Finish that novel... ;D

Maybe Travisina hogs the computer.

I love this costume of Dayna's but I imagine it's one of, if not The one, she was referring to back in an old Horizon interview when she said she'd been afraid at times of falling out of her costume.

I do like the relationships in Blakes 7. I know it's because of a varied writing team and general carelessness, but the way relationships are hinted at rather than made clear is very appealing (and leaves lots of room for e.g. fanfiction). In one of the 90s Star Treks, the relationship between Avon and Cally would have been examined, re-eaxmined, spelled out and generally done to death.

This is a haunted house story really, isn't it?

It doesn't look too secure, does it?

Does this help, Anne?

'Your helplessness brings out my sadistic streak'. Nicely observed, I think - although it's not just helplessness, IMO, it's that Vila seems so content to be helpless, and even to stress how feeble he is.

NOW I know what the Alien reminds me of when she raises her arm: the Screen Gems lady with the lamp.

'Your helplessness brings out my sadistic streak'. Nicely observed, I think - although it's not just helplessness, IMO, it's that Vila seems so content to be helpless, and even to stress how feeble he is.

There's clearly an evolutionary advantage to being like that, like baby humans.

Helplessness is OK in baby humans, in someone who's supposed to be adult, it's irritating. (Or does that show my sadistic streak?)

Yes, and in Vila's case it is conscious, I think. He's too small to be a bully, so he survives by being harmless, amusing and useful.

Helplessness is OK in baby humans, in someone who's supposed to be adult, it's irritating. (Or does that show my sadistic streak?)

The Avon-Alien interchange is excellent.

Well, I think that all the rest of the Liberator's crew find that.

The amusing part is critical.

Yep. And Vila's 'personality' is just as manipulative as anyone else's, playing on their sympathies. He's more than capable of looking after himself in whatever way he needs to.

God, I had EXACTLY Cally's hairstyle at that time.

Which one? Cally-alien or Cally-Cally?

That's why I like the play-off between him and Avon because they are both survivors, they just use different methods.

Why should Dayna be used to revolting thoughts?

Tanith Lee uses the Richard III gambit in both her stories. One person threatens to kill another, and the other says 'go on then', knowing that it won't happen.