Line #37 Recap/BlakesSevenS3E12DeathWatch


1	[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/death_watch.jpg]]
2	[[caption-width-right:350:"Wow, you look [[UncannyFamilyResemblance just like your brother]]."]]
3	[[AC:Written by Creator/ChrisBoucher.\
4	Directed by Gerald Blake.\
5	Airdate: 24 March 1980.]]\
6
7
8	->''"So that's the ultimate excitement. Murder without guilt, death without loss."''
9	-->-- '''Del Tarrant'''
10
11	The United Planets of Teal and the Vandor Confederacy wage ritual war in a CombatByChampion. When Tarrant's twin brother is killed during the latest combat game, he decides to take on the killer.
12
13	----
14	!!This episode has the following tropes:
15
16	* AbandonedWarehouse: The Deeta/Vinni combat takes place in the derelict [[HeyItsThatPlace Wembley Exhibition Halls]]. Fortunately they didn't [[Series/TheProfessionals run into CI5]] while they were there.
17	* AnachronismStew: The Champions use [[RevolversAreJustBetter magnum revolvers]] for their duel.
18	* AsideGlance: Servalan looks at the camera when quipping, "After all, [[ButIWouldReallyEnjoyIt it's not a]] ''[[ButIWouldReallyEnjoyIt major]]'' [[ButIWouldReallyEnjoyIt violation]]."
19	* AstonishinglyAppropriateInterruption: Vila is saying that Orac should be redesigned into something useful, like an empty space. Just then the announcer starts pontificating: "Space the final frontier..."
20	* BlatantLies
21	-->'''Servalan:''' Scrupulous fairness is one of my small, personal obsessions.
22	* BusmansHoliday: The crew of the Liberator decide they need a break. Of course, the place they go to just happens to have Servalan running her latest scheme.
23	* ButLiquorIsQuicker
24	-->'''Vila:''' I'm going to be thrilled one way or another. ''[Furtive glances at Dayna]'' Have a drink, Dayna.\
25	'''Dayna:''' Do you know your most attractive quality, Vila?\
26	'''Vila:''' ''[Eagerly]'' No. What?\
27	'''Dayna:''' [[SarcasmMode Your subtlety.]]
28	* CallBack:
29	** Reference is made to Dayna hunting primitives with bow & arrow, and the death of her father ("[[Recap/BlakesSevenS3E1Aftermath Aftermath]]").
30	** Avon makes a snide comment that Orac is worth every penny that Servalan almost paid for it ("[[Recap/BlakesSevenS1E12Deliverance Deliverance]]").
31	* CatharsisFactor: InUniverse
32	-->'''Max:''' It's a release that we all share. A catharsis. We all fight the war, but only one ''man'' actually dies.
33	* ChromeChampion: The Champions wear silver SpaceClothes.
34	* 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 whose DuelToTheDeath is [[GladiatorGames televised for entertainment]], but one side cheats by [[RobotsAreJustBetter using an android with a faster]] QuickDraw.
35	* ContrivedCoincidence: The Seven just happen to pick a holiday spot where Del Tarrant's brother and Servalan are, as opposed to Del wanting to go there to support his brother in the Games, or to find out what Servalan is up to.
36	* CoupDeGrace: Vinni [[OminousWalk slowly walks]] up to Deeta and puts a bullet in his head, [[FadeToWhite then everything goes white]].
37	* ADayInTheLimelight: Creator/StevenPacey wanted more lines, so an episode was written where he could [[ActingForTwo play both himself and the guest star]]!
38	* DeadlyDeferredConversation: As he's focused on the upcoming duel, Deeta puts off talking to the brother he hasn't seen in years till after the Games. So he has to deliver a dying message to Del as Vinni is walking up to kill him, with millions of spectators listening in.
39	* DeadlyGame: Though in this case the combatants are volunteers, and the Games are SeriousBusiness in Vandor-Teal as they're used to solve political disputes and avert total war.
40	* DeliberatelyJumpingTheGun:
41	** Worried that he might beat their champion regardless, the Vandor Confederacy try to kill Deeta the moment war has been declared, but before Deeta has heard the news.
