Blake's 7 (TV Series)

Redemption (1979)

Paul Darrow: Kerr Avon

Photos 

Quotes 

• Vila : When you get Zen working, ask him to prescribe something for a headache, will you? I've got this shocking pain right behind the eyes.

  Avon : Have you considered amputation?

• Roj Blake : Uh, how long have you known?

  Avon : Oh, several hours.

  Roj Blake : And you just let the others go on worrying?

  Avon : Well, all they had to do was ask. Perhaps in future, they won't rely on you to provide all the answers.

• Roj Blake : All right, Zen, standby to run it *again*, at *half* speed.

  Zen : Confirmed.

  Avon : Slow or fast, it will still look the same.

  Roj Blake : How long have you been there?

  Avon : I was here when you came in.

  Roj Blake : Why didn't you speak?

  Avon : I had nothing in particular to say. Besides, you looked as though you were planning something you didn't want the rest of us to know about.

• Vila : So why did they pick on *me*?

  Avon : I doubt if it was personal, Vila.

  Vila : It *felt* personal. It *always* feels personal when someone tries to *kill* me.

• [Avon has just saved Blake from being electrocuted, narrowly avoiding the same fate himself] 

  Roj Blake : That is one I owe you.

  Avon : Don't worry. At the right time, I will remind you of it.

• Roj Blake : Do you think you could forget your superiority complex for a moment and get on with it?

  Avon : All right. But first of all, let us examine the nature of prediction. The human mind is capable of seeing into the short-range future with reasonable accuracy. For example, imagine that you are standing on the edge of a cliff.

  Roj Blake : As long as you're not standing behind me.

  Avon : [pauses]  There are a *number* of alternative futures: you could take a pace forward and plunge to your death; the cliff could crumble under your feet - with the same result; a gust of wind could carry you over...

  Roj Blake : All right, all right, yes. But the probability is that I would turn 'round and walk away again.

  Avon : Exactly. You have just made a prediction based on the known facts. A computer works on precisely the same principle.

  Roj Blake : But all you're saying is that prediction is not immutable fact.

  Avon : Right. If you hadn't gone near the cliff in the first place, you wouldn't have had to face any of the inherent dangers.

• Avon : [Quickly and impatiently:]  Blake, what I'm doing is vitally concerned with our survival. Are you prepared to take responsibility for what happens if I delay?

  Roj Blake : Don't I always? Now just get down here!

  Avon : Anything you say.

  Roj Blake : And Avon, don't come crashing in; *gently* as you open the door.

  Avon : Blake's regard for our safety is inspiring, don't you think?

• Roj Blake : No one is to attempt to repair any equipment 'til the computers are back under our control.

  Jenna Stannis : What is it, Blake? What's going on?

  Roj Blake : Well, the computers seem to be making decisions for themselves. They're resisting all interference.

  Jenna Stannis : But that's not possible.

  Roj Blake : [Motions to Avon]  Avon.

  Avon : It is if you think of the ship as a living entity with massive networks of electronics acting as a nervous system.

  Jenna Stannis : All linked into a central computer.

  Roj Blake : The brain.

  Avon : Carry the analogy a stage further: when a living creature is hurt - a cut or a wound - antibodies gather around the injury to repair it and to fight infection.

  Vila : You mean the computers are treating us like *germs*!

  Avon : [Smiles briefly at Blake:]  Crude, but accurate.

  Cally : But antibodies kill infection. Why are we still alive?

  Roj Blake : We're not sure. There are dozens of ways the ship could destroy us: cut off the air supply, drop the temperature so we freeze to death -

  Vila : Stop putting ideas into its head!

  Roj Blake : [to Avon:]  Actually, one touch of that cable would have done it. No, I don't think it wants to kill us.

  Avon : Well, not yet, anyway. It's saving us for something.

  Vila : Dinner?

• Avon : Now then, Orac. Are you going to function or are you not?

  Orac : All principal circuits are operating at full capacity and cannot receive new programs at this time.

  Roj Blake : Well, *clear* the circuits! This is priority!

  Orac : Circuit clearance and reprogramming will take precisely one hour and thirty-seven point nine seconds.

  Roj Blake : That could be just a little late.

  Orac : [Testily:]  State your program requirements; they will be implemented when capacity is available.

• [Avon and Jenna are sitting on the bench. They hear a noise at the door. Avon signals Jenna to stand by the window while he moves behind the door to attack whoever enters. Avon lets fly before he realizes it's Vila] 

  Vila : [Doubling over]  Oh!

  Avon : I'm... sorry, Vila.

  Vila : Been looking all over for you two.

  Jenna Stannis : How did you get here?

  Vila : I was just passing - thought I'd drop in and see you.

  Avon : Where are Gan and Cally?

  Vila : They're in a cell along the corridor.

  Avon : Well, what kept you?

  Vila : Magno-locks aren't *that* easy to open, even for *me*.

  Avon : Practice. Let's go.

  Vila : Just a minute. Where's Blake?

  Jenna Stannis : They took him away for questioning.

  Vila : Questioning?

  Avon : I don't think we should hang around.

  [exits cell] 

  Vila : No, neither do I.

  Jenna Stannis : [Checking wound]  What did you do to your head?

  Vila : One of the guards didn't like me.

  Avon : [From outside]  Come on!

• Avon : Why Earth sector?

  Blake : Would you rather stay here?

  Avon : You make them sound like the only alternatives.

  Blake : They are for us.