THE WAY BACK #1 (Series A) Written by Terry Nation Directed by Michael Briant Airdate: 02 Jan 1978 Cast: Gareth Thomas (Blake), Sally Knyvette (Jenna), Michael Keating(Vila), Robert Beatty (Foster), Gillian Bailey (Ravella), Alan Butler (Richie), Jeremy Wilkin (Dev Tarrant), Robert James (Ven Glynd), Peter Williams (Dr. Havant), Susan Field (Alta Morag), Margaret John (Arbiter), Rodney Figaro (Clerk of Court), Nigel Lambert (Computer Operator), Garry McDermott (Guard), Michael Halsey (Varon), Pippa Steel (Maja). Alternative Title: It was a dark stormy night in the domes.... Summary: Welcome to a world where the food and water are contaminated with suppressants. The people live in Domes and just going outside is considered a capitol offense. With this in mind Roj Blake allows himself to be taken outside in return for information on his family. Blake is informed that his family is dead and that his memory has been erased and rebuilt by the current Administration. Needing time to think about what he has learned Blake leaves the main area. In his absence guards arrive and kill everyone gathered. Upon his return to the Domes Blake is arrested. Realizing that Blake could be a martyr to the rebellion because of his past involvement in the Freedom Party the Administration try to discredit him with a guilty charge of child molestation. Before he can say his peace in court Blake is drugged unconscious. Upon waking he finds himself in a holding cell for transportation to the penal colony Cygnus Alpha. Things to Look for: It's become a question in fandom of the use of the name Tarrant for one of the characters. Does Terry Nation just like that name or is he somehow related to the future character, Del Tarrant? Blake's intended crew are a motley lot aren't they? Could that be Avon lying on the bed in the cell. (Actually no, Paul Darrow shows up in the next episode) but take a good gander at the bloke anyway.... Best Quote: Vila: I hate personal violence especially when I'm the person. (Reviewed by Nicole Petty) THE WAY BACK #2 (Series A) Written by Terry Nation Directed by Pennant Roberts Airdate: 09 Jan 1978 Cast: Gareth Thomas (Blake), Sally Knyvette (Jenna), Paul Darrow (Avon), Michael Keating (Vila), David Jackson (Gan), Glyn Owen (Leylan), Leslie Schofield (Raiker), Norman Tipton (Artix), David Hayward (Teague), Brett Forrest (Krell), Tom Kelly (Nova), Michael McKenzie (Dainer), Bill Weston (Garton). Alternative Title: This is how you take over a ship.......NOT!! Summary: On the London bound for Cygnus Alpha the prisoners are told that during their eight month flight they have no rights. Blake talks to some of his fellow prisoners asking them questions about the ship's functions: Jenna about the ship's specifications and can she fly it, Avon about the computers can he control them? Blake decides to take control of the ship. Avon manages to take over the ship's computers allowing the others to escape out of the hold. Jenna and Blake find Avon in the computer room. With the others recaptured and the London crew threatening to kill prisoners Blake surrenders. Finding an abandoned ship in space the London crew send over a boarding party. After they are killed by an unknown force they decide to send over Blake, Jenna, and Avon. Things to look for: What is that piece of paper Avon is reading? Watch how Blake skillfully takes charge of the situation. Notice how the characters are already interacting with one another. Best Quotes: Vila: I hear these ships never make it to Cygnus Alpha they just open an airlock and push you out. Avon: you are a fool ******* Vila: Me Nervous? I'm just poised for action that's all. (Reviewed by Nicole Petty) CYGNUS ALPHA #3 (Series A) Written by Terry Nation Directed by Vere Lorrimer Airdate: 1/16/78 Cast: Gareth Thomas (Blake), Sally Knyvette (Jenna), Paul Darrow (Avon), Jan Chappell (Cally), Michael Keating (Vila), David Jackson (Gan), Peter Tuddenham (Zen), Brian Blessed (Vargas), Glyn Owen (Leylan), Norman Tipton (Artix), Pamela Salem (Kara), Robert Russell (Laran), Peter Childs (Arco), David Ryall (Selman). Plot Summary: On Cygnus Alpha, a power hungry, megalomaniac leader named Vargas prepares to welcome the prisoners from the London as new converts to his religious cult. In the meantime, Blake, Jenna and Avon are investigating their new ship and inadvertently activate the ship's computer, Zen. With Zen online and responding to voice commands, they make way for Cygnus Alpha in search of crewmembers. Blake teleports to the surface to discover Vargas has recruited Gan and the other prisoners by telling them that the atmosphere is toxic and that they will need a special drug every day for the rest of their lives to survive. Blake manages to get himself, Gan and Vila to the ship only to be greeted by Vargas holding Blake's gun. Vargas, after delivering a typical "I will rule the galaxy!" speech, is teleported into space. Blake and crew begin their adventures against the Federation. Great Scenes: The scenes between Jenna and Avon are especially fun to watch. Mutual feelings of dislike and distrust are very evident in every acid remark and every meaningful glance. Jenna in mental