]

What an ending though. Shocking.

[@nickholbrook3454]

Why were you gutted. Even at 9yrs old I could tell it was ambiguous and you couldnt know if they died or were captured. It was a clever ending as they could have either left it (which they did) or done a 5th season. Personally I was most upset when they blew up the Liberator at the end of series 3

[@logicalmuslim1590]

@@nickholbrook3454 yes I was more upset at the loss of the Liberator.

[@tuberworksjones]

It was a great piece of sci fi history , longlive the memory

[@manonymous4737]

Blake's 7 was easily the best show on TV at the time. Avon was the greatest anti-hero .... what an actor. more Kirk that James T Kirk himself

[@SharpblueCreative]

I have met nearly all the cast. This is my all time favourite series. Got very drunk with Gareth Thomas back in 2004. Smoked something pretty good with Jacqueline Pearce (sadly she was in cancer remission at the time). Have all the DVD’s and most signed by the cast.

[@neilfoster814]

That's awesome!!

[@menacelurkingyet8345]

Really ? Well, what about the "well man" Paul Darrow ? All RIP.

[@charlenefleming6729]

I was at a Fan Con where Gareth Thomas as the headline guest. This was probably 8 years ago the show had ended in the UK and was just really catching on in the US. Mr. Thomas was drunk as a skunk and when I came up in the line for the autograph he grabbed me and put me on his lap (I was 24 years old, and this was well before things like that were frowned upon. He didn't do anything else - and it was only for a minute. But it is one of my fondness moments.

[@ToddMartinsky]

The music sound effects are another major aspect of what made this show so incredible, sounds and voice coming from Zen and Orac are pure dopamine hits.

[@goodoldbubba6620]

Regardless of the quality of the effects, this is one of the very best sci-fi shows of all time. Period, or as the Brits say, Full-Stop

[@mikebasil4832]

I’ve always praised Blake’s 7 for not depending on the wake of Star Wars effects for its space age adventures.

[@56beverley]

I was a huge fan of Star Trek the original series and B7 was the only series which partly filled the gap for me.

[@simonfernandes6809]

I still remember the final episode in December 1981 - it was THAT memorable. Not quite the perfect Christmas present for a 10 year old!

[@evertonporter7887]

That final episode! I wish Blake and Avon faced those Federation troops together like Butch and Sundance in the final scene. Only Star Wars Rogue One comes close.

[@Gibson1976uk]

Same here! I was shocked!!!

[@leefr76]

I was 4, still remember the disbelief as each character got blown away!

[@evertonporter7887]

@@leefr76 They should have gone down defending a new group of rebels, each one dying heroically, with Blake and Avon left as the last men standing and the Federation troops closing in. The very last scene would have had them emerging, guns blazing. Image freezes, accompanied by weapons fire, fades to black, Butch and Sundance style.

[@Gibson1976uk]

@@leefr76 I remember being excited and sad at the same time!!! I aways wondered if Avon died? and I always wanted to think he got away! let one of them live :) I think Villa was the death that shocked me most! you can't kill Villa!!! :)

[@vinnycochrane5139]

When I was about 14, I met Gareth and Paul at a convention. I said what an honour it was to be in the presence of a true legend! G said why thank you, I said no I was talking to Darrow you old fart. Both adorable chaps, and if you see them doing Q and A together, it’s priceless - such lovely gents.

[@wulfric1232]

One of my favourite series, with the best ending in any fiction, and my absolute favourite character in Avon.

[@justthetip5393]

First episode is a great set-up and the series finale is the perfect end point.

[@MB-oc1nw]

Just watched all 4 seasons again...loved it when I was a kid

[@damienkakoschke3099]

It's a surprisingly cohesive and logical story when you watch it in one(ish) go, (rather than 1 episode a week). Particularly the last half dozen episodes, you can feel the build up to the reveal that Avon knew where Blake was all the time.

[@PaIaeoCIive1648]

Re-watched it on DVD for nostalgia purposes three decades after enjoying it as a teenager and, oh boy, is it cheap, camp and unintentionally amusing. But it's fun too.

[@markofish6176]

Thank you for this wonderful overview of my favourite show. Lovely to hear an Aussie voice hosting the TV Special! Friday nights with Blakes 7 on ABC were a delight.

