The three main characters from Season's 1 - 2. Jenna as played by Sally Knyvette, Blake as played by Gareth Thomas and Avon as played by Paul Darrow. Avon adopted the leadership mantle when Blake departed at the end of Season 2.
52 x 50 minute episodes were broadcast on BBC1 from January 1978 - December 1981.
This is a complete episode guide:
Season 1:
Main Cast:
Gareth Thomas (Blake) Episodes (1 - 13)
Sally Knyvette (Jenna) Episodes (1 - 13)
Paul Darrow (Avon) Episodes (2 - 13)
Michael Keating (Vila) Episodes (1 - 13)
David Jackson (Gan) Episodes (2 - 13)
Jan Chappell (Cally) Episodes (4 - 13)
Peter Tuddenham (Zen) Episodes (3 - 13)
Jacqueline Pearce (Servalan) Episodes (6, 9, 12, 13)
Stephen Grief (Travis) Episodes (6, 8, 9, 12, 13)
Producer: David Maloney
Script Editor: Chris Boucher
The Way Back (first broadcast: 2nd January 1978)
Guest Cast: Robert Beatty, Robert James, Michael Halsey, Pippa Steel, Alan Butler, Jeremy Wilkin, Gillian Bailey, Margaret John, Peter Williams, Susan Field.
Director: Michael E. Briant, Writer: Terry Nation, Music: Dudley Simpson
Trivia: This was the first ever episode of Blakes 7. Jeremy Wilkin did the voice to Virgil Tracy in the second series of Thunderbirds (1966) and later went on to appear in 'Revenge of the Cybermen' for Doctor Who in 1975. Terry Nation wrote the first episode aswell as the other 12 episodes for the first season. The theme tune was written by composer Dudley Simpson, who also wrote the incidental music for the rest of the season apart from the episode 'Duel'. The special sound for this episode and this season was provided by Richard Yeoman Clark. Location filming was carried out at Scrubland Bray, near Maidenhead, Berkshire, for the river and night scenes near the main dome, and Monkton Farleigh Mine and Eastlay's Quarry near Corsham, Wiltshire, were also used for filming.
Opinion: A marvellous introductory episode. The trial scenes are well done and the images of Blake's mind being taken to pieces are frightening. Robert Beatty is excellent, and Jeremy Wilkin convinces as the evil betrayer Dev Tarrant. The massacre is also frightening and brilliantly shot. A fine episode.
Space Fall (first broadcast: 9th January 1978)
Guest Cast: Glyn Owen, Leslie Schofield, Norman Tipton, David Hayward, Tom Kelly, Michael McKenzie, Brett Forrest, Bill Weston, Clinton Morris.
Director: Pennant Roberts, Writer: Terry Nation, Music: Dudley Simpson.
Trivia: Leslie Schofiled was in the Doctor Who story 'The War Games'. This episode introduced the characters Avon and Gan, and the supership the Liberator. Effects sequences were recorded at TV Film Studios in Ealing, London.
Opinion: Another excellent episode. The air lock tube sequences look fantastic as does the Liberator. The scenes following Avon breaking into the computer room are excellently done, and Leslie Schofiled convinces as the hard and manipulative, Commander Raiker.
Cygnus Alpha (first broadcast: 16th January 1978)
Guest Cast: Brian Blessed, Pamela Salem, Glyn Owen, Norman Tipton, Peter Childs, Robert Russell, David Ryall.
Director: Vere Lorrimer, Writer: Terry Nation, Music: Dudley Simpson.
Trivia: Brian Blessed played Maya's father in Space: 1999, and later went on to play King Yrcanos in 'Trial of a Timelord, Mindwarp' a Doctor Who story from 1986. Cygnus Alpha was represented by Springwell Lock Quarry, Springwell Lane, Rickmansworth, Herts (see Blakes 7 Locations).
Opinion: Again this story is flawless, it mainly centres around Blake recapturing his friends Vila and Gan from the penal colony planet Cygnus Alpha. Brian Blessed is superb as is the location footage.
Time Squad (first broadcast: 23rd January 1978)
Guest Cast: Tony Smart, Mark McBride, Frank Henson.
Director: Pennant Roberts, Writer: Terry Nation, Music: Dudley Simpson.
Trivia: This was the first story to feature Cally. Strangely, the location scenes for this story were filmed before any other of the episodes in this season. Location footage was carried out at Betchworth Chalkpit, Pebblehill Road, Betchworth, near Reigate, Surrey which represented the planet Saurian Major. Again there is an excellent website documenting this location at: www.geocites.com/ruthhelenkenyon/ Other location scenes were recorded at Oldbury On Severn Nuclear Power Station, Oldbury On Severn, South Gloucs.
Opinion: An excellent introduction for Cally. The red wash put over the screen for the location scenes makes them look from unearthly and the scnes featuring the cryogenically frozen beings are excellently done.
The Web (first broadcast: 30th January 1978)
Guest Cast: Miles Fothergill, Ania Marson, Richard Beale, Deep Roy, Willie Sheara, Gilda Cohen, Ismet Hassam, Marcus Powell, Molly Tweedley.
Director: Michael E. Briant, Writer: Terry Nation, Music: Dudley Simpson.
Trivia: Deep Roy would reappear in the Blakes 7 episodes 'Gambit' and 'Moloch'. Location filming for this episode was conducted at Black Park, Black Park Road, Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire (see Blakes 7 Locations).
Opinion: Another strong episode, with new arrival Cally already causing trouble, generating unease amongst the Liberator crew. The location scenes are excellent, as are the effects. The giant webbing which the Liberator is caught in look's impressive and the Decimas are an excellent looking alien race.
Seek - Locate - Destroy (first broadcast: 6th February 1978)
Guest Cast: Peter Miles, Peter Craze, Ian Cullen, John Bryans, Ian Oliver, Astley Jones.
Director; Vere Lorrimer, Writer: Terry Nation, Music: Dudley Simpson.
