View Thread
blakes7online » Rewatches » B7 Rewatches
 Print Thread
Rewatch Downunder Saturday 27th January A4 TIME SQUAD
M1795537OCVirn
Starting at 09.30 (GMT) aka 8.30pm Downunder.

A4 TIME SQUAD
In which we meet our first alien! It could have been anything from a Decima to a Kairpoan spider, or even a pile of slime from Andromeda, but here Blake chances upon a kindred spirit from Beyond. What makes it easier is that this particular alien has all the usual number of arms and legs etc., speaks English and isn't trying to protect its eggs.

It is female, though - not that Blake notices, now or ever - and from Auron, where the younger generation have some telepathic abiliites. Not enough to guarantee this one a part in the fourth series, mind you, but useful when the writers remember about it. As we are to discover, her other talent is getting taken over by malign aliens, who seem to inhabit much of space, or at least those bits of it visited by the Liberator.

Meanwhile the rest of Blake's crew are busy trying to help Gan, who feels a headache coming on.
"You're not sulking, I hope?"
 
M1795537OCVirn
Why is it called 'Time Squad'?
"You're not sulking, I hope?"
 
Joe Dredd

M1795537OCVirn wrote: ↑

Why is it called 'Time Squad'?


The original script handed in by Terry Nation was so thin, Chris Boucher's initial idea to fill the time was by having the crew present a fifty minute B7 themed exercise video. No script would be needed, they could use an existing set, and TIMED SQUATS are great for your quadriceps and adductors. "Before" examples would be provided by the Federation Trooper played by Roger "Stacking the" Weighton. Stuart Fell would present some advanced moves and a certain Mr Irvine would make an appearance as "Exercise" Matt, demonstrating how to kitbash an old ironing board into a rowing machine.

Alternatively, the frozen 'squad' are paused cryogenically until some future date when they revive and complete their mission. In that sense they are either passing through time, avoiding living through time (or the aging effects of time), or waiting for a predetermined future time. Plus, it's Terry Nation. Travis can't just be a commander; he's got to be a Space Commander, and nor can the squad be just a squad. Just think of all the episode titles we see from him - THE SPACEY WAY BACK, SPACEFALL, SPACE-LOCATE-DESTROY, TIMEINAL, SPACE AFTERMATH... IN SPACE, etc. Even TIME SQUAD is largely set on Spacion Major.
 
M1795537OCVirn
Thanks, Joe, for that enlightening answer. It certainly helps. So what you're saying is 'Because'? (As in HARVEST OF SPACE, SPACEY SARCOPHAGUS, RUMOURS OF SPACE and the classic THE SPACER).
"You're not sulking, I hope?"
 
M1795537OCVirn
Hi. Just nipping over to sort out The WORD - bisy backson. Hope to see you Aussies soon, if you haven't melted.
"You're not sulking, I hope?"
 
Obsidian
Hi Lurkers 3. Thanks for that edifying explanation Joe Dredd.

Feeling a bit SPACED myself here. So much to do and so little time.

How are you MsVirn? and Joe Dredd? Are you melted out there in the West? Thursday here was horrible.
Don't philosophise at me you electronic moron.
 
https://www.seraglio-design.com/
M1795537OCVirn
OK, I'm back....and all alone. Hope this doesn't mean you're having more problems, Tyce. Obsidian - Joe - where are you? AnneA?
"You're not sulking, I hope?"
 
M1795537OCVirn
Phew. Good to hear from you. Obsidian. How's the tax returns?
"You're not sulking, I hope?"
 
Obsidian
I'm here MsV. Trying – too late, of course – to book my UK trip for June. Only 2 beds left in the whole of Steventon.
Don't philosophise at me you electronic moron.
 
https://www.seraglio-design.com/
M1795537OCVirn

Obsidian wrote: ↑

I'm here MsV. Trying – too late, of course – to book my UK trip for June. Only 2 beds left in the whole of Steventon.


Maybe we could sneak you into our room?
"You're not sulking, I hope?"
 
Obsidian

M1795537OCVirn wrote: ↑

Phew. Good to hear from you. Obsidian. How's the tax returns?


What, them? next week, I think, after all the travel is sorted. Everything was put off because I don't have any $$$$. It all got spent on jewellery. Tax returns will be useful.
Don't philosophise at me you electronic moron.
 
https://www.seraglio-design.com/
M1795537OCVirn
Let's start, or we'll be here all night.
"You're not sulking, I hope?"
 
Obsidian

M1795537OCVirn wrote: ↑

Obsidian wrote: ↑

I'm here MsV. Trying – too late, of course – to book my UK trip for June. Only 2 beds left in the whole of Steventon.


