Blake's 7 (Part Two). The Episodes. Fake It Till You Blake It.

[@almcdonald8676]

The acting was what elevated this drama. Every character contributed significantly but really the relationship between Blake and Avon carried it

[@grahamsimpson1273]

such a shame Paul Darrow felt he need to over do it in series 3 and particularly 4. He was by far the highlight of series 1 and 2. But his over acting was embarrassing by the end

[@iainhewitt]

Can I just mention how good the line, "I'm not expendable, I'm not stupid and I'm not going!" is?

[@pcb1175]

So good you can get it on a t-shirt

[@DaisuSaikoro]

Apart from Dr Who this was my favourite Sci Fi show from when I was a kid. A Black kid growing up in NYC that got to watch this show on PBS... Part of the formative years that led me to being the absolutely wonderful person I grew up to be.

[@andrewclarkson1942]

Very cool. I like how across national, temporal and cultural boundaries we can share stuff like this.

[@marcbrasse747]

Good for you. Absolutely wonderful persons are very rare. 😂

[@vinnycochrane5139]

This was an excellent video. I was quite surprised by B7 when I discovered it in my teens (late 90s). I had been a Dr Who fan from childhood, and to the untrained eye it is very similar; but dear god it is so grown-up and mostly well acted. I had the good fortune to meet Jackie Pearce, Paul Darrow, and Gareth Thomas, on different occasions. JP told me the dirtiest joke I’ve ever heard, and GT threatened to punch me because I said I was in the presence of a legend pointing at PD sitting next to him. Very kind, sociable people, and naughty.

[@AndrewGivens]

I need to know the JP joke...

[@chrispeel3123]

Doctor Who and Blakes 7 used a lot of the same quarries...

[@foxyshabazz]

Stam's obvious love for B7 warms my heart.

[@jasonblalock4429]

1:09:30 Overall, I agree. I love Blakes 7 as a show that manages to be more than the sum of its parts, despite all its problems. But in particular, I find its moral decay to be fascinating. Over four seasons, the crew goes from noble intergalactic space crusaders to basically little better than pirates. It's such an unusual arc for a show like this, and really epitomiizes how B7 *always* did its own thing.

[@Fiddling_while_Rome_burns]

Blake 7's influence on Farscape and Firefly is almost forgotten.

[@simondaniel4028]

%^&@# Farscape!

[@ShamrockParticle]

And possibly but, to a lesser extent, Babylon 5, but Farscape and Firefly scream it at times 👍

[@jasonblalock4429]

@@ShamrockParticle At least JMS openly cites Terry Nation and B7 as an inspiration on B5. Unlike Farscape and Firefly.

[@pyrodiscoflash6115]

With Shades of Lexx, May Blakes magnificent Shadow find us All

[@lancebaylis3169]

Firefly is practically an American remake. Terry Nation's estate should have sued.

[@citizenVader]

I learned my first English watching Blakes 7. Denmarks Radio, which is the name of the national media group, only released foreign language programmes with subtitles, and their politics on censorship wasn't as bad for young people and children, so it provided me with lots of perfect English, and perfect fun during our long cold holidays in the late seventies and early eighties. It was a good Cold War memory 😊 You can feel that chess was huge back then. It was basically how we tested each other and the reds in mental gymnastics..

[@StefanTravis]

Heh, I /taught/ English using B7 episodes. I'm not sure the students learned any new words, but they LOVED Servelan, and were impressed by Dayna being a young black woman (like them) whose blackness wasn't stereotypical.

[@citizenVader]

@StefanTravis it's definitely better than using Mr. Bean, although Rowan later became my hero blackadder

[@JoeSiegler]

1:02:43 - Surprised you didn't mention the other Doctor Who reference there. Richard Hurndall, the second "First Doctor" from "The Five Doctors".

[@rogerbourgeois5068]

A new Stan Fine video? About Blake’s 7? Almost 2 hours long?! My evening is set. Thank you, Stan! ❤️

[@michielboland628]

As a child, I was terrified and fascinated by the Cally-trapped-inside-Orac episode . Used to build Orac out of leftover LEGO pieces.

[@BubbaThaumaturge]

Very cool. We would have been great friends then.

