Terry Nation Movies

The long-missing Blake (Gareth Thomas) apparently resurfaces out of nowhere, issuing a coded message from afar to his former comrade-in-arms, Avon (Paul Darrow). Deciphering the code, Avon pilots the Liberator to Terminal, a synthetic planet. Unfortunately, the crew has been lured into a trap by their old enemy, Servalan (Jacqueline Pearce) -- and even worse, the Liberator is destroyed. This final episode of Blakes 7's third season adheres to tradition by concluding with a nail-biting cliffhanger. "Terminal" was originally broadcast on March 31, 1980. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Returning to Liberator with his new friend, Dayna (Josette Simon), Avon (Paul Darrow) finds that the ship has been captured by a Federation death squad, commanded by Tarrant (Steven Pacey, in his first series appearance). Meanwhile, Cally (Jan Chappell) has spirited the wounded Vila (Michael Keating) away to a hospital ship, ostensibly bound for the planet Chenga. Only upon discovering that their longtime enemy, Servalan (Jacqueline Pearce), has likewise boarded the ship do Cally and Vila find out that this "hospital" is actually a bank for human organs -- and that they've been slated to be "donors." "Powerplay" originally aired on January 14, 1980. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Lalla Ward, who had guest-starred as Princess Astra in the final 16th season adventure of Doctor Who, took over the role of Romana in the first adventure of the series' 17th season, "The Destiny of the Daleks." The Doctor and the newly regenerated Romana find themselves on Skaro, the now-desolate home planet of the Doctor's perennial enemies, the mutant Daleks. Threatened by the planet's dangerous radioactive levels, the two time-travellers are rescued by the robotic Movellas, who likewise have reason to despise their Dalek foes. Written by Terry Nation, episode one of the four-part "The Destiny of the Daleks" originally aired on September 1, 1979. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the conclusion of the four-part story "The Destiny of the Daleks," the Doctor (Tom Baker) and Romana (Lalla Ward) are still enmeshed in a power struggle between the Daleks and the Movellans on the planet Skaros. Though normally the sworn enemy of the Daleks, the Doctor comes to realize that the Movellans are no better than their enemies. But what to do about Davros (David Gooderson), the newly revived creator of the dreaded Daleks? Written by Terry Nation, "The Destiny of the Daleks, Episode 4" originally aired on September 22, 1979. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Blake (Gareth Thomas) sets forth to destroy the Federation's master computer on Earth. Unfortunately, the Federation has relocated the computer to Star One, which cannot be attacked without devastating consequences. Making matters worse, Travis (Brian Croucher) has shown up in hopes of eliminating Blake once and for all. Series regular David Jackson makes his last appearance as Gan in "Pressure Point," which originally aired on February 6, 1979. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

While attempting to destroy a Federation communications base on Saurion Major, Blake (Gareth Thomas), Vila (Michael Keating), and Avon (Paul Darrow) find a new ally in the form of Cally (Jan Chappell), a telepathic alien and sole survivor of a guerilla organization on her own planet. Meanwhile, back on the Liberator, Jenna (Sally Knyvette) and Gan (David Jackson) are faced with a long-dormant death squad, which is fiercely guarding an ancient genetics bank -- and is willing to kill anyone who crosses its path. This episode, which originally aired January 23, 1978, marked the series debut of Peter Tuddenham as the voice of master computer Zen. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

The crew pilots the Liberator to Centero, where they hope to locate a Federation decoding device. Meanwhile, Supreme Commander Servalan (Jacqueline Pearce, in her first series appearance) dispatches Blake's old enemy, Travis (Stephen Greif, likewise making his series bow), to destroy the resistance movement in any way he chooses. Travis' strategy is one of the oldest in the book: He captures Cally, using her as bait to flush out Blake.
"Seek-Locate-Destroy" originally aired on February 6, 1978. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

With the Liberator's energy sources low, the crew is forced to lock into the orbit of a desolate planet. It soon turns out that this "dead" world is actually a gladiatorial arena for two hostile alien powers. Blake (Gareth Thomas) and Jenna (Sally Knyvette) are forced to square off against Travis (Stephen Greif) and his pilot in a grim duel to the death -- and woe betide Blake's crew if he happens to be the loser. A collaboration between two longtime Doctor Who associates (writer Terry Nation and director Pennant Roberts), "Duel" first aired on February 20, 1978. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

The Limiter circuit implanted in the head of Gan (David Jackson) to halt his murderous impulses begins to malfunction. Now his life depends upon Professor Kayn (Julian Glover), the celebrated surgeon currently in residence at the XK72 space station. Alas, Kayn is sympathetic to the Federation, and is intent upon turning Gan's friends over to the authorities. Will Blake (Gareth Thomas) be obliged to forfeit Gan's life to save the others? "Breakdown" was first broadcast on February 20, 1978. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

The victim of Servalan's (Jacqueline Pearce) latest double-cross, the son (Tony Caunter) of celebrated scientist Ensor lays dying. As he breathes his last, he tells Blake (Gareth Thomas) of the existence of Orac, a super-powered computer created by Ensor. Meanwhile, Avon (Paul Darrow) is given the opportunity to fulfill a prophecy from his own people, and Jenna (Sally Knyvette) is captured by hostile aliens on the planet Cephelon. "Deliverance" made its first TV appearance on March 20, 1978. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

After rescuing Jenna (Sally Knyvette) from the hostile natives of Cephelon, Blake (Gareth Thomas) must evade Servalan (Jacqueline Pearce) long enough to deliver much-needed medical supplies to the scientist Ensor (Derek Farr) on the planet Aristo. Alas, Blake is too late: Ensor has died. Fortunately, Blake and his comrades have "inherited" Ensor's high-tech computer Orac, which -- less fortunately -- serves up a future vision showing the utter destruction of the Liberator and its crew. And on this "cliffhanger" note, the first season of Blakes 7 draws to a close. "Orac" originally aired on March 27, 1978. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the far distant future, the Earth and its space colonies are under the dictatorial rule of the Federation, which uses everything from physical torture to mind-controlling drugs to keep the populace under its thumb. Among the Federation's "perfect" citizens is Roj Blake (Gareth Thomas), whose memories of his previous life as a freedom fighter have been obliterated by the authorities. Upon recovering his full mental capacities and learning his true identity, Blake agrees to lead a revolt against the Federation -- only to be framed on a phony child-molestation charge and sentenced to the prison planet Cygnus Alpha. While onboard the prison transport vessel, Blake meets two fellow "outlaws" -- smuggler Jenna Stannis (Sally Knivette) and safecracker Vila Restal (Michael Keating) -- who are destined to join him in a bold escape attempt. Thus, with the episode titled "The Way Back," began the BBC1 TV run of Blakes 7 on January 2, 1978. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the second episode of the four-part story "The Android Invasion," the Doctor (Tom Baker) and Sarah (Elisabeth Sladen) have discovered that the "typical" English village of Devesham is actually a replica on the planet Oseidon, housing a training program for an android army controlled by the Kraals. It is the first stage of a scheme to replace humans with android lookalikes, the better to take over the world. Alas, the Doctor may not be able to expose the Kraals, inasmuch as he is facing almost certain death. Written by Terry Nation, "The Android Invasion, Episode 2" originally aired on November 29, 1975. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide