[Demdike@Cult Labs]

Episode 8

Duel

By Terry Nation

On a desolate windswept planet the guardian Sinofar summons the keeper, Giroc, together they look to the night sky, where Travis and three persuit ships have the Liberator surrounded and are closing in for the kill.

Blake puts the Liberator on course to ram Travis's ship. Time seems to stop and Travis and Blake are transported down to the planets surface.

Sinofar tells the duo in order to settle their dispute they will have to fight to the death using only a knife as a weapon and can be helped by only one companion. Jenna is assigned to assist Blake and Travis is aided by one of the vampiric Mutoids he uses for crew.

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Duel is the first episode to feature Mutoids, vampiric humanoids who need blood to exist, they make an interesting alternative to the usual Federation guards and are popular with Travis due to their lack of emotion.

Unfortunately signs of the BBC's budget limitations show through with this episode as the space battle is only seen from the Liberator crews reactions rather than on screen space assaults. despite this Duel is another strong episode which is exciting throughout especially when it turns into "The most dangerous game". Even the quiet moments as Blake and Jenna contemplate a night in a tree add to the story. The semi smirk on Avon's face as he watches the final duel is worth watching the episode for on its own as he smugly knows Blake will allow Travis to live.