Crusade: Complete Series

One show which was obviously influenced by "Blake's 7" was "Crusade" (a spin-off of "Babylon 5"). "Crusade" was commissioned and then killed by TNT people who had obviously never seen "Blake's 7" and didn't understand science fiction in any form (or for that matter drama or comedy). But except for the first episode they broadcast --- an episode created for the silly TNT executives who felt they had to have every detail spelled out for their audience (it was so bad, I almost didn't bother watching the second episode) --- "Crusade" was a worthy descendent of "Blake's 7". And it is now available on DVD for Region 1! and also for Region 2 (Britain, Europe, Japan)

Posted 2-3-05: Current copies of the "Crusade" DVD have a commentary by creator J. Michael Straczynski; this will be removed from future pressings.

New: Comparison with Andromeda

Many of the characters of Crusade had DNA which showed Blake's 7 parentage (that is, by the way, a compliment and does not detract from just how extraordinary "Crusade" was during its short life):

"Blake's 7" Character/Attributes		"Crusade" Character/Attributes
Roj Blake Singlemindly on a mission to save humanity		Captain Matthew Gideon Singlemindly on a mission to save humanity
Kerr Avon Brilliant, Cold, Arrogant - Constantly agues for practicality over morality and idealism. Avon doesn't like taking risks with his life but when he has to, there is no indication that he is a coward.		Max Eilison Brilliant, Cold, Arrogant - Constantly agues for practicality over morality and idealism. He does not like risking his life and indications are that he is a bit of a coward.
Vila & Jenna Vila is a talented thief, though a coward. Jenna is a smuggler and rarely shows fear.		Dureena Nafeel Talented thief, who doesn't show (or seem to feel) fear of anything in any form.
Cally A strong telepath, who is often the moral voice of the series		Lieutenant John Matheson A strong telepath, who is often the moral voice of the series
Orac Machine which is so smart it seems like magic. Independent from the rest of the team.		Galen & the Apocalypse Box Galen is part machine with nano-technology embedded in his body to allow him to perform what seems like magic. The box looks more like Orac and like Orac, it is unreliable. Neither of these is really a member of the team (Galen disappears when he wants, and the Apocalypse Box is entirely separate from anyone other than Gideon).
The Liberator Ship made by alien technology that is more powerful than anything the humans had ever seen before.		Excalibur A ship created by humans using alien technology that is more powerful than anything the humans had ever had before.
Blake's 7 Characters with no Crusade Counterparts Servalan, Gan, Tarrant, Dayna, Soolin & Travis		Crusade Characters with no Blake's 7 Counterparts Dr. Sarah Chambers & Captain Elizabeth Lochley (a carry over from Babylon 5)

More information on this lovely series is available from the following resources which are still online:

B5/Crusade Archive / Episode Guide - list of episode, with writers, directors, original air dates and detailed synopses
• Crusade FAQ from Crusade for Crusade Their Crusade for Crusade failed, of course, but their background information is fascinating.
• ISN News: The Guide to Crusade
  • Introduction to Crusade
  • Episode List with links to details on each episode
  • Crusade Characters
  • Crusade Glossary Information on the various groups, governments, places, technologies and events that relate to the series
• Introduction to "Crusade"
• Stellar Com

By the way, on the new 4 DVD set of the complete series, there will be two extras (according to TTVshowsondvd.com): Audio Commentary and a Documentary.

And "Crusade" is only the most notable descendant of "Blake's 7".

"Andromedia" is also an obvious offspring (a paternity suit could easily demonstrate how some of the characters were taken from the "Blake's 7" model, although "Andromedia" rarely meets the standards of acting and writing that "Blake's 7" and "Crusade" set).

And "Farscape" has many of the same "Blake's 7" themes with its crew of condemned prisoners, although the individual characters have only a very few obvious connections.

Fans of either "Andromedia" or "Farscape" should see both "Blake's 7" and "Crusade", if they haven't seen them already.

So, what influenced "Blake's 7"? Well, Terry has said that his original idea was "Robin Hood in space".

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Quotations & other material copyrighted to Terry Nation, BBC, et al.
Email bewarne@blakes7-guide.com to report mistakes, make comments, ask questions.
A continuity guide to "The West Wing" is also available,
And a guide to the 70's series "Kung Fu".