Natasa wrote re Cygnus Alpha:

I think the whole episode tells us a lot about Blake. Being a good judge of

characters, he's seen through the other two and, with or without the treasure room, he knows it's quite likely they might desert him. That a hero risks his life and freedom is OK, it's something we conventionally expect heroes to do. But here Blake risks losing the Liberator - the ship he deems so precious for his Cause, the only thing in the galaxy that can challenge the Federation - for what? For a chance to save a handful of losers such as Arco and Salmon and Vila! One can hardly get better proof of Blake's loyalty to friends. No wonder he's pissed off like hell when it turns out they don't want to be saved.<

By his own admission, Blake goes to free the prisoners because he needs a crew. I doubt whether he sees them as friends or feels much loyalty to them.

Marian