Cygnus Alpha / Time Squad is the second novelization of the first season episodes of Blake’s 7. These novelizations were written and published by Big Finish to celebrate the program’s 40th anniversary. Marc Platt author of the seminal Doctor Who stories Ghost Light and Lungbarrow was the author of this volume.
Marc Platt is always a dependable writer and does not disappoint here. These stories see the completion of the team with the rescue of Gan and Vila from Cygnus Alpha and the addition of Cally in Time Squad. The stories complete a riveting beginning of this phenomenal series. With the introduction of all the main characters we see a group of imperfect people come together against a corrupt regime with varying degrees of commitment. Blake’s 7 is the polar opposite of the better known Star Trek where we see a dystopian future where the foibles of everyday people are still in evidence. We see the characters display their individual traits with Gan’s loyality, Vila’s cowardness, Blake’s zeal and Avon’s complex nature on full display. Well written and accurate rendition of the episodes. 8 out of 10.
