Blake's 7 (TV Series) Star One (1979) User Reviews

Just A Great Episode That Plays Up To The Strength Of The Series

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

It's becoming clear to the Terran Federation that Star One the control centre on which the Federation depends is breaking down . Space collisions are becoming frequent and climates on Federation planets fundamentally change . If Star One fails so does the Federation and Servalan uses the increasing chaos to overthrow the ruling council and install herself as Supreme President . As the crew of The Liberator arrive on the planet of Star One they make a shocking discovery - the control centre has been infiltrated by an advanced alien species from the Andromeda Galaxy who want to exterminate all mankind

This episode has a very interesting genesis . Originally the season two finale was to be written by Terry Nation who came up with the idea of the Daleks appearing as an alien opponent to the Federation . One has mixed feelings about this . The popularity of the Daleks would probably have meant people tuning in hoping to see the Daleks appear every week in BLAKES 7 then quickly giving up on the show and even for long term viewers and fans would probably be left with the feeling the metallic dustbins from Skaro had effectively overwhelmed and killed the show off . How'd you follow that up ? the answer is you can't . It would means BLAKES 7 exists in the meta-fictional universe of DOCTOR WHO and the show has gone to great pains to not be a DOCTOR WHO spin off series . Still one wonders what would have happened if they did appear ?

As it stand Chris Boucher has written a doom laden episode that owes more than a little to INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS and series producer David Maloney directs in a manner that exploits all the strength of the script . As stated in previous reviews B7 isn't a series in the same manner as QUATERMASS or DOCTOR WHO but this is the one episode that comes closest to being an out and out horror tale as Lurena and later The Liberator crew realise that the technicians on Star One are alien infiltrators about to launch an invasion that will destroy mankind

There's more than just a horror element to this episode and the internal continuity and the contextual politics of the show are also about to change . BLAKES 7 is very much a series of two halves with Roj Blake leading the show for two seasons and the following two seasons having Kerr Avon in the driving seat . I preferred the first half and this episode sees Gareth Thomas as Blake at the helm for the very last time and it's a very good episode to bow out in as he coldly debates with Stott the ethics of terrorist victory that will see the death of millions only to find that Stott's agenda is more terrible than any ( Human ) terrorist is capable of , leading to a redemption of sorts as he ignores both the crimes he and the Federation have committed and embarks on stopping the alien invasion

This is one of the greatest pieces of drama telefantasy has produced containing action . characterisation , incisive dialogue and hard hitting visuals along with a bleak pessimistic air .Taken out context , that is watching it without seeing the previous episodes you probably won't be all that impressed thinking it just another SF series . But this is greatly disingenuous and Star One rewards the audience who've followed the series with a great send off and for some of us the show was never really the same after this great episode

A wonderful series finale.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 10/10 · 7 August 2021]

The end of the journey, the search for Star One comes to an end.

Chris Boucher was given the task of penning the finale, Series two has been great on the whole, some real high points, the one thread being the efforts to find Star one, and destroy it. On the whole I'd class series two as the show's strongest run.

For me, this is the best episode of the first two series, it still packs a massive punch. They weren't afraid to be bold on the show, and this is very bold, and exciting, it's quite literally an all guns blazing thirteenth episode.

There are references to one or two films here, one very well known horror should be easy to spot.

It's a fabulous end to the series, first rate, 10/10.

My favourite episode of the first two series

[GusF · 10/10 · 8 August 2014]

The stakes have never been higher for either the Liberator crew or the galaxy itself. While Avon seeks to control Star One, Blake is determined to destroy it in order to cripple the Federation and free his "rabble," as Avon describes them in the next episode. However, events overtake them rather rapidly as it is revealed that Star One has already been sabotaged by aliens from the Andromeda galaxy who seek to not only destroy the Federation but conquer the Milky Way galaxy. The fact that they have done so with the help of Travis, who disappeared halfway through "The Keeper" after learning the location of Star One, is wonderful as it brings Travis' full from grace this series and his consequent bitterness and hatred towards the Federation into focus. I've criticised Brian Croucher quite a bit in this thread but, in his final appearance, he gives one of his best performances as Travis and it's a shame that he had to die but, with Gareth Thomas leaving, his presence would have seemed rather odd. Praising Jacqueline Pearce's performance is something else that I've done a great deal of in this thread but it bears repeating in this case. As with the Liberator crew, her plans were ruined by the Andromedans' presence on Star One. She understandably has no desire to be "the President of a ruined empire." Both she and the audience realise just how high the stakes are when the Liberator contacts Space Command Headquarters and tells her that the Andromedans are preparing to breach the anti-matter minefield. Having been prepared to destroy the Federation only hours earlier, the Liberator crew is forced by necessity to ally itself with the Federation forces for the greater good of saving the galaxy. Brilliant stuff.

This is Gareth Thomas and Sally Knyvette's final appearance as series regulars and the latter's final appearance overall. Over the course of the first two series, Thomas was given lots of great material and always rose to the occasion. The audience never doubted that Blake was a deeply principled man of action who was willing to do whatever it took to defeat the Federation. His departure was a big loss but the series handled it better than most series which lose their leading man halfway through. Unfortunately, Sally Knyvette's material was less impressive, particularly in the second series. I read an interview with her recently where she said that Jenna went from being a crack pilot and a smuggler to the housewife aboard the Liberator and I find it rather difficult to disagree with that, since she and Cally were left onboard the ship with nothing to do but man the teleport in several episodes in Series Two while the men did all the work and had all the fun. Cally, at least, got better material which is probably why Jan Chappell stayed for Series Three.

Very good episode - real SF

[bigfootmurf-72304 · 8/10 · 10 November 2020]

Blake's 7 get to Star One intending to disable it and then find it controls a vital minefield repelling a possible invasion from the Andromeda Galaxy - and it's been infiltrated by aliens! Plenty of drama and a great ending. Avon is terrific.

The extraordinary climax of Blake's fight

[harrylagman-02356 · 10/10 · 6 November 2022]

Surely the greatest B7 episode. (Why on earth anyone likes the disastrous final epsiode of series 4 more is beyond me. The story arc had disintegrated by then, and it became a meaningless slaughter)

As with the best Blakes 7 episodes, there is a lot happening at once in "Star One". Blake comes close to destroying the federation's vital computer complex. The crew argue bitterly about the deaths and chaos this will cause. The quarrel between Avon (who has never liked being a follower) & Blake (who is angered by Avon's constant sniping, but needs him to win his war) reaches a pitch...

Then it turns out their terrorism will assist the Andromedans in their attempt to invade our galaxy and subjugate humanity. Travis turns out to be helping the aliens, and there is a final showdown between him and Avon & Blake. Blake is seriously injured and the crew realise their priorities have completely changed.

SPOILER

Avon finishes off Travis & takes over, and the crew turns the Liberator around to face the alien fleet alone - while the federation navy races to get to this outlying planet . An injured Blake wanders off the flight-deck, telling Avon he has always trusted him, and the crew fire their first desperate salvo...