REDEMPTION #14 (Series B) Written by Terry Nation Directed by Vere Lorrimer Airdate: 4/3/79 Cast: Gareth Thomas (Blake), Sally Knyvette (Jenna), Paul Darrow (Avon), Jan Chappell (Cally), Michael Keating (Vila), David Jackson (Gan), Sheila Ruskin (Alta One), Harriet Philpin (Alta Two), Roy Evans (Norm One). Quick Summary: This episode begins the second season, taking off where Orac ended. Can Orac's prediction be avoided? As Blake tries to solve the mystery the rest of the crew go to repairing the ship. Unbeknownst to Blake, Avon has already solved it. After his explanation the crew is attacked from some unknown source. Whoever it was knew exactly where to hit them, making Liberator out of control and blind as a bat. Not willing to give the ship up without a fight, the crew works to get control of the computers and the engines. During the procedures Blake finds himself in trouble and calls for Avon's help. Will Avon be able to get Blake out of his predicament? In doing so will Avon place himself in danger? The ship continues on its course, out of the crew's hands, and one by one Vila, Gan, and Cally disappear. Has the ship been boarded? Can the rest of the crew get the ship under control and free themselves before Orac's prediction comes true? Things to look for: New costumes including the infamous black leather and studs for Avon and the big bloody sleeves for Blake. Blake and Avon are at their best in their toe to toe relationship. For Avon and Cally fans check out their scenes in repairing the ship. Best Quote: Vila: When he gets Zen working can you have him prescribe something for a headache? I've got this shocking pain behind the eyes. Avon: Have you considered amputation? (Reviewed by Nicole Petty). SHADOW #15 (Series B) Written by Chris Boucher Directed by Jonathan Wright Miller Airdate: 1/16/79 Cast: Gareth Thomas (Blake), Sally Knyvette (Jenna), Paul Darrow (Avon), Jan Chappell (Cally), Michael Keating (Vila), David Jackson (Gan), Jacqueline Pearce (Servalan), Brian Croucher (Travis), Karl Howman (Bek), Archie Tew (The Enforcer), Adrienne Burgess (Hanna), Vernon Dobtcheff (The Chairman), Derek Smith (Largo). Possible Alternative Title: Just say NO to Shadow (And the Terra Nostra) Quick Summary: We are introduced to a brother and sister, Bek and Hanna, as they deal with the likes of Largo of the Terra Nostra, who run Space City. Largo is Hanna's supplier of Shadow, a very addictive drug. Bek tries to outsmart Largo then realizes that they can't stay on Space City anymore. Bek tries to get them off but is unsuccessful. Meanwhile back on the Liberator, Gan is arguing with Blake over using the Terra Nostra to help infiltrate earth. Is it moral, he asks. Blake's only concern is freeing earth. He ignores Gan's objections. While they deal with the Terra Nostra, Vila and Cally watch the ship. Vila gets Orac to transport him to Space City; unbeknownst to Vila his actions may have grave results for Cally. Cally is so terrified she may not come back to herself. Only Orac holds the answer and it's not talking. Blake, Avon, Jenna and Gan run into trouble in Space City. Will Cally have the strength to fight in her? Will the moral objections lead Blake away from dealing with the Terra Nostra or could there be an even more important reason not to deal with them? Did they put themselves in danger when offering help to Bek and Hanna? Things to look for: Avon's and Blake's white outfits are to die for. The entire crew dynamics is at its best in this one; in every scene there is someone bickering or snapping at someone else. This is the beginning of a run of shows where the question is beginning to be raised: is the means employed to fight the Federation justified by the ends? Look closely at this one you can get a little of what the characters believe in regarding values and society. The first time you watch this you'll think you're tripping on Shadow. Watch it many times!!! Best Quote: (A hard choice as with all Chris Boucher scripts its full of some zingers!) Avon: (referring to moon disks) Prized by collectors Blake: People collect odd things Jenna: Look what you ended up with. (Reviewed by Nicole Petty). WEAPON #16 (Series B) Written by Chris Boucher Directed by George Spenton-Foster Airdate: 1/23/79 Cast: Gareth Thomas (Blake), Sally Knyvette (Jenna), Paul Darrow (Avon), Jan Chappell (Cally), Michael Keating (Vila), David Jackson (Gan), Jacqueline Pearce (Servalan), Brian Croucher (Travis), Peter Tuddenham (Zen, ORAC), Kathleen Byron (Fen), Scott Fredericks (Carnell), John Bennett (Coser), Graham Simpson (The Officer), Candace Glendenning (Rashel). Alternative Title: Ol' Blue Eyes is in town.... Summary: Blake walks out of a room to a waiting Travis, who, taken off guard, shoots Blake. Servalan is appalled, so we think, at the