Trivia: Peter Craze would later appear in 'Sand' (1981). This was the first story to feature Servalan and Travis. The Federation base on Centero was represented by Fulham Gas Works, Waterford Road, Fulham, London.
Opinion: Again excellent. The federation security robot is a good little invention. Both Stephen Greif and Jacqueline Pearce excel in their roles and the ending is excellent.
Mission to Destiny (first broadcast: 13th February 1978)
Guest Cast: Barry Jackson, Beth Morris, Stephen Tate, Nigel Humphreys, Carl Forgione, Kate Coleridge, John Leeson, Brian Capron, Stuart Fell.
Director: Pennant Roberts, Writer: Terry Nation, Music: Dudley Simpson.
Trivia: John Leeson did the voice to K9 in Doctor Who. Brian Capron would later play the evil Richard Hillman in Coronation Street. Action sequences for this story were filmed at TV Film Studios, Ealing, London.
Opinion: A wonderful murder mystery story. Although the set's may be a little colourful, the identity of the murderer is left unobvious until the last 10 minutes of the episode until Avon reveals her identity. The tension in the story is very well orchestrated. Dudley Simpson's murderous piano themes are marvellous.
Duel (first broadcast: 20th February 1978)
Guest Cast: Isla Blair, Patsy Smart, Carol Royle.
Director: Douglas Camfield, Writer: Terry Nation, Music: Richard Yeoman Clark.
Trivia: Isla Blair appeared in the Space: 1999 story 'The War Games'. Location scenes were recorded at Shave Green, Hazel Hill and New Forest, Hants.
Opinion: Another great adventure. The mysterious planet that Blake and Travis are drawn to looks remarkably effective considering the budget. The fight scenes in the forest are well done.
Project Avalon: (first broadcast: 27th February 1978)
Guest Cast: Julia Vidler, David Bailie, John Rolfe, Glynis Barber, John Baker, Dvaid Sterne, Mark Holmes.
Director: Michael E. Briant, Writer: Terry Nation, Music: Dudley Simpson.
Trivia: Glynis Barber would later play Soolin in Season 4. Location filming was carried out at Milton Quarry, Milton Lane, Wells, Somerset and Wookey Hole Caves, near Wells, Somerset.
Opinion: An brilliant episode, with good location scenes filmed at Wookey Hole. David Bailie is excellent.
Breakdown (first broadcast: 6th March 1978)
Guest Cast: Julian Glover, Ian Thompson, Christian Roberts.
Director: Vere Lorrimer, Writer: Terry Nation, Music: Dudley Simpson.
Trivia: Julian Glover later appeared in For Your Eyes Only (1981). The action scenes for this story were recorded at TV Film Studios, Ealing, London.
Opinion: David Jackson is excellent as the confused and murderous Gan, and Julian Glover is marvellous. The story is well structured, with the problem of the unwell Gan, and ship malfunctions to deal with, the Liberator crew find it very hard to keep these problems under control.
Bounty (first broadcast: 13th March 1978)
Guest Cast: T. P McKenna, Carinthia West, Marc Zuber, Mark York, Branche.
Director: Pennant Roberts, Writer: Terry Nation, Music: Dudley Simpson.
Trivia: T.P McKenna would later appear in the Doctor Who story 'The Greatest Show in the Galaxy' (1988). Zarkoff's 20th century residence was represented by Waterloo Tower, Quex Park, Birchington, Kent and Black Park, utilising Peace Road within the Black Park woodlands, Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire. (see Blakes 7 Locations).
Opinion: A fine story, with T.P McKenna performing brilliantly. The Waterloo Tower location scenes are excellent and the building itself looks incredibly unusual.
Deliverance (first broadcast: 20th March 1978)
Guest Cast: Tony Caunter, Susan Farmer, James Lister.
Directors: Michael E. Briant (David Maloney) uncredited, Writer: Terry Nation, Music: Dudley Simpson.
Trivia: Tony Caunter had appeared in the Doctor Who story 'Colony in Space' (1971) amongst others. The planet Cephlon was represented by Betchworth Chalkpit, Pebblehill Road, Betchworth, near Reigate, Surrey. There is a full analysis of this location at: www.geocites.com/ruthhelenkenyon/
Opinion: A great episode. Tony Caunter is totally convincing as a man desperately trying to save his Father's life, and the location scenes actually look like another planet. There is some wonderful dialogue here spoken by Vila and Avon.
Orac (first broadcast: 27th March 1978)
Guest Cast: Derek Farr, Paul Kidd, James Muir. The voice of Orac was provided by Derek Farr.
Director: Vere Lorrimer, Writer: Terry Nation, Music: Dudley Simpson.
Trivia: Derek Farr appeared in several episodes of BBC sitcom 'Some Mothers Do Ave Em' as Dr. Mendez. The planet Aristo was represented by Springwell Lock Quarry, Springwell Lane, Rickmansworth, Herts (see Blakes 7 Locations)
Opinion: A fine ending to the season, with Derek Farr giving an excellent performance as the irritable Ensor. The phibians are excellent looking creatures, and Jacqueline Pearce shows a softer side of Servalan as she squirms when he is attacked by one. The cliffhanger is excellent.
Season 2:
Main Cast:
Gareth Thomas - Blake (Eps 1 - 13)
Sally Knyvette - Jenna (Eps 1 - 13)
Michael Keating - Vila (Eps 1 - 13)
David Jackson - Gan (Eps 1 - 5)
Jan Chappell - Cally (Eps 1 - 13)
Jacqueline Pearce - Servalan (Eps 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13)
Brian Croucher - Space Commander Travis (Eps 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13)
Producer: David Maloney
Script Editor: Chris Boucher
Redemption (first broadcast: 9th January 1979)
Guest Cast: Sheila Ruskin, Harriet Philpin, Roy Evans.
Director: Vere Lorrimer, Writer: Terry Nation, Music: Dudley Simpson.
