2.10 Voice from the Past by Roger Parkes
Yet another season 2 episode that I don’t really remember very well (if at all) although I’m guessing unconsciously I must have done because I worked out Shevan’s identity far too quickly.
Another weak episode although there are a few good moments. Blake suddenly changes plans, acting slightly cagey and out of character, changing course for an obscure asteroid that has been mined out and forgotten.
As his behaviour seems increasingly erratic, and perhaps more importantly he won’t provide any explanation, Avon and Jenna try and restrain him, but despite an initial success Blake tricks Vila into releasing him and traps the others before heading for the asteroid.
There he meets rebel leader Shivan and Ven Glynd a member of the court that saw Blake sent to Cygnus Alpha back in season 1. They have been using appropriated technology from Auron (Cally’s homeworld) to subtly influence Blake, triggering flashbacks to his conditioning, and making him more susceptible to what they suggest. It has also made him more secretive.
Shivan was a rebel leader probably comparable to Blake or greater, but he was believed killed. It appears he survived, but horrifically wounded. Barely alive at all. He and Glynd have been working with an honest Federation Governor, Le Grand in an attempt to legally overthrow the high command by revealing the level of corruption in both the Earth Administration and Space Command, effectively a peaceful Coup which will leave Blake in command with Glynd , Shivan and Le Grand as advisors.
Unfortunately Servalan is two steps ahead and has set a trap, one that sees Le Grand killed and Glynd injured, while Blake begins to succumb to the device that has been influencing him.
On the Liberator it is revealed that Shivan is in fact Travis, who is working with Servalan. He takes control of the ship and is beamed down to the surface where he kills Glynd, but is unable to stop Blake escaping after Avon destroy the control device.
Blake remembers nothing about the whole sequence of events.
For me the high point of the episode was Gareth Thomas’ performance. Given something he can get his teeth into he seems to relish the part. When he is beginning to be overcome by the device he actually looks dangerous, and even the compliant Blake seems to be subtly different to the normal character.
There seems to be something for everyone to do, so no cast member gets left out in the cold, but for once Blake is central.
There is a lot more dissent from the crew something I really don’t remember as being so obvious, but there is generally a feeling that Blake is in command only by his fingertips.
Although it is the main cast that provide a solid backbone for the episode, it is riddled with plot holes that come more to the fore as the episode continues.
No one seems particularly bothered that Shivan is who he says he is. A man wrapped in bandages, with his left arm hidden at all times, who claims to be a legendary rebel is accepted by all. When it is revealed as Travis it is so obvious you wonder how not one of the crew saw it coming.
Once revealed Travis runs around with his neck brace on, long cloak and bandages. Surely it all hampers him, and he’d be better off without it.
Better still he effectively has control of the Liberator, yet is beamed down to a planet where he ends up trapped in a room that is besieged by Federation guards – and he is a wanted man. If he’d stayed on the ship everyone would have been killed, Servalan would let him go free, he’s have the Liberator.
There is no reason for Blake to go loopy and take the teleport bracelet off. Instead he stays there fighting Jenna when she is trying to put it back on him.
Worse still Travis is just standing there watching. He could have shot Blake and it’s all be over.
In all an episode of very interesting ideas, but the execution and pay off are poor.
It feels very much as an episode that was written for an earlier point in the show and has been slotted in here for some reason, jarring with what we have seen up until now.
)