action, but only in front of the Clonemasters who have an awe-inspiring power to be able to create life. The Clonemaster Fen is not amused concerning Travis' actions but agrees to create another Blake. Meanwhile on the Liberator Blake has decided to attack the Federation Weapons Development Base as suggested by Cally. For if they are to attack Central Control on earth they will need weapons. The crew needs convincing that this mission is worthwhile, considering the Weapons Development Base is on Security Alert. Either someone broke in or broke out, they assess. On planetside a man named Coser and a labor grade slave, Rashel, crash land their ship. They look for shelter. Coser is carrying something called Imipak. The news of this incident prompts Servalan to head back to Space Command where she tells a brilliant psychostrategist, Carnell, that it is all going wrong... Things to look for: This episode introduces Brian Croucher as the new Travis. For the females, beware of Carnell's eyes....they can be hypnotizing Best Quote: Avon: On earth, Cally, it is considered ill mannered to try and kill your friends while committing suicide (Reviewed by Nicole Petty). HORIZON #17 (Series B) Written by Allan Prior Directed by Jonathan Wright-Miller Airdate: 1/30/79 CAST: Gareth Thomas (Blake), Sally Knyvette (Jenna), Paul Darrow (Avon), Jan Chappell (Cally), Michael Keating (Vila), Peter Tuddenham (Zen, ORAC), Darien Angadi (Ro), Souad Faress (Selma), William Squire (The Kommissar), Brian Miller (Assistant Kommissar), Paul Haley (Chief Guard). Alternative Title: Working in the coal mines going down down...working in the coal mines... Summary: After running from pursuit ships the crew is exhausted and left on the edge of the spiral ring. Deciding that they are in real need of rest and relaxation the crew spot a Federation freighter going further into the 9th sector. Curiosity gets the best of Blake and he decides to follow. With none of their usual comments the crew follow his lead. Blake decides to visit the planet that the freighter lands on, Horizon. Taking Jenna with him, Blake explains that the resistance needs a base. With Jenna and Blake out of contact and without their bracelets, Cally convinces Gan and Vila to go look for them. The same results for Gan and Vila. Avon tries to convince Cally that the others are dead and that they should leave. "Knowing" that the others are alive Cally teleports down and loses contact. Alone on the ship Avon contemplates his future and alone and in control of the Liberator. Are the crew dead? Will Avon take advantage of his new found freedom and run? Or will his sentimental side show again and let him search for his crewmates? Things to look for: For you Dr. Who fans watch for the Asst. Kommissar played by Elisabeth Sladen's husband, Brian Miller. Blake's belief in the cause is given a good showcase in this one. So is his knowledge of the way the Federation works. Best Quote: Avon: About time. More last minute heroics? Blake: I thought that was your strong suit. (Reviews by Nicole Petty.) PRESSURE POINT #18 (Series B) Written by Terry Nation Directed by George Spenton-Foster Airdate: 2/6/79 Cast: Gareth Thomas (Blake), Sally Knyvette (Jenna), Paul Darrow (Avon), Jan Chappell (Cally), Michael Keating (Vila), David Jackson (Gan), Jacqueline Pearce (Servalan), Brian Croucher (Travis), Peter Tuddenham (Zen, ORAC), Jane Sherwin (Kasabi), Alan Halley (Arle), Yolande Palfrey (Veron), Martin Connor (Berg), Sue Bishop (Mutoid). Summary: Blake takes the Liberator and her crew back to Earth, planning to attack Control, the top-secret Federation computer complex hidden in the Forbidden Zone. He's counting on help from the resistance on Earth, led by Kasabi. They soon find out that Kasabi has been captured by Servalan, and the resistance is broken. Nevertheless, Blake decides to continue the attack. They make it into Control, only to find that it's a trap. There are no computers there, and there haven't been for decades. The Forbidden Zone is an elaborate ruse, a decoy to protect the _real_ Control. Due to Jenna's quick thinking, our heroes escape, but on the way out Gan is caught in an explosion and dies. Notes: David Jackson didn't want to leave the show. TPTB decided that Blake and company had been too successful, that someone had to die, to show that they didn't always win. Gan was deemed the most expendable, dramatically speaking. Kasabi is a great character -- a tough old bird who seems more likely to lead a successful rebellion than Blake. She used to be an instructor at the FSA, and I can just imagine her giving Servalan heck! (Wonder if she ever had Tarrant as a student, and if so, did she try to get him to join the resistance?) I see this as being the first episode of B7 that was truly B7-ish. It's the