The Way Back

The Way Back

1978 is a long time ago, even by my ancient standards, so the news that the first episode of 'Blake's 7' partially clashed with Carl Sagan's lecture on the Outer Planets (presumably not the same Outer Planets where Blake thinks his family are living) caused me a spot of head-scratching.

I can only guess that I watched 'The Way Back', then hurriedly turned over to see the tail end of Carl's talk, but I honestly can't remember... remember... remember!!!

It's funny, but until today I've never even registered that the first person we see Blake talking to is Billie from 'Here Come The Double Deckers!', though the grim nature of this opening tale means that our hero is not involved with a madcap chase featuring Clive Dunn in a suit of armour, played on film at double-speed.

For a show in a six o'clock shot, it's all very downbeat but that's not a complaint. Even here, though, there are moments of light relief, some of them possibly even intentional.

Nigel Lambert is boogeying on down with his Video Walkman Sunglasses (or whatever they are) and Ven Glynd's office doors make a very silly noise, considering that you have to open them yourself. We're definitely not in the 'Star Trek' universe here.

I would also suggest that maybe the Justice Department ought to review their ID badges, as they seem very easy to forge, resembling the sort of things you have to wear at medium-sized conventions. We never quite get to see if there is a wonky safety-pin on the back, but I wouldn't be surprised.

If you are daft enough to freeze-frame some of the text displays, you find some names that are even stranger than the average Nation creations, though the memorable Dr A J Globbs and Dr Painter Hamer might just be someone having a laugh.

But all joking aside, this is a very efficient set-up for the series and has inspired us to carry on with the first season at least.

So hopefully you'll excuse us if we delay our next visit to Grace Brothers in favour of a quick trip to Cygnus Alpha...

Our video about 'The Way Back' can be seen here.

(Written by Andrew Trowbridge)