Trivia: Sheila Ruskin would go on to play Kassia in the Doctor Who story 'The Keeper of Traken' (1981) and Roy Evans previously appeared in the Doctor Who story 'The Green Death' (1973). Location filming representing Spaceworld, was filmed at Oldbury On Severn Nuclear Power Station, Oldbury On Severn, South Gloucestershire.
Opinion: An excellent introductory story. Everyone is at the height of their power's and the location filming representing spaceworld is fantastic.
Shadow (first broadcast: 16th January 1979)
Guest Cast: Derek Smith, Adrienne Burgess, Karl Howman, Vernon Dobtcheff, Archie Tew.
Director: Jonathan Wright Miller, Writer: Chris Boucher, Music: Dudley Simpson.
Trivia: Vernon Dobtcheff appeared in the James Bond film The Spy Who Loved Me (1977). Location filming for this episode was carried out at Binnegar Heath Sandpit, Puddletown Road, Wareham, Dorset.
Opinion: Another excellent story, the first to really highlight Cally's telepathy powers. Once again the location work is excellent and Derek Smith's performance as Largo is very memorable.
Weapon (first broadcast: 23rd January 1979)
Guest Cast: John Bennett, Kathleen Byron, Scott Fredericks, Candace Glendenning, Graham Simpson.
Director: George Spenton - Foster, Writer: Chris Boucher, Music: Dudley Simpson.
Trivia: John Bennett previously appeared in 'Invasion of the Dinosaurs' and 'The Talons of Weng Chiang'. Scott Fredericks appeared in the Doctor Who classic 'The Image of Fendahl' two years previously, which was also written by Chris Boucher. Location filming was carried out at Rutherford Laboratories, Chilton, near Didcot, Oxfordshire.
Opinion: Brian Croucher is superb as Travis in this his first episode and the introduction gives him a good start to the role. John Bennett gives an exceptional performance as always and Dudley Simpson's music impresses, particularly the soprano singer's theme for the clone masters.
Horizon (first broadcast: 30th January 1979)
Guest Cast: William Squire, Brian Miller, Dariell Angadi, Souad Faress, Paul Haley.
Director: Jonathan Wright Miller, Writer: Allan Prior, Music: Dudley Simpson
Trivia: Brian Miller would later go on to star in the 1983 Doctor Who story 'Snakedance'. The planet Horizon was represented by Clearwell Scowles, near Clearwell, Gloucestershire.
Opinion: A good episode. The location scenes impress and Dariell Angadi is good as the very niave Ro. The scenes featuring Avon are excellent.
Pressure Point (first broadcast: 6th February 1979)
Guest Cast: Jane Sherwin, Yolande Palfrey, Alan Halley, Martin Connor, Sue Bishop.
Director: George Spenton Foster, Writer: Terry Nation, Music: Dudley Simpson
Trivia: This is the last episode to feature Gan, who is killed off in the episode's climax. Location filming was carried out at Church Farm, Abbey House, Under Croft and RAF Abingdon all Abingdon, Oxfordshire.
Opinion: An exceptional story. Jacqueline Pearce is wonderfully evil in this episode, killing Kasabi even when she has given her all the information she needed. Incidentally Jane Sherwin is wonderful as Kasabi and her daughter Veron makes an unsuspecting traitor towards the Liberator crew. Brian Croucher is also brilliant as Travis and the scenes that lead up to Gan's death are wonderful.
Trial (first broadcast: 13th February 1979)
Guest Cast: John Savident, John Bryans, Peter Miles, Victoria Fairbrother, Claire Lewis, Kevin Lloyd, Graham Sinclair, Colin Dunn.
Director: Derek Martinus, Writer: Chris Boucher, Music: Dudley Simpson.
Trivia: Long term Doctor Who director Derek Martinus directs this episode. Peter Miles previously appeared in the Doctor Who stories 'Doctor Who and the Silurians', 'Invasion of the Dinosaurs' and 'Genesis of the Daleks'. John Bryans would later appear in the Blakes 7 episode 'Rumours of Death'. Location filming representing Zil's Planet was carried out at The Royal Alexandra and Albert School Gardens, Rocky Lane, Merstham, Surrey.
Opinion: Another excellent episode. John Savident is wonderful as the emotionless Samor. Brian Croucher gives a belter of a performance as Travis and Claire Lewis who plays the wierd alien Zil frankly deserves a medal.
Killer (first broadcast: 20th February 1979)
Guest Cast: Paul Daneman, Colin Farrell, Ronald Lacey, Colin Higgins, Michael Gaunt, Morris Barry.
Director: Vere Lorrimer, Writer: Robert Holmes, Music: Dudley Simpson.
Trivia: This was long term Doctor Who writer Robert Holmes first work on the series. Morris Barry seen here as Dr. Wiler previously directed the classic Doctor Who stories 'The Moonbase', 'Tomb of the Cybermen' and 'The Dominators' before becoming an actor. He would later appear in the Doctor Who story 'The Creature from the Pit'. Location filming was carried out at Oldbury On Severn Nuclear Power Station, Oldbury On Severn, South Gloucestershire.
Opinion: An excellently tense story. The images of the killer are quite frightening and Paul Daneman and Morris Barry are excellent.
Hostage (first broadcast: 27th February 1979)
Guest Cast: John Abineri, Judy Buxton, Kevin Stoney, James Coyle, Andrew Robertson, Judith Porter.
Director: Vere Lorrimer, Writer: Allan Prior, Music: Dudley Simpson.
Trivia: John Abineri previously appeared in the Doctor Who stories 'The Ambassadors of Death', 'Death to the Daleks' and 'The Power of Kroll' and later appeared in the Red Dwarf episode 'Better Than Life' as Rimmer's father. Exceptional actor Kevin Stoney had previously appeared in the Doctor Who stories 'The Dalek Masterplan', 'The Invasion' and 'Revenge of the Cybermen' aswell as the Space: 1999 episode 'The Last Enemy'. Location filming was carried out at Betchworth Chalkpit, Pebblehill Road, Betchworth, near Reigate, Surrey.
