HOSTAGE #21 (Series B) Written by Allan Prior Directed by Vere Lorrimer Airdate: 2/27/79 Cast: Gareth Thomas (Blake), Sally Knyvette (Jenna), Paul Darrow (Avon), Jan Chappell (Cally), Michael Keating (Vila), Peter Tuddenham (Zen, ORAC), Jacqueline Pearce (Servalan), Brian Croucher (Travis), John Abineri (Ushton), Judy Buxton (Inga), Kevin Stoney (Joban), Andrew Robertson (Space Commander), Judith Porter (Mutoid) and James Coyle (Molok). Plot Summary: The Federation mounts its biggest attack on the Liberator which Blake and crew narrowly escape. Blake then receives a message from Travis on Exbar. Travis informs Blake that he is holding Blake's cousin hostage and wants to talk to him about joining forces. Most Practical Outfit For a Cold Climate: Inga's scanty leather outfit complete with headband. Most Enthusiastic Retreat: The yellow crimo...waving his hands in the air as he tries to outrun the rocks rolling towards him. Most Realistic Cliff Fall: Yellow...oh, I mean red..no, the yellow crimo...oh, I don't know...the stuffed dummy. Best Pathetic Captive Look: Inga during Travis's visual message to Blake. Great closeup of the despondent female captive. Great Scenes: [Blake, Avon and Vila locked in room after Travis has turned off the air.] Vila: "How long have we got?" Avon: "Minutes." Vila: "How many?" Avon: "I'll let you know." [After the Liberator escapes from the Federation pursuit ships] Vila: "Cally, I could murder for a relaxant. Any chance?" Cally: "It's for medicinal purposes only...you know that." Vila: "Just once." Cally: "Well, are you dying?" Vila: "I'm thinking about it." [After Blake decides to teleport down to Exbar alone] Avon: "What happens if they arrive while you're down there?" Blake: "Then you'll have to leave me down there." Avon: "That could happen." Blake: "I know. What's the matter with Avon?" Avon: "I'm just reminding you that's all. You are still assuming that we will risk our lives for you." General Comments: This episode reinforces the fact that Avon is unable or unwilling to risk Blake's life as a result of his own machinations. When Avon realizes that Blake is in danger because of his own actions, Avon immediately teleports down to save him. The mutoid on Servalan's ship states that their function is to obey without question yet when Servalan orders her to ignore the message from the Earth Council, the mutoid questions Servalan's order. And, what about that kiss between Blake and Inga...it looked a little more friendly than that of two cousins saying goodbye. (Reviewed by H. M. Melton) COUNTDOWN #22 (Series B) Written by Terry Nation Directed by Vere Lorrimer Airdate: 3/6/79 CAST: Paul Darrow (Avon), Jan Chappell (Cally), Michael Keating (Vila), Steven Pacey (Tarrant), Josette Simon (Dayna), Peter Tuddenham (Zen, ORAC), Geoffrey Snell (Tronos), Tom Chadbon (Del Grant), Robert Arnold (Selson), Nigel Gregory (Arrian), Paul Shelley (Provine), Sidney Kean, (Vetnor), Lindy Alexander (Ralli), James Kerry (Cauder). Alternative Title: Casablanca in Space Summary: Blake finds information that a Major Provine knows the location of Central Control. They fly to Albian to din him. On their arrival the crew discovers that the Albians have revolted against the Federation. In retaliation the Federation has activated a sodium radiation device that will destroy everyone on the planet within the hour. Blake agrees to stay and help the rebels in order to find Provine. Avon meets an old adversary, Del Grant. Grant informs Avon that he still means to kill him. Avon tells Blake that he can deactivate the device but first they must find it. If found the only person qualified to help Avon is Del Grant. Things to Look For: Finally we get a glimpse into Avon's past. Fans like to discuss Blake's interest in Avon and Grant's relationship from before. Great chemistry between Grant and Avon. Best Quote: Avon: It would be stupid to be shot by our own allies. Vila: Not only stupid but painful. (Reviewed by Nicole Petty.) VOICE FROM THE PAST #23 (Series B) Written by Roger Parkes Directed by George Spenton-Foster Airdate: 3/13/79 Cast: Gareth Thomas (Blake), Sally Knyvette (Jenna), Paul Darrow (Avon), Jan Chappell (Cally), Michael Keating (Vila), Jacqueline Pearce (Servalan), Brian Croucher (Travis), Peter Tuddenham (Zen, ORAC), Richard Bebb (Glynd), Martin Read (Nagu), Frieda Knorr (Governor Le Grand). Alternative Title: Can you hear that ringing in my ears? Summary: After hearing an oscillating tone, Blake changes the course of the ship to an unknown asteroid. With Orac's help, Avon and Cally discover that Blake is reliving his indoctrination from the Federation. They decide to deprogram him. Before they can, Blake convinces Vila that Avon and Cally are plotting against him. Vila helps Blake lock the others up and teleports Blake to the asteroid. Once there Blake brings some well known rebels and a Federation Governor aboard Liberator. They plan to overthrow the Federation peacefully at the annual Governor's meeting. Jenna, Vila, and Blake teleport to the Governor's meeting. On board Liberator one of the rebels reveals his true identity to Avon and Cally: it's Travis.... Things to look for: It's a glimpse into what Blake suffered at the hands of the Federation. For Avon and Cally fans this episode is easy to watch if you fast forward to when they are on screen. A warning: this is a very slow moving episode. Best Quote: Avon: He's certainly not normal not even for Blake. (Reviewed by Nicole Petty). GAMBIT #24 (Series B) Written by Robert Holmes Directed by George Spenton-Foster