communion with Zen. (G-rated interpretation) Great Lines: Zen: "Wisdom must be gained. It cannot be given." Avon: "Don't philosophize with me, you electronic moron. Answer the question!" Jenna: "I don't think he [Zen] likes you somehow." Avon: "I think I may have to reprogram this machine." Jenna: "Still won't make you likable." Jenna: "You wouldn't be trying to get rid of me, would you?" Avon: "I have to get rid of Blake first. You're next on my list." Jenna: "That would have been very disarming, if I didn't know you meant it." Jenna: "Could you kill someone? Face to face, I mean." Avon: "I don't know. Could you?" Jenna: "There's one sure way of finding out." General Comments: How come Blake never got the "Curse of Cygnus"? He must have a great immune system as he wasn't infected with the plague in "Killer" either. Vargas has great eyesight. He could see Liberator clearly from his window. Why does Blake go back for that gun, anyway? Blake executes a great dive over the spears of two unenthusiastic guards. But why dive into a dead end room and not outside. Come to think of it why were those guys even guarding that room? The whole teleport scene with Vila, Blake, Gan and Vargas defies the concept of time. Blake teleports after Vargas yet appears before Vargas does, not to mention the fact that Vargas appears on the opposite side of the room. (Reviewed by H. M. Melton) TIME SQUAD #4 (Series A) Written by Terry Nation Directed by Pennant Roberts Airdate: 1/23/78 Cast: Gareth Thomas (Blake), Sally Knyvette (Jenna), Paul Darrow (Avon), Jan Chappell (Cally), Michael Keating (Vila), David Jackson (Gan), Peter Tuddenham (Zen), Tony Smart (Alien), Mark McBride (Alien), Frank Henson (Alien). Plot Summary: While en route to Saurian Major where Blake plans to destroy a Federation communications station, the crew find a derelict space capsule. The space capsule appears unmanned but turns out to contain alien life forms in suspended animation. While Blake, Avon and Vila transport to the surface to make contact with the resistance fighters, Jenna and Gan are attacked by the thawed out aliens. Blake, Avon, Vila and Cally..the last remaining rebel..set the charges to destroy the station and are teleported to safety by Gan who informs them about the aliens. Blake kills the last alien then asks Cally to join the crew. Worst Looking Stunt Double: Jan Chappell's double for sliding down the rock hill. Too short and the hair was straight. Great Lines: Gan: "I think we make a great team." Avon: "Well, hooray for us." Blake: "Very soon now the Federation ships will know exactly where we are or at least where we've been." Vila: "I don't follow you." Avon: "Oh, but you do and that's the problem." Avon: "Are you sure you can trust me?" Blake: "For as long as we are useful to each other." Vila: "I plan to live forever..or die trying." General Comments: The alien space vessel looks suspiciously like the spaceship used by Ensor's son in "Deliverance". Why does Jenna grab her arm when she was obviously hit in the back with the tool thrown by the alien? Cally isn't as quick as Vila thinks. After Blake flips her, she just lays on the ground even though she clearly had time to react. How did those pesky aliens get out of their freezer compartments? No noticeable release buttons could be seen on the inside of the cabinet. Okay, I guess the release could have been included in the thaw program. (Reviewed by H. M. Melton) THE WEB #5 (Series A) Written by Terry Nation Directed by Michael E. Briant Airdate: 1/30/78 Cast: Gareth Thomas (Blake), Sally Knyvette (Jenna), Paul Darrow (Avon), Jan Chappell (Cally), Michael Keating (Vila), David Jackson (Gan), Peter Tuddenham (Zen), Richard Beale (Saymon), Ania Marson (Geela), Miles Fothergill (Novara), Deep Roy, Gilda Cohen, Ismet Hassam, Marcus Powell, Mollt Tweedly, Willie Sheara (Decimas). Plot Summary: Cally begins her stint on the Liberator by being taken over by Saymon, a telepathic alien and consequently sabotaging the ship and attacking Vila. As a result of her possession, Liberator is trapped in a strange cotton-like substance which brings the ship to a planet inside the web. Blake teleports down and arranges an exchange of power cells for a way out of the web. When Avon arrives with the cells, Decimas attack the lab and kill Novara, Geela and eventually Saymon. Blake and Avon make a somewhat less than hasty retreat from the lab as the web dissolves. Alternate Title: "Attack of the Screaming Cabbage Heads" Broken Record Award: Saymon, the pickled Auron for his repetitious and somewhat annoying dialogue. Best Pickup Line: "I'm interested in your work." (Cally) Great Lines: [After Avon pushes Blake away from the bomb in the hold] Blake: "Thank you...why?" Avon: "Automatic reaction. I'm as surprised as you are." Blake: "I'm not surprised." [Avon tells Gan they could make a lot of money selling Liberator's technology] Gan: "I don't think Blake would agree to that." Avon: "There will come a time when he won't be making the decision." General Comments: This is Cally's first alien possession in what was to become a rather frequent occurrence. Why did Gan carry Cally off the flight deck. She looked