Opinion: A good episode. The location footage impresses and John Abineri is brilliant.
Countdown (first broadcast: 6th March 1979)
Guest Cast: Tom Chadbon, Paul Shelley, James Kerry, Lindy Alexander, Robert Arnold, Geoffrey Snell, Sidney Kean, Nigel Gregory.
Director: Vere Lorrimer, Writer: Terry Nation, Music: Dudley Simpson.
Trivia: Tom Chadbon would later appear in the Doctor Who classic 'City of Death' and 'Trial of a Timelord: The Mysterious Planet'. Like wise Paul Shelley would go on to appear in the 1982 Doctor Who story 'Four to Doomsday'. Action scnes were recorded at TV Film Studios, Ealing, London.
Opinion: An excellent episode with good performances by Paul Shelley and Tom Chadbon. The relationship of hate between Avon and Del Grant is shown brilliantly on screen and Paul Darrow is excellent.
Voice from the Past: (first broadcast: 13th March 1979)
Guest Cast: Frieda Knorr, Richard Bebb, Martin Read.
Director: George Spenton Foster, Writer: Roger Parkes, Music: Dudley Simpson.
Trivia: Location filming was carried out at The Wembley Conference Centre, Wembley, London which represented the Atlay Auditorium.
Opinion: A good episode with a rather uncautious Blake, seen here desperately trying to strike against the Federation. The performances are also good.
Gambit (first broadcast: 20th March 1979)
Guest Cast: Aubrey Woods, Denis Carey, Nicolette Roeg, Paul Grist, John Leeson, Harry Jones, Michael Halsey, Sylvia Coleridge, Deep Roy.
Director; George Spenton Foster, Writer: Robert Holmes, Music: Elizabeth Parker.
Trivia: Aubrey Woods appeared in the 1972 Doctor Who classic 'Day of the Daleks' Denis Carey would go on to appear in the Doctor Who stories 'Shada', 'The Keeper of Traken' and 'Timelash'. Paul Grist previosuly appeared as Bill Filer in the Doctor Who classic 'The Claws of Axos' in 1971, John Leeson did the voice to the Doctor Who companion K9 between 1977 - 1981 and Sylvia Coleridge appeared in the Doctor Who story 'The Seeds of Doom' in 1976. Deep Roy who had previously appeared in the Blakes 7 episode 'The Web' also appeared in the Doctor Who classic 'The Talons of Weng Chaing' in 1977. Location filming was carried out at The Royal Festival Hall underpass, Southbank Centre, London.
Opinion: Another good episode. The glamorous Casino setting is very believable and Sylvia Coleridge and Aubrey Woods give memorable performances.
The Keeper (first broadcast: 27th March 1979)
Guest Cast: Bruce Purchase, Freda Jackson, Shaun Curry, Cengiz Saner, Arthur Hewlett, Ron Tarr.
Director: Derek Martinus, Writer; Allan Prior, Music: Dudley Simpson.
Trivia: Arthur Hewlett would go on to play Kimber in the Doctor Who story 'Trial of a Timelord: Terror of the Vervoids'. Location filming representing the planet Goth was carried out at Bream Scowles, near Bream, Gloucestershire.
Opinion: An excellent prequel to 'Star One', with Freda Jackson and Bruce Purchase giving excellent performances. Sally Knyvette is also excellent in this story.
Star One: (first broadcast: 3rd April 1979)
Guest Cast: Jenny Twigge, David Webb, Gareth Armstrong, John Brown, Michael Maynard.
Director: (Uncredited) David Maloney, Writer: Chris Boucher, Music: Dudley Simpson.
Trivia: Producer David Maloney directed this episode. It was the last episode to feature the character Jenna Stannis as the actress who played her Sally Knyvette decided to leave at the end of the season. Likewise Gareth Thomas who played the main character Blake, also decided to leave,. Thomas would not re appear in the series until the climax of Season 3 and the last episode of Season 4 when all the characters were killed off. Paul Darrow's character Avon was left to adopt the leadership mantle for the following two seasons. Location filming was carried out at the Old Lightmoor Colliery, near Cinderford, Gloucestershire (See Blakes 7 Locations).
Opinion: A brilliant episode, with an excellent climax leaving the audience open to guess whether any of the Liberator crew have survived. The alien creatures are excellent.
Season 3:
Main Cast:
Paul Darrow - (Avon) Episodes 1 - 13
Michael Keating (Vila) Episodes 1 - 13
Jan Chappell - Cally Episodes 1 - 13
Josette Simon - (Dayna) Episodes 1 - 13
Steven Pacey - (Tarrant) Episodes 1 - 13
Peter Tuddenham (Zen and Orac Voice) Episodes 1 - 13
Jacqueline Pearce - (Servalan) Episodes 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 11, 13.
Producer: David Maloney
Script Editor: Chris Boucher
Aftermath (first broadcast: 7th January 1980)
Guest Cast: Cy Grant, Alan Lake, Sally Harrison, Richard Franklin, Michael Melia.
Director: Vere Lorrimer, Writer: Terry Nation, Music: Dudley Simpson
Trivia: New titles were created for this episode. They would open and close every episode of Season 3 until they were replaced for Season 4. Cy Grant provided the voice to Lieutenant Green in the Gerry Anderson puppet sci - fi series 'Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons' in 1967. Richard Franklin had previously appeared in Doctor Who regularly for 3 years as 'Captain Mike Yates'. He would later appear in the 20th Anniversary Doctor Who story 'The Five Doctors'. Michael Melia would later play the Terileptil in the Doctor Who story 'The Visitation' in 1982. Location filming was conducted at Bamburgh Castle, near Holy Island (Lindisfarne), Northumberland. Greenhow Hill, near Ripon, West Yorkshire was also used for filming. Action scenes were shot at TV Film Studios, Ealing, London.
