History and Critical Analysis of "Blake's 7"

A History and Critical Analysis of Blake's 7, the 1978-1981 British Television Space Adventure

by John Kenneth Muir

4.1 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2348 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray for textbooks	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	221 pages

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"Blake's 7" is a British science fiction television series that aired from 1978 to 1981. Set in a distant future, the show follows the adventures of a group of rebels who are fighting against a tyrannical interstellar Federation. The series was a critical and commercial success, and has since become a cult classic.

History

"Blake's 7" was created by Terry Nation, who is best known for creating the Daleks for the "Doctor Who" series. Nation was inspired to create "Blake's 7" after reading about the American Revolution. He wanted to create a show about a group of rebels who were fighting for freedom against a oppressive government.

The show was originally pitched to the BBC, but they rejected it. Nation then took the show to ITV, who agreed to produce it. The first episode of "Blake's 7" aired on ITV on January 2, 1978.

The show was an immediate success with audiences. It was praised for its well-written characters, exciting action sequences, and thought-provoking themes. "Blake's 7" quickly became one of the most popular shows on British television.

The show ran for four seasons, a total of 52 episodes. It was canceled in 1981 due to declining ratings. However, the show has continued to be popular in syndication, and has been released on DVD and Blu-ray.

Characters

The characters of "Blake's 7" are one of the show's greatest strengths. The main characters are all well-developed and relatable, and they each have their own unique strengths and weaknesses.

The central character of the show is Roj Blake, a former freedom fighter who is captured by the Federation and sentenced to death. Blake escapes from prison and joins forces with a group of other rebels. Blake is a charismatic leader and a skilled fighter. He is also a compassionate and caring person who is always willing to help others.

The other main characters of the show are:

* Avon: A cynical and enigmatic smuggler. Avon is a skilled fighter and a brilliant strategist. He is also a loner who is not afraid to do whatever it takes to survive. * Cally: A skilled pilot and a compassionate medic. Cally is a kind and caring person who is always willing to help others. She is also a strong and determined woman who is not afraid to stand up for what she believes in. * Jenna: A telepath and a skilled fighter. Jenna is a powerful and dangerous opponent. She is also a kind and compassionate person who is always willing to help others. * Vila: A cowardly and self-serving thief. Vila is a skilled thief and a master of disguise. He is also a kind and caring person who is always willing to help others. * Gan: A giant alien who is strong and loyal. Gan is a skilled fighter and a valuable member of the team. * Orac: A talking computer. Orac is a brilliant strategist and a valuable member of the team.

The characters of "Blake's 7" are one of the reasons why the show is so popular. They are well-developed and relatable, and they each have their own unique strengths and weaknesses.

Themes

"Blake's 7" explores a number of thought-provoking themes, including:

* Freedom: The show is about a group of rebels who are fighting for freedom against a tyrannical government. The show explores the importance of freedom and the sacrifices that people are willing to make to achieve it. * Identity: The show explores the theme of identity through the character of Blake. Blake is a former freedom fighter who is captured by the Federation and sentenced to death. He escapes from prison and joins forces with a group of other rebels. Blake must come to terms with his own identity and decide what he is willing to fight for. * Justice: The show explores the theme of justice through the character of Avon. Avon is a cynical and enigmatic smuggler who is not afraid to do whatever it takes to survive. Avon must come to terms with his own sense of justice and decide what he is willing to do to achieve it. * Redemption: The show explores the theme of redemption through the character of Vila. Vila is a cowardly and self-serving thief. Vila must come to terms with his own past and decide whether or not he is willing to redeem himself.

The themes of "Blake's 7" are one of the reasons why the show is so popular. The show explores important and thought-provoking themes that are relevant to audiences today.

Legacy

"Blake's 7" is a classic British science fiction television series that has had a lasting impact on the genre. The show's well-written characters, exciting action sequences, and thought-provoking themes have made it a favorite among fans of science fiction.

"Blake's 7" has been praised by critics for its innovative storytelling and its complex characters. The show has also been credited with helping to popularize the science fiction genre in the United Kingdom.

"Blake's 7" continues to be popular today, and it is still watched by fans around the world. The show has been released on DVD and Blu-ray, and it is also available on streaming services.

If you are a fan of science fiction, then I highly recommend checking out "Blake's 7." It is a classic series that is still relevant today.

A History and Critical Analysis of Blake's 7, the 1978-1981 British Television Space Adventure

by John Kenneth Muir

4.1 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2348 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray for textbooks	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	221 pages

FREE