Blake's 7 (TV Series) Redemption (1979) User Reviews

The origins of The Liberator.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 8/10 · 23 March 2020]

Orac makes a terrifying prediction, the destruction of The Liberator, soon after The crew lose all control of the ship.

A strong opening episode to Series two, very memorable, I love the story, and production values, good location work and some nice model shots. I also like that the foe isn't The Federation once again.

Throughout series one, The Liberator remained something of a mystery, we didn't know much about it, other than its many wonders. This episode gives us an insight into the beings that created such an awesome piece of kit.

I do like the Altas, Sheila Ruskin and Harriet Philpin do a fine job, I imagine each would have read the scripts and been surprised by how blank their characters were, Roy Evans was fun.

Very strong, 8/10.

Great Start To Great Season Of A Great Series

[Theo Robertson · 8/10 · 26 March 2013]

Dreading the prediction given by the computer Orac of the Liberator's impending destruction the crew try and cover every possibility of cheating this pre-destination only to find the ship seems to be taking on a life of its own

Redmption follows on directly from the previous episode that finished the series first season and is an episode of two distinctive halves - one featuring the crew's realisation that The Liberator is rejecting them and the other featuring the crew being held prisoner in the system and despite the second half being pulp sci-fi cliché both segments are very very impressive

Like the entire first season this episode was written by Terry Nation but it becomes clear to the viewer that he's had much more breathing space to write Redemption which explains the origin of the Liberator . The character interaction between the heroic Blake and the cynical Avon is superb as they discuss the nature of prediction and even this early in the season it suggests Blake won't be around for much longer . It's also interesting to note a couple of plot points that Nation has used before in DOCTOR WHO such as an electric cable taking on a life of its own

Director Vere Lorimar directs well and the episode features some very impressive model work . Okay you can claim it's not all that impressive compared to present day DOCTOR WHO which has production values comparable to modern day Hollywood blockbusters but we are talking about a BBC show produced 35 years ago . Lorimar used the inside of of a nuclear power station as the System base which comes as sterile but totally convincing . It is slightly disconcerting however to watch explosive charges being set off as the captured crew escape their prison and fight their way back to the Liberator

Season two with hindsight is probably the most balanced of the series . Nation is no longer the sole writer of the show and different writers bring different ideas and plots to the show which means more variety . The costume designs are more flamboyant and you start to notice how some of it has inspired the New Romantic musical movement so much so you'd be forgiven for thinking Steve Strange , Simon Le Bon or the Kemp twins might be making an appearance at one point

Redemption

[ametaphysicalshark · 6 June 2008]

Following an attack by two unidentifiable aircraft The Liberator's computers turn on the crew through intervention by the ship's original owners who are controlled by a massive computer named The System.

"Redemption" is a great start to season two of Blake's 7. The show immediately looks strikingly different (and frankly spiffier) than it did in its first season. Some of the model work is certainly impressive considering the budget as is the much improved costuming. What is especially striking about "Redemption" is its cleverly-paced and smart script which is always having fun with the characters and dialogue but never at the expense of the intense plot which picks up right after the inspired cliffhanger at the end of season one's "Orac". Great stuff, and let's face it- could 'Blake's 7 meets killer computers' possibly be anything but?

9/10

A shock to The System

[ShadeGrenade · 10/10 · 12 March 2011]

Season 1 of 'Blake's 7' ended with computer Orac predicting the imminent destruction of the Liberator and its crew. We are used now to end-of-season cliffhangers, but it still was innovatory in 1979. Some puzzled viewers complained to The Radio Times. The editor's reply was along the lines of 'Stay tuned!". Before Season 2 got underway, viewers got a compilation of the last two Season 1 episodes, which was great for me as I'd missed 'Deliverance' for reasons I alas cannot remember. The B.B.C. used to compile 'Dr.Who' episodes into Christmas specials, now here they were doing the same with B.7.

'Redemption' opens with Blake studying film of Orac's prediction in an effort to find a clue as to how and when it will occur. By checking the unique star configuration in the background, Avon is able to ascertain where the explosion will happen. All the Liberator needs to do to invalidate the prediction is avoid going there. The ship is suddenly rocked by enemy fire. Two drones give chase. Though the Liberator crew survives, their ship begins turning against them. Zen goes offline, Gan has his hand burnt attempting to repair a panel while Avon and Blake are threatened by a live power cable. Two beautiful women - Alta One ( Sheila Ruskin ) and Alta Two ( Harriet Philpin ) teleport aboard and fly the ship to a gigantic space station belonging to a computer-controlled race known as 'The System'. It built the Liberator - 'Deep Space Vehicle 2' to them - and now wants its property back...

A good start to Season 2. With the show a big hit the cast were given flashier costumes. Cally, in particular, looks regal in her big shouldered outfit, Blake's baggy jacket looks cool, ditto Avon's leather, but Gan upstages everyone by wearing what looks like a big green carpet. Some nice model work as the Liberator is chased by the drones. I really miss the days when the B.B.C. tried to pass off rock quarries as alien planets. The interior of the System vessel was actually a power station, and looks great, all gangways and long corridors. Ideal for fights and gun battles. And far better than if it were specially built for the show.

The women playing the Alta look hot, particularly Philpin, who was 'Bettan' in the 'Dr.Who' classic 'Genesis Of The Daleks', also written by Terry Nation.

'Redemption' was the last of B.B.C.-2's 1999 Saturday afternoon repeats, curtailed sharply following disappointing ratings. Perhaps the ratings would have been higher had not the entire series been made available on B.B.C. video at the start of the decade.

Only one complaint - why did Blake not thank the Slave ( Roy Evans )? The man did after all lay down his life so that the Liberator could escape. Most ungracious of old Roj.