Line #53 Recap/BlakesSevenS1E4TimeSquad


1	[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/time_squad.jpg]]
2	[[caption-width-right:350:Last in the DebutQueue]]
3	[[AC:Written by Creator/TerryNation.\
4	Directed by Pennant Roberts.\
5	Airdate: 23 January 1978.]]
6
7	Having worked out how to pilot the ''Liberator'', Blake decides to contact LaResistance on Saurian Major and enlist their help to destroy an important communications relay there. On the way they answer a DistressCall from a small craft whose crew are in suspended animation.
8	----
9	!!This episode has the following tropes:
10
11	* AbortedArc: Jenna's snide comments toward Cally at the end of the episode suggest they're going to be rivals on board. Apart from one line in the next episode, this never comes up again, and they mostly appear to be good friends (especially compared to [[TeethClenchedTeamwork some of the others on board]]), to the extent the very idea of them having a CatFight is PlayedForLaughs in [[Recap/BlakesSevenS2E11Gambit "Gambit"]].
12	* AbsoluteXenophobe: To protect the genetic bank, the Guardians are conditioned to attack anyone who is not one of them.
13	* ActionGirl: Jenna and Cally.
14	* AllPlanetsAreEarthlike: A Saurian day is around 36 hours. Still has a breathable atmosphere though.
15	* AlmostOutOfOxygen: While answering a DistressCall Blake and Jenna get sealed inside a tiny spacecraft whose oxygen has already been used up. Despite being barely familiar with the ''Liberator'' at this point in the series, and their AcePilot stuck on the spacecraft with Blake, the others have to [[MegaMawManeuver scoop the craft into their cargo bay]] so it can be broken into.
16	* AutoDoc: Gan runs a medical device over Jenna's arm after it's bruised by a WrenchWhack.
17	* BBCQuarry: Though there's an attempt to make it look alien with a [[ColorWash red tint]] and red styrofoam plants among the gravel piles. The quarry was also covered in buddleia flowers which had to be spray-painted to make them look alien.
18	-->'''Cally:''' The security forces kept hunting us, but we knew the hills and [[TakeOurWordForIt jungles]] too well.
19	* BigDamnHeroes: Gan saves Jenna, then Jenna saves Gan, who does a TeleportationRescue JustInTime. Blake then rushes to the hold to warn Jenna just as she's about to be stabbed InTheBack.
20	* BlatantLies: Jenna claims to those down on the planet that everything is under control on the Liberator.
21	* ByTheHair: [[{{Narm}} Would you believe]] one of the Guardians does this to Jenna?
22	* CassandraTruth: Despite the restrictions of its programming, Zen tries to warn the crew not to go over to the projectile.
23	* CharacterizationMarchesOn: Cally's rather aggressive introduction contrasts with her later portrayal as TheHeart.
24	* ChekhovsSkill: The episode opens with Jenna showing the others how to pilot the Liberator manually. Avon, Gan and Vila have to use that skill shortly afterwards.
25	* ChronicHeroSyndrome: Blake answers a DistressCall from the projectile. Unfortunately NoGoodDeedGoesUnpunished.
26	* ClassicalAntiHero
27	-->'''Cally:''' He fears death?
28	-->'''Vila:''' I plan to live forever! Or die trying.
29	* CombatClairvoyance: Averted, else Cally wouldn't have fallen for the LookBehindYou trick.
30	* CryonicsFailure: Of four programmed guardians in a capsule carrying them and genetic stock, three survived stasis.
31	* DeadlyDodging: The last Guardian fries himself when his lunge takes him into an electrical panel.
32	* DeathSeeker: Cally is introduced as the SoleSurvivor (due to her alien biology) of a planet where the Federation wiped out LaResistance with biological weapons. Due to a combination of SurvivorGuilt and YouCantGoHomeAgain, she plans to attack the nearest Federation base and [[SuicideAttack destroy everything she can until she's killed]]. "There will be [[TakingYouWithMe companions for my death]]." The arrival of Blake gives her another option, and she becomes the final member of the Seven.