[@darrendemello3225]

As a kid I found this, Doctor Who and the TV HitchHikers Guide to the Galaxy all blurred into one in my mind. I've since gone back through Blake's 7 and really found it (mostly) really engaging.

[@christopheralthouse6378]

Wouldn’t it be fun if all three shows were, in fact, within the same universe? My mind positively reels at the crossover potential…imagine the Sixth Doctor meeting an anti-heroic Kerr Avon whilst the Heart of Gold approaches Liberator…😅😍😁

[@Nooneyouknow-vl1st]

"I am not expendable, I am not stupid, and I am not going." ....to miss this!

[@Problembeing]

The best line ever.

[@Gzeebo]

Man. My Friend. Thank you for your channel. One of my personal favourite programs of all time. Obviously Blake's 7 is also on that list. And, for the record, fish tacos are a superior dish to Lobster Thermidor.

[@mhoppy6639]

Me too. I love this programme and always have. If anyone wants to a bit deeper into the show there’s an excellent podcast on Neozaz a called “blakes7 in character” Eric and Ian do a marvellous job of exploring the whole series in more detail, character by character over about 100 episodes. It’s wonderful.

[@daverage4729]

"You know you are safe with me!" Paul Darrow's delivery was spot on, filled with bitterness and contempt. Nice to see I'm not the only one that saw Avon's schemes go tits up every week in the 4th series. Nice to see you have such love for B7 Stam. Shout out to all the B7 fans here! :)

[@paulbrecken2136]

I grew up watching this show. So thank you very much for all your hard work making this review. Inciteful, fair, funny as always. Top work Stam Fine.

[@Eltonlaleham]

Blake,s Seven was an awesome sci-fi fi series and the amount of props, sets, costumes and extras that appeared in it also appeared in classic Dr Who as well and also the amount of people who worked on B7 also worked on Doctor Who too was awesome.

[@Teddysounds]

Thank you! One of my favourite TV shows as well.

[@skurge101]

I can't lie I can see the flaws and appreciate the criticism but Blakes 7 is among my top 5 TV shows of all time...what makes it great is probably everything that other shows seem to feel aren't important!

[@redpillnibbler4423]

The show had that all important trait that so many lack - Character.

[@ivanatincher8879]

My favorite sci-fi show and it's sad to think Blake (GT) and Avon (PD) have passed... also Servalan (JP) and Gan (DJ) ... thanks guys and gals... forget the flaws... a very special show... and THAT ending... WOW!!!

[@christyler6920]

My favourite scifi series bar none. Thank you for this

[@simonllawrence]

I used to watch the first and last episode of every season of Blakes 7 over my Christmas holidays break.

[@adampoll4977]

Damn, I didn't spot Jacko when I watched that episode - I loved Brushstrokes 😀 I gotta admit, when I watched that final episode on TV as a kid I was kinda shell-shocked for at least a week.

[@CaminoAir]

From memory, wasn't the final episode broadcast shortly before Christmas? I seem to remember a viewer writing into Barry Took on 'Points Of View' (the BBC's short weekly show for audience feedback) saying they'd been made redundant and then Blake's 7's conclusion just added to his downbeat mood.

[@ericaltmann5711]

Loved this show. I vaguely remember it as a kid, but I have watched it several times since. I watched the whole series again last year. Thanks mate, now I am going to watch it again!

[@OverDriveOnline7921]

In the final episode, Gareth Thomas was so determined to show Blake being killed, the explosive charge plate that had the blood packs on had more and stronger charges put on at Gareth’s request. It worked, but due to the extra charges, it pushed the plate back under Gareth’s ribcage, hence the genuine look of pain and the contorted pose after the first shot by Avon. Also the point where Avon enters the base, the woman he shot was played by his wife. Just a couple of random bits about the Blake’s 7 finale, Blake

[@gfdggdfgdgf]

As young as I was when I saw Blake's 7 I could tell it couldn't have cost much more than a happy meal per episode.

[@sasa-ke2024]

And that just doesn't matter

[@dennisdevito2829]

I enjoyed this show very much, even the episodes that are not considered the best. I can recommend Blakes7 to any sci-fi fan

[@m80prs]

Absolute masterpiece! Your commentary on this, that is.

