Episode 18
Pressure Point
Written by Terry Nation
Blake has decided to destroy Control, the computer complex nerve center for all Federation activity. After some discussion, Cally, Gan, Jenna, and Vila agree to join him. Avon is not so keen. The attack on Earth is the first time the crew have returned and it could be their most dangerous mission yet.
Servalan and Travis, however, are expecting them.
After finally penetrating the complex, they discover that Control was moved thirty years previously. The realization devastates Blake, who sinks to the floor in despair. As Avon tries to comfort him, Travis enters, victorious.
Meanwhile Jenna teleports into Servalan's headquarters and holds her at gunpoint. She then forces Travis to free Blake by threatening to kill the Supreme Commander.
Even Jenna's imaginative rescue can't completely salvage the situation though.
Gan is killed in an explosion whilst helping the others escape.
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The episode that tells us in Blakes universe, no one was safe. Blakes 7 was no longer a comfy pipe and slippers sci-fi show like Space 1999, where everyone had a jolly adventure before being back for tea no matter what. The viewers would be on edge now for the rest of the series. Could anybody else come to a nasty end, or was Gan a one off?
Pressure Point is an excellent episode, well thought out with some fine set pieces, the mine field being one. When you know that Gan dies the episode actually has several moments where this could happen. The minefield being one and the booby trapped corridor being another.
The whole attack on Control ended up as a waste for everyone, control was non existant and Gan's death ended up a futile error of judgement by Blake..
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