Blakes7 April 2001

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70 participants
295 discussions

Captain Vila (long)
by Sally Manton 28 Apr '01

28 Apr '01

Jenny Kaye wtote: <The scene is demonstrating that Vila is: 1/ Shallow 2/ A braggart 3/ An untrustworthy liar 4/ Self deluding 5/ Incapable of forward planning 6/ Stupid, in that he greatly underestimates the intelligence of the people he is talking to. Even though he has known these people for a very long time.> <veg> Let me guess, he's not your favourite character. Vila's background is as fluid as his mind is, of course. In 'Horizon', when Avon calls him "a fifth-grade ignorant", his answer is "I chose the wrong parents, didn't I?" - nothing about cheating one way or the other on the tests (interesting that he doesn't call Avon on that incorrect ranking either). In 'Shadow' he says to Cally that he grew up 'among the Delta service grades' and was in the Juvenile Detention Wards at a very young age ("since I was old enough to read the graffiti'); in 'Power' he mentions to Pella that he was "technical advisor for the escape" at the 'academy' of CF-1; in 'Stardrive' he says he was sent to a penal colony (possibly Cf-1) at age 14. In 'The Way Back' he says to Blake that he's had his head adjusted 'by some of the best in the business'. Of course, this interesting history would make perfectly good reasons for being deprived of the Dreaded Captaincy, without bringing in anything about the tests. In fact, he's disarmingly honest about the shadier part of his history (always assuming he's telling the truth about *them* :-). He's not in the slightest bit ashamed on his Delta rank - of all the crew, he's the most open and talkative *about* it - nor does he seem to think it makes him inferior to the others (he does sometimes feel that way, I think, but due to very different reasons). So empty 'bragging' about a higher rank seems pointless, even for him. So yes, there's a decent case to be argue that he was simply making it up as he went along. The problem is that one thing Vila says here is absolutely true. He is *not* stupid, but actually quite bright in his own way, as he clearly demonstrates in other episodes (sometimes pulling the possibly-Alphas' butts out of strife, when he absolutely *has* to). He's somewhat scatterbrained IMO, definitely *not* an intellectual, and as lazy mentally as physically, but he can be very quick and flexible (which is why he's Avon's second-favourite sparring partner, after all; *were* he stupid or slow, Avon wouldn't waste his breath). 'Weapon', which is the episode that gives us most information - little though that is - on the grading system, and the reason I have real problems slotting Vila into Delta-by-rank. Goodness, Coser is a *Beta*, and from the way Servalan and Travis - and even Blake - talk, you'd think that was only for the terminally slow and thick - "this man Coser is brighter than his grade classification would suggest". Also, the clear implication is that Beta grades are considered and treated as *very* inferior to Alphas runs all the way through the episode (actually, it's a pity that the writer made Coser a Beta, as the attitudes in this episode to this secondary rank make it that much harder to judge where the rest of the crew might be; they can't *all* be Alphas!!) Which begs the question of how someone as bright as Vila unquestionably *is* ended up in the service grades that are lower even than Coser. (It also indicates - rather strongly - that being a Beta grade is both restrictive and horrible; if someone like Vila found himself headed in that direction I can see him doing anything to avoid it. But then, as said above, his prison record should have taken care of that little detail). So to wrap it up: I still think he could have been exaggerating, rather than lying. I *do* believe that, given what we know about how the grades worked and were seen, Vila *is* too bright to have been ranked that lowly in a fair test. If there *was* testing - which both his statement in 'Volcano' and Travis's in 'Weapon' attest to - he would have done better than that. And he would hardly have stated that he *did* but his results if it was known to be impossible (not to Avon, who could call him on it quite easily, and didn't). So I have to judge it 'unlikely but unproven'. I don't, however, think his grading had anything to do with whether or not he could have been a Space Captain, since his history - and his incorrigible thievery - would have put paid to *that* idea even if it had been an option (one has to admit that Tarrant shows a healthy interest in creative acquisition as well. But presumably he kept it under wraps until he graduated <g>). Yes, he *could* have bought the Delta grade; no, it had nothing to do with being a Space Captain, nor was there any chance of him being an Alpha, he's not *that* bright; unquestionably, he was having a dig at Tarrant, who at this stage is quite likely irritating the living daylights out of him. JMO. <As Avon confirmed, "A pro keeps it simple."> Sorry, ma'am, but I'm still an amateur at 'Playing the Game' so I don't have to do what Avon says if it don't make sense to me ... _________________________________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com.

