Ok so straight off the bat we have the intro.
The theme tune is epic, inspiring and sinister.
The images we see, a dome, a pixel image of someone in pain, I think a camera and then a trooper shoots us before a face appears with eliminate below it. All very interesting and tie in nicely with a lot of the themes in the episode, surveillance, torture and brain washing and an oppressive regime.
Sadly I do think the intro is slightly impaired by the Monty Pythonesc spaceship. I don't know how it looked back then but it looks awful, and seeing as they have pretty good models for the prison ship London later in the episode it seems odd they didn't do it with models.
The plot is very well structured. By Blake having no memory we get to naturally discover things with him.
It also explains why the rebels take such a risk bringing a new comer to their meeting, he has been a important member before.
It always seems odd in movies and TV shows why the hero gets to infiltrate the enemy so close to the big event and after having only joined the group yesterday.
Roj Blake is instantly likeable, he is inquisitive but not prepared to take peoples word on things. He is instantly established as having a bit of a rebellious streak. Now free of the suppressant drugs he raises objection to going outside but goes along with it without much fuss.
Blake's memories breaking through repeat through the episode. They are powerful images and work well. I do wonder why the trooper with the sledgehammer starts walking backwards after hitting Blake.
And who's that following them in the distance? It's Kellman from Revenge of the Cybermen (
Jeremy Wilkin).
At first I assumed he was a member of the federation tailing the rebels. But on arrival to the meeting it is revealed he is a rebel. (Including being the most polite rebel ever, "We are going to start the meeting now, If you could come over here and make a group")
This deflected my suspicion so when he turned out to really be a traitor I was surprised, clever stuff.
The rebels generally come across as a very British resistance group (makes me think of Father Ted "Down with this sort of thing, steady now") clapping politely to Foster's speech. But they do show their ruthless side having planted evidence incriminating Blake, they won't take No for an answer.
Then there is the bad guys. I don't know if it was an active decision but by calling them the "Federation" calls to mind Star Trek. I tend to think of a Federation as a benevolent regime so subverting this makes them a more real evil where it's citizens are probably kept in the dark.
When they do arrive at the meeting the troopers say nothing and casually gun down everyone.
It's a horrifying spectacle, there is nowhere to run. During all of this our "hero" hides, no attempt made to help. It's a realistic move, there was nothing he could do, but it is an interesting start to establish our central character.
The casual way in which his enemies plot and agree to destroy his life is chilling in it's blandness.
Yes they don't grandstand, cackle or twirl their moustache. It is a problem, they discuss the options and decide on a solution. You get the feeling it was item 4 on the agenda for that meeting. The routine nature of it makes it so much more powerful.
The decision to fabricate Blake as a child abuser is key element I feel. It's one of the worst crimes imaginable, it would give even his most staunchest allies pause and it destroys him as a potential figurehead for the resistance. It is also completely unrelated to his previous crimes of sedition and terrorism robbing it of any direct political power.
It also is another demonstration of the lengths the Federation will go to. They not only make these accusations but actually implant the memories of the events in some innocent children. It is a truly terrible act and is done as just a ways to a means.
The court room scene is a bit odd. It seems a computer makes the verdict. This is interesting as it would appear to be impartial and perhaps nullify the argument that the jury were swayed by the nature of the crime.
Interesting Tarrant turns up at the end, he was very concerned about his cover being blown. Seeing as Blake is later free to converse with visitors and fellow inmates it seems odd he would expose himself. Perhaps he just couldn't resist.
We are introduced to 2 more characters. Vila Restal (who gets a few very quotable lines) and Jenna Stannis. She initially seems to be flirting a little with Blake, playing with his hair (and what hair it is) but then pushes his head as she tells him he's got no hope. She does soften later as her fear grows. I think she finds a little hope in his potential release.
The advocate Tel Varon and his wife Maja form a great team during this episode. They bounce ideas of each other naturally and show really affection for each other.
Must take a point off for the silly ease at which Varon obtains the hospital records from Havant without disguising his voice!.
Yes this was odd. They also overhear their superior Ven Glynd very easily. I initially thought they had some device they were using to intercept but they just stand a good 3 foot from the door, they don't even put a glass against it. I guess it could show the arrogance and feeling of complete security of senior officials that they don't even need to buy better more sound suppressing doors.
As the episode closes it seems at first that the Varon's won't be in time and will have to work to get Blake back. But as the London takes off we find that they have been killed by Tarrant. This is doubly cruel as they were established quickly as likeable characters and secondly Blake doesn't know what happened to them. For all he knows they just gave up.
Overall it is an excellent start to the series. It establishes a regime we can dislike, puts the main character in a deep dark hole but ends with him determined to get out.
9 dodgy paper spaceships probably better replaced with fairy liquid bottles strapped together, out of 10
