A Task For Bondor (1980) Review

 

A Task For Bondor is compelling, but suffers from a crap ending.

WRITTEN BY

No specific credit.

PLOT

Blake travels to the volcanic world of Caliphor with the intention to recruit the legendary freedom fighter Grai Bondor as the leader of a failing resistance movement on Mamon. However, Bondor is unwilling to return and defends himself with a fearsome army of alien wraiths. In addition, the Federation launches its own attack on Caliphor... 

ANALYSIS

Now, this is a perfect example of an idea that's too good to be restrained by the short story format. We have a solid setup with Blake's desire to help a resistance movement, an enigmatic resistance leader to find, a mysterious planet shrouded in legend... it could have been a really good episode, but instead it feels like all of these ideas are carelessly chucked in and then just as carelessly dispensed with to keep to the right word count. 

It's a shame, because the writing itself is strong. I felt involved the entire time. The atmosphere and characterisation are well constructed. But the ending is such an anticlimax that it spoiled the experience for me. Despite being an exciting and surreal world, we never learn anything about Caliphor, or why and how Bondor is there (which could fill the runtime of a whole episode all to itself). The Federation's eleventh-hour arrival adds a sense of urgency, but it never amounts to anything other than giving Bondor a reason to change his mind about joining Blake. The reason why Bondor is in exile in the first place? Never explained. 

There's a line where enigma turns to laziness, and A Task For Bondor unfortunately crosses it. The writers should have had the smarts to focus on one thing and flesh it out instead of trying to be clever and sprinkling various eyecatching yet shallow ideas here and there, and scrimping out on a satisfying resolution. 

CHARACTERS

I'd say Avon had the most notable role. His greed and sarcasm are well evident, and I got a kick out of the scene in which he chooses to sacrifice his newfound wealth to rescue Blake - "some scrap of loyalty" as the text says. It's very heartwarming and true to his lack of self-awareness about his better nature.

Cally is also well served, in her passion for freedom fighting. I loved seeing her chew Bondor out for his decision to leave the fight, and how immaturely she switches to a warm attitude when he changes his mind. It should be noted that these annuals all seem to have been written before their respective season aired. So although this one is set in Series B (as evidenced by the lack of Gan and presence of Orac), the depiction of the characters is very much rooted in Series A. This is pure Time Squad Cally. 

Grai Bondor seems like a powerful and intimidating figure, but as I complained above, we know nothing about him or his circumstances when the story begins and when the story ends. Some might like that in a "the universe is bigger than our adventure" kind of way, but I definitely needed more to get invested in him. At least an explanation for what pushed him to retire, and what his strange alien wraiths are. 

NOTES

• This story was published in the 1980 Blake's 7 annual.
• Whilst it's obvious that Bondor chose Caliphor as a hideout due to it being self-defended, one does question the wisdom of hiding out somewhere so volatile. According to the Federation, the planet was about to disintegrate! Was Bondor intending to commit suicide or was he just oblivious to that?
• I always enjoy stories where Avon actively aims to get rich. That's a reasonable motivation for his character that I wish they hadn't phased out so much later on (with certain exceptions like Games and Gold). Series C Avon should've been building up a pile of riches like a dragon. 
• Today I learned a new word: "deputation". Look it up, it's a cool word. 
• Despite being in hiding, Bondor's location is apparently common knowledge as both the Liberator crew and the Federation tracks him down with little difficulty. 
• Blake risking Vila's life to make the deal with Bondor was a nicely shady moment, I liked that.
• Bondor controlling his wraiths with a flute like the Pied Piper is wonderfully bizarre. 
• Although I appreciate Avon's effort in reaching Blake before the Federation, couldn't he have just warned him over the communicator?

INFORMATION!

• Blake chastises Vila's uncertainty to help the people of Mamon by reminding him of their oppressive life on Earth. 

BEST QUOTE AVON QUOTE

"Oh, I see. We just tiptoe down there, all meek and mild, without any means of defence, and hope they'll like us enough to leave us alone. Wonderful." 

CONCLUSION

It's fun enough for what it is, but it could've been so much better with a few changes.