[@Blindgenxgamer]

I loved this show. However, the name Travis just doesn't strike fear in my heart. "Look out! It's...Travis!"

[@simondaniel4028]

Def with the title, Space Commander Travis.

[@Blindgenxgamer]

@@simondaniel4028 right! They could've given a last name or something 😆

[@jamesabernethy7896]

Fantastic video. Full of inventive humour but also full of love. As I said for part 1, I was and sllghty too young for this show or the repeats. It can look cheap at times like old Doctor Who but there was an incredible amount of passion and creativity. Characters that were distinctive but also had aspects that were relatable. it's good to see it getting some love.

[@BubbaThaumaturge]

I will always love Blake's 7. RIP Paul Darrow and Gareth Thomas.

[@JohnBurt-s3v]

And Jacqueline Pearce, of course, as well as Stephen Greif quite recently and the actor who played Gan nearly 25 years ago. Thanks to all of them for a great series which was such an enduring part of my childhood.

[@JohnBurt-s3v]

David Jackson. Glad I have now remembered his name.

[@octaviusfooks7194]

1:12:37 - When I saw Tarrant sliding and screaming, I was like "Wait, that looks too familiar..." And then I thought of Terminal "Ohhhhhhh"

[@anjkovo2138]

Ooh Very Good Presentation👍👍I ENJOYED THAT

[@ShamrockParticle]

37:42 surprised me the most as I never noticed the beach goer before, and "Aftermath" is in my top-10 episode list!!

[@martinsear5470]

Have to say matey you were spot on, excellent video. Had a tough day today you made me laugh thank you.👍

[@Orieni]

Servalan was a delightful and memorable villain. I admired her drive and skill, and her sex appeal. When she made an appearance I knew I would be entertained, even if the writing or special effects were having an off episode. Avon, provided he thought he needed me, was the one I wanted backing me up.

[@SJKPJR007]

Fantastic whistle-stop review of Terry Nation's greatest gift to the sci-fi genre. You've done a fantastic job of appraising each episode of this truly great series whilst imparting a great deal of pertinent information regarding their production. I salute you, Stam Fine!

[@Foxonian]

My local PBS station used to run Blakes after Dr. Who (the Tom Baker ones) on Sat. afternoons. The shows were so similar in terms of production, that at times you could mistake one for the other if you weren't playing attention.

[@jamesheartney9546]

Lot of the same actors, too.

[@stephenallen4374]

I'm 55 I used to love it when I was young Blake 7 The tomorrow people UFO just to name a few

[@TillyOrifice]

3 top choices

[@MrJacMac1968]

I remember the Tomorrow People on Nickelodeon from 1982 also You cant do that on Television.I was a little bit in love with Christine "moose "Mcglade

[@saiyansomething73]

I wonder how much of an influence Avon was to the character Garak on DS9. They may not share the same personality but their moral "flexibility" is markedly similar.

[@akshaytrayner1960]

Awesome retrospective

[@manonymous4737]

God I loved this show! I was so lucky, it was on just as I got home from school so I would watch after the long walk home. I just loved Avon, his delivery was fantastic, and what a complex character! Never sure if he would betray his comrades….and the sexual tension between him and Servalan! Just brilliant!

[@davidsmith5523]

The Liberator is a very good looking ship.

[@jamesheartney9546]

I heard that it was originally designed to go the other direction, but once they had a look at the model they decided to switch it around. Dunno if that's true, but it feels plausible.

[@AndrewGivens]

@@jamesheartney9546 As a five-year-old, I wondered about the orientation of the design elements myself. And that was in an age when Austin Allegros were on the roads in large numbers. Which was about two and a half years before they'd all finally broken down.

[@pooshkahnla6074]

I read somewhere that the Michelin man costumes came from a little known sf sitcom called Come Back Mrs Noah - it was supposedly a sight gag for viewers in the late 70s...and then they were borrowed for the Blake's 7 episode...

[@dametrot]

Awww awesome Break down of the show, loved it

[@deanrussell2224]

Fabulous- was wondering when this was due to drop - looking forward to watching this

[@docbrown6550]

I will have to check it out, I have never heard of this show.

