Blakes7 January 2002

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60 participants
295 discussions

Re: [B7L] Re: Avon, Ensor and the System
by Ellynne G. 22 Jan '02

22 Jan '02

On Mon, 21 Jan 2002 18:09:50 +1300 seven(a)gaudaprime.com writes: > David > There have been several lines in 20th cent. software systems, but > now > there are few: the minority systems of Apple and Unix; the majority > system. It can be the same for B7 hardware. This makes sense only if the System, like computer users, had something to gain from using the few systems instead of the many. Example: it makes sense for everyone to start using wordperfect as opposed to the other writing systems once everyone starts expecting you to know word, all the documents you want to read are word compatible, etc. Left to develop on its own, odds are no two groups of computer users would independently invent it or even invent highly similar and somewhat compatible programs. So, the question remains, in what ways did the System interact with the Federation (or, at least, its technology)? Ellynne ________________________________________________________________ GET INTERNET ACCESS FROM JUNO! Juno offers FREE or PREMIUM Internet access for less! Join Juno today! For your FREE software, visit: http://dl.www.juno.com/get/web/.

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Fwd: Re: [B7L] Avon and the System
by Sally M 22 Jan '02

22 Jan '02

Ellynne wrote: "After that, I'm afraid Avon would become an overprotective father type, put a moratorium on even vaguely dangerous missions and stay out of the Federation's way." Mmmmm ... that doesn't sound *at all* like Avon to me. I would think he'd be fairly indifferent to the child at least until it was born - I really don't see him getting gooey over anyone's pregnancy (not even had *Anna* had his child). Certaibly not one he was a passive and unwitting 'specimen' to (I think he'd loathe that). And even when born, it would depend on whether he actually liked the sprog (which - given what newborns are usually like - is hardly likely). But then Avon as doting dad or dad-to-be is a fanfic idea I've seen done soooooo very badly it may have turned me right off it (Susan Matthew's Shadowplay - yeccchhhh). _________________________________________________________________ Chat with friends online, try MSN Messenger: http://messenger.msn.com

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Re: [B7L] Avon and the System
by Ellynne G. 22 Jan '02

22 Jan '02

Thanks for all the comments. I'm still thinking them over and seeing where this leads me. Have to admit, the best place for anyone who wanted to download anything into Avon's brain would have been the Ultra, but making a connection between them and the System (not to mention evil conspiracies) is a little beyond me at this point. Oh, from the stray thought file. I have toyed with a story idea where the Ultra (to answer the question about whether Aurons and humans were the same species) combined one of Cally's egg cells with one of Avon's sperm while the two were unconscious and then implanted the embryo in her to see what would happen. Actually, this idea never gets past the amusing part where Cally runs medical tests, realizes what's happened, gets Orac to run tests confirming paternity, and she tells Avon (I see him looking very much like he's been hit by a two by four). After that, I'm afraid Avon would become an overprotective father type, put a moratorium on even vaguely dangerous missions and stay out of the Federation's way. The main up spot would be that, when Servalan's faked messages from Terminal start coming in, Avon would tell Zen to be quiet and hold all calls without even asking who this was supposed to be coming from. Come to think of it, if the call came at the right time, Zen could start to tell Avon it was from Blake and Avon might say, "Tell him I'll get back to him!" Ellynne P.S. This is off topic, but I recently learned something useful I'd never known before. If your home smells like dead fish even though there aren't any dead fish, get out and call 911. Burning electric sockets can have the same smell. ________________________________________________________________ GET INTERNET ACCESS FROM JUNO! Juno offers FREE or PREMIUM Internet access for less! Join Juno today! For your FREE software, visit: http://dl.www.juno.com/get/web/.

