Teleporting in—welcome to Federation Strike: A Journey Through Blake's 7!

We had a fantastic chat with Paul Vanezis, the genius behind the visual cleanup of the Blake's 7 Blu-ray box set. Right off the bat, we dive into his experiences restoring this classic series, which has been a labour of love with some hefty challenges. Paul shares some behind-the-scenes stories about the challenges he faced, from dealing with old tape glitches to ensuring the episodes look as good as they did back in 1978.

It’s a fascinating chat that goes into the ins and outs of restoration, and we even get a peek at some of the tech wizardry that goes into making the show shine in modern HD. If you love this subject and also need some behind-the-scenes banter, this episode is a must-listen.

We're teleporting out for now! Thanks for listening and don't forget to follow and subscribe on your preferred podcast app so you never miss an episode.

You can also join the conversation and stay updated by following us on Twitter/X and Bluesky, we'd love to hear your thoughts and theories!

Join us next time as we continue our journey through the universe of Blake’s 7.

Teleporting in—welcome to Federation Strike: A Journey Through Blake's 7!

For our second bonus episode, we've got a special chat featuring the visual effects wizard, Chris Thompson. Chris shares some behind-the-scenes magic, like how he brought those epic models back to life and the clever tricks he used to update the classic effects while keeping their charm intact.

We also take a peek into Chris' early days of creating art for classic shows like Thunderbirds, Space 1999, etc and share his journey that’s as captivating as the show itself. We chat about the challenges of blending old-school charm with modern tech in the remastering process, making sure that fans of the original can still appreciate that vintage vibe while also getting a taste of the new. Plus, there’s a healthy dose of nostalgia as we wax about the good ol’ days of sci-fi shows.

This interview is a wonderful insight into the creativity, love and care that's gone into, and continues to go into, Chris' work, and you can feel the passion in his words. If you’re a fan of Blake's 7 or just love behind-the-scenes stories, this episode is a must-listen!

We're teleporting out for now! Thanks for listening and don't forget to follow and subscribe on your preferred podcast app so you never miss an episode.

You can also join the conversation and stay updated by following us on Twitter/X and Bluesky, we'd love to hear your thoughts and theories!

Join us next time as we continue our journey through the universe of Blake’s 7.

Teleporting in—welcome to Federation Strike: A Journey Through Blake's 7!

We’re wrapping up our ride through Series A of Blake 7, and boy, what a wild ride it’s been! From the dark themes in the first episode to some serious character growth, we’ve been on a journey that’s hooked both newbies and old-school fans alike. We’re very grateful for everyone who’s joined us on this trip, whether you’re rewatching or just tuning in for the first time.

It’s clear that Adam and I are riding high on a wave of nostalgia and excitement in this episode. We reflect on how we got here, from the very first episode to the last, thanking everyone who’s tuned in along the way. It’s been a journey of rediscovery for me, especially since I’d previously struggled with the show. Now, I’m all in!

We chat about our favorite episodes, with 'Seek Locate Destroy' stealing the spotlight for its thrilling narrative and incredible character development. The tension between Blake and Avon is palpable, and I can’t help but love how their dynamic evolves over time. Adam brings up how Travis and Servalan are a dream team of villainy, and we can’t wait to see how their stories unfold in Series B.

We also take a moment to recognize the hard work behind the remastering of this classic series and give props to the amazing crew who made it happen and... speaking of those people, our next bonus episode is an interview with visual effects supervisor and model extraordinaire Chris Thompson! Tune in next week for a geeky chat about Chris's work on bringing new effects that fit into Blake's 7's unique, classic look and some other tidbits of his work on other shows. Thanks, Chris!

We're teleporting out for now! Thanks for listening and don't forget to follow and subscribe on your preferred podcast app so you never miss an episode.

You can also join the conversation and stay updated by following us on Twitter/X and Bluesky, we'd love to hear your thoughts and theories!

Join us next time as we continue our journey through the universe of Blake’s 7.

Teleporting in—welcome to Federation Strike: A Journey Through Blake's 7!

We’re wrapping up Series A of Blake 7 with a bang in this episode, and it’s all about the finale, “Orac.” Can you believe we made it here? It feels like we were getting our feet wet just yesterday in the wild universe of Blake's 7.

This episode had it all: intrigue, suspense, and a touch of emotional depth. As Blake and his crew race against time to prevent Servalan and Travis from getting their hands on Orac, we delve into a narrative that balances action with character development. The tension builds as we witness Ensor's frailty and the crew's desperate attempts to save him, all while dodging Federation threats.

The performances shine, especially Derek Farr's as Ensor, who brings a quirky yet poignant touch to the role. It’s a bittersweet finale that leaves us on the edge of our seats, pondering what’s next for our favorite space rogues. And that cliffhanger? Total game-changer! How can you not be itching to dive into Series B after that?

We hope you enjoy our review of the episode Orac, and fear not, we're back next week to kick off some bonus episodes, starting with a wrap-up review of Series A. This will be followed by a couple of special interview episodes with people involved with the Blake's 7 blu ray box sets, so tune in next week to find out more!

We're teleporting out for now! Thanks for listening and don't forget to follow and subscribe on your preferred podcast app so you never miss an episode.

You can also join the conversation and stay updated by following us on Twitter/X and Bluesky, we'd love to hear your thoughts and theories!