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call for information
by Mac4781＠aol.com 28 Apr '01

28 Apr '01

I'm working on the information column for the upcoming issue of the Tarrant APA. If anyone has any information (conventions, zines, anything related to B7 or the performers) they'd like me to include, please send it to me off list. As usual, I've been tucking away information posts sent to the lyst and FC, but feel free to double check with me to make sure I have *your* information. Carol Mc

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Re: [B7L] Horizon , new issue
by Mac4781＠aol.com 28 Apr '01

28 Apr '01

Emily wrote: > I am interested to hear what other people have to say about it ? Mine just arrived today (in the USA), and it looks great: gorgeous layout, nice mix of text and photos, professional quality throughout. The only bits I've had time to read, so far, are the Vere Lorrimer tributes, which were lovely and touching. I appreciate all of the work that went into it. Carol Mc

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Horizon , new issue
by Emily Darby 28 Apr '01

28 Apr '01

Hi I am a somewhat infrequent poster nowadays , what with the pressure of work etc etc and i have to admit somewhat shamefully that i have skipped over a lot of the last few weeks postings but i gather there has been the usual acrimonious postings regarding slash and other issues which i am sure that no one else wishes to resurect . I did skim though to see if anyone had commented on the recent new horizon magazine which for UK members i would guess arrived a few weeks ago, (well mine did anyway) and there didn't seem to have been any discussion at all, maybe a lot of lyst members are not members of horizon any more ? I have been in recent years been a staunch critic of Horizon and the people that run it and i do not wish to drag it all back up again but i was pleased to read that at long last the videos from Deliverance 1998 are now available, well the first one is !, which is great news, it was a fantastic con and i look forward to recieving the first one and hoping that it will bring back good memories of the con for those of you that were unlucky enough not to have been there it was a good con, loads of good guests and great panels and loads of like minded fans !, one of the best cons that i have been to in recent years, i believe that the videos will be available to those people who did not pre order and the details are in the latest Horizon mag onto the subject of the mag, it seems pretty good, the usual exuses about why it is so late, but what is new there !!!, there is some good articles although i have to admit that i forgot to take it with me recently but i have dipped in and out I am interested to hear what other people have to say about it ? hopefully without starting another nasty horizon debate As i have said i don't agree with the horizon committees views on lots of things and i sometiems feel that things should be better from the 'official' club but hey i guess we are not all perfect :) and a lot of clubs do not always manage a newsletter at all, ( i speak from previous disapointing experiece with other fandoms!) anyway enough rambling Emily

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Re: [B7L] Captain Vila
by Jenny Kaye 28 Apr '01

