There are good and bad things in this episode.
On the plus side there's the outlandish costumes which are fantastic and the subplot in which Avon, Vila and Orac cheat in the casino is great. And at least Jenna and Cally have a bit more to do.
On the downside the plot is so full of holes that you could use it as a sieve.
The major flaw in the story is as follows. Servalan and Travis each independently arrve at Freedom City in search of Docholli. Travis presumably to be there so he can kill Blake when our hero shows up, and Servalan to silence Docholli before he can give the location of Star One to Blake. She says as much to Krantor. But Blake only found out about Docholli from a dying Space Major Provine in the episode Countdown. No-one else was present and Provine died seconds later. There's no reason for Travis and Servalan to suppose that Blake had ever heard of Docholli - or even of Provine. They have no evidence that Blake and his crew were involved in the events on Albian shown in Countdown.
Also how do the three of them, Blake, Travis and Servalan even know that Docholli is at Freedom City? Why should Travis have even heard of Docholli, unless Servalan told him. And why should she? By his own admission at the end of Pressure Point, Travis knew nothing about the new location of Central Control.
With the series' original weekly transmission, it was possible to get away with such errors, but I've just been watching them nightly, and the events of past episodes are still fresh in the memory.
And why was the bomb in Travis' arm left unprimed?
But it was an enjoyable piece of escapism if you don't think about it too closely.
10 Reviews
Masterpiece episode, if over-florid
martin-3165030 August 2018
Set on a florid pleasure-station called Freedom City, this episode is full of sour-glitz and ill-judged glamour. In terms of the story-arc, it advances the plot by about five minutes, but it is a masterpiece of suspense as a result of its Avon-Vila sub-plot.
It's Certainly Different
Theo Robertson26 March 2013
Warning: Spoilers
Trying to find cyber-surgeon Docholli the only man who knows the location of Star One the Federation's control centre Blake arrives at Freedom City only to find Servalan and Travis are also there on a mission to eliminate Docholli before Blake finds him
This is a totally bonkers episode which is very much love it or hate it where both scriptwriter and the costume design department are almost given free reign to do what they want . In many ways it feels like a pantomime episode produced for the show with flamboyance and dialogue that belongs to another show
Being written by Robert Holmes Avon and Vila are to the fore and while the rest of the crew try and find the man who knows too much they try and use Orac to win a fortune on a grotesque gambling game called Speed Chess
The acting suits the episode being somewhat theatrical and self conscious but perhaps never getting in to the realms of out and out camp . Aubrey Woods - best remembered by telefantasy fans as The Controller in the 1972 DOCTOR WHO story Day Of The Daleks - steals the show as Krantor and it's something of a shock hearing Travis describe someone as " A powder poof " in what's certainly not the greatest episode of the series but unarguably the most bizarre
This is a totally bonkers episode which is very much love it or hate it where both scriptwriter and the costume design department are almost given free reign to do what they want . In many ways it feels like a pantomime episode produced for the show with flamboyance and dialogue that belongs to another show
Being written by Robert Holmes Avon and Vila are to the fore and while the rest of the crew try and find the man who knows too much they try and use Orac to win a fortune on a grotesque gambling game called Speed Chess
The acting suits the episode being somewhat theatrical and self conscious but perhaps never getting in to the realms of out and out camp . Aubrey Woods - best remembered by telefantasy fans as The Controller in the 1972 DOCTOR WHO story Day Of The Daleks - steals the show as Krantor and it's something of a shock hearing Travis describe someone as " A powder poof " in what's certainly not the greatest episode of the series but unarguably the most bizarre
I know it's divisive, but I think it's a classic.
Sleepin_Dragon7 August 2021
When I think of Blake's 7, I think of Gambit, far from my favourite episode, but it is outrageous fun, it is totally unique, it is so far away from any other episode, it serves as a lighter moment, ahead of the heavy, dramatic series finale.
It's kitsch, it's camp, it's garish, it's wildly over the top, but it's as much fun to watch, as it probably was for those to make. Not much is given in terms of developing the series arc, we only get a few snippets.
Aubrey Woods is terrific as Krantor, he and Toise are such a funny double act, the other pairing here is Servalan and Jarriere, she naturally looks sublime, but I'm not sure she'd have been impressed by his sucking up to her. Sylvia Coleridge is just brilliant as The Croupier.
