Ahhh. The waves of beautiful nostalgia wash us all clean. This show was a breath of fresh air. Thank you. Now you need to do a full rewatch and review series.
@type40doctorwho Well. I was listening to the Rabbi do his Series D rewatch and it was great. Maybe it's just me but I would certainly tune in. My commute to and from work 3 hours a day, needs something to listen to.
@@captain1701w wellmwe've been chatting and there will be further Teleport. AND the livestream sister show Teleport NOW. So, between us we'll work out what to cover and how, where.
Excellent show about a seminal piece of British TV. It's great to see Keith and our Starry back; finally able to talk about something that's an unbridled joy. When is series 2 out though?
I think these will be 1 a year probably. I would expect series 2 to be released in November 2025. Perfect birthday present in my case. I wouldn't be surprised if they have already started pre-production work for it. Would love to see how they portray the alien battlefleet for Star One.
Apologies in advance for this lengthy ramble; however, I love Blake's 7, and was greatly inspired by the similar love shown by the three excellent panellists. Blake was falsely accused of unspeakable crimes in a first episode which left no doubt that this was an adult programme. "You'll get plenty of action, shootouts, daring escapes and spaceship battles, but there'll be a requisite amount of thinking required along the way", seemed to be the unspoken terms and conditions. This was borne out by the fact that, in contrast to Blake's innocence, most of the original human crew were undeniably criminals. Terry Nation's flawless characterisation established that they did have redeeming features, both in terms of useful skills and, to varying extents, being prepared to lend themselves to a common cause; moreover, in the face of equally unambiguous tyranny, the compelling idea of an 'intergalactic lesser of two evils' became the central premise of all fifty two episodes. Like most hard hitting things, Blake's 7 could really hurt, the pain of an admired character's abuse or death often lingering. Then there were the cliff-hangers; not the Doctor Who-like, weekly wonderings as to how our hero would inevitably survive/escape (they could be anxiety-inducing enough), but periods of fifty two times that length, where devastation featuring the entire crew was predicted, or entire universes hung in the balance! Fifty two weeks was an unconscionable length of time! Casting, generally perfect throughout the show, was never more so than in the case of Blake and his 'seven'. Also, although most seem to think of Blake and Avon as the most important aboard the Liberator, it quickly became apparent that no crew member was readily expendable. Blake's unflinching ideology was tempered perfectly by Avon's implacable practicality and risk-reward approach, the latter often being right about what was best for the ship and crew. A similarly interesting dynamic existed with Servalan and Travis, both undoubted sociopaths, the former a power hungry, politically-obsessed narcissist, eminently comfortable with creating (and stepping over) however many corpses she deemed necessary; the latter a pragmatic, dangerous, savvy blunt instrument. Generally, strained alliances seemed to abound in the Blake's 7 universe. Paul Darrow was in a category of his own. His intonation, speech cadence and emphasis remains unique, serving perfectly both to communicate that Avon was the outsider in terms of the crew, and to express his typically scathing opinions via an intelligence that aspired admirably to the machines with which he felt so at ease. Jacqueline Pearce was born to play Servalan, even being known for walking down London high streets in her 'Supreme Commander' garb; for me, Pearce was the kind of delightful eccentric that could elevate anything, her portrayal in the series standing alongside that of any distinguished actor ever to be lauded for playing a villain. Such is the magnitude of that first series, that it could, solely, have achieved the same revered status that all four achieved collectively. That's not to say that the others were superfluous or lesser, each thirteen week run being as perfect and essential an example of space opera as for one could wish. It's just that the characters, their place in that bleak universe, together with the strongly-implied pointlessness of their dissent, were all established impeccably in those first thirteen episodes. Blake's 7 has often been legitimately compared with Star Wars, The Magnificent 7, The Dirty Dozen or a variety of film/television offerings involving a relatively small group of underdogs daring to stand against a collective, evil institution. Personally, I've recently come to liken it to the equally sublime Secret Army; little missions, sometimes almost inconsequential, often tragic, all to advance a seemingly futile cause. Many thanks, Dan, Sarah, and Keith, for this loving testament, and for unwittingly taking the blame for my overlong offering! All the best for now. Paul
Loving this release so far, watched the first 2 discs today, highlight has been the Sally Knyvette interview, a genuinely fascinating and interesting piece. As I’ve watched the originals so many times I went straight down the updated fx route, ok it’s not “Expanse” level cgi but it still adds a lovely polish and scale to the eps whilst keeping a nice retro feel. The Liberator shots are gorgeous, the docking sequence in “Time Squad” stood out for me as it finally sold me on how big she is supposed to be. The opening titles are stunning in HD, (watch in a dark room) I actually felt a twinge of emotion when “The Way Back” started. Can’t wait to crack on with the rest.
