History Recap / BlakesSevenS3E12DeathWatch

* CombatByChampion: Two planetary systems fight wars this way, with the losing side surrendering a couple of planets and a large part of their spacefleet. They each select a champion who fight with handguns with their DuelToTheDeath [[GladiatorGames televised for entertainment]], but one side cheats by [[RobotsAreJustBetter using an android with a faster]] QuickDraw. Turns out it's a conspiracy to start a real war by exposing the deception. Once the two sides fight each other to exhaustion, the Federation will step in to 'restore order'.

* ADayInTheLimelight: Steven Pacey wanted more lines, so an episode was written where he could play both himself and the guest star!

* CombatByChampion[=/=]DuelToTheDeath: Two planetary systems fight wars this way, with the loser surrendering a couple of planets and a large part of their spacefleet. Two champions [[SpaceWestern fight with handguns]] with their duel [[GladiatorGames televised for entertainment]], but one side cheats by [[RobotsAreJustBetter using an android with a faster]] QuickDraw. Turns out it's a conspiracy to start a real war by exposing the deception. Once the two sides fight each other to exhaustion, the Federation will step in to 'restore order'.

* ExactWords: Avon is going to see a sick friend, and they don't come sicker than Servalan!

** Servalan used an android posing as a human in "Project Avalon", while restoring order after a conflict the Federation secretly started sounds like the Lindor Strategy in "Bounty".

** Reference is made to Dayna hunting primitives with bow & arrow, and the death of her father in "[[Recap/BlakesSevenS3E1Aftermath Aftermath]]".

-->'''Vila:''' I'm going to be thrilled one way or another. [Furtive glances at Dayna] Have a drink, Dayna.

-->'''Vila:''' [Eagerly] No. What?

* AsideGlance: Servalan looks at the camera when quipping, "After all, it's not a ''major'' violation."

* SaveTheVillain: At least they have a good excuse this time; if Dayna kills a Neutral Arbiter, both Teal and Vandor would be obliged to kill Dayna (and likely the rest of the Seven) for their violation of the TruceZone. Furthermore Servalan's battlefleet is massed on the border in a show of strength to ensure no harm comes to her -- actually in preparation for the invasion, but killing their President would give the Federation a PretextForWar.

* FixingTheGame

-->'''Dieter:''' Have you ever thought you might be in the wrong business, Max?

* WeNeedADistraction: A woman on the starliner Deeta is traveling on feigns a stumble so her colleague can shoot him InTheBack. Deeta isn't fooled.

* ShouldersOfDoom: Avon has [[WTHCostumingDepartment huge shoulder pads on his leather jacket]].

** Servalan used an android posing as a human in "Project Avalon", while restoring order in a conflict the Federation secretly started sounds like the Lindor Strategy in "Bounty".

** Servalan used an android posing as a human in "Project Avalon", while restoring order in a war the Federation secretly started sounds like the Lindor Strategy in "Bounty".

** Servalan used an android posing as a human in "Project Avalon".

* INeedAFreakingDrink: Right after Orac says the crew needs a break, 100 million credits worth of MasterComputer is being used as a drinks counter.

* AccidentalInnuendo: Right after snogging Servalan, Avon tells Cally that [[SomethingElseAlsoRises he's coming up]] (the kiss was not scripted, but [[ThrowItIn improvised on set]] by Jacqueline Pearce and Paul Darrow).

* CombatByChampion / DuelToTheDeath

* AbandonedWarehouse: The Deeta/Vinni combat takes place in the derelict Wembley Exhibition Halls. Fortunately they didn't [[Series/TheProfessionals run into CI5]] while they were there.

* ActingForTwo: Steven Pacey plays Del Tarrant and his twin brother Deeta.

* AngstWhatAngst: Servalan appears in fine form regardless of her NearRapeExperience in "Moloch" and DespairEventHorizon in "Rumors of Death", though she still wears black after the events of "Children of Auron". Instead she's plotting to increase the size of her empire, carrying out diplomatic missions instead of being FrontlineGeneral all the time, and is even sizing up Avon as a potential ally. [[FridgeBrilliance Though for someone like her]], increasing her power is likely her way of coping with any sense of vulnerability. [[spoiler:This is confirmed in "Sand".]]

** Reference is made to Dayna hunting primitives with bow & arrow, and the death of her father in "Aftermath".

* DeliberateValuesDissonance: Our heroes idea of a holiday is to [[GladiatorGames watch two men attempt to kill one another]]. [[TheHeart Cally]] is the only one turned off by the concept.

* RecycledSet: The Del/Vinni combat takes place on a recreation of a starliner's observation deck, just like the one in the opening scene.

* SeriesContinuityError: In "Powerplay", Del had no trouble stabbing someone InTheBack, though this occasion may be due to a desire to [[BigBrotherWorship live up to his older brother]].

* ADayInTheLimelight: Steven Pacey wanted more lines, so was written an episode where he could play both himself and the guest star!

-->'''Avon:''' Oh, no, not "naturally," Madam President. You do not NATURALLY answer a question from an enemy who has no NATURAL right to ask it.
-->'''Servalan:''' But I don't think of YOU as an enemy, Avon. I think of YOU as a future friend.

** Dayna hunting primitives with bow & arrow, and the death of her father in "Aftermath".
** Avon makes a snide comment that Orac is worth every penny that Servalan almost paid for it.

** Dayna puts a gun to Servalan's head and makes her sweat. An assault on an Arbiter is a violation of the rules, but as Dayna has a Blood Feud with Servalan and didn't actually kill her (violating the TruceZone) she's just BannedFromArgo.

** Dayna puts a gun to Servalan's head and makes her sweat. An assault on an Arbiter is a violation of the rules, but as she has a Blood Feud and didn't actually kill her (violating the TruceZone) she's just BannedFromArgo.

** The Vandor Confederacy attempt to assassinate Deeta before he gets to the combat grounds, making the attempt the moment war is declared so it's legal.

* INeedAFreakingDrink: Right after Vila and Orac says the crew needs a break, he's piled with drinks.

* EvilPlan: The First Champion for Zandor is actually an android. As Neutral Arbiter, Servalan can insist on a medical checkup after Zandor's victory so the deception will be exposed. This will lead a real war between Zandor and Teal, and [[DivideAndConquer once both sides have been weakened]] the Federation will enter to 'restore order', no doubt welcomed by a civilian population unused to such conflicts.

* AngstWhatAngst: Servalan appears in fine form regardless of her NearRapeExperience in "Moloch" and DespairEventHorizon in "Rumors of Death", though she still wears black after the events of "Children of Auron". Instead she's plotting to increase the size of her empire, carrying out diplomatic missions instead of being FrontlineGeneral all the time, and is even sizing up Avon as a potential ally. [[FridgeBrilliance Though for someone like her]], increasing her power is likely her way of coping with any sense of vulnerability.