So much imagination, I absolutely love the idea of speed chess, it doesn't really help drive the story or anything, but it's just a really nice touch.
Lots of tongue in humour, I imagine they were having plenty of fun here, the way Jenna comments about the whereabouts of Cevedic....
I loved it, 9/10.
It's kitsch, it's camp, it's garish, it's wildly over the top, but it's as much fun to watch, as it probably was for those to make. Not much is given in terms of developing the series arc, we only get a few snippets.
Aubrey Woods is terrific as Krantor, he and Toise are such a funny double act, the other pairing here is Servalan and Jarriere, she naturally looks sublime, but I'm not sure she'd have been impressed by his sucking up to her. Sylvia Coleridge is just brilliant as The Croupier.
So much imagination, I absolutely love the idea of speed chess, it doesn't really help drive the story or anything, but it's just a really nice touch.
Lots of tongue in humour, I imagine they were having plenty of fun here, the way Jenna comments about the whereabouts of Cevedic....
I loved it, 9/10.
Thankfully, the series rebounded with this gem from the pen of Robert Holmes
GusF8 August 2014
Warning: Spoilers
After more or less ignoring the Star One storyline in the previous episode bar a brief mention, it returns to the forefront in this one as the Liberator crew are searching for the cyber surgeon Docholli on Freedom City, which is independent of the Federation in spite of being very close to its borders. As he often did in Doctor Who, Holmes populated his story with very memorable characters, particularly the very slimy Krantor and his henchman Toise. Aubrey Woods was wonderful as Krantor and he was great to see John Leeson back in Blake's 7. Unlike costumes in earlier episodes (Coser's in "Weapon" springs readily to mind), it's actually appropriate for Krantor and Toise to wear such flamboyant, over the top costumes as (a) it helps sell to the audience that Freedom City is a rather decadent society as it's basically Space Vegas and (b) it's Mardi Gras!
Denis Carey is excellent as the sweet-natured Docholli who, unlike many other sympathetic characters, is still alive at the end of the episode. Jacqueline Pearce, one of the few saving graces of "Voice from the Past", is characteristically wonderful as Servalan and she has a great relationship with the somewhat dim Jarriere. Both Krantor and Toise and Servalan and Jarriere are excellent examples of the classic Holmes double acts which can also be found in almost all of his "Doctor Who" stories. Jarriere is another character whom I would like to have seen return. Brian Croucher is also surprisingly good as Travis, giving his best performance since "Trial". Jenna and Cally finally get to leave the ship and do something interesting here but, I have to say, that their most memorable part of the episode is the mock catfight in Chenie's rather seedy bar. However, their place on the search party facilitated Avon, Vila and Orac teleporting down to the Big Wheel and have an extremely enjoyable little side adventure of their own. This episode has one of the best supporting cast of the series and, despite some very serious themes, is probably the most light-hearted and fun episode of the series to date.
Denis Carey is excellent as the sweet-natured Docholli who, unlike many other sympathetic characters, is still alive at the end of the episode. Jacqueline Pearce, one of the few saving graces of "Voice from the Past", is characteristically wonderful as Servalan and she has a great relationship with the somewhat dim Jarriere. Both Krantor and Toise and Servalan and Jarriere are excellent examples of the classic Holmes double acts which can also be found in almost all of his "Doctor Who" stories. Jarriere is another character whom I would like to have seen return. Brian Croucher is also surprisingly good as Travis, giving his best performance since "Trial". Jenna and Cally finally get to leave the ship and do something interesting here but, I have to say, that their most memorable part of the episode is the mock catfight in Chenie's rather seedy bar. However, their place on the search party facilitated Avon, Vila and Orac teleporting down to the Big Wheel and have an extremely enjoyable little side adventure of their own. This episode has one of the best supporting cast of the series and, despite some very serious themes, is probably the most light-hearted and fun episode of the series to date.
Just silly fun
scott-8244327 September 2018
Probably one of the least significant episodes but side plot with Avon and Vila is a classic! Everyone is true to character and Servelan is perfect as the cold machine that every expression is calculated. I wouldn't rate so high except on watching again here years later this episode really was great to watch knowing how serious things to come will be.
