Let Me Count The Ways The World Ends
by Kathryn A
What has been is what will be,
and what has been done is what will be done;
there is nothing new under the sun.
Ecclesiastes 1:9
When I hear someone's latest theory about what "really" happened in the last episode of Blake's 7, I shrug, and smile to myself, and think thoughts similar to the quote above, though Ecclesiates was rather more poetical about it. Have I been around fandom too long, read too many fifth season stories? It doesn't seem to matter how improbable a scenario may be, there has probably been a story written based on it. Who survives? There are almost as many combinations as there are characters; which leads me to conclude that logic plays little part in 5th season stories; the author just makes survive the characters they want to survive. Well, some authors are more logical than others.
I decided to test my impressions with research; I would go through every serious fifth season story I could lay my hands on or recall and assume it is a random-ish sample, since I could never lay hold of all the 5th season stories ever written, and note Our Heroes' fates, put it all in a database and churn out the result. I decided to count the ways the world ends...
What happens to the Scorpio Crew & Blake (all stories)
There were 126 stories, not counting sequels. In descending order of popularity... In a close first and second place - they are all alive, and they are all dead! Only a difference of one between them.
- (1) all alive. Count: 17 Percent: 13.60
- (2) all dead. Count: 16 Percent: 12.80
In third place, Avon and Vila stick it out together.
Blake is dead + Avon is alive + Vila is alive + Dayna is dead + Tarrant is dead + Soolin is dead
- (3) Count: 13 Percent: 10.40
In fourth place, Avon goes solo.
Blake is dead + Avon is alive + Vila is dead + Dayna is dead + Tarrant is dead + Soolin is dead
- (4) Count: 11 Percent: 8.80
In fifth place, with a notable gap, the Scorpio crew tough it out, teamwise.
Blake is dead + Avon is alive + Vila is alive + Dayna is alive + Tarrant is alive + Soolin is alive
- (5) Count: 5 Percent: 4.00
The places are tied from here down. Just look at the interesting combinations of fates.
Blake fate unknown + Avon is alive + Vila is alive + Dayna is alive + Tarrant is alive + Soolin not exist
- (6) Count: 4 Percent: 3.20
Blake is alive + Avon is alive + Vila is alive + Dayna is alive + Tarrant is alive + Soolin not exist
- (6) Count: 4 Percent: 3.20
Blake is dead + Avon dies + Vila is dead + Dayna is dead + Tarrant is dead + Soolin is dead
- (6) Count: 4 Percent: 3.20
Blake is alive + Avon is alive + Vila is alive + Dayna not mentioned + Tarrant not mentioned + Soolin not mentioned
- (7) Count: 3 Percent: 2.40
Blake is dead + Avon is alive + Vila is alive + Dayna is dead + Tarrant is alive + Soolin is dead
- (7) Count: 3 Percent: 2.40
Blake is dead + Avon is dead + Vila is alive + Dayna is dead + Tarrant is dead + Soolin is dead
- (7) Count: 3 Percent: 2.40
Blake assumed dead + Avon is alive + Vila is alive + Dayna is alive + Tarrant is alive + Soolin not exist
- (8) Count: 2 Percent: 1.60
Blake is alive + Avon is alive + Vila is alive + Dayna is dead + Tarrant is alive + Soolin is alive
- (8) Count: 2 Percent: 1.60
Blake is alive + Avon is alive + Vila is alive + Dayna not exist + Tarrant not exist + Soolin not exist
- (8) Count: 2 Percent: 1.60
Blake is alive + Avon is alive + Vila is dead + Dayna is dead + Tarrant is dead + Soolin is dead
- (8) Count: 2 Percent: 1.60
