Blakes7 Discussion

Steve Rogerson · Joined: 16 May 2004 Posts: 8942 Location: Nottingham

Vila is one of my favourite characters because in many ways he is the most realistic of them all. What comes across in a show full of brave heroes as cowardice would in most walks of real life be regarded as common sense. Who wouldn't want to stay in the relative safety of the Liberator rather than face unknown dangers on a planet for a cause that you don't really support?

I also think Vila's character changed noticeably from when we first see him. He appeared a far more sinister character when we met him in the holding cell on Earth than what we saw shortly afterwards. The show also ends with an unusual bit of Vila when on Gauda Prime we see the exteremly professional way he disarms and koncks out Arlen.
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Steve Rogerson

http://homepages.poptel.org.uk/steve.rogerson

Hail Og: Ruler of the Universe (Feb 2005-2007)

Picard · Posted: Tue May 18, 2004 3:23 pm Post subject:

He was a good charater.

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"No matter where you are... everyone is always connected." Lain Iwakura

BLAKESCREWE · Joined: 16 May 2004 Posts: 21196 Location: 1977!

He was an out and out snivelling little coward , Avon should have made sure he dumped him out of that air lock , as he was nothing but a liability ! .

BlakNo1 · Posted: Tue May 18, 2004 3:39 pm Post subject:

The way he apologized to Arlen after is a nice touch too.

Vila rules!!!
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ORAC · Guest

Vila was good because he was there to break the tension and it worked very well. Michael played the character with absolute beliveability.

However, the character didn't change after ORBIT and I really feel he should have, that is my only quibble.

RichardWho · Posted: Wed May 19, 2004 11:09 am Post subject:

Mr-Stabby · Joined: 16 May 2004 Posts: 346

We saw that Vila would fight if necessary. Take SEEK-LOCATE-DESTROY, he was perfectly able to knock out a guard or 2, and the scene where he walks up to them going "I'm a criminal, and i want to blow something up" shows that hes not a coward all of the time.

ORAC · Guest

There was a lot more to Vila that was never developed - there are a few episodes where you really feel he knows more than he's letting on, a shame the writers felt the need to box his character in.

And as mentioned, the aftermath of ORBIT was just wasted!

Rhiannon · Guest

CACHE · Guest

Vila may have seemed a coward but he was anything but. He was a very lazy man who just wanted a peaceful life, being able to do what he wanted, steal and drink wine.

By becoming one of Blake's crew he found he could get out of most things by acting the coward and so his behaviour continued.

He never really trusted Avon, but felt that he was a better allie than enemy.

The events of Orbit are certainly interesting, after Avon tried to kill him Vila said nothing, was this because he was a coward or because he had some other plan that he never got around to?

Steve Rogerson · Joined: 16 May 2004 Posts: 8942 Location: Nottingham

I think Vila probably still realised that he was better off with the others around him. His biggest mistake, as he realised, was going back to crew when he could have stayed with Kerril.
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Steve Rogerson

http://homepages.poptel.org.uk/steve.rogerson

Hail Og: Ruler of the Universe (Feb 2005-2007)

Picard · Posted: Wed May 19, 2004 3:28 pm Post subject:

And we know that he could be sneaky be watching Seek Locate Destroy and also in shadow, hiding Orac in return of going to see Space city or what ever it's called.

On the DVD you can also see Vila that shot 3 gaurds and that he can pick locks which also makes Avon and Blake keep him on board.

Oh and City on the Edge of the Universe was written by Chris Bouncher for Michel Keating because his dughter was saying how much of a coward he was! But Vila a very interesting charater!

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"No matter where you are... everyone is always connected." Lain Iwakura

ORAC · Guest

Michael's performance is without question one of the best, he's solid throughout all 4 Series, a real shame that he was never given the opportunity to really show Vila's bad side.

inge · Joined: 16 May 2004 Posts: 1158

I would have liked to see Vila take Avon on verbally or otherwise after Örbit".
It would added another dimension to Vilas character.
However there is lots of fanfic about just that.
One of the best is "Immolation" in Horizon 22.
The synopsis is briefly, after Orbit, Avon saves Vila from execution but faces execution himself.

jdarwent · Posted: Thu May 20, 2004 8:37 am Post subject: