Redemption does a fantastic job of expanding the show's lore, providing a strong hook into the new season.
WRITTEN BY
Terry Nation, and we end Terry-thon with a bang with me finding new things to appreciate about him.
PLOT
The Liberator is severely damaged in battle. Soon after, the ship develops a mind of its own, taking its own crew prisoner and taking them across the galaxy to its creators...
ANALYSIS
What an unexpected and brilliant way to take the audience offguard. Rather than get back into familiar Federation territory, we're in the unknown. Exploring the Liberator's origins was bound to happen at some point, but I really can't think of a better place to do it than the season premiere, when everyone are still focused on the cliffhanger.
It also helps that the budget has noticeably increased. Dynamic camerawork, new sets, superior special effects, they all sell the fact that s**t just got real. It's like a blockbuster compared to what we were used to.
The System lack the charisma and human aspect of the Federation(for the most part), but they don't really need it either. The concept behind them is strong, and the intrigue so great that the actors in their silly bodysuits are almost an afterthought. The detached female leaders remind me of the Mutoids, and are effective in the same way. Speaking of the concept, the System are a proto-Borg race much like Doctor Who's Cybermen, but whereas the former were focused on 1960s fear of body horror, the System are based around the 1970s development of computer technology, the idea of fax machines and printers running society. The contrast between artificial intelligence and humanity will never not be interesting to me, and I think that as a one-off, and an explanation for the Liberator's background, they are sufficiently memorable.
CHARACTERS
The tension between Blake and Avon remains strong as ever, and one of the best aspects of the show. There's a lot of dark humor there, but the underlying tension and idea that Avon could one day snap and decide to take charge keeps things interesting.
The rest of the crew are mainly props right now, but their interactions and acting remain solid. I was glad to see Vila essentially save the day by breaking everybody out, and Avon forcing out an apology to him for punching him in the stomach!
Orac gets more focus this episode and I must say, I'm glad his prophetic abilities were toned down, because I'm not sure they make sense for a computer. Avon explains at one point that his predictions are not supernatural, but derived from facts, which makes sense. But I would've assumed that as a computer, Orac would only be able to make impartial predictions based on observation.
Having to directly influence events to make sure his prophecy comes to pass gives Orac much more initiative than the show is willing to explore.
It's fun to recognise all the guest stars in this episode from Doctor Who. My favourite was probably Harriet Philpin(Alta Two), because she kept reminding me of a pouting child.
NOTES
*June Hudson joined the crew as costume designer. As a result, everyone's looks get an overhaul, and the climate anoraks used throughout Series A are abandoned without an in-universe explanation. I heavily dislike Blake's baggy sleeves, by the way.
*I really admire Nation's writing(and Chris Boucher's script-editing of course) in this episode throughout - there were several occasions where I questioned the logic of the story, only for the characters to make the same questions and reason them out.
*The designs of the System ships, tech and spaceship is very satisfyingly consistent with that of the Liberator.
*I wonder why the button that activates the force wall is so far away from the other consoles. It's a bit silly whenever Avon has to run in front of the set to switch it on.
*As in the start of Cygnus Alpha, we see the Liberator flying at top speed, although this time without the flamboyant skin-stretching effect. I assume something something about inertial dampeners?
*I don't understand why Jenna's first instinct after recovering from a head injury would be to go to the teleport room. What's there to do amidst a space battle?
*I know the skinsuit-wearing Altas are hot, but Dudley Simpson's saxophone was really a bit much.
*Today I learned the classic definition of the word "redemption", which doesn't involve morality at all.
*I'm a bit surprised that the System seems to have no interest in Orac, but then I suppose it is an insular intelligence.
*Interestingly, Alta One does allow Blake to answer questions about the System and displays pride in its infallibility, suggesting leftover humanity.
*Why are there so few people on the space station?
*Cally and Gan separating from Vila whilst he breaks out Avon and Jenna was a bit odd - I assume they went into hiding to minimize the risk of being caught.
*One of the guards shoots someplace completely different to where he was pointing his gun at. Shame.
*Blake murders several of the guards, which ironically gives him the highest body count of the crew so far.
*Why would that poor slave stay behind? Did he just know subconsciously that he wasn't a leading actor?
INFORMATION!
*Part of the episode's plot revolves around the fuflfilment of Orac's prophecy about the Liberator's apparent destruction, which was made in Orac.
*The crew recognise that another computer is controlling Zen, because Orac did the same thing in Orac.
*Blake tells Alta One details about his recovery of the Liberator, which was seen in Space Fall. Cygnus Alpha is mentioned by name.
AVON: "Let us examine the nature of prediction. The human mind is capable of seeing into the short- range future with reasonable accuracy. For example, imagine that you are standing on the edge of a cliff. There are a number of alternative futures. You could take a pace forward and plunge to your death. The cliff could crumble under your feet with the same result. A gust of wind could carry you over."
BLAKE: "But the probability is that I would turn round and walk away again."
AVON: "Exactly. You have just made a prediction based on the known facts. A computer works on precisely the same principle."
CONCLUSION
A dazzling event episode. Love the grim atmosphere and the shock of it all.
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