Line #47 Recap/BlakesSevenS1E9ProjectAvalon


1	[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/project_avalon.jpg]]
2	[[caption-width-right:350:No, [[DoesThisRemindYouOfAnything doesn't remind me of anything]] at all...]]
3	[[AC:Written by Creator/TerryNation.\
4	Directed by Michael E. Briant.\
5	Airdate: 27 February 1978.]]
6
7	Travis captures a famous rebel leader called Avalon, and creates a gynoid duplicate of her to kill the crew of the Liberator with a lethal virus.
8	----
9	!!This episode has the following tropes:
10
11	* ActionGirl: Jenna battles the guards during the rescue.
12	* AffectionateGestureToTheHead: Avon to an unconscious and bleeding Cally.
13	* AirVentInfiltration: Blakes asks about this trope, but is told the vents are sealed off during the Long Cold.
14	* AllAccordingToPlan: Our heroes pull a skin-of-their-teeth rescue of Avalon. Travis' response? "In a couple of hours it should all be over."
15	* BadBoss: Quite a few guards get killed just to make Travis' plan look good. Unlike them the rebels aren't firing blanks.
16	* TheBait: Knowing that the Liberator is coming to take Avalon to a safer planet, Travis aims to capture the RebelLeader and substitute her with a RobotMe, who will then be rescued by Blake.
17	* BaitAndSwitch: A bloody hand reaches out...the virus must have been released! But it's Chevner, having been attacked by the robot.
18	* BavarianFireDrill:
19	-->''[Blake steps out into the open where a guard can see him.]''
20	-->'''Vila:''' ''[Whispering]'' What are you doing?
21	-->'''Blake:''' Getting us a guided tour. ''[Loudly]'' You, there! What are you doing in this section?
22	-->'''Guard:''' I was posted here by the security commander.
23	-->'''Blake:''' My orders were that no one should enter this area. What is your security commander's name?
24	-->'''Guard:''' Sergeant-Major Garven, may I have ''your'' name and authority, sir?
25	-->'''Vila:''' [[WalkInChimeIn His name is Blake]], and this is his authority. ''[sticks gun in guard's ribs.]''
26	* BBCQuarry: Milton Quarry in Wells is the cave entrance, though it's covered in fake snow rather than sand. The cave interiors were filmed in the nearby [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wookey_Hole_Caves Wokey Hole Caves]], now [[Recap/DoctorWhoS12E5RevengeOfTheCybermen free of vengeful Cybermen]].
27	* BlackCloak: Travis in the snow.
28	* TheBigBoard: Zen creates one on his viewer.
29	* BigWhat: Travis when told the Liberator has returned.
30	* BridalCarry: Gan to Avalon.
31	* CannedOrdersOverLoudspeaker: Heard in the detention centre.
32	* {{Chickification}}: Having been introduced as a kick-ass guerilla fighter in "[[Recap/BlakesSevenS1E4TimeSquad Time Squad]]" (though she did say her specialty was in Communications), Cally stays to pilot the ''Liberator'' while AcePilot Jenna goes on the mission.
33	* CompromisingCall: Cally tries to beep Blake's [[CommLinks Comm Link]] just as a Security Robot is trundling past.
34	* CruelAndUnusualDeath: The pathogen causes a fungus to form [[FacialHorror over the victim's face]], then he's StrippedToTheBone.
35	* {{Cyborg}}: The mutoids respond wordlessly to a transmitted command from their leader.
36	* DescriptivelyNamedSpecies: The Subterrons live a subterranean existence. What ''they'' call themselves is anyone's guess.
37	* DesperateObjectCatch: Avon reprograms the gynoid for a HostageForMacGuffin trade so it will drop the sphere on a verbal command or (unstated) movement. After Blake beams out with the real rebel leader, Travis tries to edge close to the android...then makes a desperate lunge as she opens her hand, grabbing the sphere before it hits the ground.
38	* DogpileOfDoom: Robot Avalon is overpowered this way.
39	* DressHitsFloor:
40	** Servalan slips off her mink coat and lets it fall to the floor, to be picked up by one of her BodyguardBabes.
41	** Avalon drops her tunic onto the floor after taking out the container of pathogen, which is just as well.
42	* EndlessWinter: The Long Cold, lasting the equivalent of eight and a half [[TwoOfYourEarthMinutes Earth years]].
43	* ExpectingSomeoneTaller: Servalan was expecting someone more impressive for the famous Avalon than a slip of a girl.
44	* FaceRevealingTurn: Avon places a piece of circuitry on the table attached to some skin and hair, before a reverse shot shows a hole in Avalon's head [[RoboticReveal through which moving circuitry can be seen]].
