Blakes7 October 2001

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54 participants
274 discussions

Re: [B7L] Top Ten
by Steve Kilbane 16 Oct '01

16 Oct '01

> Alison wrote: > >Anyone got the actual list, for discussion purposes? As I recall: [Cough] That was me. :-) Harriet: > I've just rewound the tape to the final countdown. In forward (or > whatever is reverse of reverse) order: > > 1. Star Trek > 2. Dr Who > 3. Red Dwarf > 4. Thunderbirds > 5. Hitchhiker > 6. Blake's 7 > 7. Sapphire and Steel > 8. Tomorrow People > 9. Buck Rogers > 10. Space 1999 Ta, muchly. > I gathered there had been some sort of poll of the general public to > arrive at these - presumably we didn't hear about it in time to stuff > the ballots? Actually, no, I don't think so. As has been pointed out, it's more to do with what they can show clips of, and what their pundits talk about - possibly which they're most entertaining about. The Top Ten series has always been somewhat bizarre in its selections. But even so, I'm not surprised that B5 wasn't there. Everything in the list is Old, with the exception of Red Dwarf, and that was a prime-time sitcom. I believe that much of the decline of quality of media sf is because it was the sort of stuff watched by kids two decades ago, who are now running TV companies, and think that stuff's just for kids - they don't watch it themselves, and don't think it deserves the time and effort "real" drama gets - sorry, off on a rant there. Point is, most of it's had twenty-odd years to seep through public consciousness and take root, sometimes spawning collectable Dinky toys en route, and it comes from an era when you watched that stuff because you didn't like what was on either of the other two channels. Nowadays, B5 is a kids-only thing that's purely ephemeral, and lost in the noise of the satellite and cable channels. steve

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Zine Review: Down & Unsafe #7
by Betty Ragan 16 Oct '01