Opinion: A great start to Season 3 with some breathtaking location footage filmed at Bamburgh Castle beach in Northumberland. Josette Simon shines in the story as does Jacqueline Pearce as Servalan. Cy Grant excels and the footage shot at TV Film Studios, Ealing is really impressive. the final scene featuring new character Tarrant is also very good.
Powerplay (first broadcast: 14th January 1980)
Guest Cast: Michael Sheard, John Hollis, Doyne Byrd, Michael Crane, Primi Townsend, Julia Vidler, Catherine Chase, Helen Blatch.
Director: David Maloney (uncredited) Writer: Terry Nation, Music: Dudley Simpson
Trivia: Michael Sheard appeared in six Doctor Who stories as well as the Space: 1999 episode 'Dragon's Domain'. John Hollis had previously appeared in the Doctor Who story 'The Mutants' in 1972. Location filming for this episode was conducted at How Steen Gorge, near Pateley Bridge, Yorkshire.
Opinion: Another excellent episode which is an effective follow on from Aftermath. Once again the location footage impresses and Michael Sheard is excellent. Steven Pacey also excels as the ruthless Tarrant in this episode and Michael Keating is brilliant. Fantastic episode.
Volcano (first broadcast: 21st January 1980)
Guest Cast: Michael Gough, Malcolm Bullivant, Ben Howard, Alan Bowerman, Russell Denton, Judy Matheson.
Director: Desmond McCarthy, Writer: Allan Prior, Music: Dudley Simpson
Trivia: Michael Gough appeared in the Doctor Who stories 'The Celestial Toymaker' in 1966 and 'Arc of Infinity' in 1983. Location filming for this episode was conducted at Greenhow Hill, near Hebden Moor, near Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire.
Opinion: A good episode with some excellent location footage. Cally gets some good moments and Michael Gough convinces as a peaceful leader.
Dawn of the Gods (first broadcast: 28th January 1980)
Guest Cast: Sam Dastor, Terry Scully, Marcus Powell.
Director: Desmond McCarthy, Writer: James Follett, Music: Dudley Simpson.
Trivia: Marcus Powell had previously appeared in the Season 1 Blakes 7 episode 'The Web'. Terry Scully was previously seen in the 1969 Doctor Who story 'The Seeds of Death'. Action scenes for this episode were recorded at TV Film Studios, Ealing, London.
Opinion: This episode is best described as crazy, but is very good nevertheless. The imaginative ideas are compelling and Jan Chappell excels.
The Harvest of Kairos (first broadcast: 4th February 1980)
Guest Cast: Andrew Burt, Frank Gatliff, Anthony Gardner, Sam Davies, Charles Jamieson.
Director: Gerald Blake, Writer: Ben Steed, Music: Dudley Simpson
Trivia: Andrew Burt would later appear in the Doctor Who story 'Terminus' in 1983. This is director Gerald Blake's first work for the series. Location filming representing Kairos was recorded at an Aerodrome and surrounding areas of Bovingdon Airfield, Whelpley Hill, Bovingdon, Hertfordshire.
Opinion: I love this episode. Andrew Burt is excellent and his character gets some brilliant scenes with the evil Servalan. Dudley Simpson's music excels and the episode has a fast pace.
City at the Edge of the World (first broadcast: 11th February 1980)
Guest Cast: Carol Hawkins, Colin Baker, Valentine Dyall, John J. Carney.
Director; Vere Lorrimer, Writer: Chris Boucher, Music: Dudley Simpson
Trivia: Colin Baker would later become the Sixth actor to play Doctor Who. Valentine Dyall had previously appeared in the Doctor Who story 'The Armageddon Factor' and would later appear in all three stories of the black Guardian Trilogy of Doctor Who in 1983. John J. Carney had previously been seen in 'Timelash' an episode of UFO in 1970 and 'The Time Warrior' a Doctor Who story in 1973. Location filming was conducted at a reservoir on Hebden Moor, near Ripon, West Yorkshire.
Opinion: One of the finest Blakes 7 episodes ever made. Colin Baker is simply marvellous as Bayban the Butcher, and Michael Keating excels with Vila who has some great scenes in this episode. Valentine Dyall is offcourse excellent as is Valentine Dyall. Full of action! Truly exceptional!
Children of Auron (first broadcast: 19th February 1980)
Guest Cast: Sarah Atkinson, Rio Fanning, Ric Young, Ronald Leigh Hunt, Beth Harris, Jack McKenzie, Michael Troughton. Jan Chappell plays both Cally and her twin sister Zelda in this episode.
Director: Andrew Morgan, Writer: Roger Parkes, Music: Dudley Simpson.
Trivia: Rio Fanning had previously appeared in the Doctor Who story 'Horror of Fang Rock' in 1977 and would go on to appear in an episode of comedy series 'Father Ted'. Michael Troughton, the brother of David Troughton is the youngest of Second Doctor Patrick Troughton's son's. Location filming for this episode was recorded at Leeds Polytechnic Civil Engineering Department, Civic Quarter, Leeds, and Thruscross Reservoir, near Greenhow Hill, West Yorkshire.
Opinion: A very gritty episode, yet again revolvging around Cally. Ric Young and Rio Fanning are very good and Servalan is ever more malevolent in this episode. A good episode.
Rumours of Death (first broadcast: 26th February 1980)
Guest Cast: Lorna Heilbron, John Bryans, Donald Douglas, Peter Clay, David Haig, David Gilles, Philip Bloomfield.
Director: Fiona Cumming, Writer: Chris Boucher, Music: Dudley Simpson.
Trivia: John Bryans had previously appeared in the Doctor Who story 'The Creature from the Pit' as well as the Blakes 7 episodes 'Trial' and 'Seek - Locate - Destroy'. David Haig would go on to appear in the Doctor Who story 'The Leisure Hive' as Pangol. Location filming was carried out at Cornbury Park, near Charlbury, Oxford.