[@petervandenbosch6353]

My favortis all time sf serie. Every year on vacation i watch the complete series again.. Never get bored.

[@56beverley]

When I discovered it on YT I watched the whole series again back to back and fell in love with it all over again. Marvellous show. I still keep watching it now.

[@Wulfyr]

I'm old enough to remember when it was first aired. It was one of those shows that you watched with your parents. There was enough to keep both kids and adults glued to the screen. I even had one of the little toy "Liberator" spaceships. I've since lost it but I expect boxed versions are pretty valuable now. I love that this show hasn't been forgotten in the mists of time and continues to gain new fans. A cult classic indeed.

[@andycooper3672]

Such wonderful memories, thank you for an amazing summary of the show. One thing though, I cried myself to sleep the night I watched the episode that Gan died so some of us did find the emotion in the show.

[@GeneChiu]

I remember first seeing the series probably in the late 80's in reruns. Many years later, I found the series again and watched it in its entirety. I loved the series and overlooked the crappy special effects. I loved the characters. Avon was my favourite. I also liked Villa.

[@Bayside78]

What really struck me about the show was the sense everyone was expendable. Anybody could be eliminated with or without a good reason, even the guy the series was named for! Perhaps the Liberator was the actual main character of the series. After it got toasted Blakes 7 felt like a completely different series.

[@jamesmaybrick2001]

Yup. The bleak and brutal nature of it makes GOT look like kids TV. The episode where Avon is doing his best to hunt down and murder Vila for entirely practical reasons and its entirely believeable that it could happen was just epic.

[@atomictraveller]

none of you understand it because your not welsh. B7 is just state propaganda. free west papua

[@leokimvideo]

Imagine Netflix producing a modern version of this show. Imagine trying to find a Paul Darrow of today, maybe Tom Hardy could pull it off. But the problem is if you tinker with the chemistry of the characters the show will flop. It was basically Robin Hood in space and the excellent writing of the series hid lots of 'cheese TV' aspects the show had.

[@joseeduardobolisfortes]

There's a lot of seventies sci-fi shows that deserve a remake but, by the last tries I saw, We have no more good scriptwriters, only good FX nowadays.

[@philipocallaghan]

It's already been remade, it's called THE EXPANSE the similarities are uncanny.

[@Banjo-Oz]

I'd never want a remake but I've always wanted a continuation with a new cast (given the age of the originals, even when more were still alive). Before he died, I thought having Paul Darrow bridge the gap between the original show and a next generation of rebels would have worked well. Maybe the "new Servalan" could be the original's daughter... with Avon as her dad? :)

[@Banjo-Oz]

@@philipocallaghan Personally, I'd say the recent Star Wars Andor has a lot more in common with B7 (tone, especially) but the closest show to B7's spirit of "bunch of not-quite-heroes thrown together" was Farscape.

[@pooddescrewch8718]

I think writers today are stuck in an edge lord rut . Everything is gritty and hopeless . I would like to see a better effects budget but doubt producers and writers get what made this show special and would make high gloss but still pale imitation

[@56beverley]

I was and am a huge fan of Blake's 7. I especially love the characterisation of the series which was a nice change from lots of special effects but little real story. I especially loved Paul Darrow as Avon and he is a classic character and legend.

[@Claggyt]

Well done on putting this together. As a 12 year old at the time I was gutted by the ending. I rewatched all 4 seasons a few years back and I surprised myself with how edgy I felt throughout the last episode knowing what was coming. Great show.

[@Lisa-x3n5x]

I videoed these back in the day. I missed some of the early ones. After Blake left it was better. Thanks for the trip down memory lane, from another Aussie.

[@charlesballard5251]

I first saw the show sometime in the mid 80's. Maybe starting in late '84 or into '85. My local PBS station aired an episode Monday through Friday from beginning to end. so 10 weeks plus 2 days and it was done. Just two and a half months as opposed to 4 full years. I loved the show. Best final episode EVER!!!! So many of the stars have passed now. It gets to me watching this and seeing them in their prime. Great vid. I will watch more.

[@Cyklopz007]

One of my top favourite things of all time. Excellent video dude!