@ just starting the final 3 eps on disc 6, really enjoyed the Stephen Greif tribute but going through the package as a whole has been a real treat and now facing imminent depression knowing it’ll be over soon. If season 2 was available for pre-order now I’d be straight on it. If I was pushed for anything lacking I’d say the extras seem conspicuously Darrow-less, plenty of scope for that to be addressed in future releases I suppose but I hope it’s not some legal weirdness that might affect future content. Also I’d love to see something on the restoration and new fx, seeing some of the film that’s been restored is gobsmacking (like it was filmed yesterday). so I wouldn’t begrudge the producers blowing their trumpet a bit and having a feature on the work they’ve done to bring us this.
I first saw Blake's 7 when I was about 4 years old and it was the final season, (I think it was the episode when the villain turned to dust like Dorian Gray). But, I was too young to enjoy it properly and I didn't really understand it, until, the BBC repeated it in the early noughties on BBC 2 on a Saturday afternoon and I really enjoyed it and I was disappointed when it was cancelled after a couple of episodes. So this blu ray boxset will be a nice Christmas present for me.
Dis they really repeat it on BBC2. I've totally forgotten that... I remember Series 4 getting a repeat on Saturdays in 1983 but after that I thought it was just the satellite channels picking it up...
@@marklenton1977 Yes, I think it was because the BBC did some sort of deal with equity I think, that allowed them to show a lot of old shows from the 70s that's hadn't been seen for years because of rights issues.
I hate it when people get annoyed that we have updated special effects. It's NOT replacing the original version and is totally optional. The new effects look great, in my opinion and fit in well. I went through all of Blake's 7 earlier this year, and saw all the original effects. They vary widely. The large model looks great. They often used a crude photographic "animation", which looks awful. It's a shame that they didn't have the time, or money to devote to every shot what it needed. Now these shots are more cohesive, which really benefits the show (should you choose to watch with the new effects).
When it comes to sales we need not worry I think. I was in HMV on Wednesday buying this box set. It was near the top of the charts for blu-ray titles. Like number 2 or 3. It's number 8 on Amazon's best sellers for DVDs and Blu-Rays(it was number 3 a couple of days ago). It is currently out performing Dune and House of the Dragon and Beetlejuice 2. Blake's 7 if you discount DVDs is number 4 only been beaten by the 4k Terminator and Deadpool and Wolverine.
I have just bought my copy, cannot wait to watch it. Was interesting to read that Joss Whedon used Blakes 7 as an influence when he created the brilliant Firefly.
@type40doctorwho Yeah, nearly 20 years ago. I've still got my Liberator from dvd but the blister case got a bit dented, tried to fix with a heat gun and vacuum cleaner but wasn't successful....
I just wanted to say I thought the podcast/video was ace, awesome chat, and the Blu-Ray looks amazing love the poster/trailer, hope they release s2 so there’s another edition of Teleport or you do a review of each ep from s1 🙂👍👏👏👏
Ahhh. The waves of beautiful nostalgia wash us all clean. This show was a breath of fresh air. Thank you. Now you need to do a full rewatch and review series.
haha - is that REALLY what people want though? There aren't many B7 podcasts around, but they ALL do that. Do you think thats the route to go?
@type40doctorwho Well. I was listening to the Rabbi do his Series D rewatch and it was great. Maybe it's just me but I would certainly tune in. My commute to and from work 3 hours a day, needs something to listen to.
@@captain1701w wellmwe've been chatting and there will be further Teleport. AND the livestream sister show Teleport NOW. So, between us we'll work out what to cover and how, where.
Excellent show about a seminal piece of British TV. It's great to see Keith and our Starry back; finally able to talk about something that's an unbridled joy. When is series 2 out though?
This and more B7 questions and answers - coming your way...
