Iain W wrote:

There is more of the "other side" of federation life in this episode with the scenes between the crew members of the London. Even though he works for a private company in the employ of the federation the captain is shown to be a "good" man. He says he wants no unnecessary violence, saves Jenna from molestation, remains calm during the space battle scenes and the rebellion, he isn't stupid, he doesn't like Raiker, he is not prepared to allow Raiker to get away with the "you said I could" defence, etc., etc. ... He certainly showed the potential to turn against the federation.

Well, I watched Space Fall last night in anticipation....

One thing that struck me quite strongly was the exact opposite of Iain's point here. Leylan doesn't 'save Jenna from molestation' -- he tells Raiker to 'be discreet'. If he wanted to prevent Raiker bothering her, he could have tried something like: 'There's a female prisoner on board. If I find you've laid one finger on her, I'll have you dismissed and prosecuted when we get back.' Be discreet sounds to me more like 'do as you please -- but I don't want to know'.

If Leylan had been truly honourable and/or caring, he could have confined Jenna in one of the staff cabins and taken appropriate steps to assure her safety.

Raiker might be an evil bully, but he's Leylan's subordinate. Leylan could have attempted to control his unacceptable behaviour (which must have been known to him from previous experience, otherwise why the warning to be discreet?). As he does nothing, Leylan holds joint responsibility for it.

As to Raiker's shooting of the prisoners, Leylan is wholly responsible for that. He knew Raiker must be planning something more than usually unpleasant. Telling him off after the fact does not exonerate him (as I think Leylan himself realises).

I think the message here is pretty clear, that turning a blind eye to evil is collaboration. That cynicism isn't enough to exonerate one from blame.

More thoughts later, gotta work now....

Tavia