[@lordofbats3601]

Nice one Stam Ive been looking forward to this

[@captainpoppleton]

i just love when servalan gets annoyed..... she pulls that expression and you know someone is in big trouble..

[@jamesheartney9546]

Recently got Britbox so I could rewatch Blakes 7 without having to secure a region-free DVD player. The bad episodes are truly pathetic, but Paul Darrow carries you through the worst bits, and Jacqueline Pearce is brilliant whenever she's on. It was a stroke of genius (or just the Beeb stumbling into a good idea) when they dumped the series namesake. Blake was such a stumblebum.

[@sasa-ke2024]

No way! He's a fascinating character. He goes from idealist, who isn't ruthless enough to sacrifice the prisoners on the London to a fanatic who will kill millions. And it's his relationship with Avon that's the best thing about it. Blake is secretive, manipulative and so charismatic his followers... even Avon... can't help but follow

[@simonfernandes6809]

He wasn't dumped - Gareth Thomas left to work for the Royal Shakespeare Company.

[@Nooneyouknow-vl1st]

This is dedication, my friend.

[@daveash9572]

I have been looking forward to part 2 of this.

[@drewhardin3992]

Favorite show you can't fully articulate. Best description of this show I have ever seen.

[@seano4977]

This is one of my fave series I wish they'd do a modern remake of (the other being Space:1999) but I can never picture anyone else playing Avon. Fantastic video with plenty of laughs but still showing the love for the series. Great stuff.

[@jimibaboza]

It is impressive just how many sci fi tropes blakes 7 invented.

[@caloss2]

Avon's old criminal buddy, 25:44 wasn't that Ronald Lacey ( the Nazi from Raiders of the Lost Ark with the leather coat, get's the talisman burned into his hand ) Heh looked it up on IMBD yes it is lol awesome

[@Stevenspielburger]

Marvelous! Really entertaining overview of a show that shaped my childhood as we cheered a group of criminals on as they fought an authoritarian, abusive government. Echoes of today, it's quite pertinent

[@DrTarrandProfessorFether]

I have My Blake’s 7 on old DVD from downloading in 2000. But, I found better 400 Meg images on an archive web site and re-down loaded them. I watched this show in mid 1980’s on San Jose, California KTEH sci-Fi Sunday. Special effects are about £500 per episode but much better than 1980’s Doctor Who episodes! I am rewatching them in 2024 and still enjoy this show. Avon is my favourite… dark, self serving and very predictable… Supreme Leader Serverlan is sexy in a Black Widow way… mate with her and you are her dinner in 10 minutes. She has like 45 cat lives…… my favorite is season 2…. And sad when Zen dies…

[@karlfimm]

That first episode was truly different from the rest. I watched it when it came out and assumed it was another dystopian story set on Earth and didn't watch any other episodes. It was years later that I realised what I'd missed and greatly enjoyed it.

[@johnbrandwood6568]

Brilliant! Now I'm hoping that you'll review Chris Boucher's excellent "Star Cops" show, if you can find a copy somewhere.

[@paulmorris5166]

Watched it when it first came out and then watched the series again last year. Great stories and writing. Paul Darrow was a brilliant actor.

[@lordcthulhu627]

First! Ah, I love Blake's 7. I've watched it countless times from beginning to end, its a great show :)

[@RighteousBrother]

That was epic! Great work! Im not a Blakes 7 expert by any means but Season 4 is by far my favourite. Love the 80s aesthetic

[@almcdonald8676]

This show rocks

[@akshaytrayner1960]

Loved the first part

[@zootopiawilson]

I loved "Orbit", but that is because I thought Avon was the best character on the show. He was so incredibly cold blooded.

[@sasa-ke2024]

That awful coaxing voice as he hunts Vila

[@johnhado3197]

Thanks

[@TheyCallMeNewb]

"For your consideration". ! Brilliantly savage.

[@JesmondBeeBee]

The massacre in the final episode of B7 is like the British 70s/80s sci fi version of The Red Wedding. Though even more so, as at least readers of the books knew the red wedding was coming. This was the biggest rug pull I've ever experienced watching TV. (Yeah, I'm an old, I was there. 😮) A great part 2 video. Might go back and watch part 1 again.