Opinion: An excellent episode with Paul Darrow giving an excellent performance. John Bryans is also very good, as is David Haig. Exceptional.
Sarcophagus (first broadcast: 3rd March 1980)
Guest Cast: Celestine Carroll, Karen Cooper, Val Clover. Jan Chappell also plays Sarcophagus, as well as Cally.
Director: Fiona Cumming, Writer: Tanith Lee, Music: Dudley Simpson.
Trivia: This is the only story just to feature the mian cast and no guest characters, although there are 3 extras seen at the beginning of the episode, who are credited as guest cast above. Some filming was done at TV Film Studios, Ealing, London.
Opinion: A strange but imaginative story, with some good visual and video effects. There are some excellent ideas jostling around here and Jan Chappell excels as the strange and Alien Sarcophagus. Dudley Simpson's music is excellent.
Ultraworld (first broadcast: 10th March 1980)
Guest Cast: Peter Richards, Ian Barritt, Stephen Jenn, Ronald Govey.
Director: Vere Lorrimer, Writer: Trevor Hoyle, Music: Dudley Simpson
Trivia: Location filming was conducted at Camden Deep Tunnels, Stanmore Place, Camben Town, London - representing Ultraworld.
Opinion: A good episode, with the excellent 'Ultra' aliens. All the cast are very good, as is the model work for this episode. The location footage is excellent.
Moloch (first broadcast: 17th March 1980)
Guest Cast: David Harries, John Hartley, Mark Sheridan, Debbi Blythe, Sabina Franklyn, Deep Roy.
Director: Vere Lorrimer, Writer: Ben Steed, Music: Dudley Simpson
Trivia: Deep Roy had previously appeared in the Blakes 7 episodes 'The Web' and 'Gambit' and had also appeared in the Doctor Who story 'The Talons of Weng Chiang'. Location filming was carried out at Betchworth Chalkpit, Pebblehill Road, Betchworth, near Reigate, Surrey.
Opinion: A splendid episode, with some good scenes for Vila and excellent location work. Moloch is an excellent creation.
Death-Watch (first broadcast: 24th March 1980)
Guest Cast: Mark Elliott, Stewart Bevan, Katherine Iddon, David Sibley. Steven Pacey plays both Tarrant and Deeta in this episode.
Director: Gerald Blake, Writer: Chris Boucher, Music: Dudley Simpson
Trivia: Stewart Bevan had previously appeared in 'The Green Death' a story of Doctor Who in 1973. He also was the partner of Doctor Who actress Katy Manning. Location filming was carried out at the derelict Wembley Exhibition Halls part of the then abandoned Southall Gas Works, White Street, Southall, London.
Opinion: A wonderfully tense story with some excellent location work. Stewart Bevan is excellent as is Steven Pacey both as Tarrant and his older brother Deeta. Superb.
Terminal (first broadcast: 31st March 1980)
Guest Cast: Gareth Thomas, Gillian McCutcheon, Richard Clifford, Deep Roy, Gareth Milne, Stuart Fell. David Healy provided the Sphere voice.
Director: Mary Ridge, Writer: Terry Nation, Music: Dudley Simpson
Trivia: Mary Ridge would become a prolific director of Season 4 of Blakes 7. David Healy provided voices for Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons in 1967, as well as 'Joe 90' in 1968. He also appeared in an episode of 'UFO'. Gareth Thomas appears in this episode as Blake. He had not been seen in the series since the end of Season 2. This was intended to be the last ever episode of Blakes 7, but because of it's great success, the BBC granted a new season of the programme at the last minute. The first the cast heard about this was at the end of the showing of this episode where the continuity announcer said: 'Blakes 7 will be back for a new season next year!' to their complete surprise! Location filming was carried out at Pyrton Hill and Pyrton Hill Village Hall, Pyrton, Oxfordshire. See (Blakes 7 Locations).
Opinion: Wonderful episode, with the death of the Liberator played out excellently. Jacqueline Pearce and the rest of the cast excel and the climax is exceptional. The effects are also pretty good. Exceptional!
Season 4:
Main Cast:
Paul Darrow (Avon) Episodes 1 - 13
Michael Keating - (Vila) Episodes 1 - 13
Josette Simon (Dayna) Episodes 1 - 13
Steven Pacey (Tarrant) Episodes 1 - 13
Glynis Barber (Soolin) Episodes 1 - 13
Slave and Orac Voice: Peter Tuddenham (Episodes 1 - 13)
Jacqueline Pearce (Servalan) Episodes 3, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Producer: Vere Lorrimer
Script Editor: Chris Boucher
Rescue (first broadcast: 28th September 1981)
Guest Cast: Geoffrey Burridge, Rob Middleton. Jan Chappell provided the voice of Cally, although she was uncredited for her work.
Director: Mary Ridge, Writer: Chris Boucher, Music: Dudley Simpson
Trivia: Season 4 marked some of the biggest changes to the series to date. Firstly, Cally actress Jan Chappell, who had been with the series since early in Season 1 had decided to leave the programme before filming started on Season 4, although she did provide a voice over as Cally when the character dies in an explosion. She was replaced by Glynis Barber as Soolin, who debuts in this episode. Barber had already appeared in Blakes 7 as a Mutoid in the Season 1 episode 'Project Avalon'. New titles and a new logo were also created for the final season, mainly because the previous titles had featured the Liberator, which was Blake's ship which had been destroyed at the end of Season 3. The new ship to replace the Liberator in Season 4 was titled Scorpio, which was much less spacious than the Liberator! It also debuted in this episode. Composer Dudley Simpson was asked to compose a new version of the theme tune for this Season, so the theme became more jazzy. As previously mentioned it was not expected that the series would after Season 3. Both the crew and cast had been informed that Season 3 would be the final season of Blakes 7, but due to it's popularity the BBC announced that it would be returning after all. David Maloney, who had been the producer since Season 1, had moved on to other work, so was unavailable to work on Season 4. He was replaced by Vere Lorrimer who had regularly directed episodes since Season 1, so it was felt he was a more than suitable choice for producer.Series creator and regular writer Terry Nation had also moved to America after Season 3 so was not able to contribute any scripts for the 4th season Also because of the late notice in which the BBC announced that a 4th Season of Blakes 7 could be made, the season would not be broadcast until September of the following year, because post - production and the filming of the season had yet to be organised. Filming on Season 4 began in February 1981. Due to time restrictions the costume designer had no opportunity to design a monster outfit, so decided to use an old Sea Devil costume from the 1972 Doctor Who story 'The Sea Devils' instead. Location filming for this story was conducted at Pyrton Hill, Pyrton, Oxfordshire, following on from Season 3 finale 'Terminal' See (Blakes 7 Locations).Very brief footage was also recorded at Betchworth Chalkpit, Pebblehill Road, Betchworth, near Reigate, Surrey for when Vila and Dayna fall down the cliff edge.
