by Spencer Hawken

Created on: April 14, 2008   Last Updated: June 15, 2008

The 1970's was a decade that dazzled when it came to science fiction, after a couple of shining examples in the 1960's it seemed that the world had developed a buzz for science fiction, here are some of the best offerings:

Blake's 7

Designed as competition and maybe even a replacement for Doctor Who, Blake's 7 followed the adventures of Blake, Avon, Villa, Gan , Jenna, Cally, and Zen (a computer) as they raced through the galaxy in the stolen space ship Liberator. Having all been victims of the rise of new galactic power known as The Federation, Blake's ragtag outfit set about giving the Federation something to think about.

Running for four years Blake's 7 went in darker directions than the BBC's Doctor Who, its line up changing often dramatically with each new series. Although initially its star Blake (Gareth Thomas) quickly jumped ship on the show due to the pressure of acting, and so the show goal changed with Avon becoming an unopposed leader, as they began a quest to find Blake. As characters left usually due to death, the show became more and more popular more so with adults than with children the original target audience. Children found the shock of just who might die too much, often losing some of their favourite characters.

Come the third series and the much loved Zen, onboard computer of the Liberator died as the ship was destroyed, this was the final blow for the children. And the shows final series saw new ship Scorpio (much more jazzed up for the new decade, as the show hit the 80's) and onboard computer Slave join the crew, the final few casual children's viewers dropped off leaving the adults and diehard fans watching the show. This was not a good place to be as Blake's 7 sat in a primetime Saturday night spot. The show was dramatically concluded, when after 50 stories the Federation succeeded in their goal leaving the entire crew of Scorpio, and the final remaining original members executed after being trapped, by their one time leader Blake. Blake's 7 was the masterwork of Dalek creator Terry Nation.

Space 1999

After Gerry Nation's Thunderbirds proved a success across the world and especially in America his next live action drama featured a cast of English and American stars in the popular science fiction offering Space 1999. In 1999 (then many years away) a team of scientists on a moon base are experimenting when a massive explosion causes the moon to swing out of the Earth's orbit and travel continuously through the galaxy, leaving ours and entering

• 1
• 2
• 3
• Next Page >>