I think these will be 1 a year probably. I would expect series 2 to be released in November 2025. Perfect birthday present in my case. I wouldn't be surprised if they have already started pre-production work for it. Would love to see how they portray the alien battlefleet for Star One.
@@daviniarobbins9298 I can't see how they can produce more than one per year on top of the DW stuff.
Great video, really enjoyed it! Thank You!
Our pleasure Ben! Want some more?
Apologies in advance for this lengthy ramble; however, I love Blake's 7, and was greatly inspired by the similar love shown by the three excellent panellists.
Blake was falsely accused of unspeakable crimes in a first episode which left no doubt that this was an adult programme. "You'll get plenty of action, shootouts, daring escapes and spaceship battles, but there'll be a requisite amount of thinking required along the way", seemed to be the unspoken terms and conditions.
This was borne out by the fact that, in contrast to Blake's innocence, most of the original human crew were undeniably criminals. Terry Nation's flawless characterisation established that they did have redeeming features, both in terms of useful skills and, to varying extents, being prepared to lend themselves to a common cause; moreover, in the face of equally unambiguous tyranny, the compelling idea of an 'intergalactic lesser of two evils' became the central premise of all fifty two episodes.
Like most hard hitting things, Blake's 7 could really hurt, the pain of an admired character's abuse or death often lingering. Then there were the cliff-hangers; not the Doctor Who-like, weekly wonderings as to how our hero would inevitably survive/escape (they could be anxiety-inducing enough), but periods of fifty two times that length, where devastation featuring the entire crew was predicted, or entire universes hung in the balance! Fifty two weeks was an unconscionable length of time!
Casting, generally perfect throughout the show, was never more so than in the case of Blake and his 'seven'. Also, although most seem to think of Blake and Avon as the most important aboard the Liberator, it quickly became apparent that no crew member was readily expendable.
Blake's unflinching ideology was tempered perfectly by Avon's implacable practicality and risk-reward approach, the latter often being right about what was best for the ship and crew. A similarly interesting dynamic existed with Servalan and Travis, both undoubted sociopaths, the former a power hungry, politically-obsessed narcissist, eminently comfortable with creating (and stepping over) however many corpses she deemed necessary; the latter a pragmatic, dangerous, savvy blunt instrument. Generally, strained alliances seemed to abound in the Blake's 7 universe.
Paul Darrow was in a category of his own. His intonation, speech cadence and emphasis remains unique, serving perfectly both to communicate that Avon was the outsider in terms of the crew, and to express his typically scathing opinions via an intelligence that aspired admirably to the machines with which he felt so at ease.
Jacqueline Pearce was born to play Servalan, even being known for walking down London high streets in her 'Supreme Commander' garb; for me, Pearce was the kind of delightful eccentric that could elevate anything, her portrayal in the series standing alongside that of any distinguished actor ever to be lauded for playing a villain.
Such is the magnitude of that first series, that it could, solely, have achieved the same revered status that all four achieved collectively. That's not to say that the others were superfluous or lesser, each thirteen week run being as perfect and essential an example of space opera as for one could wish. It's just that the characters, their place in that bleak universe, together with the strongly-implied pointlessness of their dissent, were all established impeccably in those first thirteen episodes.
Blake's 7 has often been legitimately compared with Star Wars, The Magnificent 7, The Dirty Dozen or a variety of film/television offerings involving a relatively small group of underdogs daring to stand against a collective, evil institution. Personally, I've recently come to liken it to the equally sublime Secret Army; little missions, sometimes almost inconsequential, often tragic, all to advance a seemingly futile cause.
Many thanks, Dan, Sarah, and Keith, for this loving testament, and for unwittingly taking the blame for my overlong offering!
All the best for now.
Paul
LOVE the comment! Could be one we save to go through on screen mind. So much in there! Keep them coming.
@@type40doctorwho Very kind; cheers.
Loving this release so far, watched the first 2 discs today, highlight has been the Sally Knyvette interview, a genuinely fascinating and interesting piece.
As I’ve watched the originals so many times I went straight down the updated fx route, ok it’s not “Expanse” level cgi but it still adds a lovely polish and scale to the eps whilst keeping a nice retro feel. The Liberator shots are gorgeous, the docking sequence in “Time Squad” stood out for me as it finally sold me on how big she is supposed to be. The opening titles are stunning in HD, (watch in a dark room) I actually felt a twinge of emotion when “The Way Back” started. Can’t wait to crack on with the rest.