Opinion: An excellent and exciting follow on from 'Terminal, and an excellent start to Season 4. The plant creatures are excellent, and the location work, complete with snow, is very good indeed. The set work isn't too bad and the model work featuring Scorpio, and Dudley Simpson's music all excels. Great stuff!
Power (first broadcast: 5th October 1981)
Guest Cast: Dicken Ashworth, Juliet Hammond Hill, Jenny Oulton, Paul Ridley, Alison Glennie, Linda Barr.
Director: Mary Ridge, Writer: Ben Steed, Music: Dudley Simpson
Trivia: Dicken Ashworth would later appear in the Doctor Who sotry 'Timelash' in 1985 alongside Avon actor Paul Darrow. Location filming was carried out at Betchworth Chalkpit, Pebblehill Road, Betchworth, near Reigate, Surrey.
Opinion: Excellent episode with good fight scenes and excellent performances by Dicken Ashworth and Juliet Hammond Hill. Again the model work excels.
Traitor (first broadcast: 12th October 1981)
Guest Cast: Malcolm Stoddard, Christopher Neame, Robert Morris, John Quentin, Edgar Wreford, Nick Brimble, David Quilter, Neil Dickson, Cyril Appleton, George Lee.
Director: David Sullivan Proudfoot, Writer: Robert Holmes, Music: Dudley Simpson
Trivia: This is director David Sullivan Proudfoot's first work for the series. Location filming was carried out at Binnegar Heath Sandpit, Binnegar Heath, Puddletown Road, Wareham, Dorset representing the planet Helotrix.
Opinion: Excellent episode, with Jacqueline Pearce once again on top form with Servalan. The location footage is incredibly vast and impressive and the effects impress. Brilliant!
Stardrive (first broadcast: 19th October 1981)
Guest cast: Barbara Shelley, Damien Thomas, Peter Sands, Leonard Kavanagh
Director: David Sullivan Proudfoot, Writer: Jim Follett, Music: Dudley Simpson
Trivia: Barbara Shelley is an established actress who had a major part in the film 'Voyage of the Damned' in 1960. She would later go on to appear in the Docotr Who story 'The Planet of Fire'. Location filming representing the planet Caspar was recorded at Blue Circle Cement Works Quarry, Sewell, Houghton Regis, North Dunstable, Bedfordshire.
Opinion: Great episode with the excellent characters 'The Space Rats'. The makeup for the Space Rats is very impressive and Barbara Shelley is excellent as the slightly timid Dr. Plaxton. Dudley Simpson's Space Rat theme is superb.
Animals (first broadcast: 26th October 1981)
Guest Cast: Peter Byrne, William Lindsay, Max Harvey, Kevin Stoney, David Boyce
Director: Mary Ridge, Writer: Allan Prior, Music: Dudley Simpson
Trivia: Kevin Stoney can also be seen in the Blakes 7 episode 'Trial' and the Doctor Who stories 'The Dalek Masterplan', 'The invasion' and 'Revenge of the Cybermen'. He also starred in 'The Last Enemy' an episode of Gerry Anderson's Space: 1999. Location filming for this episode representing the planet Bucol 2 was recorded at Woodlands, near Horley, Surrey.
Opinion: An unfairly criticised episode. Peter Byrne performs well as Justin and the Og costume worn by David Boyce is really very good. Kevin Stoney once again manages to work wonders with a very small role and although the Dayna and Justin love thing might not seem realistic, Animals still remains a good episode.
Headhunter (first broadcast: 2nd November 1981)
Guest Cast: John Westbrook, Lynda Bellingham, Douglas Fielding, Nick Joseph. Android voice was provided by Leslie Nunnerley
Director: Mary Ridge, Writer: Roger Parkes, Music: Dudley Simpson
Trivia; Lynda Bellingham would go on to appear in all 14 episode of Season 23's 'Trial of a Timelord' Doctor Who serial. Location filming represented Xenon was filmed at Boxhill, Boxhill Road, Tadworth, Surrey. A small section of location work was also recorded at Betchworth Chalkpit, Pebblehill Road, Betchworth, near Reigate, Surrey and another small scene was recorded at TV Film Studios, Ealing, London.
Opinion: This episode is brilliant in every way. Good performances, tension, action and a killer android with a severed head on it's body. There are some great moments in this episode and Dudley Simpson's music excels.
Assassin (first broadcast: 9th November 1981)
Guest Cast: Betty Marsden, Richard Hurndall, Caroline Holdaway, John Wyman, Peter Attard, Adam Blackwood, Mark Barrett.
