Line #46 Recap/BlakesSevenS1E11Bounty


1	[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/blakes_7_bounty.jpg]]
2	[[caption-width-right:350:Most [[ComplainingAboutRescuesTheyDontLike ungrateful]] rescued prisoner ever.]]
3	[[AC:Written by Creator/TerryNation.\
4	Directed by Pennant Roberts.\
5	Airdate: 13 March 1978.]]
6
7	Blake and Cally attempt to convince a retired politician under Federation 'protection' to return to his people. But on returning to the Liberator, they find it has been seized by bounty hunters with the help of Jenna.
8	----
9	!!This episode has the following tropes:
10
11	* ActionGirl: Cally jumps on a PatrollingMook and knocks him unconscious (or stabs him in the neck -- it's not clear), while Jenna is knocking out space pirates left and right.
12	* AnachronismStew: Blake and Cally are baffled by the sight of Sarkoff's vintage car and castle-like folly with iron lattice spire.
13	* BountyHunter: Amagons. They also indulge in smuggling (explaining how Jenna knows them), [[SpacePirates space piracy]] and slave trading.
14	* CallBack:
15	** The ambassador from Auronar did not return because he failed to make an alliance with Lindor against the Federation, a reference to Cally not returning for failing her mission.
16	** Blake says they learnt of the Federation plan for Lindor via a [[Recap/BlakesSevenS1E6SeekLocateDestroy captured cypher machine]].
17	** Cally mentions her [[TakingYouWithMe companions for our death]] comment from "[[Recap/BlakesSevenS1E4TimeSquad Time Squad]]".
18	** Jenna tries to tempt Tarvin with the fortune hidden on the Liberator she discovered in "[[Recap/BlakesSevenS1E3CygnusAlpha Cygnus Alpha]]".
19	* CatScare: While Vila is trying to pick a lock without blowing Blake's head off, Gan makes everyone jump by throwing something at the wall in frustration.
20	* ChronicHeroSyndrome: Gan is entirely willing to teleport over to check out the spaceship in distress, saying that if it is a trap they can just open fire regardless.
21	* DepartmentOfRedundancyDepartment
22	-->'''Vila:''' "Personal investigation." The next time Avon wants to make a personal investigation on how you work I shall make a personal point of handing him the instruments. ''[beat]'' Personally!
23	* DissonantSerenity: Sarkoff takes the presence of an intruder quite calmly, [[DeathSeeker despite thinking that Blake is an assassin who's come to kill him]].
24	* EarthThatWas:
25	-->'''Sarkoff:''' Beautiful, aren't they. Earth insects of the order Lepidoptera.\
26	'''Blake:''' Butterflies.\
27	'''Sarkoff:''' Ah, so you're an historian, are you?\
28	'''Blake:''' No, but I did study some natural history.\
29	'''Sarkoff:''' It's interesting, isn't it, that when that term "natural history" was originated, it referred to the study of living things. It was much later that it came to mean the [[ExtinctInTheFuture study of things long since past and dead]]. History in its more conventional sense.
30	* ExplosiveLeash: Tarvin places them on the Liberator crew. Jenna's is removed once [[IfYoureSoEvilEatThisKitten she proves herself by helping capture Blake]]. After some effort Vila is able to remove Blake's, who uses it moments later as an improvised bomb.
31	* EvilPlan: The Lindor Strategy -- the Federation had Sarkoff removed with a rigged election, and keep him in a GildedCage on another planet while they destabilise Lindor (sending false reports to him that everything was normal at home). They then plan to '[[DivideAndConquer restore order]]' with a peacekeeping force after the CivilWar that will ensue, whereupon Sarkoff will be encouraged to return as a [[PuppetKing puppet ruler]].
32	* FakeDefector: Jenna is playing along with Tarvin, a NewOldFlame of hers, until she can get the crew freed.
33	* FanOfThePast: Sarkoff has decorated his home with artefacts from Earth's 20th Century, including a gas mask, cutlery, and clothes irons displayed in glass cabinets like a PricelessMingVase.
34	* FootFocus: We get a nice closeup of one of Tyce's hooker boots when she takes the pistol from it.
35	* {{Foreshadowing}}: Avon and Gan's debate over whether Gan would give the order for his own death sets up Tyce's actions in the climax of the episode, [[spoiler:as well as Gan's HeroicSacrifice in the next season]].
36	* FutureImperfect: Sarkoff regards Earth's 20th century as a [[NostalgiaFilter more civilised age]], and his BigFancyHouse is a "replica of a typical residence of that period" (actually [[http://www.quexringers.org.uk/ Waterloo Tower in Quex Park]], built in the 19th Century).
37	* GetItOverWith: Sarkoff has no objection to being assassinated, he just doesn't want to listen to Blake's justification for the act.