Join us next time as we continue our journey through the universe of Blake’s 7.

Teleporting in—welcome to Federation Strike: A Journey Through Blake's 7!

We’re looking at the penultimate episode of Series A, and does it deliver?

Avon gets a chance to strut his stuff as “Lord Avon,” and let’s just say, he doesn’t shy away from the spotlight—much to Villa's amusement. Meanwhile, Servalan and Travis are cooking up a devious plan to snag Orac, and the tension is palpable as they plot in the shadows.

As we've often found with every episode so far, the performances are what make this series shine, even when the narrative feels a tad familiar.

So, let’s get stuck into this important story that sets the stage for the series finale!

We're teleporting out for now! Thanks for listening and don't forget to follow and subscribe on your preferred podcast app so you never miss an episode.

You can also join the conversation and stay updated by following us on Twitter/X and Bluesky, we'd love to hear your thoughts and theories!

Join us next time as we continue our journey through the universe of Blake’s 7.

Teleporting in—welcome to Federation Strike: A Journey Through Blake's 7!

It’s a bittersweet moment because we’re almost at the finish line of Series A, and while we're looking forward to seeing how things wrap up, we're also a bit sad to see it go.

Anyway, this week, we’re following Blake and Callie on a mission to rescue President Sarkoff, who’s been kept in a cosy little prison while chaos brews on his home planet of Lindor. But as always, things aren’t straightforward, as there's trouble with bounty hunters looking to cash in on the chaos and could Jenna betray the crew of the Liberator as a result?!

We're teleporting out for now! Thanks for listening and don't forget to follow and subscribe on your preferred podcast app so you never miss an episode.

You can also join the conversation and stay updated by following us on Twitter/X and Bluesky, we'd love to hear your thoughts and theories!

Join us next time as we continue our journey through the universe of Blake’s 7.

Teleporting in—welcome to Federation Strike: A Journey Through Blake's 7!

This week's episode centres on Gan, whose limiter malfunctions, putting him in a precarious situation that requires immediate neurosurgery. It’s a departure from the usual Federation versus Blake narrative, focusing instead on character dynamics and the tensions within the crew.

We break down the performances, particularly Paul Darrow’s Avon (again!), who is as charmingly unpredictable as ever. While some might label this as a slower episode, we find plenty to love in the character moments and the underlying themes.

We're teleporting out for now! Thanks for listening and don't forget to follow and subscribe on your preferred podcast app so you never miss an episode.

You can also join the conversation and stay updated by following us on Twitter/X and Bluesky, we'd love to hear your thoughts and theories!

Join us next time as we continue our journey through the universe of Blake’s 7.

If you’re a die-hard Blake’s 7 fan or just setting foot aboard the Liberator for the first time, Federation Strike is your perfect companion through this cult sci-fi classic. Every week, Garry and Adam take a deep dive into each episode—breaking down the stories, the characters, and even the gloriously wobbly special effects (which, let’s be honest, are half the charm).

We’re tackling the series from Series A, Episode 1 The Way Back through to the show's legendary finale, complete with episode reviews, rankings, and deep-dive discussions. But that’s not all—expect special bonus episodes, including full series retrospectives and exclusive interviews with the masterminds behind the Blake’s 7 Blu-ray box sets.

New episodes drop every week within each season (each of our seasons lines up with the Blake's 7 Blu-Ray sets), so find us on your favourite podcast app and follow @blakes7podcast on Bluesky and X (Twitter).

Whether you’ve sworn allegiance to the Federation or are fighting the system, we’d love to have you along for the journey. The rebellion starts here!

Teleporting in—welcome to Federation Strike: A Journey Through Blake's 7!

Project Avalon brings Blake and his crew back into the thick of action against the Federation. In this episode, we dive into a plot full of twists, where Blake's mission to rescue a rebel leader goes awry, leading to some surprises and a bit of espionage. As usual, the performances shine, especially from Gareth Thomas as Blake, who navigates through the chaos with his usual charm and determination.

We also see some classic interactions between Travis and Servalan, which highlight the tension and stakes within the Federation.

Overall, it’s a solid episode filled with clever writing and the right amount of humor to keep things lively.

We're teleporting out for now! Thanks for listening and don't forget to follow and subscribe on your preferred podcast app so you never miss an episode.

You can also join the conversation and stay updated by following us on Twitter/X and Bluesky, we'd love to hear your thoughts and theories!

Join us next time as we continue our journey through the universe of Blake’s 7.

Teleporting in—welcome to Federation Strike: A Journey Through Blake's 7!

Diving into "Duel," we're exploring the intense showdown between Blake and Travis that takes this episode to another level. While the plot itself is pretty straightforward, it does a great job of highlighting the contrasting natures of our main characters. Blake's protective instincts clash with Travis's ruthless pursuit, showing us that even in the face of danger, there's depth to their motivations.

We also delve into the absence of Dudley Simpson's iconic music, which leaves the episode feeling a bit off for us.

Overall, does this episode move our score meter into the red or does it hold up despite its potential short comings?

We're teleporting out for now! Thanks for listening and don't forget to follow and subscribe on your preferred podcast app so you never miss an episode.

You can also join the conversation and stay updated by following us on Twitter/X and Bluesky, we'd love to hear your thoughts and theories!

Join us next time as we continue our journey through the universe of Blake’s 7.