Director: David Sullivan Proudfoot and Vere Lorrimer (uncredited) Writer: Rod Beacham, Music: Dudley Simpson
Trivia: Director David Sullivan Proudfoot was taken ill at ther last moment, so producer Vere Lorrimer replaced him as director for the location scenes. Sullivan Proudfoot was however able to return to direct the studio scenes. John Wyman had a small role in the James Bond film 'For Your Eyes Only' in 1981. Adam Blackwood would go onto to appear in 'The Mysterious Planet' a segment of the 'Trial of a Timelord' Doctor Who story in 1986. Richard Hurndall who appears in this episode as Nebrox would later appear as the first Doctor in 'The Five Doctors' a story of Doctor Who from 1983, replacing the late William Hartnell. It was his performance in this episode that lead him to be cast in the role of the First Doctor. Location filming was carried out at a Sandpit at Bovingdon Camp, Dorset.
Opinion: A tense and exciting episode with a lovely performance by Betty Marsden. Richard Hurndall is also excellent and the desert like location footage looks excellent.
Games (first broadcast: 16th November 1981)
Guest Cast: Stratford johns, David Neal, James Harvey, Rosalind Bailey.
Director: Vivienne Cozens, Writer: Bill Lyons, Music: Dudley Simpson
Trivia: Stratford Johns had a regular role in the BBC's Z-CARS in the 1960's. He also appeared in the Doctor Who story 'Four to Doomsday' in 1982. Location filming was this episode was recorded at Winspit Quarry, Winspit, Worth Matravers, near Swanage, Dorset. A great site documenting this location can be found at http://www.hermit.org/Blakes7/Quarries/Winspit/index.html
Opinion: Another fine installment with an excellent performance from Stratford Johns and Jacqueline Pearce. The effects near the end, shot at Winspit Quarry are really magnificent, culminating with a man on fire!! The most impressive effects work ever seen on Blakes 7. Smashing episode!
Sand (first broadcast: 23rd November 1981)
Guest Cast: Stephen Yardley, Daniel Hill, Jonathan David, Peter Craze, Michael Gaunt.
Director: Vivienne Cozens, Writer: Tanith Lee, Music: Dudley Simpson
Trivia: Stephen Yardley had previously appeared in the Doctor Who story 'Genesis of the Daleks' in 1975 and would later appear in the Doctor Who story 'Vengeance on Varos' in 1985. Peter Craze had previosuly appeared in 'Seek - Locate - Destroy' and the Doctor Who stories 'The Space Museum', 'The War Games' and 'Nightmare of Eden'. Many scenes for this story were shot at TV Film Studios, Ealing, London.
Opinion: A great character based story, in many ways looking at the character's emotions when under pressure. There are some crazy ideas, like killer vampire Sand, but even so these are imaginative and well explained like Tanith Lee's previous story 'Sarcophagus' for Season 3. A great little episode.
Gold (first broadcast: 30th November 1981)
Guest Cast: Roy Kinnear, Anthony Brown, Dinah May, Norman Hanley.
Director: Brian Lighthill, Writer: Colin Davies, Music: Dudley Simpson
Trivia: Established actor Roy Kinnear appears in this episode. Location filming was conducted at Poole Refuse Disposal Centre, Poole, Dorset and a quarry in Dorset whcih represented the planet Beta 5.
Opinion: Roy Kinnear excels in this excellent episode with some great scenes and dialogue. Dudley Simspon's music is brilliant, particularly his circus like theme played to the drugged passengers aboard Space Princess.
Orbit (first broadcast: 7th December 1981)
Guest Cast: John Savident, Larry Noble.
Director: Brian Lighthill, Writer: Robert Holmes, Music: Dudley Simpson
Trivia: John Savident previously appeared in the Season 2 episode 'Trial' and would later appear in the Doctor Who story 'The Visitation'. This was the only episode to be shot entirely at the BBC Television Centre at Shepherd's Bush in London.
Opinion: An excellent script by Robert Holmes. Egrorian played eccentricly by John Savident is very good and the final scenes are incredibly tense as Avon considers killing Vila to survive. Paul Darrow and Michael Keating play those scenes more than superbly and the background music by Dudley Simpson compliments the screenplay beautifully. Sensational!
Warlord (first broadcast: 14th December 1981)
Guest Cast: Roy Boyd, Bobbie Brown, Dean Harris, Rick James, Charles Augins, Brian Spink.
Director: Viktors Retelis, Writer: Simon Masters, Music: Dudley Simpson
Trivia: Rick James had previously appeared in the Doctor Who sotry 'The Mutants' in 1972. Charles Augins would later play Queeg in the 1988 episode of Red Dwarf 'Queeg'. Viktors Retelis had been a stage manager during the early years of Doctor Who. Location filming for this episode was carried out at Betchworth Sandpit, Pebblehill Road, Betchworth, near Reigate, Surrey. The escalator massacre sequence was recorded at The Friary Shopping Centre, Onslow Street, Guildford, Surrey.
Opinion: Action filled story with good performances from Roy Boyd and Steven Pacey as the love - striken Tarrant. The production values are very good and Jacqueline Pearce gives an excellent final performance as Servalan. Excellent!
Blake (first broadcast: 21st December 1981)
Guest Cast: Gareth Thomas, David Collings, Sasha Mitchell, Janet Lees Price.
Director: Mary Ridge, Writer: Chris Boucher, Music: Dudley Simpson.
Trivia: Janet Lees Price is married to Avon actor Paul Darrow. This is the last ever episode of Blakes 7 with all the characters including Blake, but excluding Avon being killed on screen. Avon's future is left to the audiences imagination when you only here shots fired from a gun, not Avon's actual death. Location filming was recorded at Bourne Woods, Farnham, Surrey representing Gauda Prime.
Opinion: Well what can I say, definitely the best ending in sci - fi history. The location filming is excellent and all the main cast give it there all in this final episode and the return of Blake as played by Gareth Thomas in a major part is a joy to see. Sasha Mitchell and David Collings are also very good and the final tense scenes with each of Scorpio crew's death's played in slow motion and Avon's final smile is excellently directed by Mary Ridge. Incredible conclusion to the series and up high on the list of best episodes. Superb!
Page Completed: 16th November 2005.
Blakes 7 Pictures and Logo: Copyright: BBC.