beginning of a downward spiral that culminates in the 4th series. With Gan's passing, we suddenly we realize that the heroes can (and probably will) lose. Those of you who like happy endings, now's the time to go back to STAR TREK where it's safe. :-) (Reviewed by LeighMo@aol.com). TRIAL #19 (Series B) Written by Chris Boucher Directed by Derek Martinus Airdate: 2/13/79 Cast: Gareth Thomas (Blake), Sally Knyvette (Jenna), Paul Darrow (Avon), Jan Chappell (Cally), Michael Keating (Vila), Jacqueline Pearce (Servalan), Brian Croucher (Travis), John Savident (Samor), Kevin Lloyd (Par), John Bryans (Bercol), Graham Sinclair (Lye), Peter Miles (Rontane), Colin Dunn (Guard Commander), Victoria Fairbrother (Thania), Claire Lewis (Zil). Alternative Title: Tolerable planets aren't always what they are cracked up to be.... Summary: Travis is put on trial for the murder of civilians on the planet Serkasta. Servalan tries to make sure that the verdict will be guilty after conferring with the defense attorney. Meanwhile on the Liberator Blake asks Zen if all parameters have been met on the planet they are approaching. Allowing Cally to retrieve a gun for him, Blake has Orac teleport him down and then clears the controls. Avon guesses that Blake may be running out on them. The crew stumble upon a message left by Blake, explaining that he and they need to think of the costs of the attack on Central Control. Blake tells them he has set a homing beacon for the Liberator to pick him up in a couple of hours. If either side misses the rendezvous they can blame it on the detectors. On the planet, Blake's bracelet and homing beacon are stolen..... Things to Look For: Recognize the Arbitrator? Hint: he makes a second B7 appearance in the 4th season. It's a nice insight into Travis' character. What kind of board game are Jenna and Avon playing? Quote: Vila: Avon tampered with the teleport with his usual skill. Probably ruined it. (Reviewed by Nicole Petty). KILLER #20 (Series B) Written by Robert Holmes Directed by Vere Lorrimer Airdate: 2/20/79 CAST: Gareth Thomas (Blake), Sally Knyvette (Jenna), Paul Darrow (Avon), Jan Chappell (Cally), Michael Keating (Vila), Peter Tuddenham (Zen, ORAC), Paul Daneman (Bellfriar), Ronald Lacey (Tynus), Colin Farrell (Gambril), Colin Higgins (Tak), Michael Gaunt (Bax), Morris Barry (Wiler) PLOT SUMMARY: While Avon and Vila teleport down to Fosforon to obtain a new Federation decoding crystal, Blake and the others locate an ancient sublight vessel. The Federation base's science department launches a ship to salvage the derelict vessel and finds a body inside. Avon and Vila soon discover Servalan has been alerted to their presence by the base commander, one of Avon's former associates. Meanwhile Blake and the Federation's leading virologist race to stop the rapid spread of a lethal plague. COSTUMES: Overall, the costumes in this episode look very uncomfortable and not very practical. The base uniforms: Starched garbage bags. Tynus looked like a roach when he turned his back to the camera. The firefighting uniforms: I am still trying to figure these out. The quarantine suits: Parade of Michelin Tire mascot rejects. GREAT SCENES: [After meeting Tynus, the base commander] Avon: "I told you he's a friend of mine." Vila: "Yes, I always knew you had a friend. I used to say to people I bet Avon's got a friend somewhere in the galaxy." Avon: "And you were right. That must be a novel experience for you." [After Avon informs Tynus that he will tell the authorities about Tynus's involvement in a fraud if Tynus doesn't agree to help them.] Vila: "Nice. When Avon holds out the hand of friendship, watch his other hand...that's the one with the hammer." [In Tynus's office. Avon is working on sabotaging the converter] Avon: "There are a quarter million volts running through that converter. I make one false move, I'll be so crisped up what's left of me won't fit into a sandwich." Vila: "I'm a vegetarian. Thanks for the offer though." [Waiting for the derelict spaceship to be recovered] BELLFRIAR: "...Just think of it, in less than 20 minutes you could be shaking hands with an exomorph. GAMBRILL: "Not if it's hostile sir, I've got my pension to think about. GENERAL COMMENTS: If the whole base was under quarantine for fear of spreading the plague to other planets...why did Dr Bellfriar allow Blake to teleport to the Liberator. Couldn't Blake have been infected already? Everybody else around him had been infected. Was Blake a medical doctor in another life? He seemed to know more about plagues than the medical staff. And why did the doctor in sickbay tell Dr. Bellfriar that it was a medical problem and they didn't need his help? Wasn't Bellfriar the Federation's top virologist and part of the medical department? (Reviewed by H. M. Melton)