[@kaasmeester5903]

This show made a big impact on me as a kid. Back then in the Netherlands, we had 8 channels: 2 Dutch ones, 2 German, 2 Belgian ones... and BBC 1 and 2, courtesy of a microwave link across the North Sea. In bad weather, the signal was iffy but most times we had good reception, and we got to watch shows like this. UK TV had a lot to offer back then. The MST3K crew did a bit with a robot modeled after the ones in Blake's 7... most people think it's the Daleks, but those who watched this show know better.

[@MackerelCat]

Yesss!! Me and my sister had a very old tv with a manual dial to find channels and we would often turn it to pick up channels from the Netherlands!!!

[@morganhanam9522]

Now, when I watched the whole show, I was amzed by the props; so much so that I realized that they would all make fantastic installations. I just imagined they were clever, retro art installations & got so many ideas from it. The creativity in these episodes shines through in a way that slicker productions often forget.

[@modehead101]

A terrific overview of a totally unique series. I'm currently re-watching the entire series after a good few years away from it and it's still addictive viewing. Astonishing that they managed to create such an enduring series with so few resources yet the casting and some of the design aesthetics verge on pure brilliance not to mention how tightly plotted most of the episodes are. The BBC had such a big and influential hit on their hands and the tragedy is that they never realised it at the time.

[@lateefpou2986]

As an a American who ran across this show at the age of 15, 16. Loved it from jump. Been watching BBC since the age of 10 I'm 51 now

[@TJH1]

Brilliant! Thanks for this, just pure nostalgia. I, like yourself, hold this show in VERY high regard. I watched it as a kid when it was originally broadcast and agree, it holds up even today, which is a relief. Again, thanks for this, keep it up. More Blake's 7 content would be most welcome.

[@SJKPJR007]

Amazing work Stam Fine. You always manage to give your subject's the appropriate level of time and attention. This was a lightening fast hour. You provided a whistle-stop tour of 52 hours of sci-fi whilst still affording due credit to the myriad elements that contribute to making such a show. A firm favourite of mine and what I personally regard as Terry Nation's greatest gift to sci-fi. Even if, like his other notable contribution to the genre, it owed a great deal to those who realised it for a TV audience.

[@NealKlein]

What you said. When Stam cares about a show or movie, his best is even better. I love what this man does for us all.

[@philanderson5138]

Surprised, frightened and confused me as a child, it was like reading 1984 with no warning. like many of my age it still catches me whenever I see it. thanks for the video. good work sir!

[@paulnolan4971]

It was pretty cool man

[@ashroskell]

Dear GOD, Stamfine!? HOW are you doing this!? Please get out of my head! How are you getting access to all of the main IP’s that I grew up with, talking about with my friends at school the next day, and made me who I am today!? Stop probing my brain! . . . No, please sto’. . . Uh . . . Ugh . . . Oh, why do I like it so much!? . . . Ooh . . . It’s wrong but it feels so . . . GOOD! This show was an example of how great (if slightly odd) writing and acting can make a show wonderful, even without the budget of their Battlestar Galactica, or Buck Rogers contemporaries. We loved the characters and read all the books voraciously as soon as we could persuade the school librarian to invest in them. And all of us wanted to play as Avon, “the cool one,” or, Travis, “the menacing one,” in the water gun fights we had. Oh, thank you for this. I do so LOVE your channel.

[@dwaynedibley4294]

Remember the excitement when this started. Loved it..

[@VinceAndRosGetCancelled]

one of the best theme intro songs! i used to love seeing this with my dad a long time ago...

[@spaceenemiesnovel]

I really loved the intro to these series. Very nostalgic. Brings back childhood memories.

[@DeclanMBrennan]

That was fun. Your overview manages to be simultaneously acerbic yet nostalgic and may be better writing than most Blake 7 scripts.

[@abrahamdraper1911]

I was a little boy, and Servelan was the first woman to make me feel funny 🔥

[@WarmCatFurniture]

I think that you might be able to tell from my KZbin name who did that for me 😊

[@captainpoppleton]

Jenna was hot stuff.

[@rachelar]

Kind of dominant vibes might have made you masochistic?

[@abrahamdraper1911]

@@rachelar Without a doubt 😳

[@GarethAndersonUK]

I adore the cliffhanger at the end of season 2. It’s tremendous, and I’m glad I didn’t have to wait months.