28 Apr '01

Jacqui wrote: >"Jenny Kaye" <jennycat55(a)hotmail.com> wrote: > > > > Sally wrote: > > > > Jenny K: > > > ><There is no need for all this elaborate theorising, when the answer >is > > > >simple: Vila was a thief, and therefore, like most thieves, Vila was >a > > liar > > > >as well.> > > > > > > >Ah, but that's just theory as well, isn't it? > > > > No. It's a fact. Vila lies. Haven't you watched "The Way Back"? > > > > <g> albeit simpler (but of > > > >course some of us prefer the complicated stuff). > > > > Remember though, "a pro keeps it simple", something that Avon would > > recognise and appreciate. > > > > > > Jenny > > >On both the London and in 'Rumours' a junior is (asked if he is) studying >for promotion - perhaps Vila was told at the recruiting office along the >lines 'if you study hard a bright lad like you could become a captain' - Recruiting office? What recruiting office? Do you really think Vila is someone who is going to volunteer for the army? >and if you don't, the survival rate is 15% 15%? Where did this figure come from? And why would 15% be the survival rate? Who are they fighting? The rebels in B7 appeared to be a fairly negligible problem (how many Space Captains do they kill, versus how many the army of an intergalactic power has? Definitely not "all.") And the war hadn't even been thought of yet. Also surely being told that if he doesn't study hard he is going to die, is more of an incentive to pass the exam then fail it? - and he later elaborates this > >into what he says. OK, let's look at the scene. Vila says, "Are you going to let me in on the secret?" to which Avon replies "You wouldn't understand it if we did." Avon then turns his back on Vila. This doesn't go down to well, prompting Vila to respond, "My classification might be Grade 4 ignorant, but I'm not stupid. I bought that classification from a friend at the testing centre." Avon looks on impassively, and Cally in the background rolls her eyes. Vila continues, "I didn't want to be a Space Captain now did I? They all ended up getting killed didn't they?" Cally responds with, "Tarrant survived." "Oh yes," says Vila, "Tarrant says he was a Space Captain, but then Tarrant says he was a lot of things. You don't have to believe it all do you?" Avon then looks Vila in the eye and says, "I'd be more included to believe that he was a Captain than that you could have been?" Vila then changes the subject by saying, "Well never mind about me, but it's Tarrant you should be worried about. And it's not just because he's been out of contact for an hour." Now why do you think Vila changed the subject, and tried to distract Avon by talking about Tarrant? Do you think it could be because Vila is talking crap? Could it possibly be that all this talk about Space Captains and testing centres is just a feeble attempt to get one over on Avon? Could it be that the reason why Vila doesn't want to continue the conversation is because Avon and Cally quite clearly don't believe him, and that if he continues on this line then Avon and Cally might start asking him some difficult questions and stating some quite blindingly obvious facts? Like for example, that the only reason the Federation lost so many Space Captains is because of a damn great war that no one could have possibly foreseen. That being a Space Captain would have been a far better life than that of a common thief, who would eventually end up being sent to a hostile prison planet for life. That the life as a Space Captain would be infinitely more preferable than being a lowly labour grade, condemned to cleaning toilets, mediocre conversation and exploitation by the Terra Nostra. Vila is clearly talking junk. The idea that everyone who passed a test at the testing centre would be immediately promoted to Space Captain is farcical. The implication that he was forced to take the exam, and that he then bribed this convenient "friend" to fail him is just plain laughable. How many secondary school students bribe their teachers to fail them cos they don't want to go out and get a decent job? The scene in Volcano continues with Cally saying, "And what about Dayna? Don't you trust her either?" Vila responds by manufacturing an air of contrived nonchalance and saying, "Danya's a different case entirely." Cally smiles, "Oh she's pretty for one thing." Vila then pretends that he hasn't thought about it, "Pretty? Yes I suppose she is. I hadn't really noticed." Vila then walks off, to Avon's sarcastic reply, "We've seen you not really noticing... frequently." The scene ends with Vila looking uncomfortable. The scene is demonstrating that Vila is: 1/ Shallow 2/ A braggart 3/ An untrustworthy liar 4/ Self deluding 5/ Incapable of forward planning 6/ Stupid, in that he greatly underestimates the intelligence of the people he is talking to. Even though he has known these people for a very long time. Vila a Space Captain? He wouldn't pass the psychological tests let alone be entered for "The Space Captains' exam" even if such a test existed. As Avon confirmed, "A pro keeps it simple." Vila is a liar. And you can't get simpler than that! Jenny _________________________________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com.

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Dorset meet
by Judith Proctor 28 Apr '01

28 Apr '01

The next meeting of the Dorset B7 group will be 19 May at 28 Diprose Rd, Corfe Mullen. (it's near Wimborne) The meet starts at 12 for those who want to watch videos and at 2pm for those who want to skip the videos. All welcome, Judith -- http://www.hermit.org/Blakes7 - Fanzines for Blake's 7, B7 Filk songs, pictures, news, Conventions past and present, Blake's 7 fan clubs, Gareth Thomas, etc. (also non-Blake's 7 zines at http://www.knightwriter.org ) Redemption '03 21-23 Feb 2003 http://www.smof.com/redemption/