Maybe we could sneak you into our room?


Are you at the Cherry Tree again? I was uncertain about booking because money kept flying out of accounts here. Now I've got to grab what's left.
Don't philosophise at me you electronic moron.
 
https://www.seraglio-design.com/
Obsidian

M1795537OCVirn wrote: ↑

Let's start, or we'll be here all night.


Indeed. Liberator is stabilised. Hooray for us!
Don't philosophise at me you electronic moron.
 
https://www.seraglio-design.com/
M1795537OCVirn

Obsidian wrote: ↑

M1795537OCVirn wrote: ↑

Let's start, or we'll be here all night.


Indeed. Liberator is stabilised. Hooray for us!


I was about to say the same!
Manual control, eh? It was more fun when they didn't know what the controls did.
"You're not sulking, I hope?"
 
Obsidian
Democracy on The Liberator... er.
Don't philosophise at me you electronic moron.
 
https://www.seraglio-design.com/
Obsidian

M1795537OCVirn wrote: ↑

Obsidian wrote: ↑

M1795537OCVirn wrote: ↑

Let's start, or we'll be here all night.


Indeed. Liberator is stabilised. Hooray for us!


I was about to say the same!
Manual control, eh? It was more fun when they didn't know what the controls did.


A bit full of ourselves now we can fly manually.
Don't philosophise at me you electronic moron.
 
https://www.seraglio-design.com/
M1795537OCVirn

Obsidian wrote: ↑


Are you at the Cherry Tree again? I was uncertain about booking because money kept flying out of accounts here. Now I've got to grab what's left.


I think so - other half did the booking. Hope you find somewhere.
"You're not sulking, I hope?"
 
AnneArthur
Hello, I'm here- disappointing the cat, who wants to be stroked. And we're in the middle of the first big Blake/Avon row. Blake is taking charge, and Avon is snarking - and this will go on for two series.

And Cally is not the first alien they meet, Ms Virn - technically the Time Squad are that. And they are more typically downbeat Blakes 7 - hostile beings with whom our heroes never establish meaningful contact.
 
AnneArthur
Is this Steventon the Steventon where Jane Austen used to live?
 
M1795537OCVirn

AnneArthur wrote: ↑

Hello, I'm here- disappointing the cat, who wants to be stroked. And we're in the middle of the first big Blake/Avon row. Blake is taking charge, and Avon is snarking - and this will go on for two series.

And Cally is not the first alien they meet, Ms Virn - technically the Time Squad are that. And they are more typically downbeat Blakes 7 - hostile beings with whom our heroes never establish meaningful contact.


OK, then. Cally is the first alien who survives meeting them. How are things with you?
Edited by M1795537OCVirn on 27-01-2024 09:44
"You're not sulking, I hope?"
 
AnneArthur
It's not a very alien looking ship.
 
Obsidian

AnneArthur wrote: ↑

Hello, I'm here- disappointing the cat, who wants to be stroked. And we're in the middle of the first big Blake/Avon row. Blake is taking charge, and Avon is snarking - and this will go on for two series.

And Cally is not the first alien they meet, Ms Virn - technically the Time Squad are that. And they are more typically downbeat Blakes 7 - hostile beings with whom our heroes never establish meaningful contact.


Hi AnneA. How are you going? It MUST be possible to stroke cats and type at the same time. I used to do it with a cat resting its head on my wrist. Not helpful, but possible.

Avon understands swapping one dictatorship for another.
Don't philosophise at me you electronic moron.
 
https://www.seraglio-design.com/
M1795537OCVirn

AnneArthur wrote: ↑

It's not a very alien looking ship.


Maybe they're not aliens after all? Heh heh heh
"You're not sulking, I hope?"
 
AnneArthur

M1795537OCVirn wrote: ↑

AnneArthur wrote: ↑

Hello, I'm here- disappointing the cat, who wants to be stroked. And we're in the middle of the first big Blake/Avon row. Blake is taking charge, and Avon is snarking - and this will go on for two series.

And Cally is not the first alien they meet, Ms Virn - technically the Time Squad are that. And they are more typically downbeat Blakes 7 - hostile beings with whom our heroes never establish meaningful contact.


OK, then. Cally is the first alien who survives meeting them. How are things with you?


Not really sure. OK I think, but I'm having trouble making contact with my brother, and I'm getting worried. Probably unnecessary. I was awake half the night worrying, and what I think I would like now is 50 minutes not worrying! But I appreciate you asking. Grin
 
M1795537OCVirn

AnneArthur wrote: ↑

Is this Steventon the Steventon where Jane Austen used to live?