42	** Orac hacks into the game computers to find out which environment Del Tarrant is about to enter.
43	* 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.
44	* DiesWideOpen: Subverted; Dayna puts her sonic lance to Servalan's head and tells her to close her eyes...so she can know exactly how her father felt when she killed him (by blinding him first).
45	* DisintegratorRay: Del Tarrant uses a RayGun that Dayna invented to [[ThereIsNoKillLikeOverkill obliterate Vinni]], destroying the evidence that he was an android and so averting war.
46	* DissonantSerenity: Max when Deeta points a gun at him while they're linked, as he's experiencing Deeta's professional detachment.
47	* DoesThisRemindYouOfAnything: Like the films ''Film/TheYearOfTheSexOlympics'' (1968) and ''[[Film/Deathwatch1980 Death Watch]]'' (1980), this episode anticipates the craze for RealityTV.
48	* DoIReallySoundLikeThat: "Is that how I look?"
49	* DoubleMeaningTitle: A death watch is a vigil for those who are expected to die (in this case, Max looking after Deeta as he prepares for combat), but it also refers to the audience watching and experiencing the death of the combatants.
50	* DuelsDecideEverything: Blood feuds and duelling are part of the culture of Vandor and Teal, hence the CombatByChampion as a substitute for war. Del uses this to challenge Vinni, declaring a blood feud for the death of his brother.
51	* EvilIsPetty: Vinni isn't just a professional killer who turns out to be a robot - he's also a ''complete dick'' about it.
52	* EvilPlan: The First Champion for Vandor is actually an android. As Neutral Arbiter, Servalan can insist on a medical checkup after Vandor's victory so the deception will be exposed. This will cause a real war between Vandor 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.
53	* ExactlyWhatIAimedAt: Dayna fires a warning shot into the medical console that is currently examining Vinni.
54	* ExactWords: Avon is [[INeedToGoIronMyDog going to see a sick friend]], and they don't come sicker than Servalan!
55	* ExpectingSomeoneTaller: Inverted
56	-->'''Karla:''' I've seen you on the viscasts of course, but you look different somehow -- you're taller than I expected.\
57	'''Deeta:''' [[DeadpanSnarker I usually stand in a hole.]]
58	* FixingTheGame: Two planetary systems use a CombatByChampion in lieu of warfare. One side cheats by using a RidiculouslyHumanRobot that is [[RobotsAreJustBetter faster than its opponent.]] Actually the real plan is to expose the fraud and start a war for real. So before this can happen Tarrant challenges the android to another duel, and again Orac is used to hack into the computers so Tarrant knows which battleground he's entering, giving him a momentary advantage in setting up an ambush.
59	* FoeRomanceSubtext
60	-->'''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.\
61	'''Servalan:''' But I don't think of ''you'' as an enemy, Avon. I think of ''you'' as a future friend.\
62	'''Avon:''' ''[puts his arm about Servalan and pulls her against him]'' Your plan had better be fireproof, Servalan, or I'll see you burn with it. ''[snog passionately]''
63	* ForcedToWatch: Del not only witnesses his brother's death, he experiences it right up to the BoomHeadshot
64	* ForcefulKiss: Not that Servalan seems to mind.
65	* FuturisticSuperhighway: Max and Deeta travel in a high-speed sub-surface shuttle.
66	* HatesBeingTouched: After Max shakes Avon's hand, the latter looks at his own palm in distaste.
67	* HistoryRepeats:
68	** Servalan used an android posing as a human in "[[Recap/BlakesSevenS1E9ProjectAvalon Project Avalon]]".
69	** Restoring order after a conflict the Federation secretly started sounds a lot like the Lindor Strategy in "[[Recap/BlakesSevenS1E11Bounty Bounty]]".
70	* HitmanWithAHeart: Deeta only kills in self defence, won't shoot a man InTheBack, and isn't happy about the idea that his younger brother might be inspired to follow in his footsteps.
71	* HonourBeforeReason: Neither Tarrant brother is willing to shoot Vinni [[InTheBack from behind]].