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Geek hierachy
by Nicola Mody-Nikoloff 21 Jan '02

21 Jan '02

I thought this might amuse you people. http://www.brunching.com/features/geekhierarchy.html I see that now I'm writing fanfic, I'm pretty high up in the geek hierarchy. :-( Nico *** This e-mail is privileged and confidential. If you are not the intended recipient please delete the message and notify the sender. ***

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RE: Re: [B7L] Episode Winners
by jacquispeel＠netscape.net 21 Jan '02

21 Jan '02

Betty Ragan <ragan(a)sdc.org> wrote: >Helen Atkins wrote: > >> I disagree that Avon was a winner in Rumours of Death. > >Indeed, it occurs to me to wonder if it might not be more accurate to >say that there's always at least one *loser* at the end of every >episode, but not necessarily anyone who can be called a winner at all... > >-- >Betty Ragan ** ragan(a)sdc.org ** http://www.sdc.org/~ragan/ > Does 'anyone' win in 'Blake'? (the Federation don't know who they've 'disposed of') Jacqui -- __________________________________________________________________ Your favorite stores, helpful shopping tools and great gift ideas. Experience the convenience of buying online with Shop@Netscape! http://shopnow.netscape.com/ Get your own FREE, personal Netscape Mail account today at http://webmail.netscape.com/

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Gan's woman
by Nicola Mody-Nikoloff 21 Jan '02

21 Jan '02

Sorry if this has been covered before I came along, but why does everyone (incl. the Sevencyclopaedia) think Gan's woman was raped? In 'Time Squad', Gan just says to Jenna that she was killed by a guard. Nico *** This e-mail is privileged and confidential. If you are not the intended recipient please delete the message and notify the sender. ***

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Re: [B7L] Episode Winners
by Marian de Haan 21 Jan '02

21 Jan '02

Helen Atkins wrote: >I disagree that Avon was a winner in Rumours of Death. He thought at the beginning of the episode that someone had been willing to die under torture rather than turn him in.< And knowing the truth at least relieved him of his guilt over that. Despite what he tells Jenna in Trial, I think he is capable of feeling guilt. >At the end, he realised he had never been loved at all. This obviously had a severe impact on his view of himself (ie unloveable)< I can't see that being an issue for him. Avon never gives the impression of caring about what other people think of him. IMO he prefers *not* being loved, because love causes the kind of emotional attachment he seems very eager to avoid. >and of other people (there are no exceptions, no one is trustworthy).< A very safe philosophy, in his case, considering what happens to the few people he *does* begin to trust :-) Marian

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Dalek Empire series now complete
by Judith Proctor 21 Jan '02

21 Jan '02

I've now got stock of Dalek Empire part 4, which completes the series. I haven't even had time to listen to the latest part yet, but Gareth Thomas (and the rest of the cast) were all very good in the first three parts. It's been an interesting and enjoyable series which raises some interesting questions about whether collaboration with an enemy can be justified. Copies are for sale on http://www.hermit.org/Blakes7 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: Avon, Ensor and the System
by seven＠gaudaprime.com 21 Jan '02