like she was in control and capable of walking. How did Avon know how the bomb worked before even looking at it? Those blasters are rather useless if after only two bursts the energy banks are drained. Why did the lab door stay open near the end of the episode when all the other times it closed automatically. If the Decimas are ten-function creatures, shouldn't they have been called Decamas? Since deci- means one tenth and deca- means ten. (Just a thought.) (Reviewed by H. M. Melton) SEEK-LOCATE-DESTROY #6 (Series A) Written by Terry Nation Directed by Vere Lorrimer Airdate: 2/6/78 CAST: Gareth Thomas (Blake), Sally Knyvette (Jenna), Paul Darrow (Avon), Jan Chappell (Cally), Michael Keating (Vila), David Jackson (Gan), Peter Tuddenham (Zen), Stephen Grief (Travis), Jacqueline Pearce (Servalan), Peter Craze (Prell), Peter Miles (Rontane), John Bryans (Bercol), Ian Cullen (Escon), Ian Oliver (Rai), Astley Jones (Eldon). PLOT SUMMARY: The Liberator crew mount an attack on the Federation base on Centero in order to obtain a decoder for the Federation's top priority military communications channel. They retrieve the unit, set the explosives then return to the ship only to discover that Cally is missing. Blake returns to Centero to save Cally, realizing that Space Commander Travis, an old enemy, will stop at nothing to see the Liberator crew dead. Blake uses one of Travis's old tricks to sneak into the base, rescue Cally then escape. Worst Fight Scene: Cally and the Federation guard. "Alright, now you stand here and I'll hit you like this. Ready?" Best Distractive Speech: Vila and his "I'm an escaped prisoner.." story. Best Crossover From Cartoon to Television: The Jetson's maid as the communications center surveillance robot. Best New Workout Device: The Federation communicator. There's an awful lot of arm movement...neck, ear...neck, ear. Best Torture Room Pin-up Portfolio: Blake. Travis was thoroughly engrossed in Blake's tortured poses...he even wanted more. GREAT LINES: BERCOL: "Blake is becoming a legend. His name is a rallying call for malcontents of all persuasions. He must be stopped." JENNA: "Avon's right." AVON: "I usually am." TRAVIS: "You'd better kill me, Blake. Until one of us is dead there'll never be a time when I won't be right behind you." BLAKE: "If not you then somebody else. Killing you will change nothing. You don't matter enough to kill, Travis." GENERAL COMMENTS: This is the first episode with Travis and Servalan. When Vila tells Blake that he has to get a closer look at the gate's locking mechanism why does he try to open the building door first? Why didn't Vila just shoot the guard before he had a chance to hit the alarm? Gan had (4) charges...(2) were set in the cipher room and (2) were set in the corridor. Why did so many explosions seem to go off in the outer complex itself? (Reviewed by H. M. Melton) MISSION TO DESTINY #7 (Series A) Written by Terry Nation Directed by Pennant Roberts Airdate: 2/13/78 CAST: Gareth Thomas (Blake), Sally Knyvette (Jenna), Paul Darrow (Avon), Jan Chappell (Cally), Michael Keating (Vila), David Jackson (Gan), Peter Tuddenham (Zen), Barry Jackson (Kendall), Stephen Tate (Mandrian), Beth Morris (Sara), Nigel Humphreys (Sonheim), Kate Coleridge (Levett), Carl Forgione (Grovane), John Leeson (Pasco), Brian Caprion (Rafford), Stuart Fell (Dortmunn). PLOT SUMMARY: The Liberator stops to aid a damaged ship whose entire crew is found drugged when Blake, Avon and Cally arrive. The ship's guidance and communications systems have been sabotaged and their pilot and flight engineer murdered. Dr. Kendall informs Blake that the ship was on its way to Destiny to deliver a neutrotope which is needed to combat a fungal disease infesting the planet's crops. Avon and Cally remain on board the ship to complete repairs and to solve the mystery while Blake takes the neutrotope to Destiny. Best Embrace in the Middle of a Fight Scene: Avon and Sara. I'm surprised Avon didn't kiss Sara before he belted her. That seems to be his usual method of operation. Best Hysterical Screams: Sara. For her multiple, crystal-cracking shrieks as she sees Rafford dead...for the second time. GREAT LINES: AVON: "It is frequently easier to be honest when you have nothing to lose." CALLY: "...A man who trusts can never be betrayed, only mistaken." VILA: "Mock if you like but I can always sense danger." GAN: "Yes. Even when there isn't any." CALLY: "I thought you mistrusted instinct?" AVON: "I do. So I'm probably wrong." GENERAL COMMENTS: When the crew voted it was 5 to 2 not 4 to 3 as Kendall said. Kendall, Levett, Pasco, Sara and Grovane had their hands up. How did Sara retrieve the neutrotope for Blake when Kendall said he was the only person on the ship with the molecular key and combination? How did Sara get Dortmunn on top of the cabinet in the storage room? Blake seemed pretty proud of himself for rigging the entry hatch to explode. Bloodthirsty, huh?! Notice that Cally doesn't scream upon seeing Rafford's dead body or when Sonheim sneaks up on her in the storage room...she is definitely not your typically portrayed female shrieking at everything and anything. (Reviewed by H. M. Melton)