Blakes 7. Big Finish WARSHIP

This is a review I wrote back in 2016, but it has since disappeared from the Web (with my help - I no longer use the sites it was posted on)

So I have reposted it here and will do so with the rest over the next few weeks.

I do hope you enjoy reading about the audio tales and that you consider listening to them yourself.

WARSHIP

Written by: Peter Anghelides 

Starring: Gareth Thomas, Paul Darrow, Sally Knyvette, Michael Keating, Jan Chappell, Jacqueline Pearce, Alistair Lock 

Director: Ken Bentley  

Sound Design: Alistair Lock  

Music: Alistair Lock  

Cover Art: Anthony Lamb  

Released: January 2013 

Produced by: Big Finish 

 

Warship begins at the end of Star One (from the TV series)  where we see the crew standing prepared on the Flight Deck of Liberator, about to face down the Andromedan invaders as the fleet of aliens starts to venture through the gap in the mine field caused by Travis ultimate betrayal of humanity. 

Blake’s confinement to medical is expanded on and the battle commences…What happens next is the bulk of this tale. 

When other ships arrive to join the fight, Liberator takes a much needed rest from the fight to recover and recuperate.  An unexpected potential resource is found, an unexpected attack is dealt with. Tired crew members cope desperately. 

The story ends with the crew abandoning ship as Liberator shuts down to enable automatic repairs to function effectively, leading smoothly into the first episode of Series 3 – Aftermath. 

I really appreciated the expanded story – it captures the desperation and determination of this crew, who had come together mainly by accident, but who were now melded into a Sum Greater Than Its Parts and able to Do Great Things the individuals (other than Blake) never expected to be able to achieve.  I have never been a soldier, but I can imagine this kind of adaptation within a company of soldiers who have lived and fought together and now have an understanding of how each member fits and fights. 

This first Full Cast adventure is a great opportunity to hear all the original cast together.  The acting is superb, they still work well together and when I hear in interviews that the cast got on very well together I can really believe it.  It shines through in the way they act and react even when it is ‘just voice’. 

The writing is very good and each cast member gets a look in over this 60 minute performance.  The sound effects enhance the story greatly and the music is terrific. 

I heartily recommend this to all Blake’s 7 fans – it is the first of the Audio Plays I purchased and I have returned to it several times because it is Very Good Indeed. 

It can be purchased from Big Finish: https://www.bigfinish.com/

 

Thanks for reading this – Please feel free to comment as I would welcome your opinions and discussion. 

Nanna Sally Nelson