1. After Tarrant and the others arrive on Orbiter, Gambit gives a countdown to destruction of the Orbiter of 12 min. 20 sec. Soolin begins her shootout. After that comes the launch of Belkov's Alpha III and the Federation ships
Slave: Scan reveals several launchings from the planet's surface. Initial launch, small cargo vessel, Alpha Three. Subsequent launches confirm Federation pursuit ships. Bearings indicate all ships heading in this direction.
After that Soolin finishes her shoot-out and Tarrant launches a virtual craft. This is tougher than the real thing, apparently, since "these things chuck the lot at the student-pilot. Flying the real thing is nothing after one of these." Tarrant achieves virtual orbit. The implication is that Belkov and the Federation craft have achieved orbit too. After that Gambit gives the current countdown: 5 min 10 sec. Dayna teleports them off Orbiter, which has started to move.
The next shot is of Belkov's craft well clear of the planet below. Belkov's clearance of the atmosphere triggers Gambit's next set of instructions, which were:
Belkov: When I am clear of Mecron atmosphere, go to Condition Red. When all other tasks have been performed ... When all other tasks have been performed, go to self-destruct sequence as programmed.
Gambit goes (if she hasn't already gone) to Condition Red, which is not defined. Probably in general it means some state of high security, and involves clamping down, restrictions of some sort. Specifically, it prohibits Gambit from doing the important thing, severing the guidance links.
Belkov: Sever guidance links, give me automatic control. Gambit: Beginning self-destruct sequence. Belkov: I need automatic control first. Gambit. Gambit: I am not able to give it to you.
This is true. She can't give it to him. Belkov insults Gambit when he equates Gambit's 'cannot' with 'will not'
Belkov: I will be killed if you don't.
Gambit now sees the red
Gambit: Not willing to give it to you. Belkov: Gambit. Gambit: Self-destruct sequence in progress. Belkov: I am sorry.
And Belkov apologises but it doesn't placate Gambit. Belkov has to think fast. He wants to sever guidance links because he will be dead if they aren't severed. There are two ways to free his craft from Gambit's guidance linkage: Gambit releases the craft; Or Something wrests the craft from her grasp.
The first is no longer an option but the Black Hole can wrest the craft from Gambit. The Orbiter is moving, being pre-programmed. If the Feldon on the Orbiter were to draw from XL, the Black Hole will pull Belkov away from Gambit's unwilling hold. The option is fraught with danger, Belkov realises, but it is the only alternative to death.
Gambit must join the various components: the Feldon on Orbiter, the Black Hole, and the White Castle. He gives her an instruction to lock - this is not in conflict with the self-destruct sequence - lock his controls and Orbiter's controls into Cygnus XL. She complies. The result is that both Orbiter and Castle race towards the Black Hole (and Scorpio and Federation Squadron).
Belkov's laugh immediately afterward is not the laugh of a suicide, nor the smile of Avon. It suggests that he has achieved the necessary severance of guidance links. This is understandable, since, as Avon says, "there is nothing that won't be dragged in" to XL.
2. Gambit is sad when she says: "Panels locked on" because she knows the Black Hole will be awakened. Gambit wants to survive but she must complete all tasks set, which includes her self-destruction. Part of her has a half-decent chance with Vila, Slave and Orac (hence Orac's declaration of love in the next episode Sand). The rest of her has a slim chance in the Orbiter. Her systems are different from Orbiter's (Yes, I heard that, thank you Gambit. And Orbiter's defence is a lot better than yours). She wants and hopes Belkov to survive.
3. Perhaps Orbiter and Feldon over Belkov's twelve years parallel the Forbidden Zone on Earth and Central Control over the last half century. The Zone housed a great prize for a while, then the prize was moved. Likewise Orbiter housed large quantities of Feldon for a while, then the Feldon was used in research, spent for credits, or transferred to the Federation under terms of the contract.
Under this notion, Star One corresponds with Cygnus XL. The finality of destroying Star One is echoed in the finality of racing into the Black Hole (although the Hole, presumably, survives). But since both Federation and rebel survived Star One, so both Belkov and rebel survived XL.
4. Referring to the necklace, Vila said: "Belkov won't be needing it where he has gone." Vila went into and out of a Black Hole in Dawn of the Gods; his meaning in here is unclear. Avon's final line - End game to Belkov - one of the best in the series, is also ambiguous, since it is reminiscent of his line about Dayna's father's death ("He got away from here after all" - Aftermath). And Belkov won the middle game too. The screen displaying his face blows up, suggesting that Belkov has died, but this may be a deliberate deception on the part of the Programme maker.
5. Belkov wants at the least his freedom to do research elsewhere. And if it comes his way, he will also take Orac, some Capital, and whatever is given. Belkov involves Gerren through some indirect method. Gerren involves Avon and co., whom Belkov will use to neutralise Sleer and co. He can then escape through the middle. Belkov pre-programmes Orbiter to move when he approaches it in his craft. Belkov has an exit strategy. It is executed in the episode. It is the episode. If Belkov doesn't escape with his life the episode loses much of its reason for being.
6. With the exceptions of Terminal and Animals, every episode has a winner at the end. Winner is defined as some improvement in the life or assets of the winner. The following list shows winners from the episodes, including Belkov and Gambit.
The Way Back - Ven Glynd Space Fall - Jenna Cygnus Alpha - Gan Time Squad - Cally The Web - Decimas Seek, Locate, Destroy - Cally Mission to Destiny - Destinians Duel - Blake and Jenna Project Avalon - Avalon Breakdown - Gan Bounty - Tyce Sarkoff Deliverance - Meegatt Orac - Orac Redemption - Zen Shadow - Bek Weapon - Rashel, C-Blake Horizon - Ro, Selma, Silmarines Pressure Point - Veron, all Rebels Trial - Blake, Zil Killer - Passing Traffic Hostage - Inga Countdown - the Albians Voice From the Past - Servalan Gambit - Avon and Vila The Keeper - Tara Star One - Blake, Durkim
Aftermath - Zen Powerplay - Tarrant Volcano - Servalan Dawn of the Gods - the Thaarn Harvest of Kairos - Servalan City at Edge of World - Kerrill Children of Auron - Servalan Rumors of Death - Avon Sarcophagus - Cally Ultraworld - Cally and Avon Moloch - Astrid Death Watch - Teal and Vandor Terminal - Slave (?)
Rescue - the Monster Power - Soolin Traitor - the Helots Stardrive - Scorpio Animals - Og (?) Headhunter - Orac Assassin - Soolin Games - Belkov, Gambit Sand - Chasgo Gold - Sleer Orbit - Vila, T.Funnel victims Warlord - the Betaphilians Blake - Arlen
DC, who is pretty tired.