Airdate: 3/20/79 CAST: Gareth Thomas (Blake), Sally Knyvette (Jenna), Paul Darrow (Avon), Jan Chappell (Cally), Michael Keating (Vila), Jacqueline Pearce (Servalan), Brian Croucher (Travis), Peter Tuddenham (Zen, ORAC), Aubrey Woods (Krantor), Sylvia Coleridge (Croupier), John Leeson (Toise), Paul Grist (Cevedic), Denis Carey (Docholli), Harry Jones (Jarriere), Nicolette Roeg (Chenie), Michael Halsey (Zee), Deep Roy (The Klute). Alternative Title: When Blake's away Avon and Vila will play. Summary: With information that a cybersurgeon named Docholli holds the key to the location of Star One the crew head to Freedom City, a planet that makes Space City pale in comparison. Jenna, Cally, and Blake teleport down to find Docholli. A trip to the seedy part of Freedom City puts Blake, Cally, and Jenna on the trail of a person named Kline. Unbeknownst to them Travis and Servalan are on the same trail. On the Liberator Avon explains to Vila that Freedom City has a casino named the Big Wheel with no stake limits. With Orac's help Avon believes that they can clean out the Big Wheel. Vila's big winnings attracts the attention of Krantor who runs Freedom City. To get his money back Krantor tricks Vila into playing speed chess, a game where if he wins he doubles his money but if he loses he dies..... Things to look for: Many B7 fans count this as their favorite episode. DW fans enjoy John Leeson as Toise. The costumes are wonderful. A great Avon and Vila episode. What exactly is Avon eating in one scene? Hint: it becomes a major plot device in the Bizarro 7 world. Don't miss Cally and Jenna's big distraction. Best Quote: Blake: Vila I don't like that innocent look. What have you two been up to whilst we were away. Vila: Me? Had a little sleep. Avon: Played a little chess. Vila: That's right Blake we had a real quiet time. (Reviewed by Nicole Petty.) THE KEEPER #25 (Series B) Written by Allan Prior Directed by Derek Martinus Airdate: 4/3/79 Cast: Gareth Thomas (Blake), Sally Knyvette (Jenna), Paul Darrow (Avon), Jan Chappell (Cally), Michael Keating (Vila), Jacqueline Pearce (Servalan), Brian Croucher (Travis), Peter Tuddenham (Zen, ORAC), Bruce Purchase (Gola), Arthur Hewlett (Old Man), Shaun Curry (Rod), Cengiz Saner (Fool), Freda Jackson (Tara), Ron Tarr (Patrol Leader). Alternative Title: All pursuit ships look the same to me. Summary: The crew finds out that a brain print will tell them the location of Star One. Looking for Lurgan's brain print Vila, Jenna, and Blake teleport down to Goth where it is said that a person of royal lineage wears the print around their neck. On the ship Avon and Cally believe they have found Travis' ship. They plot an intercept course. While the ship is away destroying Travis, the others are attacked planetside. Vila and Jenna are captured. Very much alive on the surface, Travis tries to get Servalan to share power with him once they find Star One. Servalan declines. The leader of the Goths decides to marry Jenna and to keep Vila as his personal fool. On the ship Avon spots Servalan's ship leaving the surface. He tells Cally to plot an intercept course... Things to look for: Vila does some wonderful magic tricks. Avon looks like hell in this episode. Avon has a wonderful hurtful look when Blake accuses him of relaying their position. Best Quote: Cally: Mind you, you could hardly miss at that range. Avon: What did you want me to do give him a sporting chance? (Reviewed by Nicole Petty) STAR ONE #26 (Series B) Written by Chris Boucher Directed by David Maloney Airdate: 4/3/79 Cast: Gareth Thomas (Blake), Sally Knyvette (Jenna), Paul Darrow (Avon), Jan Chappell (Cally), Michael Keating (Vila), Jacqueline Pearce (Servalan), Brian Croucher (Travis), Jenny Twigge (Lurena), Michael Mayard (Leeth), David Webb (Stot), Derek Broome (Searcher), David Cann (Searcher), Gareth Armstrong (Parton), John Brown (Durkim), Michael Spice (Pilot), Paul Toothill (Marcol), Hugh Dickson (Controller). Alternative Title: Is that an alien invasion or a small appliance sale? Summary: Flight controls are going awry throughout the Federation. Climate controls on a dozen frontier planets are out of control. The only explanation is that Star One is failing. With no knowledge of where Star One is located Servalan, gathers a team to find its location. Knowing that if Star One is in jeopardy so is the Federation's defense, Servalan decides the military is the only arm of the Federation able to control the situation. Servalan uses this emergency to take over the Federation and appoint herself President. Blake believes he knows where Star One is located. Agreeing to stay with him for this last attack, the crew search for Star One. Avon, Cally, and Blake teleport down to a planet they believe to be the control complex. The planet is not unmanned as their information had led them to believe. Cally and Blake enter the base, Avon staying outside to guard. Before he can catch up with them, Cally informs Avon telepathically that they have walked into a trap. On board the Liberator the sensors have picked alien ships waiting outside the barrier of the galaxy. Jenna decides that they can't handle it themselves. Hoping Blake will understand her betrayal Jenna contacts Servalan giving her Liberator's exact location. Things to look for: The alien invasion was made using small appliances. Much fan discussion over Cally's comment that "many many people will die without Star One" and Blake's reaction. Best Quote: Avon: Blake is an idealist, Jenna. He cannot afford to think. (Reviewed by Nicole Petty).