16 Oct '01

Well, I'm slowing working my way through a huge stack of zines, both old and new, and it occurs to me that, since I found the zine reviews on Judith's website tremendously helpful while zine-shopping, it might be nice to do some myself in the hope that it might be useful someday to others in the same position. So, here's a review of what I've been reading most recently. Hopefully more will follow in future. (And, Judith, I'm not sure if you're on-list at the moment or not, so I'm CCing you a copy of this to put up on the website, if you like.) Down and Unsafe #7 (gen, NZ, 1988, 148 pgs, digest-sized, ed. Kathy Hanson) I now have seven of the eight "Down and Unsafe" zines, and I can say with total confidence that this is an excellent series of zines. the story quality in all of them is very high, and #7 is no exception. Well worth picking up if you can find it! Fiction: "The Last Invader" by Mary Moulden: This is one of a series of stories which have appeared in various issues of "Down & Unsafe," starting with "Changeling" in D&U #3. The premise is that Avon was killed on Terminal by an Andromedan which permanently assumed his form, his memories, and probably more of his personality than it could comfortably handle. This struck me initially as yet another tedious gimmick to "explain" why Avon was acting so erratically in Season 4 (something that I don't think really *needs* an explanation beyond what we saw him going through on screen), but Ms. Moulden surprised me greatly by not only making this scenario quite believable, but by doing some very interesting things with it, including an astonishingly sympathetic characterization of the alien. This particular installment takes the Avon/alien amalgam all the way through Gauda Prime, and while I don't find this totally satisfying as a re-interpretation of GP, I strongly suspect that my mild, vague feeling of disappointment has a lot more to do with the fact that this clearly marks the end of a very good series than anything else. For those who like to see strong appearances from canonical guest characters, this one also features a fairly large role for Vena from "Headhunter" -- not a guest character who gets a lot of attention in fanfic. "Phantoms" by Jean Graham: I know I've read this one before somewhere, so it's probably a bit unfair of me if I describe as "familiar." But it is a basic premise that's been used many times since: Blake encounters one of the children he supposedly molested, and, needless to say, the kid reacts badly. Well written, but, character junkie that I am, I would have preferred more interaction between the crew and the boy, and less action stuff. "A Simple Duty" by Karen Vernon & Samantha Hayman: An extremely silly, highly self-referential "eighth-season" story that pokes affectionate fun at a number of canonical and fan-fictional "traditions." The authors obviously had a ball writing it, and I found the feeling infectious. It probably won't tickle *everybody's* sense of humor, but, personally, I thought it was hysterically funny. Especially memorable is "Sleer"'s response to being called "Servalan" by Avon in front of an underling... "Backwards to the Future" by Leigh Arnold: First-season Avon and fourth-season Avon have mysteriously traded places, or at least consciousnesses. Imagine the Avon from circa "Seek-Locate-Destroy" dealing with Gauda Prime, and post-"Warlord" Avon finding himself back on the _Liberator_ with the last three years to live over... It's a *great* premise, with lots and lots of potential, and my one complaint about this story is that it's short, meaning that much of that potential isn't really explored in great detail. Then again, if it actually tried to explore *all* the possibilities, it'd lose its nice, tight focus, which would be a pity, as it works very well. So I suppose that's not really a complaint after all. "A Rock and a Hard Place" by Jeanne de Vore: Avon and Jenna are trapped in a cave after an explosion, where they spend their time rescuing each other and having a heart-to-heart chat (well, a chat, anyway, I mean, this *is* Avon we're talking about) about their reasons for staying with Blake. The exploration of Avon's motives isn't anything particularly original, but I rather like the characterization of Jenna, who comes across as tough and perceptive, and it's nice to see these two getting a chance for some one-on-one interaction. (No, not *that* kind of one-on-one interaction! This is a genzine!) "Edge of Betrayal" by Kathy Hanson: On a mission to find some black-market supplies for the _Liberator_, Tarrant runs into some old enemies from his Federation days, one of whom turns out to be an old acquaintance of Avon's (and ours). A truce ensues while they all conduct a supply raid together, but quickly falls apart again when it looks as if Tarrant has betrayed everyone. I had one or two minor plausibility problems with this, but it's an enjoyable story, anyway: full of interesting plot twists and guaranteed to keep you guessing right up until the end. Is Tarrant a traitor or isn't he? "Bad for the Pitcher" by Sophia R. Mulvey: Avon as seen through Gan's eyes. A nice character piece that gives us a look at one of the least-explored relationships in the series, as well as an answer to one of canon's great unanswered questions. Non-ficton, etc.: Interview with Janet Lees Price: Interview conducted by mail with Janet Lees Price: Paul Darrow's wife, and the actress who played Klyn in "Blake." Considerable discussion on her career, and some thoughts on being shot by her husband in front of several million viewers. "Blake II: The Wrath of Klyn" by Kathy Hanson: Cartoons featuring Klyn, many of them obviously inspired by the abovementioned interview. Mildly amusing, and I very much like Kathy Hanson's cartooning style. "Smuggler's Blues" by Rebecca Ann Brothers: A poem from Jenna's POV. As a poem it doesn't do a whole lot for me, but the characterization of Jenna is good. Interview with Paul Darrow: Interview conducted at a con in Florida in 1988. PD talks about his acting career, his relationship with the fans, and his then-forthcoming book (<wince>). Artwork: All art is by Kathy Hanson, except for some (rather cute) cartoon figures by Samantha Hayman illustrating "A Simple Duty." This isn't a very art-intensive zine, and I'm absolutely rotten at commenting on artwork, so not a lot of comments here. Every story does have at least one illo, though, and I'd say the quality ranges from "decent" to "quite good." And there's a picture of older Avon and younger Avon from "Backwards to the Future" that I'm personally quite taken with. -- Betty Ragan ** ragan(a)sdc.org ** http://www.sdc.org/~ragan/ "Hard work often pays off after time, but laziness always pays off now." -- an "anti-inspirational" poster

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Re: Detectives and B7
by Betty Ragan 16 Oct '01

16 Oct '01

Responding to me, Ellyne wrote: > > Agreed, but, come on, you can't leave it *there*! I want to know > > what happened next. <pout> > > Alas, I don't know. <snip> > However, this is how the story ends. Ah, but that's more than enough to wipe the pout off my face! Thanks! -- Betty Ragan ** bragan(a)nrao.edu ** http://www.aoc.nrao.edu/~bragan Not speaking for my employers, officially or otherwise. "Seeing a rotten picture for the special effects is like eating a tough steak for the smothered onions..." -- Isaac Asimov

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Re: [B7L] Detectives and B7
by Ellynne G. 16 Oct '01