21 Jan '02

Jacqui wrote There are several possible reasons for the 'tarriel cell compatible technology' of Zen/the Liberator/the System (Orac has 'no apparent problem' in overriding System computers). a) Independent but parallel development sufficient for Orac to understand. Going by 20th/21st century computers this is 'unlikely.' David There have been several lines in 20th cent. software systems, but now there are few: the minority systems of Apple and Unix; the majority system. It can be the same for B7 hardware. Initially there were several lines but most died out leaving a few only: Tarriel cells, Star One, the System, the Ultra's technology. There is only so much that can be invented in a given area; then the variations merge. Jacqui This implies some communication between the System and the Federation - probably one way as even Servalan/the Federation High Command are unaware of the System. David The previous generation, however, were not necessarily unaware of the System. When Control was placed on Star One, someone somewhere knew the fact. Then the knowledge concerning the location of Central Control died out. Likewise, the knowledge of the System could have died out by the time Servalan assumed power. Jacqui This would also imply that the System is 'not in the direction of' Andromeda/Horizon, or the Federation would have come into contact with it. David I agree with that. As an aside I consider Earth, Horizon, Star One, Andromeda to be in a straight line. Earth is in Earth Sector (Zero), but the other three are in Sector Eleven. From Horizon we see that zone nine is further out than zone eight. Perhaps Earth is in zone zero, Horizon is in zone 9, Star One in zone 17 ("C 17 320 in the 11th Sect."), and M31 the Galaxy, is in Zone 1,000. Jacqui Correlating the information in 'Orac' and 'Redemption' the System's space centre was probably constructed long before Ensor developed the Tarriel cells. David Yes, long before. The complex was around since before the slave's father was born. Jacqui b) The System goes technology hunting (the equivalent of the Chengas?) - the Liberator/DSV2 is one of a series of such ships, but went close to the battlefield to acquire 'equipment' and got caught in the crossfire. David The System was born from war, from its latter stages Slave: The three planets were always fighting or getting ready to fight. Then one of the planets developed a computer so powerful it was able to take over the weaponry computers of the other two: One gigantic System that totally governs the three worlds. Blake: And the System built this as a control centre? Slave: Yes, now there is no war. There were three worlds and a central system. This is similar to the design of the Liberator: a middle hull, surrounded by three lesser hulls. There is an earlier mention of a long war: Duel. Emigrees of Sinofar's and Giroc's race or races from their thousand years war may have had something to do with these things. Except for Keezarn (City), no-one else has teleport, not even Dorian. It seems likely the System is at the cutting edge of technology. Perhaps Zen deliberately hunted for a war to involve himself in. Perhaps he shunned war and attempted to keep out of it. Jacqui c) My previous suggestion that Ensor came from the System, bringing the tarriel cell technology to the Federation. (This might explain why he did not have his mechanical heart replaced - incompatible tissue types.) David It is an appealing idea. He is similar to the slave, and both are seemingly human. I am beginning to like it more and more. He could have brought Avon (See below more about his possible second son). Jacqui d) Ensor (who, it appears withdrew from the Federation so he could get on with his researches privately) encountered an earlier System spaceship with 'tarriel cell equivalent technology' and made use of its technology. Neither this nor c) reflects against Ensor's capacities in making the two systems compatible. David If true, then Ensor is not the inventor of the Tarriel cell. That takes away some of the emotion when he dies, and when his son dies in an earlier episode. Ensor's distaste for drugs ("I can't stand them, myself. Filthy things, drugs") and guns suggests some disagreement between him and his Federation Overlords. Jacqui Any other possibilities? David Muller? Dorian? The Ultra? These are not necessarily probable, though. Further-fetched include: Ancient Keezarn? Auron? Emigrees from Sinofar's race? Jacqui As for Avon - when would he have come from the System (and why?) (snipped late appearance in Federation untenable) If he was a former inhabitant of the system he probably moved as a child (which, if he was 'mechanically gifted' would still enable him to have some idea of the technology he left behind). David Hal Mellanby made a deal with the Federation that allowed him to take Dayna. He adopted Lauren afterwards. Was he trying to replace a second child? If so, was that child left behind on Earth? Is there any possibility the image of Avon's brother in Time Squad was that of Ensor Jr? Ensor Jr. was four years old about forty years ago. He left with his father. Avon is aged, some say, in the early forties. Could he have been an other son of Ensor Sr? If so, was he left behind on Aristo, Zerok, Earth? Jacqui He could also have a strong visual memory - and there is a #very# noticable constellation in the bit of the System's sky we are shown. David It looks to me a little like the tail in Scorpio, which, unfortunately, is some distance from Cygnus, and therefore also from the point midway between Cygnus Alpha and Earth. Jacqui It would be ironic if Avon came from a family which left the System because they disagreed with it, and got caught up in an attempt to overthrow the Federation. David Given Avon's good and bad luck, maybe it is only to be expected. DC

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Episode Winners
by Helen Atkins 20 Jan '02

20 Jan '02

I disagree that Avon was a winner in Rumours of Death. He thought at the beginning of the episode that someone had been willing to die under torture rather than turn him in. At the end, he realised he had never been loved at all. This obviously had a severe impact on his view of himself (ie unloveable) and of other people (there are no exceptions, no one is trustworthy). _________________________________________________________________ Chat with friends online, try MSN Messenger: http://messenger.msn.com

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Blakes7 January 2002