[@loftlegacy]

What a show and I remember watching it as a kid when it came out. I met Gareth Thomas about 20 years ago and he was a really nice guy. He does get every scene stolen though by Paul Darrow who is hammy and wonderful in equal measure. The star, literally, of the show was Servalan wonderfully played by the late, great Jacqueline Pearce..... "MAXIMUM POWER"

[@checktheevidence]

Thanks for making this video. Really enjoyed it and it helped satisfy my need for a Blake's 7 fix!

[@williamgeorge2580]

I binged this show back when KZbin was a lot less diligent about copyright and it remains one of my favorites specifically because of the wobbliness of the sets, and FX, and scripts, and acting... But this is also my favorite era of Doctor Who so it makes sense I'd be fond of it.

[@richardshields1488]

I still enjoy watching it on my laptop brings back my childhood when it came out.

[@scottpoerschke8807]

Funny how Gareth Thomas left to be type cast, but he left the best role he has ever had.

[@iallso1]

I'm pretty sure he left to perform on stage in Stratford-upon-Avon, I believe at the RSC.

[@fredjones554]

Same thing happened to Tom Baker

[@stehpengray2084]

I really like this show.when I was a kid in the 70s / 80s . I had the pleasure meeting Paul Darrow several times. When he came to Aberdeen in plays. My mom use to work in a small tobacco shop and she used to sell him special cigars that he liked . He was a really nice guy and he was my hero.!!

[@itsphilfromtubesday8677]

You beauty! Loved as a kid. My best friend growing ups mum was a super fan of this and belonged to the fan club and used to get signed vids of it, i think she really fancied Paul Darrow

[@ivanatincher8879]

Was always a fan of sci fi from a child watching Lost in Space and Dr. Who to this coming along when I was a teenager and blowing me away. I did miss Blake but the show was still the best sci fi out there and I was drawn to Avon and Orac when it entered the fray. Terry Nation really nailed that first series. Missed Gan when he was removed from the series as the original cast were just perfect. Watched right through again now as a 60yo and it's still great. It's sad that the cast have had so many deaths but they all live on in roles that they absolutely shone in. Thank you for the wonderful memories guys and even for the finale that was so very very shocking!

[@aaronleverton4221]

Loved it when Aunty aired it in the early '80s. Can and do forgive all its flaws while re-watching. Also loved Battle of the Planets. No forgiveness for its flaws.

[@6581punk]

Battle of the Planets was censored outside of Japan, they thought it was too violent and so to make up for the lost footage they inserted KeyOp.

[@aaronleverton4221]

@@6581punk Yes, I know ergo changes nothing. And the major insert was 7 Zark 7, KeyOp was the redub of an original Gatchaman character.

[@denisdaly1708]

The music and atmosphere were the real star. Especially the atmosphere

[@foxyshabazz]

I found it quite frightening as a small child. In a different way to Doctor Who (the show that was famous for frightening small children), it was more a sense of unease that it engendered in me than hiding behind the sofa from the scary monsters. I loved it, though. Jacqueline Pearce and Paul Darrow were absolute bloody legends.

[@malcolmcampbell1968]

I was 10 years old and loved this show..

[@archercolin6339]

I remember seeing an interview of the time, or perhaps slightly later, where one of the cast (possibly Gareth Thomas, but I can't really remember) said that, from the Federation's point, the Liberator crew were the IRA - an extremely powerful comparison at the time! Also, the 'Andromedans' invading at the end of S2 were originally going to be the Daleks... Personally, I think the last scene of 'Blake' ties for best ever with the coincidentally fourth season of Blackadder.

[@Wulfyr]

The sets and effects were admittedly a bit ropey but the characterisation and dialogue were pure gold. Also The Liberator is still one of the coolest fictional spacecrafts ever designed.

[@billkendrick1]

First caught Blake's 7 as a teenager in high school in northern California (KTEH 54, a PBS station that also played Red Dwarf, Dr. Who, The Prisoner, and more). Fell in love with it then and I continue to soak up every B7 podcast (always love when there's a young, first-time viewer among the hosts), and a lot of Big Finish's audio. Favorite episodes include, among tons of others: Gambit, Gold, Trial, and Powerplay (Gun Sarr will live!)

