Federation Strike: A Journey Through Blake's 7
byGarry Aylott & Adam Charlton
FictionScienceTVFilmAfter-Shows
Embark on an epic journey into the galaxy of Blake's 7 with Federation Strike: A Journey Through Blake's 7! This brand-new show pairs the perspectives of a devoted lifelong fan and a curious newcomer experiencing the series for the very first time. Together, they explore every episode of this iconic sci-fi classic, blending fresh impressions with seasoned insights. Each week, your hosts—experienced podcasters Garry and Adam, the team behind the long-running acclaimed Doctor Who podcast The Big Blue Box Podcast—dive deep into episode reviews, share fascinating behind-the-scenes trivia, and unpack the stories that shaped Blake's 7. Whether revisiting the show or disc...
Episodes(25 episodes)
Season 2 - Episode 7
B07: Killer: Robert Holmes Brings Dark Sci-Fi to Blake's 7
Teleporting in... welcome to Federation Strike: A Journey Through Blake's 7!The first Robert Holmes script for Blake's 7, and Garry and Adam both agree it has a noticeably different tone to what the show has been doing. Robert Holmes's fingerprints are all over it, and that, concerning this episode, is a good thing.The big talking points: why the Avon and Vila pairing works so well here, what Tynus's betrayal says about the kind of company Avon keeps, and whether Blake's inexplicable calm in enemy territory is great character writing or just a quirk of the...
Published: May 13, 2026Duration: 1h 18m 2s
Season 2 - Episode 6
B06: Trial: Could This Be the End for Travis?
Teleporting in... welcome to Federation Strike: A Journey Through Blake's 7!Things get spicy as Travis finally faces the music for his past misdeeds. Blake’s grappling with some serious guilt over Gan's death, and it’s clear the crew is feeling the heat of his decisions.Meanwhile, Servalan is pulling strings like a puppet master, ready to watch Travis dance into the gallows.The friction between Blake and Avon is as palpable as ever, especially with Avon looking to seize any chance to undermine him.So, grab your teleport bracelets and sett...
Published: May 6, 2026Duration: 1h 10m 15s
Season 2 - Episode 5
B05: Pressure Point: When Blake's Big Plan Goes Bust
Teleporting in... welcome to Federation Strike: A Journey Through Blake's 7!Pressure Point really cranks up the tension as Blake hatches a daring plan to strike at the heart of the Federation. The infighting between Servalan and Travis adds a delicious layer of backstabbing and power struggles that is performed so beautifully.We chat about the performances, especially Gareth Thomas, bringing some real depth to Blake this time around. It’s a well-crafted story that balances action with emotional weight, showcasing the series’ knack for character-driven storytelling.So grab your headphones, kick back, and join...
Published: Apr 29, 2026Duration: 1h 13m 20s
Season 2 - Episode 4
B04: Horizon: Blake Captured and Avon Considers a Mutinous Escape
Teleporting in... welcome to Federation Strike: A Journey Through Blake's 7!Hey, Blake's 7 fans, and thank you for tuning in for our latest episode and our review of Horizon.Everybody's knackered. The Liberator crew are running on fumes, tempers are fraying, and Blake still wants to go and poke his nose into an uncharted planet. Classic Blake.Written by Allan Prior in his first script for Blake's 7, it's not the show at its most spectacular, but it's got a quiet confidence to it. A nicely paced story about a colonial ruler being freed from...
Published: Apr 22, 2026Duration: 52m 33s
Season 2 - Episode 3
B03: Weapon: The Hunt for IMIPAK Is On and Our First Look at Travis 2.0
Teleporting in... welcome to Federation Strike: A Journey Through Blake's 7!It's only the third episode, but things are heating up as Blake and the crew face off against the Federation, who are on the hunt for their now stolen new weapon, IMIPAK. There's also some changing dynamics with the new Travis and Servalan, as Brian Croucher steps into some hefty shoes left by his predecessor. He's desperate to take out Blake, which leads to some tense moments, the moments we love!How does this episode stack up to last week's as we move...
Published: Apr 15, 2026Duration: 1h 24m 38s
Season 2 - Episode 2
B02: Shadow: Blake's 7 Goes Dark in First Non-Terry Nation Script
Teleporting in... welcome to Federation Strike: A Journey Through Blake's 7!The Terra Nostra await Blake and the crew on Space City, but dark times are afoot.This is the first "proper" non-Terry Nation script, written by Chris Boucher, script editor at the time. As a result, we have some dark themes with Blake and the others up against a criminal organisation with ties to the Federation.We're teleporting out for now! Thanks for listening, and don't forget to follow and subscribe on your preferred podcast app so you never miss an episode.<...
