Tarial Cell: The Blake's Seven Encyclopedia

You may be looking for Sevencyclopaedia, a Blake's 7 encyclopedia by Neil Faulkner or the Blake's 7 newsletter, Tarriel Cell or Tarial Cell One: An Alphabetical Directory to Series A of Blake's 7

Zine
Title:	Tarial Cell: The Blake's Seven Encyclopedia (first issue was spelled "Tariel Cell" on the front cover)
Publisher:	Horizon
Editor(s):	Pat Thomas
Type:	canon resource
Date(s):	1982
Medium:	print
Fandom:	Blake's 7
External Links:
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Tarial Cell: The Blake's Seven Encyclopedia is gen Blake's 7 resource.

cover of issue #1

There are four issues.

It is a complete guide to each series, the characters, the actors, and the production staff.

Note on the Zine's Title

The first issue has "Tariel Cell" on the cover. The other three issues are titled "Tarial Cell."

The zine was advertised as "Tarial Cell."

A review discusses this, as well as calling it "Tarriel Cell."

In 2013, a fan, Peter Anghelides, wrote about various spellings of "Tarial": Spelling B7, ^{Archived version}

Issue 1

Tarial Cell 1 ("Tariel Cell") was published in 1982 and contains 91 pages.

Issue 2

Tarial Cell 2 ("Tarial Cell" on cover) was published in 1982.

cover of issue #2

The topic is the episode "Spacefall." It also contains some Doctor Who content.

Reactions and Reviews: Issue 2

A moment’s nit-picking before we commence the review proper should the spelling be ‘Tarriel’ or ‘Tarial? The longer version is the one that appears in Attwood's Programme Guide, while the other is the one that actually appears in the BBC scripts. Either could be considered right, though the BBC version would be more correct. In a letter, Jonathan said he was aware of the ambiguity when he chose the spelling, and will use the BBC version for the relevant episodes.

The review copy sent to Horizon was ‘Spacefall' - number two in the Tarriel Cell series, which is intended to be ...serious chronology of Blakes 7 which will act as a complete reference guide.... And it certainly does seem serious - even scholarly.

The first part is a very detailed description of the episode 'Spacefall.' This is followed by a review of the episode, entitled ‘Escape to Destiny’, in which the directing, design, lighting, music, acting and characters are discussed, both within the episode and taking the episode in context of the series. The third section is an analysis, entitled ‘An Obvious Escape’, again discussing the events in the episode, and the characters, especially Blake and Avon. This is followed by part two of a section on the origins of Blake’s 7, in which comparisons are drawn between the social background of B7 and other dystopian visions, between the Federation and other empires (both historical and fictional), and comparing B7 in general to Star Trek, and to other works by Terry Nation. Finally, there is a list of cast and production credits - and then - of all things - a review of Season 25 of Doctor Who, and a very unfunny Tom Baker/Doctor Who cartoon. God only knows what that’s doing there.

Presentation: The zine is A4 size, stapled. The text is neatly typed, clear and legible. It’s written well, in good English, with no evident typos. (Though doubtless Ros Williams could find some???).

Unfortunately, it’s let down by a very uninspiring cover - an ordinary-looking Liberator on a black background with white dots (oh okay, stars). Also, it would have been nice to have some interior artwork or photos - stills from the episode, perhaps, or plans of the set - something to break up the text, or at least to provide a pause between sections. The overall look is somewhat dull.

Comments: In general, it’s a good idea, and Jonathan’s aims salutatory. It’s cheap to buy, and therefore good value! However, there are as far as it goes, the articles are interesting in an academic way, but it really could have done with some artwork, and perhaps some technical details about the actual making of the episode. And the Tardis seemed to have teleported in for no apparent reason -- a Doctor who review and cartoon have no place in a serious BLAKE'S 7 zine.

Having said all that, it would be interesting to see an edition of Tarriel Cell for a later episode, to see how the series progressed!

Issue 3

Tarial Cell 3

Issue 4

Tarial Cell 4