38	* GhostShip: Blake and Cally return to the Liberator to find the crew missing. After searching in vain and getting no help from Zen, he finds a distraught Jenna who claims they were all killed when they teleported over to the spaceship in distress. It's just a ruse though, because he's gassed unconscious moments later.
39	* GildedCage: Sarkoff is a 'guest' of the Federation.
40	* YeGoodeOldeDays: Sarkoff proudly shows off his 20th century records. "Echoes of a more civilised age." This is the age that saw two world wars, the invention of [[AtomicHate nuclear weaponry]], [[UsefulNotes/TheHolocaust genocide on an industrial scale]], and [[ArsonMurderAndJaywalking cheap British sci-fi.]]
41	* GoodRepublicEvilEmpire: Sarkoff's demeanour and political naivety is more that of a [[ShelteredAristocrat deposed royal]] than a politician, but as it wouldn't do to have our heroes supporting the restoration of a monarch instead of a democratic leader, he's made a former president instead.
42	* TheGuardsMustBeCrazy: Loads of this even for a B7 episode. The review in "Liberation" (by Alan Stevens and Fiona Moore) puts it best.
43	-->"...to say nothing of the guards' colour codes, which include [[RedAlert Red Standby Alert]] (apparently meaning stand around and do nothing), Red Mobilisation (wander around outside the house), and Blue Mobilisation (allow the President and his daughter to escape in a vintage car accompanied by two terrorists)."
44	* {{Hammerspace}}: Inverted for once -- Blake lugs around a bulky cooler box to carry a coil of rope and grappling hook that he could have just slung over his shoulder.
45	* HiddenWeapons: Tyce has a small automatic pistol hidden in her boot.
46	* HistoricalInJoke: One of the artefacts (visible through the archway behind Blake and Sarkoff when they discuss natural history) is the charred remains of the infamous [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sutherland%27s_Portrait_of_Winston_Churchill Sunderland portrait of Winston Churchill]]. Just a short time before filming this episode, it was revealed that Churchill's wife had the portrait burnt.
47	* HoistByHisOwnPetard: An Amagan goes to activate Blake's explosive collar which has just been removed, so Blake chucks it at him so the explosion kills the Amagan instead.
48	* HypocriticalHumour: Avon snarks at Vila for having a bad feeling about the approaching spacecraft, then admits he feels the same way.
49	-->'''Vila:''' He agrees with me. [[SarcasmMode Makes it all seem worthwhile somehow.]]
50	* ImpracticallyFancyOutfit:
51	** The opening shot is of Cally hiding from Federation soldiers in a... leopard fur coat?
52	** The Amagan robes seem more practical for the desert than a spaceship.
53	* InsultBackfire
54	-->'''Tyce:''' You'd sell your own grandmother, wouldn't you?\
55	'''Tarvin:''' I did. She was going to sell me -- I got in first.
56	* InterrogationByVandalism: Blake smashes Sarkoff's vinyl record, and threatens to do the same to his butterfly collection unless Sarkoff comes with him.
57	* ItsProbablyNothing: A sensor picks up Blake and Cally creeping through the woods.
58	-->'''Control:''' Our electronic surveillance is usually reliable.\
59	'''Subcommander Cheney:''' Very reliable, yes. Last time it turned out to be a local rodent digging a hole under one of your listening devices. We spent two hours chasing our tails on that occasion.
60	* KnockoutAmbush: Blake finds Jenna doing a double FacePalm in apparent distress over the crew being killed. He finds out otherwise when he's sprayed with KnockoutGas.
61	* LeaveMeAlone: President Sarkoff lost all confidence after his crushing defeat in a referendum over whether Lindor should stay out of the Federation, and now lives in exile under Federation 'protection'.
62	* LookBehindYou: Tarvin overcomes Tyce this way. Fortunately Blake and Jenna do the authentic version shortly afterwards, giving Sarkoff a chance to shoot him.
63	* MasterOfUnlocking: Vila works on the explosive collars while Avon works on the doorlock computer.
64	* MyCarHatesMe: Just when they're making their big escape, Sarkoff's vintage car has to be crank-started.
65	* NoPeripheralVision: Several examples including missing a white rope being pulled up the side of a wall and two terrorists creeping through the woods, one wearing a white leopard cloak and the other holding a large red icebox. In fairness, the guards are [[GasMaskMooks wearing those helmets]].
66	* NoSell: Blake just laughs when Tarvin tries to activate his explosive collar, as Vila has removed it.
67	* ObscuredSpecialEffects: The car crash is only shown via a ReactionShot of the guards flinching at the sound, as the producers could [[NoBudget hardly afford]] to damage a [[InvincibleClassicCar vintage automobile]].