16 Oct '01

> > Agreed, but, come on, you can't leave it *there*! I want to know > what > happened next. <pout> Alas, I don't know. Oh, there's the obvious. The dead woman was seen falling to her doom in the reflection of a wine glass. I'm sure that means left to right mix ups and the confusion of curvature plays some part in the solution. Unless the murder victim really _was_ in the wineglass . . . . No, I'd never forgive myself for doing in Tinkerbell, even in fiction. I always clap during the play (which suggests another way Blake could have pulled through [if everyone who really believes in hopeless rebel causes would clap . . . .]). However, this is how the story ends. "I have found that most people, rebel leaders not accepted, are far too trusting for this wicked world," I informed them, pausing only as long as absolutely necessary for dramatic purposes and continuing before Cally could offer her opinion on the matter. "How did we know the dead body was that of Romana Trelundar?" "But Fred positively identified her!" Vila protested. "My point exactly. We had only her word; and people, as I am sorry to have to inform you, my dear Vila, lie." "But why would she lie?" Jenna asked. "Why? To gain a fortune, to be rid of a rival, and (most important) to get revenge on for the way their father had abandoned her years before." There was a collective gasp. "You don't mean - it's impossible - she _can't_ -" "Oh, yes, she can. Fred is really Romula Fredlundar, Romana Trelundar's long lost, Delta grade half sister!" Then, as usual, they all turned and said, "Blake, that was brilliant." "Elementary, my dear people," Blake said, also as usual. Fortunately, by this point in our association, I had long since given up the hopeful delusion that any human beings (with the sole exception of myself) could maintain a strong enough link to reality in Blake's vicinity to ever give credit (or blame) where it was due. As for the rest of the case, there are only two matters, both minor and peripheral but (just barely) worthy of note. The first is that, immediately upon our return to Liberator, I made such small adjustments as I felt were necessary to my quarters so as to maintain my own peace of mind. Although Blake gave me a look of mild hurt and confusion after Cally let him out of sickbay, he never attempted to circumvent my locks and their automatic firing mechanisms again; and I slept the sleep of the just. The second matter is even more peripheral and concerns a conversation I had with Vila. We were deeply engaged in an invigorating discussion of chaos theory and probability and how these forces might combine to set seemingly random events in motion. Specifically, I was outlining the chaotic fate which would, in all probability, befall all supplies of adranlin and soma on the ship in relation to a seemingly unconnected event such as Blake finding a way to circumvent my security arrangements. A thought seemed to suddenly occur to Vila and, this being such a rare event, he was immediately impelled to share it with me. "Avon, how did you guess Romana and Romula were sisters? Romana was an Alpha. Romula's a Delta. What was the connection? And how did you know that was why Romual killed her?" "When you have eliminated the impossible, Vila, whatever is left, no matter how improbable must be the truth. Besides, it wasn't as improbable as it seems." Vila looked nervous. Good. "Oh?" he asked with that feigned innocence that, given his conviction record, one might think he would have learned is wholly unconvincing to both judges and juries. "Oh, no. One might even say it was . . . familiar." Vila now looked very nervous. Better. "Another aspect of probability, Vila. If anything . . . suspicious were to ever happen to me and if any long lost relatives were to suddenly appear and try to claim all that money the Federation insists I didn't actually manage to steal from them -" "I still think you could have picked it up _after_ rescuing us from Cygnus Alpha. That was six more months we had to spend on that prison barge. And couldn't you come up with a better story than 'discovering' a treasure room? It sounds a bit lame even to me. Besides, now Blake thinks it's his." "That was just one quarter's interest, only what I could convert into jewels, gold, and a wardrobe room on short notice. If you saw what was here before, you'd realize it was money well spent. But that is not the point. The point is that, if anything happened to me and any theoretical parties tried to claim the rest of it, those parties might suddenly find Orac had put them at the top of every kill list of every organization inside and outside the Federation." "Oh," At the risk of repeating myself, I will say that I slept soundly after this case. **** Of course, if I ever made this into a full fledged story, I would have to include references from more than Sherlock Holmes and Miss Marple. Examples: [Nero Wolf] Orac: You're problem is quite simple, Vila. You suffer from the mistaken assumption that you are funny. It confuses people. With your history, it seems highly probable you will one day make what you think is a joke and get shot. Avon: Now, Orac, just because Vila's shot doesn't mean it isn't funny. [Amelia Peabody] Avon [who has wound up in sickbay after being a little more obnoxiously Avonish than usual]: Cally, I don't need another injection. Cally [who is controlling her temper rather well considering how obnoxiously Avonish Avon's been, but there are limits]: But _I_ need to stick something _sharp_ into you. Or perhaps - Jenna [shrugging off how she arrived in the nick of time]: I have found that there is very little a smuggler can't deal with provided she is armed with fortitude and a semi-automatic. Fortunately, I have both. [Perry Mason] Guest Character: It seems to me that you're getting out of the frying pan and into the fire. Avon: That at least will be a change of scenery. Ellynne ________________________________________________________________ GET INTERNET ACCESS FROM JUNO! Juno offers FREE or PREMIUM Internet access for less! Join Juno today! For your FREE software, visit: http://dl.www.juno.com/get/web/.