[@gailtunnah8796]

The BBC back then had a dim view of the future. Blake's 7 was a counterpoint to Star Trek's optimism. Seeing the future as a dystopian hellscape. If you like B7, you could try to see 'The Survivor's ', a story of a post killer pandemic world. Another interesting view would be 'Doomwatch', the effect of new technologies upon society. The 1st was an organism that had been created to eat plastic which subsequently gets free. Dark stuff.

[@billkendrick1]

@@gailtunnah8796 I caught some of Survivors on KTEH back then too! :)

[@RikAlessi]

Plus the magical William Hartnell with the brilliant quote "Magic Mavic Chen" ❤

[@petesmith4498]

There's a great "Blake's 7" segment in BBC's "I Love 1978", where Jacqueline Pearce talks about the suggestive letters she received from male fans.

[@6581punk]

She talks about it in the Cult of Blakes 7 too and she laughed it off, if only people could do that now.

[@hanniffydinn6019]

I rewatched this recently..for the first time since a kid! Even better than I remembered! Classic British sci fi! Along with what I remember at the time…dr who, sapphire & steel, the tripods, the prisoner,flip side of Dominic Hyde…..we had loads of great sci fi on British tv back then! 🤯🤯🤯🤯😎😎😎😎👍👍👍👍

[@leftgrrl]

@@6581punk I suppose in those days that kind of thing arrived in letters at BBC TV Centre whereas now it arrives in your phone - so it feels less like "thing at work" more like "thing invading my home". And things like "I know where you live, I'm going to come and do x" are much more plausible now.

[@PaIaeoCIive1648]

Hmmm, Servalan was foxy all right. And what a hot voice. How fortunate to have both Paul Darrow and Jacqueline Pearce hamming it up like crazy in the same low-budget space opera.

[@hanniffydinn6019]

Not gonna lie..back then as a kid she was one of ladies that made me realise I was a hot blooded male who liked girls! 😏🫨😊

[@hhvictor2462]

Back in the day when my local PBS station regularly broadcast the classic Dr. Who series on late Saturday afternoons, it was also paired with Blake's 7. Forgot if it was shown before or after Dr. Who. An enjoyable time period in retrospect.

[@justinthehedgehog3388]

I was six when this was on tv and I loved it. I decided one of my classmates was going to be Servalan when I made my own version of the show, and I remember making a transporter bracelet out of paper and coloured in with felt-tips.

[@joebloggs963]

Loved the show, Hated the ending, yet, Loved the ending. It was a journey for sure.

[@BongWeasle]

I think this has stood the test of time well. Its definitely one of the best sci-fi series ever. ….please do not remake this or reimagine it……it’s fine as it is.

[@criddyla696]

Where can it be watched today, would love to see it.

[@hypocriticus8083]

I loved this very much. Lots of SF in the 70s. I liked the Liberator very very much.

[@alangarde2928]

Amazing!" The show I've been most excited for a Stam Fine retrospective, I knew you wouldn't be able to resist. This was a masterpiece of loving irreverance. and brought back so many happy memories. Thankyou! Bleak 7, sorry I mean Blake's 7. It's hammy, it probably caused a world shortage in the availability of over-acting, the costume designers must have been on acid and most of the budget went into Servalan and Avon's wardrobe. As a 7 year old at the time, growing up on Doctor Who and Star Trek and shows with mostly clear good guys and bad guys - Blake's 7 changed everything. The opening of S1 was a masterpiece in telling of a dystopian future and was genuinely terrifying. It opened up the world of non-utopias to me. Young me would choose the Liberator over the Enterprise any day of the week. The crew were so dysfunctional it's amazing they got out of bed in the morning. Blake and Avon's fall into obsession an eye opener before I'd even heard of Moby Dick. Sometimes I wondered if it would be better for everyone just to let the Federation win as the cure was worse than the disease. Dark undertones, unlikable protaganists are a dime a dozen now - but back then, on the BBC of all places, in a main stream show. Wow. Plus it started my lifelong hatred of the apostrophe. Zen's final words always leave me cutting onions. Blake's 7 will always have a special place for me, despite it's dodgy effects, despite it's meandering stories. The cutting dialogue, the put downs, the bleak nature of the show, the obsession destroying everyone. It doesn't hurt that it had Servalan and Soolin, my two earliest crushes.