68	* ObviousTrap:
69	-->'''Avon:''' The test is not whether you are suspicious, but whether you are caught.[[note]]They get caught.[[/note]]
70	* TheOnlyOne: Sarkoff is the only one who can fix things on Lindor.
71	* OutOfTheFryingPan: Our heroes teleport up JustInTime before they run into a Federation roadblock, but it turns out SpacePirates have seized the Liberator.
72	* OutsideRide: Blake stands on the running board of Sarkoff's vintage car during the escape. Fortunately none of the guards are willing to risk shooting at this blatant target, with Sarkoff in the car.
73	* PriceOnTheirHead: [[BountyHunter Tarvin]] is being paid 13 million credits for the Liberator and its crew. 12 million if he decides not to hand over Jenna.
74	-->'''Tarvin:''' I wonder if there's a price on your head anywhere?\
75	'''Sarkoff:''' No. But I imagine there is on yours, though.\
76	'''Tarvin:''' ''[laughs]'' [[VillainCred I'd be ashamed if there weren't.]]
77	* ProperlyParanoid:
78	** [[IfYoureSoEvilEatThisKitten After she helps capture Blake]], Tarvin removes Jenna's explosive collar but doesn't fully trust her.
79	** Avon has a lockpick hidden in the heel of his shoe.
80	* QuitYourWhining: Tyce repeatedly tries to coax her father from his self-imposed isolation. When Tarvin threatens to detonate her explosive collar, she urges Sarkoff to shoot Tarvin regardless of the possible consequences. It's this which shocks Sarkoff out of his self-pity.
81	* SpacePirates: The Amagons, who engage in criminal activities including smuggling, bounty-hunting, slave trading and piracy. They have their own unique culture that's more like the Barbary corsairs JustForFun/InSpace than the DressedToPlunder version.
82	* TeethClenchedTeamwork: When Avon and Vila aren't having much success with their respective locks they start snapping and snarking at each other. [[ActuallyPrettyFunny Avon can't help grinning]] when Vila for once gets in the last word.
83	* {{Telepathy}}: Cally uses it to silently warn Blake of patrolling guards.
84	* TeleportationRescue: Subverted; see OutOfTheFryingPan.
85	* ThrowingTheDistraction: Blake throws a gas cylinder and shoots it. The explosion sends all the guards running round the back of the house so they can drive out the front in a slow vintage automobile. Despite the fact that the house was surrounded, so there should have been guards at the back of the house already.
86	* VinylShatters: Sarkoff spends a lot of time listening to a song on an antique 20th century gramophone. (The writers have admitted that this was a [[{{padding}} ruse to fill in time because the script was too short]].) Blake snatches the disc off the turntable and smashes it.
87	* WorldOfSnark: Everyone is in fine form.
88	--->'''Vila:''' I'm entitled to my opinion.\
89	'''Avon:''' It's your assumption that the rest of us are entitled to it as well that is irritating.
90	** Vila is trying to pick the lock on Blake's ExplosiveLeash.
91	--->'''Vila:''' And if I get it wrong: bang, no head!\
92	'''Blake:''' I trust you.\
93	'''Vila:''' And if it blows up and I'm right behind you...\
94	'''Blake:''' That's why I trust you.
95	** When he can't get the collar off...
96	--->'''Vila:''' I told you I couldn't do it!\
97	'''Avon:''' I believed you all along.
98	** Avon on their ChronicHeroSyndrome.
99	--->'''Avon:''' First sign of trouble, we get out, right?\
100	'''Jenna:''' Goes without saying.\
101	'''Avon:''' I only wish it did.
102	** Even President Sarkoff gets into the action.
103	--->'''Tarvin:''' {{You talk too much}}.\
104	'''Sarkoff:''' Yes, it's an [[WindbagPolitician occupational hazard]].
105	** Also...
106	--->'''Tyce:''' Goodbye, Blake. You'll always be welcome on Lindor.\
107	'''Sarkoff:''' Yes, we may have need of thirteen million credits.
108	* WoundedGazelleGambit: The Amagons pretend to be a spaceship in distress. Once Gan teleports over to make sure it's not a trap, they fake his voice electronically to get the Liberator crew to teleport him back, then send over their own people instead.
109	* YouWouldntShootMe: Sarkoff has a gun pointed at Tarvin, who's [[MexicanStandoff pointing the control unit at the explosive collar worn by his daughter.]]
110	-->'''Tarvin:''' Throw it away. You couldn't kill me in time to save her. [[DeadManSwitch A reflex, a dying spasm, and she's gone.]]\
111	'''Tyce:''' Shoot him, father! You owe it to me! You owe it to our people!\
112	'''Tarvin:''' Put it down, Sarkoff, you can't win. You haven't got the will for it.

Context Recap / BlakesSevenS1E11Bounty