The Greatest Sci Fi TV Shows of All Time: Blake’s 7 (1978)

The Greatest Sci Fi/Fantasy TV Shows: Considering the case for the sci fi and fantasy television shows that should be counted among the greatest of all time.

What Is It?

Seven hundred years in the future, the authoritarian Terran Federation has taken control of much of the known galaxy. Former rebel Roj Blake had his memories wiped, but his spirit of resistance returns when he witnesses a mass slaughter by police, which is subsequently covered up. Framed by the government, Blake is sent away on a prison ship, but he and several other convicts escape and commandeer a powerful alien vessel they name The Liberator. Together, they become a resistance force against the Federation, inspiring others to stand up against its totalitarian rule.

Aired: BBC, 1978-81, 4 Seasons Totaling 52 Episodes

Starring: Gareth Thomas, Michael Keating, Sally Knyvette, Paul Darrow, David Jackson, Peter Tuddenham, Jan Chappell, Jacqueline Pearce

Created By: Terry Nation

Argument to Count It as One of the Greatest Sci Fi TV Shows:

Blake’s 7 arrived during a time when Star Wars had revived interest in sci-fi cinema, and Doctor Who (with Tom Baker as the Fourth Doctor) was experiencing a high point of popularity on the BBC. Terry Nation was a veteran of the latter show—having created the Daleks—and pitched the show as The Dirty Dozen in Space. With the heightened interest in science fiction, the BBC gave it the greenlight and it went on to chart a four-year run, leaving a notable impact on the genre.

Blake’s 7 combined elements of Star Wars and Star Trek with some 1984 thrown in as well, and while it could be derivative at times, it managed to rise above its limitations. The show also had a pretty low budget, as was typical of the BBC, but it ultimately managed to overcome many of its deficiencies. It offered a rather dark vision of the future with some intense stories that did not always have a nice, tidy wrap-up. It also introduced morally ambiguous characters who broke the mold of traditional heroes, setting the stage for later genre-defining shows such as Babylon 5, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Farscape, Battlestar Galactica (2004), and The Expanse.

The show’s cast played a significant role in its success as well. Gareth Thomas stood out as the freedom fighter on the verge of a messiah complex, while Paul Darrow countered that as the cold and calculating Avon who had little reason to believe that a great rebellion could save the galaxy. Jan Chappell’s telepathic Cally became the moral center of the group, while Michael Keating brought levity as the cowardly Vila, one of the few characters to last the entire series. And even as some of the leads departed and were replaced, the new actors picked up the baton and brought their own level of intrigue.

The quality of the show did waiver some in its fourth season, and the finale was rather unsettling. But Blake’s 7 definitely made an impression on those who tuned in (it aired on PBS in the States), and despite its shortcomings, the show truly counts as one of the sci fi TV greats. (Read more about the series at Cult-SciFi.com.)

ALSO READ: 20 of the Greatest Sci Fi and Fantasy TV Shows of All Time

Argument Against:

It’s hard to deny Blake’s 7 left its mark and influenced the sci-fi shows that followed, but it hasn’t stood the test of time. Watching it from start to finish now can be a chore. The budget was exceptionally low, even by BBC standards, making Doctor Who episodes from the same era look high-end by comparison. And while the actors did the best they could with what was given them, their frustration with the poor production values occasionally feels palpable.  The main cast still did well enough, but Stephen Greif seemed to be intentionally going for high camp with his performance as Space Commander Travis while Jacqueline Pearce took the opportunity to vamp things up as much as possible whenever she was on screen (which was far too much).

Yes, Blake’s 7 was an important early entry for darker, grittier sci-fi and had its share of standout episodes. But the laughable special effects, atrocious production values, and over-the-top acting make it nearly unwatchable today. A reboot could elevate the concept to greatness, but the original is remembered more for its influence than for being an enjoyable series in its own right.

Johnny Jay’s Take:

I won’t argue that Blake’s 7 can be hard to watch from a modern perspective. Even as someone who grew up as a sci-fi fan in the pre-Star Wars era of low-budget effects, it’s still a rough ride at times due to its shoestring budget. But if you stick with it, you’ll start to appreciate the nuanced storylines and conflicted characters, especially in its second and third seasons when the show hit its stride.

I’d love to see a reboot of Blake’s 7, but it would need to stick closely to the original scripts and characters to succeed. Those elements are what made the show stand out, and with a higher budget and modern production values, it could be turned into an exceptional sci-fi series. (And might I suggest Zachary Quinto as Avon?)  Still, I can’t deny the importance of the original series, and while I might not put it in the Top 10 or 20, it certainly counts as a great entry for genre television.

Where Can You Watch It?

The entire series has been released on DVD, but in PAL format only, which is not compatible with U.S. players. It will finally be getting the Blu-ray treatment, and that will be released in December 2024. It is also available for streaming on the BritBox service.

Stream on BritBox

Do you consider Blake’s 7 one of the greatest sci fi/fantasy shows of all time or is it too cheesy and dated? Chime in with your thoughts below or at our discussion thread at r/SciFiTV.

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