Traitor (403)

[vilakins]

This isn't a favourite, but then neither is this season. I'm not impressed with the noncon joke either, Robert Holmes. Haven't we had enough of that from Steed? It does give a good look at the Federation though; very imperialist "give 'em cold steel, they don't like it up 'em". /Dad's Army

And huh, I see I was wrong: the Pylene 50 doesn't stop the "natives" working; they're actually 19% more efficient. They must have really overdosed the ones we get to see in 'Warlord'. So it looks as if it's a good move from the Federation POV. :-(

I always want to give Vila a good slap in this ep; he just doesn't give up on the "let's run" or harping on about Tarrant being tortured. He's very specific about said tortures though, and I think he's been through that himself which might explain his attitude, along with being in a slow, unarmed ship. It's still very one-note. And what's all this distrust of Tarrant? It seems like a return to early S3.

Why did Tarrant and Dayna change their clothes down on Helotrix, Tarrant even seeking out a copy of one of Avon's old outfits (the Demented Dentist)? Dayna also mentions wishing she'd brought a nightdress. Did they spend a day or two down there on the town without calling in? No wonder Vila got a bit worried. They cleverly change back before teleporting to allay any suspicions of hanky panky in a nice Helot hotel.

Well, whoop-de-do. Servalan is still alive. [stabs her with a crystal knife] I didn't mind her too much in S3, but she seriously outstayed her welcome in S4. You'd also think she'd make some attempt at disguise, but no. She is one of the many reasons I really dislike this season, turning up so improbably often.

Also, using current tech (those clunky old screens) is never a good idea in science fiction.

Comments

[hafren.livejournal.com]

What I don't like is that there's actually far too little of the main characters and Holmes sounds bored with them. But it does have that great line about three good reasons to dislike Tarrant....

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

What I don't like is that there's actually far too little of the main characters
This is probably why I find it rather boring. I don't find 'Killer' so, probably because the guest characters are so interesting and even likeable except for Tynus.

[sallymn.livejournal.com]

His episodes are always more about the gusts - HIS characters - than the regulars, although Avon and Vila get some good stuff, but in this one he doesn't even let them shine...

[britgeekgrrl.livejournal.com]

S4 definitely has its weak points - I suspect many of 'em coming from the fact that the producers didn't PLAN for a season 4 until they got word at the last minute...

For my money, S3 was the best of the bunch...

Hm, now you've got me wanting to pop the DVDs in.... ;)

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

That whole thing was very odd. I rather liked the way S3 ended, and there they were with no sets. They did have some unused scripts though, or at least the awful Animals one written for Cally.

I have a soft spot for S1 despite its flaws, for the optimism and good characterisation. After that Boucher starts undermining and changing the characters of Jenna, Cally, and Vila.

Have a look back at my previous reviews if you like. They're all tagged and memmed. :-)

[norda.livejournal.com]

I would have liked Servalan-as-Sleer if she had spent the season in no-nonsense military Federation uniforms. That would have been an extremely interesting bit of character development going back to her history with Kasabi.

And yes, we always bring up the inexplicable costume change in this episode for Tarrant and Dayna. They are definitely doing the nasty.

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

That would have been interesting had she used a different persona and look, and I really like the idea of a plain uniform. I still think there was far too much of her in this season, so much so that either she had a tracer put in Avon on Terminal or Tarrant was programmed to send messaged to her. She's annoyingly ubiquitous.

I think so.
"Finally, we're away from that lot. I'm sure Dorian had the whole base bugged and that puts a crimp in a lad's style."
"This hotel bed is certainly an improvement on Xenon grass and leaves. And there's room service. Order me some steak."
"In the meantime do I look sexy in this Avon knock-off?"
"Just get it off. Then on."

[labingi.livejournal.com]

One of the Helotrix guys is wearing one of Blake's old outfits too:)

I enjoy this episode, but it might be because it's not "old" for me yet. It was one I never had on VHS, so since watching on TV a lifetime ago, I've only seen it a couple of times on DVD.

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

I didn't notice that! OK, the Helots were definitely selling rebel gear, either as cheap copies, or as a way to instil hearts into their own people. Tarrant just couldn't resist an Avon one, but didn't have the courage to wear it back to the ship. I don't know why Dayna chose hers though; it has little to recommend it.

[labingi.livejournal.com]

I don't know why Dayna chose hers though; it has little to recommend it.

Interesting. When louderandlouder and I were watching that episode, she had high praise for Dayna's outfit (and I quite liked it too). De gustibus, I guess:)

(Very appropriate icon.)

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

I just don't think the colours suit her; they're more Vila or Tarrant.