Published: Apr 8, 2026Duration: 57m 35s
Season 2 - Episode 1
B01: Redemption: The Liberator Fights Back
Teleporting in... welcome to Federation Strike: A Journey Through Blake's 7!Hello, Blake's 7 fans, and welcome to the first episode of a new season! We're back with new Blu-rays of Series B and ready to talk all things B7. Thank you to all who listened to our first season and for letting us know how much you enjoyed it. Another thank you to those of you who have either not watched Blake's 7 before or haven't in years, and our podcast inspired you to start watching, we love that.We're now at the beginning of Series B...
Published: Apr 8, 2026Duration: 1h 28m 4s
The Blake's 7 Reboot: The Details and Our Hot Takes!
Teleporting in... welcome to Federation Strike: A Journey Through Blake's 7!Blake's 7 is (hopefully) making a comeback, and we're here for it! We chat about what it could mean for the series, the casting possibilities, and how it might connect with a new audience while keeping the old school charm alive.Whether you're here for the sci-fi nostalgia or just curious about what Blake's 7's future might hold, join us for this laid-back chat about one of our favourite British sci-fi shows.We're teleporting out for now! Thanks for listening, and don't forget to...
Published: Jan 28, 2026Duration: 1h 10m 32s
Restoring Blake's 7 with Paul Vanezis
Teleporting in... welcome to Federation Strike: A Journey Through Blake's 7!We had a fantastic chat with Paul Vanezis, the genius behind the visual cleanup of the Blake's 7 Blu-ray box set. Right off the bat, we dive into his experiences restoring this classic series, which has been a labour of love with some hefty challenges. Paul shares some behind-the-scenes stories about the challenges he faced, from dealing with old tape glitches to ensuring the episodes look as good as they did back in 1978.It’s a fascinating chat that goes into the ins and outs of re...
Published: Apr 30, 2025Duration: 2h 1m 10s
Models to Magic: A Chin Wag with Visual Effects Extraordinaire Chris Thompson
Teleporting in... welcome to Federation Strike: A Journey Through Blake's 7!For our second bonus episode, we've got a special chat featuring the visual effects wizard, Chris Thompson. Chris shares some behind-the-scenes magic, like how he brought those epic models back to life and the clever tricks he used to update the classic effects while keeping their charm intact.We also take a peek into Chris' early days of creating art for classic shows like Thunderbirds, Space 1999, etc and share his journey that’s as captivating as the show itself. We chat about the challenges of bl...
Published: Apr 23, 2025Duration: 1h 7m 46s
From The Way Back to Orac: Our Series A Wrap-Up
Teleporting in... welcome to Federation Strike: A Journey Through Blake's 7!We’re wrapping up our ride through Series A of Blake 7, and boy, what a wild ride it’s been! From the dark themes in the first episode to some serious character growth, we’ve been on a journey that’s hooked both newbies and old-school fans alike. We’re very grateful for everyone who’s joined us on this trip, whether you’re rewatching or just tuning in for the first time.It’s clear that Adam and I are riding high on a wave of nostalgi...
Published: Apr 16, 2025Duration: 1h 37m 45s
Season 1 - Episode 13
A:13: Orac: A Race to Orac Plus THAT Cliffhanger Ending!
Teleporting in... welcome to Federation Strike: A Journey Through Blake's 7!We’re wrapping up Series A of Blake 7 with a bang in this episode, and it’s all about the finale, “Orac.” Can you believe we made it here? It feels like we were getting our feet wet just yesterday in the wild universe of Blake's 7.This episode had it all: intrigue, suspense, and a touch of emotional depth. As Blake and his crew race against time to prevent Servalan and Travis from getting their hands on Orac, we delve into a narrative that balances action w...
Published: Apr 9, 2025Duration: 1h 27m 51s
Season 1 - Episode 12
A:12: Deliverance: Space Pirates and Avon Goes God Mode (Sort Of)
Teleporting in... welcome to Federation Strike: A Journey Through Blake's 7!We’re looking at the penultimate episode of Series A, and does it deliver?Avon gets a chance to strut his stuff as “Lord Avon,” and let’s just say, he doesn’t shy away from the spotlight—much to Villa's amusement. Meanwhile, Servalan and Travis are cooking up a devious plan to snag Orac, and the tension is palpable as they plot in the shadows.As we've often found with every episode so far, the performances are what make this series shine, even when th...
Published: Apr 2, 2025Duration: 1h 25m 53s
Season 1 - Episode 11
A:11: Bounty: A Stubborn Sarkoff and Has Jenna Betrayed the Crew?