She was born there.
"You're not sulking, I hope?"
 
Obsidian

AnneArthur wrote: ↑

It's not a very alien looking ship.


Humanoids; SHORT humanoids.
Don't philosophise at me you electronic moron.
 
https://www.seraglio-design.com/
Tyce
Hi everyone, I’m late but here. I hope you are all well. Just speeding forward to try and catch up.
 
M1795537OCVirn
Having Jenna explain what 'cryogenic' is sounds so laboured now.

When will Blake learn to say 'please' and 'thank you'?
"You're not sulking, I hope?"
 
M1795537OCVirn

Tyce wrote: ↑

Hi everyone, I’m late but here. I hope you are all well. Just speeding forward to try and catch up.


Hooray! Good to have you here, Tyce.
"You're not sulking, I hope?"
 
AnneArthur
No, it's a different Steventon. The one where the convention is is the one in Oxfordshire, right?
 
Obsidian

AnneArthur wrote: ↑

M1795537OCVirn wrote: ↑

AnneArthur wrote: ↑

Hello, I'm here- disappointing the cat, who wants to be stroked. And we're in the middle of the first big Blake/Avon row. Blake is taking charge, and Avon is snarking - and this will go on for two series.

And Cally is not the first alien they meet, Ms Virn - technically the Time Squad are that. And they are more typically downbeat Blakes 7 - hostile beings with whom our heroes never establish meaningful contact.


OK, then. Cally is the first alien who survives meeting them. How are things with you?


Not really sure. OK I think, but I'm having trouble making contact with my brother, and I'm getting worried. Probably unnecessary. I was awake half the night worrying, and what I think I would like now is 50 minutes not worrying! But I appreciate you asking. Grin


Oh dear. Sorry about that. Worry and upset are understandable at this time. Don't worry about this lot in charge of Liberator. You know they'll be ok because the series would end now otherwise.Grin
Don't philosophise at me you electronic moron.
 
https://www.seraglio-design.com/
Tyce
I love when Jenna says “don’t tell him that”. LOL
 
AnneArthur

M1795537OCVirn wrote: ↑

Having Jenna explain what 'cryogenic' is sounds so laboured now.

When will Blake learn to say 'please' and 'thank you'?


I was just about to say that I think that when cryogenic capsules have been encountered in Star Trek TNG and Babylon 5, it was assumed that the viewers would have a basic knowledge.

And, to answer your second question, when hell freezes over.
 
M1795537OCVirn

AnneArthur wrote: ↑

No, it's a different Steventon. The one where the convention is is the one in Oxfordshire, right?


Bother, you're right. Hers was the one in Hampshire. I thought someone told me when I was there last time, but now I've looked it up. Never believe anything you hear!
"You're not sulking, I hope?"
 
Obsidian

Tyce wrote: ↑

Hi everyone, I’m late but here. I hope you are all well. Just speeding forward to try and catch up.


Hi Tyce
How are you? How's your mother doing?
Don't philosophise at me you electronic moron.
 
https://www.seraglio-design.com/
AnneArthur

Obsidian wrote: ↑

AnneArthur wrote: ↑

M1795537OCVirn wrote: ↑

AnneArthur wrote: ↑

Hello, I'm here- disappointing the cat, who wants to be stroked. And we're in the middle of the first big Blake/Avon row. Blake is taking charge, and Avon is snarking - and this will go on for two series.

And Cally is not the first alien they meet, Ms Virn - technically the Time Squad are that. And they are more typically downbeat Blakes 7 - hostile beings with whom our heroes never establish meaningful contact.


OK, then. Cally is the first alien who survives meeting them. How are things with you?


Not really sure. OK I think, but I'm having trouble making contact with my brother, and I'm getting worried. Probably unnecessary. I was awake half the night worrying, and what I think I would like now is 50 minutes not worrying! But I appreciate you asking. Grin


Oh dear. Sorry about that. Worry and upset are understandable at this time. Don't worry about this lot in charge of Liberator. You know they'll be ok because the series would end now otherwise.Grin


Thank you.
 
Obsidian

AnneArthur wrote: ↑

No, it's a different Steventon. The one where the convention is is the one in Oxfordshire, right?


Yes, it's NOT the one in Hampshire.
Don't philosophise at me you electronic moron.
 
https://www.seraglio-design.com/
M1795537OCVirn

Tyce wrote: ↑

I love when Jenna says “don’t tell him that”. LOL


Grin
"You're not sulking, I hope?"
 
AnneArthur
Jenna is making no bones about not trusting Avon, either to Blake or to himself.
 
Jump to Forum