72	* INeedAFreakingDrink: Right after Orac says the crew needs a break, 100 million credits worth of MasterComputer is [[MundaneUtility being used as a drinks counter]].
73	* ImmoralRealityShow: Although the Games are SeriousBusiness for the governments hosting them, it's basically this trope for everyone watching.
74	* InTheBack: Tarrant refuses to shoot his duel opponent in the back (despite his being an android), prompting cries of "KillHimAlready". Instead Tarrant calls out his opponent's name, then shoots him when he turns to fire. He is smart enough to be lying down though, so any return shots would miss.
75	* ItsPersonal: Dayna re Servalan. Del re Deeta.
76	* KillHimAlready: Avon can't understand why Del doesn't just shoot the [[JustAMachine android]] InTheBack.
77	* LeaningOnTheFourthWall
78	** On encountering Creator/StevenPacey in a wig instead of his Del Tarrant perm, Karla says he looks different somehow.
79	** Servalan does an AsideGlance after snogging Avon.
80	* LittleNo: Vila when Deeta gets shot.
81	* LoopholeAbuse
82	** The Vandor Confederacy try to assassinate Deeta before he gets to the combat grounds, making the attempt the moment war is declared so it's legal.
83	** 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 and didn't actually kill Servalan (which would violate the TruceZone) she's just BannedFromArgo.
84	** As the medical checkup ordered by the Neutral Arbiter didn't take place, Teal has the right to declare the duel invalid and insist it be fought again with new Champions. With the medical checkup done prior, this time.
85	* MakeGamesNotWar: Although a BloodSport for outsiders, the duel is SeriousBusiness as the losing side has to make repatriations as if they'd lost a real war.
86	* MilkingTheGiantCow: With FlyawayShot.
87	-->'''Vinni:''' Deeta Tarrant is dead! I claim victory for the Vandor Confederacy of Planets!
88	* MoodWhiplash: The "breathless solemnity" (to quote Avon) of the announcer is followed by him snarking at the director once the cameras are off.
89	* MundaneUtility: Orac gripes about being used to relay [[WeWillUseWikiWordsInTheFuture viscasts]] of the duel (they also use him as a drinks tray). Later they find a more effective use for Orac hacking into the battle computer to find out where Tarrant is going to be duelling ahead of time.
90	* NotCheatingUnlessYouGetCaught
91	-->'''Avon:''' Tarrant. I presume you have no tedious scruples about cheating and lying?\
92	'''Del Tarrant:''' None at all.\
93	'''Avon:''' ''[evil grin]'' Oh, good.
94	* OpenMouthInsertFoot:
95	** Vila quips that Servalan's idea of fair play is never to shoot a blind man in the back. Then realises that's exactly what she did to Dayna's father.
96	--->'''Vila:''' Wonderful. And for my next trick, I shall swallow my other foot. I completely forgot about your father.\
97	'''Dayna:''' [[ButForMeItWasTuesday I expect Servalan has, too.]]
98	** And this from a member of the Teal Diplomatic Corp.
99	--->'''Max:''' He's a professional killer! That's not exactly the way a normal person would...\
100	'''Deeta:''' Have you ever thought you might be in the wrong business, Max?
101	* PlayingTheirOwnTwin: Creator/StevenPacey plays Deeta Tarrant, twin brother of his regular role of Del Tarrant.
102	* QuickDraw: Deeta shows his skills in the BatmanColdOpen when he outdraws two assassins. During their duel in the Combat Zone, Vinni calls out that [[LetsFightLikeGentlemen they should stop running around trying to shoot each other and face off]] for a QuickDraw. [[HonorBeforeReason Deeta]] agrees even though he's just snuck up behind Vinni and could kill him easily.
103	* RailingKill: Stuntman Stuart Fell lives up to his last name again. He lands on a conveniently placed sofa.
104	* RevengeBeforeReason: Averted; Avon warns Dayna not to kill Servalan, as she'd be executed for violating the TruceZone.
105	* RobotsAreJustBetter: Deeta is the better gunfighter -- he could have killed Vinni if he didn't have scruples about shooting a man InTheBack. But when they face off for the QuickDraw Vinni lets Deeta draw first, then instantly draws his gun and kills him.