Cheers for the comment. Pleased the set is living up to expectations for so many!!
@ just starting the final 3 eps on disc 6, really enjoyed the Stephen Greif tribute but going through the package as a whole has been a real treat and now facing imminent depression knowing it’ll be over soon. If season 2 was available for pre-order now I’d be straight on it.
If I was pushed for anything lacking I’d say the extras seem conspicuously Darrow-less, plenty of scope for that to be addressed in future releases I suppose but I hope it’s not some legal weirdness that might affect future content.
Also I’d love to see something on the restoration and new fx, seeing some of the film that’s been restored is gobsmacking (like it was filmed yesterday). so I wouldn’t begrudge the producers blowing their trumpet a bit and having a feature on the work they’ve done to bring us this.
I remember the end of Terminal and I remember Blake.
Cool.
I first saw Blake's 7 when I was about 4 years old and it was the final season, (I think it was the episode when the villain turned to dust like Dorian Gray). But, I was too young to enjoy it properly and I didn't really understand it, until, the BBC repeated it in the early noughties on BBC 2 on a Saturday afternoon and I really enjoyed it and I was disappointed when it was cancelled after a couple of episodes. So this blu ray boxset will be a nice Christmas present for me.
If you've not seen it in all these years? I envy you.
VERY envious! You're in for such a treat.
Dis they really repeat it on BBC2. I've totally forgotten that... I remember Series 4 getting a repeat on Saturdays in 1983 but after that I thought it was just the satellite channels picking it up...
@@marklenton1977 Yes, I think it was because the BBC did some sort of deal with equity I think, that allowed them to show a lot of old shows from the 70s that's hadn't been seen for years because of rights issues.
I hate it when people get annoyed that we have updated special effects. It's NOT replacing the original version and is totally optional. The new effects look great, in my opinion and fit in well. I went through all of Blake's 7 earlier this year, and saw all the original effects. They vary widely. The large model looks great. They often used a crude photographic "animation", which looks awful. It's a shame that they didn't have the time, or money to devote to every shot what it needed. Now these shots are more cohesive, which really benefits the show (should you choose to watch with the new effects).
Yes, I'd say "vary widely" is more than fair.
Great show just got better....and physical media forever..
Absolutely!
When it comes to sales we need not worry I think. I was in HMV on Wednesday buying this box set. It was near the top of the charts for blu-ray titles. Like number 2 or 3.
It's number 8 on Amazon's best sellers for DVDs and Blu-Rays(it was number 3 a couple of days ago). It is currently out performing Dune and House of the Dragon and Beetlejuice 2. Blake's 7 if you discount DVDs is number 4 only been beaten by the 4k Terminator and Deadpool and Wolverine.
Obviously, this is great news.
I have just bought my copy, cannot wait to watch it. Was interesting to read that Joss Whedon used Blakes 7 as an influence when he created the brilliant Firefly.
Well, in part!
Any chance we can get a Blu Ray set with a Corgi Liberator included, like we had with the series 3 dvd set?....
I had a corgi liberator as a child but, I always held it the wrong way round! I thought the green part faced the front!🤣
I doubt it! those days are long gone
@type40doctorwho Yeah, nearly 20 years ago. I've still got my Liberator from dvd but the blister case got a bit dented, tried to fix with a heat gun and vacuum cleaner but wasn't successful....
@davidroberts5250 I got it the wrong way round too until a schoolmate pointed it out to me...
Part the way through the Blu-Ray Set of Series 1 it's looking amazing
Enjoy Daniel!
I just wanted to say I thought the podcast/video was ace, awesome chat, and the Blu-Ray looks amazing love the poster/trailer, hope they release s2 so there’s another edition of Teleport or you do a review of each ep from s1 🙂👍👏👏👏
Well, we plan on being back for more Teleport far sooner than that. And re-uploading the episodes from Season 1 (Series A) of the podcast too.
@ Nice one 🙂👍
got mine today unboxed as yet
Hi Lorraine! You'll have to keep us informed how you like it.
the canadian copy seems to have 5.1 hd master audio
Anything that's on the overseas release will surely be on the UK one.
Great video could you help has it got dts hd master 5.1 or dts mono hd master.
I think you dropped another comment on this?