45	* {{Foreshadowing}}: Travis examining the new carbine issued to a soldier foreshadows the reveal that they are non-lethal weapons.
46	* GogglesDoSomethingUnusual: Servalan is using hers as a viewer. Travis on the other hand has [[GogglesDoNothing perfectly ordinary snow goggles]], even though he only needs one lens.
47	* HistoryRepeats: Travis' actions with the rebel group are similar to that described by Blake in "[[Recap/BlakesSevenS1E6SeekLocateDestroy Seek-Locate-Destroy]]". He spares the RebelLeader for his own purpose and massacres the others, even though they've surrendered without resistance.
48	* HoistByHisOwnPetard: Avon does some crude reprogramming of the Avalon robot, and it teleports down with Blake to hold everyone on the Federation base hostage with the sphere of pathogen.
49	* HumanAliens: Subterrons, humanoid aliens who are being used as a slave labour force by the Federation. Avalon is helping organize LaResistance.
50	* IAmSpartacus: Played with; when Travis demands to know which one of his captives is Avalon, a man steps forward subtly blocking his view of Avalon. Travis just puts his gun to the man's head and says he'll shoot if the real Avalon doesn't come forward.
51	* IdiotBall:
52	** Avalon has the details of a dozen resistance organisations in her head, which she knows the Federation has the technology to extract, yet has [[SuicidePill no means of killing herself when facing capture]].
53	** Despite thinking that Chevner is planning sabotage, Gan is sitting with his back to the door having a drink when Avalon walks in.
54	* ImproperlyPlacedFirearms: Chevner is armed with an AR-15 Armalite rifle, which would be an [[RagnarokProofing antique]].
55	* InTheHood: Anyone wearing a thermal vest.
56	* JustInTime: After having to RunOrDie from a Federation patrol, Avon returns with the Liberator and opens communications to find Blake demanding an immediate TeleportationRescue. He runs for the teleport and brings them up just before they're burnt alive by the Security Robot.
57	* KillerRobot: 'The Flasher' returns to piss napalm.
58	* MasterOfUnlocking: Vila is ordered to teleport down to get them inside the Federation base.
59	* MindProbe: Which apparently never fails, though that doesn't stop the Federation from using [[ColdBloodedTorture more primitive methods]] in later seasons.
60	* NeckSnap: [[GoodIsNotNice Blake]] breaks the neck of a guard.
61	* NeverRecycleYourSchemes:
62	** Notably the marble-sized plague sphere which came within a gnats whisker of killing the crew. There should have been any number of ways of smuggling that weapon about the Liberator, and it would have been a short show if Servalan had bothered to try.
63	** Later seasons will show Federation {{Torture Technician}}s despite the alleged infallibility of the MindProbe.
64	* NoIntelligentLifeHere
65	-->'''Blake:''' Does it support any intelligent life?
66	-->'''Avon:''' [[SurroundedByIdiots Does the Liberator?]]
67	* NoodleIncident: There have been two assassination attempts on Servalan, which she blames on Blake's actions stirring up the populace.
68	* NoisyRobots: Robot Avalon gives a whirring sound when using her SuperStrength to overpower Gan and the others.
69	* NoPeripheralVision: Despite having sensors placed all around its rotatable head, the Security Robot fails to notice our heroes pressed up against the side of a cave, even though it comes back again from the opposite direction.
70	* NotAfraidToDie:
71	** Avalon is the expected DefiantCaptive, saying that everyone knows what awaits those who fall into the hands of the Federation. Travis points out that they still don't expect it to happen to them.
72	** Travis tells Blake that it's not a very pleasant death, but Blake is willing to release the virus if it means [[TakingYouWithMe taking not only Travis, but the Supreme Commander herself with him.]]
73	* NotHerself: Chevner notices something strange about Robot Avalon.
74	* NotQuiteDead: Chevner, only to become an AlmostDeadGuy.
75	* ObscuredSpecialEffects: The security robot had to run on rail tracks which were then obscured from the camera by StyrofoamRocks.
76	* TheParalyser: Blake and Avalon are both shot during the escape, but the impact only knocks them down. This makes Blake suspicious and he has Avon examine a captured paragun.
77	-->'''Avon:''' It's not standard issue. Low energy bolt discharge. This could bruise or stun, but it couldn't cause any serious injury.
78	* PistolWhipping: Travis knocks stuntman Stuart Fell flying.
79	* PullTheThread: After shrugging off a shot that should have blown his arm off, Blake starts to ask himself why.
80	* PrettyInMink: No unfashionable huge cloak for Servalan!