[@ShamrockParticle]

Compared to earlier scifi outfit ideas, B7 is refreshingly subdued. "Robin Hood Meets Studio 54" 😁

[@teedup8995]

Soolin! ❤

[@Bod8998]

Oi Blake's 7 rocks I watch its entirety at least once a year it's utter class

[@vespasian606]

For those of us who had recently outgrown Dr Who or simply didn't care for Tom Baker this came along in the nick of time. I can't see any mention of Servalan in the comments so I'll put that right. I thought Jacqueline Pearce was outstanding. Sadly she passed away in 2018.

[@damienkakoschke3099]

Jacqueline Pearce's Servalan was superb! Just the right level of sinister & camp. (who else could convincingly flounce about in a ridiculously designed frock while ordering executions left, right & centre, and make it look effortless). There have been several attempts at something similar, all pale by comparison, there is only one Servalan!

[@macelven]

Loved Blake's 7. Thanks for this nostalgic, amusing, and informative look back!

[@elberno4243]

Yes boy!!! I've been waiting for you to do Blakes 7.

[@user-hi9wt7so7k]

I remember this as a kid growing up in NZ. Paul Darrow was the only actor I could remember from the show, great theme as well. Was a bit dark for kids TV (they put it on in NZ in afternoons with other kids programmes). Along with Phillip Schofield hosting kids TV.

[@RighteousBrother]

A friend of mine who is a writer pitched since ideas to the BBC a good few years back. One of the things that was mentioned in the interview was that the Beeb planned to bring Blake's 7 back. This was roundabout the time nu Who took off. It's a shame it didn't happen with today's production values and effects.

[@stewmott3763]

Thank you for dropping this video just in time for my wife's birthday. It's her all-time favourite TV show. 🙂

[@stevkyt2374]

Loved this series from episode one onwards although it lost its way around the fourth series. The final episode infuriated me so much that I rang the BBC. The executives obviously hated it like they did all their science fiction and ensured that it wouldn't return in the most ludicrous way. Met Jaqueline Pearce once who was a real laugh. Made for peanuts with the most prophetic message ever.

[@KevinMurphy-kk6yz]

I was only a little lad and watched the first-ever episode on BBC 1; just bought the DVD box set, it’s still stands-up as great British TV, along with Space: 1999, and UFO

[@MarkGarbettLlanigan]

I was obsessed with this show as a kid. I loved it and have watched it over and over

[@mercster]

"This is the best robotic engineering I've ever seen." HAH! Good editing, that was the perfect clip, I laughed out loud. Thanks.

[@GarGhuul]

Loved the hell out of this show as a teenager!

[@jsd8981]

God thise brings me back aways I loved that show...

[@timsmith2525]

I was always fascinated with how Stephen Greif played Travis as ruthless and Brian Croucher played him as a psychopath. I much prefer Greif's interpretation of the character.

[@almcdonald8676]

I think the compelling thing about Avon is the way he takes on Blake’s crusade showing that despite his overt cynicism he is looking for a cause to commit too

[@RogerSartet007]

Loved this series. I was in primary school. First time I saw it was in 'The heydays of Dutch telly', late seventies, I'm guessing 1979 (Myself I'm Belgian, but all the good shows back then were on Dutch TV): Blake's 7, Eddie Shoestring (I always think of Eddie, when I see Blake, lol. Probably because it was the same era), Star Maidens - thank you for mentioning this one: FYI, in Dutch the latter was called 'Vrouwenplaneet Medusa', literally translated that would be 'Women's planet Medusa'. I did spot Gareth Thomas in that series, but thought it was after he did Blake. Apparently I got that wrong. But hey, I was only 10 or 11. Wasn't Star Maiden's a coprod with German TV or something? I've got a vague recollection of a few actors in that series, I was sure they were either German or French Then of course The New Avengers... Seen them all, and more than once. Belgian TV always ran behind, so I saw 'Blake' again when I was in high school, on Belgian TV. It's regrettable most actors of 'Blake' are no longer with us. Anyway, thank you for this review Your true Purdey fan ;-) PS: Am I the only one who hears 'music was my first love' by John Miles in Blake's soundtrack?? kzbin.info/www/bejne/onLWp52MrZKAnZY

[@gordiebrooks]

As a kid Blake’s Seven was one of my favourite TV shows and was my introduction to Sci-Fi along with Doctor Who.

