A few other points to add to Iain W and Jenny's interesting and informative posts.

Avon -- Nova. I'm surprised no-one's yet brought this one up. Personally I reckon it's possible it's just coincidence (I managed to write simultaneously a B7 story involving a woman named Lexa and a non-B7 story involving one in a similar role called Alex without noticing the similarity of name). Is Nova intended to symbolise the light side of Avon, or something?

Time and chance happen to them all. The deaths of Nova and Raiker suggest that this is not going to be a simplistic series, where either good or evil triumphs in every episode. The Liberator conveniently turning up like that can only be put down to luck.

The role of women. I'm quite surprised that there are no special provisions for female prisoners. Are there usually no women transported? Or do the Administration simply not care what happens en route and under their guardianship? It's also interesting that Jenna is sent over to the Liberator (and a high assumed probability of death) with the two men without any comment either from Leylan or, for that matter, from Blake.

The Liberator as a 'magic' object. I've mentioned this before in context of B7 as science fiction vs fantasy, but it's my contention that the Liberator bears more resemblance to the magic object of fantasy than the logical object of science fiction. It turns up when required, obeys the command of the hero alone (Blake being able to counter the defence device), is first described as 'fantastic', 'unbelievable', 'strange' and 'beautiful' (twice), and confers almost supernatural powers (a ship like this could go anywhere).

Tavia