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Many years ago Horizon was the first episode that I saw of B7. I caught the last few minutes of it when I tuned in to watch some old Dr. Who on pbs. I knew nothing about the background, the characters or anything but I was fascinated. I've caught bits and pieces of it since but this was the first time I've sat down to watch the whole episode. To be perfectly honest I didn't expect much from this episode. I got both far more and exactly the same as I anticipated.
We open in our usual spot, the flight deck of the Liberator, to a crew that is complaining of exhaustion. Immediately we have a rarity in an action show. What, our heroes don't get tired? They just need an oil change every 5,000 miles and they're good to go.
Except that's not how real people function and that realism is what the writers chose to portray. Tired, dirty rebels skulking on the edge of the Galaxy. But because it's a sci fi, and a cheesy one at that, they aren't alone for long. A random freighter comes by their position headed to a great big nowhere.
By this point it's been made clear that they're close to the spiral arm, which one is anybody's guess, and there shouldn't be any traffic.
What is the crew in favor of? Finding somewhere to take a break. What's Blake in favor of? Following the ship. And this is another rarity. At least for that time. In an American show if a captain says something is the right thing to do he would always be right. When Blake chooses something it's often from his hubris. And here his hubris is starting to pick up steam as well as his disregard for the crew.
And boom! They immediately hit a "magnetic shield". Thank goodness the force wall was up. Avon chews out Blake. Blake makes excuses. Business as usual. And now it's time to teleport down. Where Blake and Jenna are knocked out by blow darts.
I liked the attempt to establish a little continuity back to earlier episodes. The odds of Blake just having happened to have met Ro's friend on a prison ship are low but it was a nice touch. Of course Ro begins to realize that the Federation has lied to him about the fate of said friend and that maybe they aren't so benevolent.
What!? Me!? Nah!!
Luckily for Blake and Co, as well as those of us who don't want to watch Avon playing endless hands of solitaire, the Kommisar has forgives out that Blake is Blake and called for reinforcements. His hand forced Avon decides to mount a rescue. I'm not sure how having the rest of the crew back actually helps him escape but Avon is convinced. And just maybe he was looking to be convinced.
Now, Avon being smarter than everyone else he actually manages to land undetected, elude the guards, make it to the mine and save the day. Hurray!
While this was going on Selma somehow gets freed and makes it back to Ro's side. Of course she gets captured again and is sent to be tortured. Finally Ro has enough and decides to man up. And by man up I mean shuck his clothes for a loincloth and blow gun. Hey, whatever gets you hyped for a little rebellion.
Back on the Liberator three pursuit ships are closing in and are prepared to all shoot at the exact same spot on the shields which Zen figures will destroy them. Logic dictates a little juking and jiving might be in order. Of course Blake has the idea to sit still. This is the same Blake who thought this whole expedition was a great idea to begin with but of course everyone goes along with it. The pursuit ships weren't however aware of the magnetic shield, which Blake had guessed they wouldn't be, and careen headlong into being destroyed in the process. And all is well again as we fly away. Stay tuned for next week when we tackle Pressure Point where things really begin to change.
Avon: I'm not expendable, I'm not stupid and I'm not going.
Death Wish Coffee. Daw claims to be the worlds strongest coffee. I can't verify that from personal experience but if there is something stronger I'm both interested and afraid to try it. Normally for these viewings I prefer coffee that I can make in my Keurig but DW doesn't come in K Cups. Out came the French press and voila, one hella strong cup o Joe. And boy was it delicious. DW earns a 5 out of 5. Now if I could just fall asleep. That cup was days ago and I'm still going.