81	* QuizzicalTilt: Avon and Cally watching Vila rug up. After he's gone [[ShipTease they share a smile]].
82	* RedAlert: ''"Detention Block 7 -- Condition Red."''
83	* ResistanceIsFutile: Subverted; while arguing this trope, Travis also accepts that [[YouCanNotKillAnIdea resistance is inevitable]].
84	-->'''Avalon:''' Every year more people defy the Federation, thirty planets in this sector alone, and others will follow -- many others.
85	-->'''Travis:''' Yes. Well, you'll tell us about those, won't you? Their leaders, locations, their plans. I'm sure we'll be able to convince them that loyalty to the Federation is after all in their best interests.
86	-->'''Avalon:''' I know enough about [[MindProbe these machines]] to realize that I will tell you everything. You will murder hundreds of people, maybe thousands. But you won't end the opposition, you'll never end it.
87	-->'''Travis:''' Perhaps not. However, we shall persevere.
88	* RewardedAsATraitorDeserves: Terloc is gunned down with the others.
89	* RobotsAreJustBetter: Avalon is replaced by a gynoid imposter. Chevner is suspicious, but she kills him.
90	-->'''Vila:''' He shouldn't have tried to tackle it alone.
91	-->'''Avon:''' He probably didn't. Just being suspicious would have been enough. A machine of this type would have recognized that easily, more easily than we would.
92	* RuleOfThree: Robot Avalon is programmed to crush the virus capsule on hearing a particular sound (presumably a gunshot), a word (presumably "fire!") or a [[ZergRush certain movement]].
93	* RunOrDie: Avon's response to being caught in orbit by a Federation patrol. Unfortunately this takes them out of teleport range.
94	* SamusIsAGirl: When Travis threatens to start shooting if Avalon doesn't step forward, he's approached by a slight figure in a thermal suit and facemask, which she removes to show a beautiful young girl.
95	* SarcasmMode: Avon can [[BlatantLies barely contain his enthusiasm]] for meeting another idealist.
96	* TheScapegoat: Servalan warns Travis that people have been criticizing his lack of success, despite Travis being [[NoHarmRequirement hampered by the requirement that he capture the Liberator intact]].
97	* SceneryCensor: Avalon is StrappedToAnOperatingTable with wide restraints covering her breasts and groin.
98	* ShipTease: Cally keeps giving Avon approving looks.
99	* SleazyPolitician: Servalan makes it clear that Project Avalon doesn't have her ''official'' approval until it turns out to be a success.
100	* SpannerInTheWorks: Avalon is shot during the escape, then has her tunic removed meaning that when she recovers consciousness she doesn't have access to the container of pathogen inside. Then when she drops the ball of virus, it bounces harmlessly off the tunic instead of smashing on the deck.
101	* SpaceshipSlingshotStunt: Avon uses a 'fast orbit' to evade the pursuit ships.
102	* {{Squib}}: We get several bulletholes in the wall, despite energy weapons mostly being used. You can see the actor playing Chevner [[ThrowItIn flinch when one goes off too near to his head.]]
103	* SyntheticPlague: Federation scientists have modified a pre-existing plague [[PerfectPoison so it will kill quickly, then dissipate within seconds]], leaving the Liberator ready for capture.
104	* TestedOnHumans: Travis orders that a Labour-grade prisoner be selected to test the pathogen. The mutoid asks what they're to do if there's no such prisoner available. Travis just orders them to [[KickTheDog go out and detain someone.]]
105	* TitleDrop
106	-->'''Travis:''' We need you for a far more important venture. We've codenamed it Project Avalon.
107	* TrojanPrisoner
108	** Using a captured guard, Blake and Vila pretend to be his prisoners. The guard plays along briefly, then shoves the two into the other guard and does a runner.
109	** Avalon is ActuallyADoombot.
110	* UndergroundCity: The Centre.
111	* UngratefulBitch: Travis saves everyone's life with a spectacular catch, but that cuts no ice with Servalan who [[YouHaveFailedMe relieves him of command]].
112	* TheVamp: Servalan strokes Travis' leather-clad chest.
113	* WeWillMeetAgain: Travis gives this trope. Again.
114	* WhatHappenedToTheMouse: The files show there were other detainees, but [[RestrictedRescueOperation they only have time to rescue Avalon]].
115	* YouHaveFailedMe: Though Travis gets off lightly compared to other bungling minions who will piss off Servalan in the future, "[[Recap/BlakesSevenS1E12Deliverance Deliverance]]" reveals that he's been relieved of command.

Context Recap / BlakesSevenS1E9ProjectAvalon