[@neiltaylor6645]

One of my favourite shows as a kid

[@s3any1977]

I loved Blakes 7 when I was a kid. Firefly was definately influenced.

[@damienkakoschke3099]

"Avon ... he gives no f*cks." Probably the best summing up of that character.

[@anthonydoohan5924]

Thank you. Really enjoyed this.

[@martinharris5017]

Love the sharp wit of the commentary! To be fair, despite the kindergarten craft-corner budget, i thought the Liberator flight bridge set was top notch. Nice mix of opulence and function.

[@l.a.gothro3999]

I'm a bit of a newcomer to Michael Gough, but yeah, Michael Gough!

[@Egilhelmson]

I saw him on 1973’s “The Legend Of Hell House” as the preserved corpse of the owner. On late night monster movie theater, I think, but still…

[@petefischer3820]

Thank you!

[@chronovore3726]

I still love this show. It was sort of an anti-Trek with its evil Federation and morally grey heroes. I've seen it discussed as an influence or forerunner to stuff like Firefly, and it's a good midpoint between that and Doctor Who of the same era. It deserves more recognition and I'm glad to see you talking about it. Fun video, BTW.

[@redpillnibbler4423]

It was extremely popular and well respected in it’s day,and rightly so.

[@michaelwebster8666]

Thanks @Stam Fine for another excellent review/appreciation of one of the best TV show's of all time.F "Have you betrayed us? Have youbetrayed me?" Who needs Shakespeare! ? 😉🚀👍

[@DLiberator78]

As you can see from my YT Avatar and handle, I am a huge B7 fan, great stories, dodgy effects and wobbly sets. What's not to love? Thanks for going through each episode. I do wish someone would re-work the special effects via some kind of CGI. Alas, I guess that is the charm of the show.

[@citizenVader]

I guess the leftovers from that bondage store gave Kenny Everett the legs to begin his own show 😂

[@garyreid7865]

loved it

[@ShamrockParticle]

Woohoo! Was drooling over this and definitely fits as one of the best episode overviews, thank you much! I would say "the best thing about Blake's 7 is watching Avon's hair grow out" except there is so much more to the show! Fantastic overview! Sentiments definitely in full! Especially for Tanith Lee, whose scripts really lit up for me as an adult as well. Her take on the characters was impeccable, and the themes she brought in definitely went over my head as a kid. But it's better when going back to an old show and liking it more, as opposed to "Why the blank did I like this as a kid?!" Nice to hear there is another series 4 fan! 🥳 👍 "Stardrive" had potential but felt aimless. "Animals" was just garbage, made worse because Cally left. "Assassin" went to unintentionally camp extremes but I've found the first half it or so rewatchable. Nice Barbara Feldon joke as well, hehehe! Some will ask "that one almost worked but Stam missed it by that much!" 😂 "Sand" is just an amazing mix of fantasy and sci-fi. I loved Tanith's works, but it's grown on me with every rewatch. "Orbit" never ceases to amaze, which is amazing given the big plot twist. "Warlord", which I adore, feels like all but an official soft-reboot to get the show back to its roots. "Blake" sadly feels rushed at times. It's also a morbid version of "Three's Company". Fantastic ending, though.

[@kroon275]

I admire and appreciate your love (and time for) Blakes 👍👌🫡

[@ThatSockmonkey]

I wish they still made shows like this. Blakes 7 and many other british tv shows were a huge part of my childhood in country Australia (Chocky gave me nightmares!). Part two of this series on Blakes 7 has been long anticipated, thanks man. Edit I just realised this is 7 months old. What the hell, KZbin?

[@darrensmith6999]

Excellent Thank you (:

[@voxxclamantis9668]

Thanks for reviewing the series, not because I needed to know anything new, as I've been obsessed by the program since first watching it back in the early 80's. But because I'm positive eventually someone somewhere will bring the series back , not as a remake but as a continuation. Not that there haven't been audio and fanmakes, but a proper Star Trek like Next Generation Blake 7 remake. It has to happen! It must happen, it simple needs to happen!

[@RogueWJL]

That was superb. Can we have a SPACE 1999 episode guide?

[@erikcarlson6374]

What a hilarious video, I'm glad I found this channel!