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Fw: Jim Francis Obit
by Una McCormack 16 Oct '01

16 Oct '01

Forwarded on behalf of Alan Stevens. Una ----- Original Message ----- Sent: 16 October 2001 10:00 Subject: Jim Francis Obit > Hi Una, > > Sheelagh Wells has sent us a memorial piece for Jim Francis: http://www.kaldorcity.com/francis.html. Mind letting the newsgroups know? > > Cheers, > > Alan

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Re: [B7L] Top Ten
by Steve Kilbane 16 Oct '01

16 Oct '01

> On Mon, Oct 15, 2001 at 10:13:51PM +0100, Steve Kilbane wrote: > > [..] I believe that much of the decline of quality of media sf is because > > it was the sort of stuff watched by kids two decades ago, who are now > > running TV companies, and think that stuff's just for kids - they don't > > watch it themselves, and don't think it deserves the time and effort "real" > > drama gets - sorry, off on a rant there. > > Who says that's a recent phenomenon? [sarcasm mode on] Me! [and off again] > That's the way it's *always* been, > ever since Doctor Who began. SF is for kiddies is the attitude... True, but just as kids' movies are frequently recognised as containing laughs for the parents that'll go safely over the heads of the little treasures, I see no reason why adults can't recognise the deeper themes in sf, apart from the self-imposed blinkers. > at least you're lucky in the UK -- you actually *get* "real" drama. [...] > But consider how fortunate you are in the UK, really -- you actually get > SF in something close to prime time. You get Stargate and Farscape on > DVD! [...] > So don't knock what you've got... All true. We do have some great TV here. It's more the attitudes I'm bashing. steve

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Favourite FX
by Leia Fee 15 Oct '01

15 Oct '01

I've always liked the 4th series opening, zipping along the planet's surface then wheeeling off into space with the navigation computer overlay. Leia Totalise - the Users ISP ---------------------- To become a member and a shareholder visit http://www.totalise.net

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RE: [B7L] Top Ten
by Leia Fee 15 Oct '01

15 Oct '01

>If anyone taped it and wouldn't mind lending me their copy, I'd love to see >it. Me too... I forgot entirely that it was on <hang head in shame> Leia Totalise - the Users ISP ---------------------- To become a member and a shareholder visit http://www.totalise.net

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Re: [B7L] Top Ten
by Alison Page 15 Oct '01

15 Oct '01

And they do pick convention footage that makes SF fans look even stupider than we actually are, don't they? And that can't be easy. steve said - Anyone got the actual list, for discussion purposes? As I recall: Space: 1999 The Tomorrow People Buck Rogers in the 25th Century Sapphire and Steel Blake's 7 ---> I think Hitchiker's Guide comes in here Thunderbirds Red Dwarf Doctor Who Star Trek I can't help but wonder what was deemed worse than Space 1999, the Tomorrow People and Buck Rogers, which were literally unwatchable. Alison

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RE: Re: [B7L] Detectives and B7
by jacquispeel＠netscape.net 14 Oct '01

14 Oct '01

"Sally Manton" <smanton(a)hotmail.com> wrote: >Ellynne wrote: ><From the Casebook of Roj Blake (recorded by that innocent bystander, Avon)> > >:-) An now happily imagining My Darling's very best 'innocent' look >(helllooooo, Gambit). And how long *do* you think it was before he >booby-trapped his cabin door? > >Wonderful stuff, Ellynne. > How about 'redoing' each episode as a 'detective story' The Way Back: Blake finds a memory etc etc. Or 'appropriate quotes' Cygnus Alpha - Religion is the Opiate of the Masses The Web - What tangled webs we weave... Jacqui __________________________________________________________________ Your favorite stores, helpful shopping tools and great gift ideas. Experience the convenience of buying online with Shop@Netscape! http://shopnow.netscape.com/ Get your own FREE, personal Netscape Mail account today at http://webmail.netscape.com/

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Blakes7 October 2001