33	* DemocracyIsBad: Blake promised to consult with his crew before acting against the Federation, but this appears to consist of him deciding what they're going to do and then telling the others. Avon is not happy.
34	* DyingAlone: Cally's curse to Blake [[DyingCurse when she thinks he's about to kill her]] is "May you die alone and silent!" For a telepath loneliness is a FateWorseThanDeath and Cally intends to commit SuicideByCop so she'll at least have some "companions for her death".
35	* ElectronicSpeechImpediment: Zen trying to work around its programming and warn the crew.
36	-->'''Zen:''' ''(with difficulty)'' It is in... in... in...
37	-->'''Avon:''' I'll have to overhaul that... [[ItIsDehumanizing thing]].
38	-->'''Zen:''' [[YoureInsane ...saaaaaaaane!]]
39	* EstablishingCharacterMoment: Knocking Blake over with her gun, then speaking to him telepathically combines Cally's fighter nature [[BadassPacifist with her dislike of actual violence]], and demonstrates her telepathy.
40	* EveryScarHasAStory: There's a shot of a surgical scar across Gan's head before the reveal about his limiter. Before this he discussed his DarkAndTroubledPast where he was convicted for killing a guard who killed "his woman".
41	* FantasticRacism
42	** The Guardians: "They kill. Anyone, everyone who isn't theirs."
43	** When Cally joins their crew, Jenna makes a snide comment about them learning a lesson about not letting aliens on board the ship.
44	* FauxActionGirl: Despite being introduced as a kickass ActionGirl, Cally is easily outfoxed by Blake and Avon (though she mentions that she was a CommunicationsOfficer rather than a guerrilla soldier). Averted with Jenna who's a better fighter than the supposedly murderous Guardians.
45	* FingerTwitchingRevival
46	* GallowsHumour: While AlmostOutOfOxygen, Blake quips that he's breathless with anticipation.
47	* HumanAliens: Cally is of the Auronar.
48	* HumanPopsicle: The crew of the projectile. This is regarded as ancient technology for a society that has FasterThanLightTravel.
49	* HydraProblem: Once the projectile is connected to the Liberator's power system, the genetic bank starts to create another Guardian to replace those killed. Rather than be overrun with homicidal xenophobes the crew decide to dump the projectile in space.
50	-->'''Avon:''' A [[FromASingleCell single cell from those genetic banks]] can be [[UterineReplicator incubated into fully grown adult]] in one point six minutes.
51	* IfIWantedYouDead: Avon to Cally.
52	-->'''Avon:''' I had a gun on you the whole time. You were dead as soon as you broke cover.
53	* ItsASmallWorldAfterAll: Blake plans to make contact with the rebels by landing on the Saurian Major and waiting for them to contact him. As there's only one rebel left alive on the entire planet, it's a ContrivedCoincidence that Cally is in the area.
54	* ItsTheOnlyWay: With the teleport shut down and Zen refusing to help, the crew must manoeuvre the Liberator to [[MegaMawManeuver scoop the projectile into their hold]].
55	* JustAMachine
56	-->'''Blake:''' Seven of us can run this ship properly.
57	-->'''Vila:''' Six surely.
58	-->'''Blake:''' You forgot Zen.
59	-->'''Avon:''' You're not counting that ''machine'' as a member of the crew?
60	-->'''Blake:''' Oh, what do you say to that Zen?
61	-->'''Zen:''' Please state course and speed.
62	-->'''Blake:''' Very diplomatic.
63	* JustInTime: The reactor is GoingCritical and Federation soldiers have blasted down the door by the time an injured Gan is able to activate the teleport.
64	* KickingAssInAllHerFinery: Jenna kicks ass in a flower petal top, pink slacks and high-heeled calf boots. Averted with Cally, who wears a baggy red camouflage uniform to blend in with the local plant life, which is also red.
65	* TheLancer: Avon isn't happy over how the crew are placidly going along with Blake's plan, and makes his feelings known.
66	-->'''Vila:''' (to Blake) I don’t follow you.\
67	'''Avon:''' [[TheSnarkKnight Oh, but you do!]] And that’s the problem.
