Blake's 7
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Blake's 7
 | |
|---|---|
| Episodes: | 52 |
| Year: | 1978 |
| Country: | United Kingdom |
| Seasons: | 4 |
| Seasons Breakdown: | (1) 13, (2) 13, (3) 13, (4) 13. |
| Category: | Space |
| Colour: | Yes |
| Format: | Series |
| Company: | A BBC PRODUCTION |
| Creator: | TERRY NATION |
| Run Time (mins): | 50 |
| Language: | English |
| Type of Show: | Live Action |
| Status: | Ended |
| Broadcaster: | |
Summary
Set in a distant future, Blake’s 7 depicts a galaxy dominated by the authoritarian Terran Federation, an expansive regime that maintains control through military force, psychological conditioning, and the widespread distribution of pacifying drugs. Although sporadic resistance movements arise, they are swiftly and brutally suppressed.
The series centres on Roj Blake, a former resistance leader who has been coerced into renouncing his political activities through a combination of drugs and mind‑control techniques. When the conditioning begins to deteriorate, Blake is arrested on fabricated charges and sentenced to transportation to a remote penal colony. During the voyage, the prison transport encounters a derelict alien vessel of unknown origin.
The ship, far more technologically advanced than anything possessed by the Federation, kills several guards who attempt to board it. Blake volunteers to lead a party of prisoners to investigate and, owing to residual effects of the Federation’s conditioning, survives a psychic assault by the ship’s computer. He succeeds in securing the vessel, later named the Liberator, and recruits several fellow prisoners to resume his campaign against the Federation.
The original group of seven comprises:
Kerr Avon — a brilliant but cynical computer expert imprisoned for large‑scale fraud. Avon’s loyalty is pragmatic; he follows Blake only when it aligns with his own interests.
Vila Restal — a skilled thief and habitual coward who claims he can open any lock “given sufficient fear.”
Jenna Stannis — a smuggler and accomplished pilot.
Olag Gan — a physically powerful but gentle man who killed a Federation trooper responsible for the death of his partner; he has an implanted limiter preventing him from killing again.
Cally — a telepathic alien encountered during one of the Liberator crew’s early missions.
Zen — the Liberator’s sophisticated onboard computer.
The Liberator itself is equipped with advanced weaponry, superior speed, and a teleport system—technology the Federation has not yet mastered.
Initially, Blake’s operations are regarded by the Federation as minor irritations. However, as reports of the Liberator’s activities reach Supreme Commander Servalan, she resolves to eliminate Blake before his exploits inspire wider rebellion. She assigns the task to Space Commander Travis, a ruthless officer with a personal vendetta against Blake, who was responsible for the loss of one of his eyes.
A defining feature of Blake’s 7 is its departure from conventional heroic narratives. The characters frequently operate in moral grey areas, and internal conflict is common; with the exception of Blake and Cally, most members of the crew are motivated by self‑interest rather than ideological commitment. The series also subverts expectations through significant narrative developments: during the second season, Gan is killed while the crew searches for the Federation’s central computer system, and at the beginning of the third season the programme continues without its titular character, who is missing following an interstellar conflict. Blake does not reappear until the final episode.
Cast
Blake GARETH THOMAS (1,2), Avon PAUL DARROW, Vila MICHEAL KEATING, Cally JAN CHAPPEL (1-3), Jenna SALLY KNYVETTE (1,2), Gan DAVID JACKSON (1,2), Zen/Orac/Slave PETER TUDDENHAM, Dayna JOSETTE SIMON (3-4), Tarrant STEVEN PACEY (3,4), Soolin GLYNIS BARBER (4), Servalan JACQUELINE PEARCE, Travis STEPHEN GRIEF (1) & BRAIN CROUCHER (2).