Blake's 7 - Series 2 [DVD]

Series 1 was a low budget triumph for BBC Sci-fi. Created and written by Terry Nation, famed for creating The Daleks on Dr Who.Series 2 only has 3 episodes by Nation and as a result the quality of writing is patchy. Terry Nations episodes are the best, but there aren't enough of them. While some of the others are almost as good as Nation's, a couple are, to be blunt, awful. With poor writing, directing and acting. "Gambit" is a camp and ridiculous low point.Overall, though, it is still a nostalgic and enjoyable series for those who remember it.

Like many other reviewers I saw Blakes 7 when first broadcast, it was a vivid serial to a teenager of the time, and I long wondered if it would repay watching again on DVD. I remembered the computer Zen, the Liberator ship, characters of Blake and Avon, evil Servelan and the memorable theme music.I bought series 1 and 2 on DVD recently, and have thoroughly enjoyed them, and realise now what I could not have known as a child, that its strength was in the storylines and characters - unlike the puerile Kirk and friends of Star Trek which had already been repeated ad infinitum on tv, this was intelligent sci fi, and its universe was a negative one controlled by an giant evil superpower (had there been one of those about in the 70s?), and our heroes were a bunch of convicted criminals who by some miracle found themselves on the most powerful ship in the known universe, and wondered what they should be doing first.In series one, the lack of budget shows in cheap sets, costumes and use of quarries and power stations and ordinary woodland for alien settings, and the few quick fight scenes are very clumsy, BUT this is all completely acceptable when you realise the characters are in the unknown, everything they do is a chance. And what characters they are, Avon perhaps being the most memorable, at least until Servelan makes her evil debut as the arch-enemy. The ship sets are great, Zen the ships computer is a character in itself, and despite a feeling of 1984 about some of the federation costumes, it is completely enjoyable.Having watched the first two series, series 2 being much improved financially when the BBC realised it had a hit on its hands, I have now purchased series 3 and intend fully enjoying that too!!

Series 2 makes a strong case to be the best of the four. Arguably it brings to an end the story-arc which commenced in "The Way Back" in a way unexpected - but typical of a sci-fi series that challenged the normal way of doing things.Of course there are some oddities. 70's sci fi requires a suspension of disbelief with most effects (aliens in Star One anyone?) but the moon discs in `Shadow' abuse the privilege. And `Voice from the Past' is a seriously misguided attempt to focus on political intriguing within the Federation (delivery flawed but not intention). And no-one seems to have told Robert Holmes he was writing for Blake in `Killer' - not Dr Who.But think what we get for the last time.A decent story arc that allows for a running theme but not one shoved down our throats (are you taking notes Mr Moffatt?) The Federation portrayed as complex with moral ambiguity as opposed to "bad". Doubt as to the righteousness of the cause and certainly the execution. And the end of Avon as a genuinely interesting anti-hero.The Liberator "origin" story kicks of the series and is an episode of two parts - the exceptional first bit where there is a crescendo towards the takeover, and the second silly bit where there is a lot of running around a power station.Shadow and Warlord are interesting. The idea that a force for order ultimately controls crime is very 1984. Horizon is under-rated and again we see an ambiguity in the motives of the Federation that gets lost in series 3 and 4. Pressure Point and Trial set the scene for the series conclusion and the "corridor" conversations of Bercol and Rontane add a layer of depth to the politics of the Federation which will be replaced after this series by Servalan cutting her hair shorter and growing her nails longer.The series ends with Star One - unquestionably the finest that Blakes Seven produced - from the motivation of Avon to Cally's plaintive "are we fanatics?" along with Servalan at Space Command - seizing power through fear re Star One? Because she fears being ousted? Because she is a power fanatic? Then there is the supreme irony of the crew of the Liberator effectively sacrificing themselves to defend the Federation coupled with Space Command racing to the Liberator's aid. The cliff-hanger ending - whilst annoying at the time is with hindsight very fitting. Blakes Seven will be back and it will have some good episodes - not least Sarcophagus, Terminal and Blake. But it won't be consistently the same again in its subtlety, purpose and depth.

I bought separate box sets of all 4 series of Blake's 7 as each one comes complete with English subtitles. It was a really great series which I watched live through all 4 series when they were originally broadcast. A very enjoyable series at a very affordable price.

For the record - I bought all four series, and am only up to season 2 so far.My decision to go all in and buy all four series was a top one. I have not regretted it.Blakes 7 is gripping, nerve wracking, stories that string you along and draw you right, has it's moments of brevity - absolute classic.Now that I'm into the second series, the personalities within the series are really starting to come to light. It's not just "Blake's 7 versus the Federation", there's a whole box of sub plots going on between the different characters. They're united, but only just. Again, you don't always get this kind of intra team tenseness in the modern "happy happy" Sci Fi series.Blakes 7 should be mandatory viewing for all aspiring screen writers - it's that good!