Comments | izhilzha: Blakes 7 catchup post #1

izhilzha

Blakes 7 catchup post #1

Jul 10, 2009 20:50

I have 8 more episodes to watch, and I realized that I haven't posted reactions of any kind to the past 5. *facepalm* Sorry, guys! I'm going to try and catch up, here, though I haven't time to rewatch them all, so there will be only what I remember.

(If I forget to mention anything truly awesome, remind me and we will squee. *g*)

( Seek-Locate-Destroy )

blake's 7, tv, review

Comments 14

astrogirl2 July 11 2009, 08:25:24 UTC

(by which I mean: more of Avon being unimpressed and suspicious and difficult). Though I imagine there is more of that to come.

Yeah. It's pretty much what Avon does. :)

I love the casting of such a tiny actress with such great presence, though. Effective.

Yeah, she definitely has... something. Something kind of scary. :)

It completely failed, however, to prepare me for the fact that Travis is HOT. Eye-patch and all. *swoons*

Oh, dear. *laughs* I do agree that he's no fool though. One of the things that I think makes this episode, and Travis himself, work is that the bad guy is allowed to be smart. Which makes Blake look even smarter when he gets the drop on him.

Another great ep (if faintly cracktastic on the sci-fi side of things).

I like it much better than the Star Trek version. :)

I did figure out that whatever was going on with the alien ladies, it was probably going to involve a test of some kind, and would end up having to do with violence in some way.That much is pretty cliche, but I love the fact that on B7 ( ... )

sallymn July 12 2009, 03:04:51 UTC

Yeah. It's pretty much what Avon does. :) And where he didn't onscreen, 25 years of fanfic has made up for it :)

I love the fact that on B7 even the godlike aliens are angsty, violent, and quarrelsome. :) Me too - my dislike for the mystical, all-wise serene sort means I rather adore those few we get like, err, Giroc :)

izhilzha July 12 2009, 17:42:30 UTC

And where he didn't onscreen, 25 years of fanfic has made up for it :)

And believe you me, I am looking forward to the fic. :)

izhilzha July 12 2009, 08:15:37 UTC

Truly, I have no idea what makes Travis so attractive. It's beyond my experience; I guess now I know why some people loved Ba'al so much? *g* And yes, it was nice to see a really smart villain, and to see Blake get to be even smarter by contrast.

Haven't seen the Trek version of this, actually (unless "Darmok" counts, but I think that's a very different take, possibly an entirely different trope, so).

Thread 5

kerravonsen July 11 2009, 08:35:11 UTC

It completely failed, however, to prepare me for the fact that Travis is HOT.
(grin)

Kind of makes me want to write fic about mutoids.
Duel is the best one for interesting mutoids; it teases us with hints, but, alas, we don't find out anything more.

One of the things I like about Duel is that it has its own B7-ish slant on this very much recycled SF cliche. Most versions have the hero being all self-righteous, and the aliens being pompous; here, the only person who is self-righteous is the bad-guy; the others have that touch of enlightened self-interest and cynicism.

Mission to Destiny does have its moments of stupid, but I still liked the mystery, and the snark. It has one of my favourite Avon and Cally interchanges:

CALLY: Remember that Avon and I will be staying. We will regard ourselves as hostages against Blake's return.
AVON: Well thank you Cally, what a clever idea.
CALLY: [telepathically] Blake will return.
AVON: You can bet your life on it, in fact you've just bet both our lives on it.

izhilzha July 13 2009, 05:43:47 UTC

Duel is the best one for interesting mutoids; it teases us with hints, but, alas, we don't find out anything more.

Well, that's disappointing to hear. :(

Most versions have the hero being all self-righteous, and the aliens being pompous; here, the only person who is self-righteous is the bad-guy

Yes yes YES. This. Blake may be an idealist, but he's quite a self-aware one; and it's Travis who won't/can't look into himself enough to make any sort of right value judgment, and therefore comes across as entirely self-righteous. That's exactly it.

Aw, you're right; one of the things that I did like about Mission to Destiny was the Avon-Cally stuff. Actually, all the screentime for Cally, flat-out. She doesn't always get enough, imho. And it is rather fun to watch Avon be somewhat appalled by her...er...selflessness?

mistraltoes July 14 2009, 04:21:47 UTC

here, the only person who is self-righteous is the bad-guy

Never thought I'd see you admit that Blake is the bad guy. ;-)

sallymn July 12 2009, 03:12:57 UTC

Mutoids are a fanfic gift, some of the best stories have been takes on that... they're a brilliantly horrific idea that works perfectly in the inhuman Federaion's political mindset.

I really ought to make a few Travis icons one of these days...

Duel is one of my favourite S1 episodes, for all its faults, and some of the dialogue (Blake & Avon during the battle, the line about 'nuts') shows just how good it's gonna get.

Mission is somewhat silly, but I love Levett (B7 does a really great line in guest characters) and the way Avon is having so much fun playing Sherlock...

izhilzha July 13 2009, 05:46:45 UTC

Mutoids are a fanfic gift, some of the best stories have been takes on that... they're a brilliantly horrific idea that works perfectly in the inhuman Federaion's political mindset.

Indeed. The same sort of fascinating/disgusting twist that all the stuff we learned in the first episode about the Federation--the mindwiping, computer-dispensed "justice," implanting false memories of abuse in children. It really is all of a piece with a government that could create and use mutoids. (Hmm, we could add the whole "limiter" idea in as well, but it's less obviously a fascist tool.)

Avon would make a lovely private eye. *g* I hope someone out there has written a film noir AU....

kerravonsen July 13 2009, 06:10:34 UTC

Avon would make a lovely private eye. *g* I hope someone out there has written a film noir AU....
Not film noir, but you must check out Barbara Paul's "Marian Larch" mysteries. A few books into the series (You Have The Right To Remain Silent) she introduces a supporting character who is very like Avon.

sallymn July 14 2009, 21:58:32 UTC

There was a private eye AU I read once but on a mailing list and I don't think it ever got archived - Vila was the PI.

Not a bad idea, though...

mistraltoes July 14 2009, 04:29:47 UTC

I confess to having a soft spot for Mission to Destiny, with all its flaws. Avon is absolutely delicious throughout (if a bit stupid and sexist), and Blake is a right bastard there at the end. :)

izhilzha July 14 2009, 05:20:55 UTC

I think it's probably the "stupid and sexist" bit that stood out on first viewing. (I usually let that stuff slide, but did a major *headdesk* that no-one thinks it could possibly be the girl. Seriously, you all?)

I can see fans liking it. At the moment, sandwiched between "Seek-Locate-Destroy" and "Duel"? My attention is somewhat diverted. *G*