Teleporting in... welcome to Federation Strike: A Journey Through Blake's 7!It’s a bittersweet moment because we’re almost at the finish line of Series A, and while we're looking forward to seeing how things wrap up, we're also a bit sad to see it go.Anyway, this week, we’re following Blake and Callie on a mission to rescue President Sarkoff, who’s been kept in a cosy little prison while chaos brews on his home planet of Lindor. But as always, things aren’t straightforward, as there's trouble with bounty hunters looking to cash in on...
Published: Mar 26, 2025Duration: 1h 7m 0s
Season 1 - Episode 10
A:10: Breakdown: Has Gan Reached his Limit?!
Teleporting in... welcome to Federation Strike: A Journey Through Blake's 7!This week's episode centres on Gan, whose limiter malfunctions, putting him in a precarious situation that requires immediate neurosurgery. It’s a departure from the usual Federation versus Blake narrative, focusing instead on character dynamics and the tensions within the crew.We break down the performances, particularly Paul Darrow’s Avon (again!), who is as charmingly unpredictable as ever. While some might label this as a slower episode, we find plenty to love in the character moments and the underlying themes.We're teleporting out...
Published: Mar 19, 2025Duration: 1h 25m 35s
Welcome to Federation Strike - A Journey Through Blake's 7 - What to Expect
If you’re a die-hard Blake’s 7 fan or just setting foot aboard the Liberator for the first time, Federation Strike is your perfect companion through this cult sci-fi classic. Every week, Garry and Adam take a deep dive into each episode—breaking down the stories, the characters, and even the gloriously wobbly special effects (which, let’s be honest, are half the charm).We’re tackling the series from Series A, Episode 1 The Way Back through to the show's legendary finale, complete with episode reviews, rankings, and deep-dive discussions. But that’s not all—expect special bonus episodes...
Published: Mar 18, 2025Duration: 2m 36s
Season 1 - Episode 9
A:09: Project Avalon: More Disappointment for Travis!
Teleporting in... welcome to Federation Strike: A Journey Through Blake's 7!Project Avalon brings Blake and his crew back into the thick of action against the Federation. In this episode, we dive into a plot full of twists, where Blake's mission to rescue a rebel leader goes awry, leading to some surprises and a bit of espionage. As usual, the performances shine, especially from Gareth Thomas as Blake, who navigates through the chaos with his usual charm and determination.We also see some classic interactions between Travis and Servalan, which highlight the tension and stakes within...
Published: Mar 12, 2025Duration: 1h 20m 55s
Season 1 - Episode 8
A:08: Duel: Blake and Travis Go Head-to-Head!
Teleporting in... welcome to Federation Strike: A Journey Through Blake's 7!Diving into "Duel," we're exploring the intense showdown between Blake and Travis that takes this episode to another level. While the plot itself is pretty straightforward, it does a great job of highlighting the contrasting natures of our main characters. Blake's protective instincts clash with Travis's ruthless pursuit, showing us that even in the face of danger, there's depth to their motivations.We also delve into the absence of Dudley Simpson's iconic music, which leaves the episode feeling a bit off for us....
Published: Mar 5, 2025Duration: 1h 19m 0s
Season 1 - Episode 7
A:07 Mission to Destiny: A Good Ol' Who Dunnit
Teleporting in... welcome to Federation Strike: A Journey Through Blake's 7!A good ol' Cluedo-esque murder mystery awaits us this week as Blake and the crew check out a seemingly quiet freighter, the Omega, with the crew all unconscious. When they awake, however, everything is not as it seems when Blake learns of their valuable cargo, which must be delivered to the planet Destiny before it's too late.With plenty of suspense and great supporting cast performances, does this one keep up the momentum and intrigue that we've loved through Series A so far? Listen now...
Published: Feb 26, 2025Duration: 1h 8m 15s
Season 1 - Episode 6
A:06 Seek-Locate-Destroy: The Federation Brings in the Big Gun
Teleporting in... welcome to Federation Strike: A Journey Through Blake's 7!This week's review is for "Seek-Locate-Destroy" and one that many Blake's 7 fans have told Garry to look forward to. We get some serious action and tension as Blake and his crew run into old rival Space Commander Travis, who's been given orders to take Blake down. We get to see the Federation's reaction to Blake's antics and how they're plotting against him, which adds a whole new layer to the story. The performances are top-notch, especially from the newcomers Servalan and Travis, who bring a captivating presence...
Published: Feb 19, 2025Duration: 1h 22m 31s