106	* 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 [[GunboatDiplomacy 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.
107	* SeeingThroughAnothersEyes: How the entire population joins in with the duel.
108	-->'''Max:''' The sensor net. You don't know about it? Both men have had microsensors implanted in the brain. These are connected to a conductive mesh which is actually etched into the bone of the skull. When this mesh gets charged up, it becomes a sort of transmitter.\
109	'''Del Tarrant:''' Transmitting signals from the microsensors?\
110	'''Max:''' Right. The signals are boosted through the combat computer, and are picked up by these receivers. You put it on your forehead; it's activated through the optic nerves. Close your eyes and it feeds the signal directly into the brain; open them and it cuts out.
111	* SeriesContinuityError: In "[[Recap/BlakesSevenS3E2Powerplay 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]].
112	* ShipTease: Vila points out that Dayna and Tarrant are smiling at each other even when they're bickering. Later, Dayna panics over Tarrant's wellbeing after seeing Deeta die.
113	* ShouldersOfDoom: Avon has huge shoulder pads on his leather jacket.
114	* ShoutOut: "Space, the final frontier, as it [[Series/StarTrekTheOriginalSeries was once called]]..."
115	* SmashCut: From from the QuickDraw to Deeta's SlowMotion death to [[FastestGunInTheWest show the speed of Vinni's draw]].
116	* SnarkToSnarkCombat: The announcer vs. the director.
117	-->'''Director:''' [offscreen] Well, what do you want me to say? It was your usual delicate mixture of enthusiasm and dignified cliche.\
118	'''Darvid:''' I love you too. What's next?\
119	'''Director:''' You mean you've forgotten? I don't know why we bothered to rehearse.\
120	'''Darvid:''' From the way you've been juggling those remotes I didn't think you had.\
121	'''Director:''' If the performer won't move then the camera must.\
122	'''Darvid:''' I thought it might confuse you if I moved.
123	* SpaceWestern: TheGunslinger duels the cocky YoungGun, with Servalan as the [[CattleBaron Robber Baron]] out to gobble up more land for her empire. The use of anachronistic revolvers in a QuickDraw duel further adds to the trope.
124	* {{Synchronization}}: The Champions are implanted with microsensors so the audience can experience what they feel.
125	* {{Telepathy}}: Cally covertly sends a message to Del Tarrant about what battle zone he's about to enter, enabling him to get the drop on Vinni.
126	* TitleDrop
127	-->'''Max:''' I'm sorry, I haven't been much help, have I?\
128	'''Deeta:''' The Death-Watch is never easy, Max. You did well, I'm grateful to you.
129	* TomatoInTheMirror: Vinni doesn't know he's an android, so has no reason to refuse the medical checkup.
130	* TruceZone: Outsiders are welcomed as honoured guests and neutral observers to the Games, so the Seven are protected from the Federation. Of course, Servalan is also protected from the Seven.
131	* TuringTest: Oddly averted. Vinni is an android who fully believes he is human, whose thought processes are apparently convincingly human enough that thousands of people can share them without realising something is up. This raises no questions about his level of sentience whatsoever. (Granted, under the circumstances it's hard to imagine our anti-heroes would have a problem killing him if he ''was'' human.)
132	* VillainWithGoodPublicity: Servalan of all people is the Neutral Arbiter.
133	* VisibleBoomMic: One shows when Darvid is talking, but given the context (he's the announcer for the Combat Games) it's entirely justified.
134	* WarForFunAndProfit: Avon notes that a certain arms manufacturer with connections to the Zandor government is likely involved in the scheme to start a war.
135	* WeNeedADistraction: A woman on the starliner Deeta is travelling on [[ContrivedClumsiness feigns a stumble]] so her colleague can shoot him InTheBack. Deeta isn't fooled.
136	* YouKilledMyFather: Dayna to Servalan.
137	* YouKillItYouBoughtIt: As Del Tarrant killed Vinni, that means he's the new First Champion of the United Planets of Teal. For once Avon and Tarrant agree on something...

Context Recap / BlakesSevenS3E12DeathWatch