[@iandennis1]

Gareth Thomas told me over a drink he left because when he asked if he could direct a couple he was turned down flat he The gave the powers that be an ultimatum when they still refused he left.

[@susanscott8653]

I remember seeing this series back in the late 70s when I was probably too young to really appreciate it. I saw it again in the late 80s and adored Avon.😍 I grew up on 70s scifi - everything from The Tomorrow People, through UFO, Space 1999, Buck Rogers and the original Battlestar Galactica and a few I have no doubt long forgotten. Thanks for mentioning Dr Who. A lot of the shows I watched shared similar effects, even the earlier seasons of Star Trek TNG in the late 80s. We just accepted these effects and suspended our disbelief anyway. It was the stories that mattered then and still do.

[@georgegard.aka.currymonste1498]

The ending left me traumatised for life

[@jonnaylor3154]

This show to my seven year old mind was the best t.v program of all time, it really expanded your thought and imagination!😎

[@charlessmyth]

Blake's 7 looked so cheap that some wondered if half of the production budget went on the hair spray for the cast. But when an episode of Blake's 7, of 1978, cost a 5th of a Star Trek episode of 1965, and the budget for an episode of ST-TOS was thought to be close to impossible for a network television show, Blake's 7 did pretty well, for the time :-)

[@ancientgraybear]

I was 10 years old and loved it.

[@ThomCurley]

Amazing. I have this on continual re watch. That’s how much I love it. I still remember being there with my Dad watching episode one, over a Christmas holiday and that excitement. Such a layered show for it’s time. Such brilliant dynamics and interplay between the characters that raises it above what it so easily could have been in lesser hands. Absolutely suffers because of the budget and the time it was made, but rarely or less so the ideas or stories and a lot of that is down to Chris Boucher, much missed and v under rated. Fab overview as your overviews always are. As for definitively killing off Blake in the final episode, yes maybe but for me, nah. When you tell a story earlier in the run with a clone of Blake, who isn’t killed off but goes off at the end, then my money is on that version of Blake in the finale, as the bounty hunter. It would fit the clone version of Blake and M.O. way more than the actual Blake and that’s what I take from it. Yes, I am a tragic little fan boy. Guilty as charged.

[@modehead101]

Chris Boucher was an absolute legend. Such a talented writer who also created the best Dr Who companion of all time in my humble opinion, Leela,

[@PhillipMolloy-kk8zu]

It WAS BRILLIANT..LOVED IT

[@Ze0do0Gas]

Thank you for this video, it was a kind of catharsis seeing someone who loves this show as much as I do

[@paulnolan4971]

Yes

[@tonyford2734]

Love Blakes 7. Got all 4 series on DVD. Looking forward to the new Blu-Ray release

[@greybadger3142]

Another great video. I’ve always had a soft spot in my heart for Blake’s 7. I never managed to see all the episodes when it originally aired, but finally saw them all a couple of years ago, when we bought the boxed set. I have to say that for me, the series aged unexpectedly well and I really enjoyed it. The theme tune always makes me think of Christmas. :)

[@peterblair6489]

As a kid, I loved it. Watched every episode. Missed the last one. I spent thirty years wondering. Started watching the last episode recently. It was awefull. Lol

[@tasercs]

An astonishingly good production. So well researched and it really captured the essence of what B7 was. I doubt anyone will ever make such a thorough retrospective of B7 as this. I often ran round the local woods with a drum stick pushed through the cut-off top of a 1.5 litre lemonade bottle that had a few bits of clear plastic tubing wrapped round it and the coiled wire off of my dad's headphones tucked into my belt... pretending to teleport down and slightly lose my balance as I materialised.... This all had to end cause it was starting to effect the lives of my wife and children... 😆 Seriously though, very fond memories of some great scripts and great characters and thanks again for a thoroughly entertaining hour of viewing. PS..surely Glynis Barber is the most beautiful woman who ever lived.....

[@dkoukol]

Bring on more Blake's 7 videos! I agreed with some of your opinions, but not with others - that's part of what makes this kind of analysis so fascinating and entertaining!