Blake's 7 (TV Series)

Redemption (1979)

Gareth Thomas: Roj Blake

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Quotes 

• Roj Blake : Orac, why won't you give us the background to that prediction?

  Orac : Because that would invalidate the prediction.

  Roj Blake : And if we knew the future in detail we could change it, and so it wouldn't be the future.

  Orac : Correct. That is the paradox of prediction.

• 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.

• [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.

• Alta One/The System : State the circumstance by which you came to be aboard Deep Space Vehicle Two.

  Roj Blake : We call it The Liberator. It was found abandoned and drifting in space. I was part of a crew that was put on board.

  Alta One/The System : State the astral location in which you found DSV II.

  Roj Blake : I don't know it. My nearest point of reference is a Federation prison planet called Cygnus Alpha.

  Alta One/The System : State any further information you have regarding DSV II.

  Roj Blake : We assume it had been in a space battle.

  [Alta One's interface globe to The System starts to emit smoke] 

  Alta One/The System : State any further information you have regarding - regarding - regarding -

  Alta Two : Circuitry disturbances are continuing. An outside influence has been analyzed.

  Alta One : We will resume the questioning when the disturbance has been rectified.

• Roj Blake : It's nice to know that computers can have their bad days, too.

  Alta One : The System is infallible!

• [the ship explodes precisely as Orac predicted - the *other* ship] 

  Roj Blake : Vila, did you fire?

  Vila : No.

  Roj Blake : Then what happened?

• Avon : Why Earth sector?

  Blake : Would you rather stay here?

  Avon : You make them sound like the only alternatives.

  Blake : They are for us.