Blake is alive + Avon is dead + Vila is dead + Dayna is dead + Tarrant is dead + Soolin is dead
- (8) Count: 2 Percent: 1.60
Blake is dead + Avon is alive + Vila dies + Dayna is dead + Tarrant is dead + Soolin is dead
- (8) Count: 2 Percent: 1.60
Blake dies + Avon dies + Vila dies + Dayna dies + Tarrant dies + Soolin dies
- (9) Count: 1 Percent: 0.80
Blake dies + Avon dies + Vila dies + Dayna not exist + Tarrant not exist + Soolin not exist
- (9) Count: 1 Percent: 0.80
Blake dies + Avon is alive + Vila dies + Dayna not exist + Tarrant not exist + Soolin not exist
- (9) Count: 1 Percent: 0.80
Blake dies + Avon is alive + Vila is alive + Dayna is alive + Tarrant dies + Soolin is alive
- (9) Count: 1 Percent: 0.80
Blake dies + Avon is alive + Vila is alive + Dayna is alive + Tarrant is alive + Soolin dies
- (9) Count: 1 Percent: 0.80
Blake dies + Avon is alive + Vila is alive + Dayna not exist + Tarrant not exist + Soolin not exist
- (9) Count: 1 Percent: 0.80
Blake fate unknown + Avon dies + Vila fate unknown + Dayna fate unknown + Tarrant not exist + Soolin not exist
- (9) Count: 1 Percent: 0.80
Blake fate unknown + Avon is alive + Vila fate unknown + Dayna not exist + Tarrant not exist + Soolin not exist
- (9) Count: 1 Percent: 0.80
Blake fate unknown + Avon is alive + Vila is alive + Dayna is alive + Tarrant is alive + Soolin turns up
- (9) Count: 1 Percent: 0.80
Blake fate unknown + Avon is alive + Vila is alive + Dayna is alive + Tarrant is dead + Soolin is dead
- (9) Count: 1 Percent: 0.80
Blake is alive + Avon dies + Vila is dead + Dayna dies + Tarrant is alive + Soolin is dead
- (9) Count: 1 Percent: 0.80
Blake is alive + Avon is alive + Vila is alive + Dayna fate unknown + Tarrant fate unknown + Soolin is dead
- (9) Count: 1 Percent: 0.80
Blake is alive + Avon is alive + Vila is alive + Dayna is alive + Tarrant fate unknown + Soolin is alive
- (9) Count: 1 Percent: 0.80
Blake is alive + Avon is alive + Vila is alive + Dayna is alive + Tarrant is dead + Soolin is alive
- (9) Count: 1 Percent: 0.80
Blake is alive + Avon is alive + Vila is alive + Dayna is dead + Tarrant is alive + Soolin is dead
- (9) Count: 1 Percent: 0.80
Blake is alive + Avon is alive + Vila is alive + Dayna is dead + Tarrant is dead + Soolin is dead
- (9) Count: 1 Percent: 0.80
Blake is alive + Avon is alive + Vila is alive + Dayna not mentioned + Tarrant not mentioned + Soolin is alive
- (9) Count: 1 Percent: 0.80
Blake is dead + Avon assumed dead + Vila is dead + Dayna is dead + Tarrant is dead + Soolin is dead
- (9) Count: 1 Percent: 0.80
Blake is dead + Avon dies + Vila dies + Dayna is dead + Tarrant is dead + Soolin is dead
- (9) Count: 1 Percent: 0.80
Blake is dead + Avon dies + Vila is alive + Dayna is dead + Tarrant is alive + Soolin is alive
- (9) Count: 1 Percent: 0.80
Blake is dead + Avon is alive + Vila fate unknown + Dayna fate unknown + Tarrant fate unknown + Soolin fate unknown
- (9) Count: 1 Percent: 0.80
Blake is dead + Avon is alive + Vila is alive + Dayna fate unknown + Tarrant is alive + Soolin fate unknown
- (9) Count: 1 Percent: 0.80
Blake is dead + Avon is alive + Vila is alive + Dayna is alive + Tarrant is alive + Soolin not exist
- (9) Count: 1 Percent: 0.80
Blake is dead + Avon is alive + Vila is alive + Dayna is alive + Tarrant is dead + Soolin is dead
- (9) Count: 1 Percent: 0.80
Blake is dead + Avon is alive + Vila is alive + Dayna is dead + Tarrant is alive + Soolin is alive
- (9) Count: 1 Percent: 0.80