Marvelous
harrylagman-023566 November 2022
Warning: Spoilers
One of the 3 best B7 episodes, along with "Star One" and "Rumours of Death"
There's still the storyline of the search for Star One, and Travis is - ominously - still one step ahead, with motives of his own. Blake takes the ladies to a gambling mecca ("a hive of scum an villainy") is the phrase that comes to mind) which manages to stay neutral from the Federation...and then Servelan rocks up
Avon & Vila are somewhat peeved at being ordered to wait at the teleport doing nothing - they decide to visit the gambling centre while the others are away anyway; and to use Orac to fleece the computer-controlled casino tables.
All human life is there, extravagantly dressed: thugs, swindlers, gamblers ready to put everything on the line, and a mysterious dwarf called the Klute who challenges everyone to speed chess. If they beat him they win a million, if they don't he gets to gleefully electrocute them.
Avon & Vila do indeed win millions, but the casino-owners are angry. They drug Vila and convince him to play the deadly Klute at chess (whilst barely conscious). Avon tells him that Orac will tell him the moves. "PLAY Vila!"...
Oh the search for Star One...well Blake, Jenna & Cally are kept busy looking for chap called Docholli, and playing their own game of 3-way chess against Servelan & Travis..
I think it's a timeless classic.
There's still the storyline of the search for Star One, and Travis is - ominously - still one step ahead, with motives of his own. Blake takes the ladies to a gambling mecca ("a hive of scum an villainy") is the phrase that comes to mind) which manages to stay neutral from the Federation...and then Servelan rocks up
Avon & Vila are somewhat peeved at being ordered to wait at the teleport doing nothing - they decide to visit the gambling centre while the others are away anyway; and to use Orac to fleece the computer-controlled casino tables.
All human life is there, extravagantly dressed: thugs, swindlers, gamblers ready to put everything on the line, and a mysterious dwarf called the Klute who challenges everyone to speed chess. If they beat him they win a million, if they don't he gets to gleefully electrocute them.
Avon & Vila do indeed win millions, but the casino-owners are angry. They drug Vila and convince him to play the deadly Klute at chess (whilst barely conscious). Avon tells him that Orac will tell him the moves. "PLAY Vila!"...
Oh the search for Star One...well Blake, Jenna & Cally are kept busy looking for chap called Docholli, and playing their own game of 3-way chess against Servelan & Travis..
I think it's a timeless classic.
Horrid!
marksweller12 December 2011
Clearly rushed with sloppy direction, plot holes, cheap sets and costumes and bad blocking, this is one of the absolute low points of Blake's 7 replete with a "spit take" for Avon. Even taken as an over the top counterpoint to the mostly serious and dour episodes of the second season, this is clearly an over correction. Bad French accents, aging sexpots (?), and large amounts of exposition to explain away the ridiculous plot don't help what is essentially a mess. The throwaway introduction of shrinking technology and a throwaway ending complete the experience. Travis and Servalan are more OTT than usual (who knew that was possible?) and the new character, Krantor, while initially amusing becomes tiring as the actor attempts to out camp the competition. A silly outing that is best forgotten.
Camp
bigfootmurf-7230423 September 2020
The Lighter Feeling Bombs!
StuOz18 May 2023
The gang visit a colourful "city" in space.
Star Trek Original Series (1966) could sometimes lighten up and visit a planet or "city" where semi-amusing characters dish out colourful or campy lines of dialogue. Obviously, in Gambit, Blakes Seven is attempting to follow in the footsteps of Star Trek (or Doctor Who?) but does not do it as well.
Also, due to the limited budget, we never for one second feel like we are in a "city" but rather a couple bad sets in BBC studios.
This episode is unfunny, very cheap and boring. It may even be the worst episode of this normally great series as it is the FIRST stinker! The first stinker of any series always hits hardest because we never got this before. Sadly, there are a few more bombs to come.
Skip Gambit.
Star Trek Original Series (1966) could sometimes lighten up and visit a planet or "city" where semi-amusing characters dish out colourful or campy lines of dialogue. Obviously, in Gambit, Blakes Seven is attempting to follow in the footsteps of Star Trek (or Doctor Who?) but does not do it as well.
Also, due to the limited budget, we never for one second feel like we are in a "city" but rather a couple bad sets in BBC studios.
This episode is unfunny, very cheap and boring. It may even be the worst episode of this normally great series as it is the FIRST stinker! The first stinker of any series always hits hardest because we never got this before. Sadly, there are a few more bombs to come.
Skip Gambit.
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