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Re: [B7L] Re: If you could change ...
by Marian de Haan 28 Apr '01

28 Apr '01

Sally wrote: >Here's another little exercise, if anyone's interested, in two parts:< Thanks, Sally, I love this kind of thing. >If you could change just three things about the series - with no restrictions on cast, budget, scripting etc - what would they be? (Obviously, *my* first would be "don't let Blake go.")< 1. Give the women an equal share in the action. 2. Let Travis fade away after "Orac" and create na new character for Brian Croucher to play. 3. Can't make up my mind between: 3a. Cast an older actor as Tarrant or rewrite the stories to match his youth, and 3b. Don't change Avon's hairstyle for S4. (And now I can imagine some Lyst members shake their heads and sigh: "An unlimited budget and she doesn't even mention the Special Effects!") :-) >If you could change just three episodes, which are they and how would you do it?< 1. Orbit - Make John Savident play Egrorian as a sane character. (Sorry, but his pantomime performance prevents me from taking this episode seriously.) - Let Vila find the gun and go chasing after Avon :-) (He'd NEVER expect that!) - Let Servalan fall victim to Hoffal's radiation. 2. Weapon - Find another director. - Leave out the clone. (Sacrilege, I know :-) ) - A more plausible end. (I can't imagine either Blake or Avon wanting to live with the shadow of IMIPAK hanging over them for the rest of their lives.) 3. This should be Terminal, but as I've already upset some Lyst members with my controversial views on that episode some time ago I think I'd better stop here :-) (Anyone really interested in them can always read my review of the ep. on Judith's website.) Marian

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Chris Boucher
by Judith Proctor 28 Apr '01

28 Apr '01

Chris Boucher just asked me to pass on that he'll be selling various items via e-bay in the near future. I don't know what items he has in mind, though I imagine it's probably his remaining copies of scripts from various shows. Anyway, he says he'll be putting something up every ten days or so. Judith PS. for those who don't know, Chris was the script editor on Blake's 7 and also wrote many of my favourite episodes such as Rumours of Death. -- http://www.hermit.org/Blakes7 - Fanzines for Blake's 7, B7 Filk songs, pictures, news, Conventions past and present, Blake's 7 fan clubs, Gareth Thomas, etc. (also non-Blake's 7 zines at http://www.knightwriter.org ) Redemption '03 21-23 Feb 2003 http://www.smof.com/redemption/

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Re: [B7L] How do people watch B7?
by David and/or Lesley McIntee 28 Apr '01

28 Apr '01

> From: "Ann Basart" <basart(a)uclink.berkeley.edu> > > Hi all. I've been wondering how people on the Lyst watch B7. All the > episodes (except those that you don't like) in order? Whichever single ep > you feel like? Whatever ep is suggested by comments on the Lyst? I run through them all on tape avery couple of years, and see single episodes on UK Old just if I happen to be up when they're on. DM

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How do people watch B7?
by Sally Manton 28 Apr '01

28 Apr '01

Well, mostly I sit down with the express purpose of checking something out for a reason (for a post, or a fanfic idea etc) and then - if it's one I like - find myself watching the whole thing, with pauses for the good bits, and then two more just for fun (this tends to happen with 2nd-season *a lot*). I'm afraid that it doesn't *always* happen. If I'm checking something in 'Stardrive' or 'Dawn of the Gods' I resist the lure of the whole ep quite easily. And I've still only managed to stay awake through 'Ultraworld' *once* ... When writing the 'Christmas Canto' I made myself watch the last few minutes of 'Blake' over and over to try and get the shooting right from Avon's POV; for another, I had to study the early scenes of 'Voice from the Past' (the Avon-Blake bits, so painful :-)) very, very carefully (I'm afraid I avoided Governer Le Grande like the plague). At the minute I'm seriously studying a combination of 'Gambit' and 'Powerplay' (don't ask <g>), which makes for an errr ... interesting mental combination. And I can always *always* watch 'Redemption', 'Pressure Point' and 'Star One' again ... _________________________________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com.

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Blakes7 April 2001