68	* LookBehindYou: Blake pretends to glance to the side, then hits Cally when she turns to look. Turns out there really is someone there, as Avon has been covering Cally the whole time.
69	* MasterOfUnlocking: Vila gets through the massive door protecting the control room with just a few seconds fiddling with CowTools.
70	* NeverBringAKnifeToAGunFight: The Guardians prefer their knives to any firearm they capture.
71	* NoKillLikeOverkill: Faced with a declaration of independence on Saurian Major, the Federation [[ResistanceIsFutile killed half the population with biological warfare]] and deported the other half.
72	* PlantAliens: Vila is squicked when he touches a plant and realises that it's warm and fleshy. Blake warns him that some plant are [[ManEatingPlant carnivores]] with [[ItCanThink basic intelligence]].
73	* PlotDemandedManualMode: With Zen on the blink, the crew have to pilot the Liberator manually.
74	* RetroRocket: The projectile.
75	* RestrainingBolt:
76	** Gan's limiter [[ThouShaltNotKill prevents him from killing]] (though not using or threatening violence, as we saw in the previous episodes).
77	** Zen is unable to warn the crew for [[PlotDrivenBreakdown unknown reasons]] that apparently have [[AIIsACrapshoot something to do with his programming.]]
78	* SealedEvilInACan: The projectile is a genetic bank, and the Guardians are conditioned to protect it against any outsiders. At the end of the episode, our heroes decide to dump it in deep space because it's too dangerous.
79	* SecurityCling: Blake and Jenna HoldingHands as they face asphyxiation.
80	* SelfHealingPhlebotinum: The teleport console fuses out, but Avon says it is self-repairing.
81	* SeriesContinuityError: Gan is shown [[KilledOffScreen apparently]] spearing a cultist in the previous episode, despite his limiter. Perhaps the spear was stuck in the floor and he was trying to get it out?
82	* ShipTease: When Cally first lays eyes on Avon, [[EatingTheEyeCandy she can be seen checking him out with visible appreciation]].
83	* ScottyTime: Lampshaded when Avon says he needs five minutes to make the reactor blow up. As Federation soldiers are trying to blast their way through the door he adds without prompting, "Yes I know -- make it two."
84	* SleeperStarship: Both the suspended animation version and the seedship version in one tiny vessel.
85	* SlowDoors
86	** Chased by a homicidal Guardian, Jenna barely gets the hatch closed in time.
87	** The door to the control room to the "paraneutronic generator" is the genuine article, as the scene is filmed inside a nuclear power station.
88	* SoleSurvivor: Cally was immune to the bioweapons because she was an alien. She's likely suffering from SurvivorGuilt, as she plans to [[DeathSeeker give her life]] in a SuicideByCop until our heroes turn up.
89	* SourSupporter
90	-->'''Gan:''' How are they going to catch us?
91	-->'''Avon:''' I'm sure Blake will manage it somehow.
92	* StealthInSpace: The Liberator approaches Sauron Major from Federation space, given that their attention will be towards neutral space. [[FridgeLogic So they don't have a space traffic control system?]]
93	* StyrofoamRocks: Subverted with styrofoam plants among real rocks.
94	* SuddenlyShouting
95	-->'''Blake:''' Enough, Avon!
96	* SuicideAttack
97	-->'''Cally:''' ...there will be [[TakingYouWithMe companions for my death]]. I plan to raid the complex. To destroy until I am destroyed.
98	* TaintedVeins: On the Guardians.
99	* TeethClenchedTeamwork:
100	-->'''Avon:''' Are you sure you can trust me?
101	-->'''Blake:''' For as long as we're useful to each other.
102	* {{Telepath}}: Cally. However she can't read minds.
103	* TwoLinesNoWaiting: Events on the planet surface versus events on the Liberator.
104	* WhenPropsAttack: Thanks to bad framing the campfire appears to be roasting Blake's crotch.
105	* WhamLine
106	-->'''Zen:''' There are four Guardians, repeat, there are four Guardians.
107	* [[ManBitesMan Woman Bites Man]]: Jenna bites a Guardian who thrusts his arm through a hatch to grab her.

Context Recap / BlakesSevenS1E4TimeSquad