[Steve Rogerson]

This is a very well written episode with some excellent dialogue. Terry Nation excelled himself. I particularly enjoyed the conversation between Sarkoff and Blake when they first meet. That was very well done. The episode also ran two separate plots together seamlessly, with both being the lead plot in their own time.

Interestingly, they use Cally's telepathy sensibly and often in this episode, something they don't do enough of generally. It is a useful weapon used infrequently. Notice was given of this when Cally compared her telepathy to her rusty reflexes, saying she must practice it more. This also suggests that it is not totally a natural ability, which points to the idea that some fans say that the Aurons are really human. However, this is countered later in the episode when Sarkoff says to Cally: "Your people don't originate from Earth."

I did like the bit at the beginning where Cally warns Blake by telepathy of guards approaching and not to make a sound, and then Blake crashes through the undergrowth to reach her.

Gan showed he was willing to sacrifice himself for the others if necessary when he volunteered to check out the Star Queen and said Vila could fire on the other ship when he was over there if it was a trap. This is interesting in the light of Blake's guilt next season when Gan does die on a mission.


Questions
Wht didn't Avon hear Vila's warning until after he teleported the aliens when Vila gave the warning before he teleported them?

Did Blake foul his pants when Sarkoff pulled the trigger on the empty gun?

Why can Blake, who has never used a starting handle, know the technique better than Tyce, who presumably has lots of experience using one?

After they killed Tarvin at the end, what happened to the approaching Federation patrol?


General points
You'd think Sarkoff would have a DVD player among his old Earth artefacts.

The first conversation between Jenna and Tarvin suggests they once had a close relationship.


Gems
Blake's total look of puzzlement when the old song is playing on the record player.

Blake sitting there for ages with the collar-bomb clearly undone just before Vila spends ages trying to undo it.

Avon's shoes looked like they belonged in Sarkoff's museum when we saw the nails holding the heel on.

Jenna knocks an Amagon out by kicking him in the hip (one of my favourite all time scenes).


Quotes
"Civilisation has always depended on courtesy rather than truth," - Sarkoff.

"I'm entitled to my opinion," - Vila.
"It is your assumption that we are entitled to it as well that is irritating," - Avon.

"The test is not whether you are suspicious but whether you are caught," - Avon.

"I don't want data, I want to know what's happening," - Vila.

"Well it's faster than the automobile, but not as amusing," - Sarkoff on teleporting.
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--
cheers
Steve Rogerson
http://homepages.poptel.org.uk/steve.rogerson

Hail Og: Ruler of the Universe (Feb 2005-2007)

[Picard]

Not such a good episode this one. But I haven't watched this one in donkeys years again!
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"No matter where you are... everyone is always connected." Lain Iwakura

[CJ]

This is a great episode. Steve's right, that exchange between Blake and Sarkoff is classic and once Blake starts breaking up his precious collection you can see the man has a spine of pure ice.
But one more question - how does Vila get his collar removed...?

[Valentine]

Steve Rogerson

[inge]

I've only seen this episode once but did enjoy it. I liked Sarkoff and Tyce character's.
Cally was well suited to this episode also.
To answer one of Steve's questions, it was easier for Blake to operate the handle on the vintage car as these handles require muscles not brains to turn the motor over.

[Picard]

Sorry I watched it again yesterday and I thought it was better on a second viewing.
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"No matter where you are... everyone is always connected." Lain Iwakura

[Valentine]

Picard

[BLAKESCREWE]

I`d sooner eat the chocalate bar than sit through this pile of manure again ! .

[Picard]

[Steve Rogerson]

[Janov Seldon]

Yeah, I agree that the Amagons are a good idea. But, like the Terra Nostra and the Space rats, they were criminally underused. That hasn't stopped fanfic authors though.

Interestingly, in a review of Stardrive that I read years ago, the reviewer commented that it might have been a good idea to link up the two, the Space Rats being used as pirates or muscle by the Terra Nostra to knock off anyone not operating under Terra nostra "protection"

Again, it's also a good bit of back story for Jenna.
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"Now then, Butch Harry, tell us about Fulham..."

[thunda]

Rather than talk about the actual story right now,there are two things I'm curious about.

1)The scene near the beginning where Cally jumps off the ledge onto the Federation guard,obvious it was a stunt person,but it doesnt look like they used ropes or a mat to break her/his fall.It actually looks like the Cally stunt double jumps from the ledge to the ground,in high heels .I know it's a little thing,but it's bugging me.


2)What's Zen's problem? He is able to warn the crew that the voice is not Gan's,but he won't tell Villa there's an intruder on board.
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"Women, food, and inflicting pain -- in no particular order."
- The Fifth Legion

[Turnidus]

[Valentine]

Turnidus

[BLAKESCREWE]

Well it proves that even the the far future Women still prefer to hobble around in high heeled shoes - even if it means breaking an ankle !