[@sadomensgaudaprime8142]

Cheers fella! Bloody loved that you embraced the good AND the bad, about the show. ( They must have been doing something right, in that we are still talking about it, 40 years later! ) 👍👍👍

[@IbnBahtuta]

The good old days when you could make a sci-fi show with tinsel paper and cardboard. Should we thank or blame Blue Peter? This series gave us hours of fun and laughter. As the characters "developed" it got even funnier. We were gutted when it ended. Over the years I have only caught the odd short clip on tv to watch so watching this will be pure indulgence. Thanks for the upload.

[@Interislander957]

I have been wondering why Hodor's act is familiar. It's because Gan did it first.

[@ammosophobia]

Love this show!

[@alphan13091999]

A really great show. Avon eventually going insane and clearly self destructive for Series D is a brilliant end. Always thought this.

[@andrewjessop8816]

You are a genius

[@rpgober3048]

Been waiting!

[@garethdavies2145]

Great video. I always thought series B was the best when I was younger, but now I tend to go more for A or D.

[@darahdoyle3176]

The finale of B7 is truly one of the best episodes of sci-fi TV ever, and one that has never been repeated, everyone gets killed. It's epic and befits the early tone of the show. I have the whole lot on DVD but have never rewatched past season 1. The Liberator i still have the Corgi toy of, but I always preferred the junky weaponless POS Scorpio. A gorgeous design.

[@asciimation]

Been waiting for this one, thank you. Also one of my favourite shows watched over and over. I do find myself yelling at the screen over all the stupid things they do over and over but it's a bit like one of those chocolate box selections. You love the good ones, there are some horrible ones in there too, but you eat them anyway. It was also a show with some kind of arching story lines as well as being episodic.

[@Eltonlaleham]

I do say when Tarrant was introduced into series 3 of B7, the character was intended to be cast as an older man from 35-40 plus but Steven pacey who got cast in the role of Tarrant was only aged 22 to 23 but he did an awesome job playing a character originally written for an older man and also B7 without Blake was not the same but nonetheless arch-enemy and principal villain Servalan who was now president of the Terran Federation had become more to the fore.

[@redpillnibbler4423]

Yes he was great as Tarrant.

[@jimenycricket8431]

Loved the review and the love for Blakes 7. At this point in history, it is almost impossible to describe Blakes 7 to any young people. These 'people' they have nowadays. Ugh. Yes it was low budget. Yes it was bad, in many places/ways. Yes, you saw a boom mic there, in that shot. Should have reshot, didn't have no time. And it was horribly uneven. But: Blakes 7 was like a few other of those 'weird' scifi dramas that emerged from the UK in the 70s. Think, the Tomorrow People, Dr Who's Tom Baker era (in which Timelords like the Doctor are "the galaxy's ticket inspectors", which he rejects hence Dr 'Who'). But that are full of weirdness, something interesting, something very British, something very real about the universe (or world) we live in, and which, ironically from perhaps the 60s onwards, the world was moving out from. In Blakes 7, they created for me this true British-Australian feeling: His Majesty's United Kingdom and its colonies which sends its misfits, criminals, rebels (especially when Scottish or Irish), to the outer rims, to the outer parts of the galaxy, to that New South Wales or Van Diemen's Land where they can be safely made to disappear, made insignificant, irrelevant, to the ruling classes. 'Do your worst, Rebel scum, at the farthest fringes of the known world, fight your freaky dingoes, whack down your kangaroos and koalas, repress the natives, slay each other and or our Marines, as no one cares, for out there... ... I go for my snifter at three...' But the Blakes 7 crew knew this -- Rog Blake knew it -- and did his darndest, with his ragtag, motley crew, to bring back the fight to the so-called 'Federation'. Hit them in the guts. Hit them between their legs. Where it hurts. Hit them in the heart, where they keep their fucking wallets. As an Australian, waking up in the outer fringes of our galaxy (so-called 'civilised' Europe), this really resonated with me.

[@barbarahuber9392]

michilan man space suits killed me laughed till i cried oh how i loved blakes seven

[@Scimarad]

I'd really recommend the Maxiumum Power podcast for Blake's 7 fans. It's very entertaining:)