One of the great things about Blakes 7 and indeed what makes it special, are the characters. I think the credit lies in the writing of these personality traits, which often out weigh the real action on the screen, simply because much of the drama occurs within the group. It's almost voyueristc. Through friction and humour we see character development and revelation, which keeps us watching. When you've got a group of people living together in confined quaters there's bound to be friction, Blakes 7 captures that exceedingly well. The collective are a cohesive dichotomy; or as Avon described it in gold...'we are together for mutual convenience....I would imagine if I tried to double cross them, they would try to kill me.' In the circumstances that they're living in, this all sounds plausible. Thats a key word, plausible...and the actors who portrayed these characters are largely responsible for this. so many of the scenes are extremely natural.
The best example of this is Blake and Avon, vying for dominant position. We know from the very outset that these two men are philosophically apposed and basically don't like each other. Still circumstance has thrust them together and they both recognise strengths in the other that neither really has. They have a mutual dislike of the Federation, but view things differently. Avon has a more personal pragmatism if you like. He sees no need to bring down the Federation for the hell of it. He particularly doesn't want to die doing so. Blake is looking out for human interest, but is frequently blinded by idealism and what he sees as right.
Basically these motivations and personalities compete. avon in deliverance, 'are you afraid that I can cope with it [the radiation] better than you can? B: 'No {laughing}' A: 'Well, perhaps you ought to be.'
redemption B:'...and you just let the others go on worrying?' A: 'Well all they had to do was ask. Perhaps in future they won't rely on you to provide all the answers.'
Or my favourite form redemption. A: 'Have you found what you want?' B: 'No.' A: 'Thats' because you're looking for the wrong things.' B: 'What exactly is that supposed to mean?' A: 'It's a common enough failing....'
calculated insults and an opportunity to put each other down, all over a philosophical discussion on the nature of prediction. It's a well worked scene. There are hundreds to choose from, and not just avon winning too.
This struggle for position is very much human nature when you have equal wills and different skills in an environment where there isn't an established leader.Have a look at the work place when there's no leadership. shambolical. Clearly Blake was better leader material than Avon. He was more of a people person, but also the group seemed to "trust" him. Everyone was a little unsure of Avon, he was motivated by "self-interest" remember, not by idealism. much harder to tie down. I'm counting "better" on personality and influence, not success rates here. Avon did lose two space craft after all. :-)(and remember Avon recalling Blakes leadership skills in Blake. '...and they will follow him...and very good with rabble...' yada yada needing a figure head, trying to undermine Blakes talent for leadership.)
If we compare the Captain Kirk scenario, no-one really questions his leadership, because he's "captain". there's no need, it's already established. In B7 we have personalities struggling for position and ethical motivation. eg. Jenna querying Blakes plague warning probe in Killer and stating she would need 'proof of that.' with regards to the federation personnel being human, according to blake.
This is what makes good viewing. Clint Eastwood said to Larry King one time what makes a good movie. A good story well told and he said the importance of good characters. The chain is only as strong as the weakest link. I personally hate piri, even as cancer she hammed her part. Like Colin Baker as Bayban. Generally the Brit's have marvellous character actors. recently in NZ we've had Lord of the Rings being filmed, here in wellington. One of my friends did some extra work...well a few friends actually, but he said he was amazed at the number of Brit's on the set. they are good character actors and funny buggers to have on set. One conversation overheard by some southern england lads who'd finished university and were travelling. 'E're? Why dya' wanna have a pike that long for?' 'I dunno', pick apples?'
We all have like's or hates to the characters we see. we recognise these traits in ourselves or other people, even though the circumstances they're in aren't real. natural human responses? or merely plausible? Thats the key to the success of this show over so many others of the genre.
So heres to good characters first, but backed with a good scribt and decent dialogue. Nayte.
"That all-softening, overpowering knell,/ The tocsin of the soul - the dinner bell." Byron.
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