Blake is dead + Avon is alive + Vila is alive + Dayna not mentioned + Tarrant not mentioned + Soolin not mentioned
- (9) Count: 1 Percent: 0.80
Blake is dead + Avon is alive + Vila is dead + Dayna is dead + Tarrant is dead + Soolin is alive
- (9) Count: 1 Percent: 0.80
Blake is dead + Avon is dead + Vila is alive + Dayna is dead + Tarrant is dead + Soolin is alive
- (9) Count: 1 Percent: 0.80
Blake is dead + Avon is dead + Vila is dead + Dayna not exist + Tarrant not exist + Soolin not exist
- (9) Count: 1 Percent: 0.80
Blake not mentioned + Avon not mentioned + Vila not mentioned + Dayna not mentioned + Tarrant not mentioned + Soolin not mentioned
- (9) Count: 1 Percent: 0.80
Not all the stories written conform with History As It Happened, however. Instead, they cope with The End by changing history so that it is different. These are Alternative Universe stories, while the ones that deal with history as it is I shall call mainstream stories. Here follows listings of the stories split by Alternative and Mainstream, and for Alternative, the period at which they are set.
What happens to the Scorpio Crew & Blake (mainstream)
In descending order of popularity, the winner is - they are all dead! Not surprising when one is looking at the more realistic stories. These range from Servalan musing over their dead bodies, to Servalan being killed by their ghosts, to stories set generations later.
- (1) all dead. Count: 16 Percent: 16.84
In second place, the dynamic duo, Avon and Vila! Vila ducked, you see.
Blake is dead + Avon is alive + Vila is alive + Dayna is dead + Tarrant is dead + Soolin is dead
- (2) Count: 13 Percent: 13.68
Tied in third place, some people just can't let old heroes die, or else they favour the last one left standing (even though an application of logic makes Avon the most likely to be dead...) When they are all alive, it is often a case of "It was a test - Blake wore a vest" or "The Federation used stun guns" + "Blake was only wounded"/"Avon shot the Clone" or "It was a plot concocted between Avon and Blake to make people think they were dead". Ha! A likely story. But authors appear to go for it repeatedly.
- (3) all alive. Count: 10 Percent: 10.53
Blake is dead + Avon is alive + Vila is dead + Dayna is dead + Tarrant is dead + Soolin is dead
- (3) Count: 10 Percent: 10.53
In fourth place, the Scorpio Crew struggle on despite Blake's death. But really, why would the Federation use stun guns? And what makes you think Arlen used a stun gun?
Blake is dead + Avon is alive + Vila is alive + Dayna is alive + Tarrant is alive + Soolin is alive
- (4) Count: 5 Percent: 5.26
In fifth place, poor Avon expires alone, sometimes taking Servalan and/or the Federation computer system with him.
Blake is dead + Avon dies + Vila is dead + Dayna is dead + Tarrant is dead + Soolin is dead
- (5) Count: 4 Percent: 4.21
Sixth and beyond, not noted.
What happens to the Scorpio Crew & Blake (alternative, all stories)
Not surprising that the most popular is that they are all alive, if one is going to change history, change it to be rose-coloured...
- (1) Count: 7 Percent: 21.88
What happens to the Scorpio Crew & Blake (alternative, season D)
This contains all the Alternative Universe stories set in season D. These are usually in the form of the-last-episode-just-happened-differently.
- (1) all alive. Count: 4 Percent: 44.44
Blake is dead + Avon is alive + Vila is alive + Dayna is dead + Tarrant is dead + Soolin is dead
- (2) Count: 2 Percent: 22.22
Blake dies + Avon is alive + Vila is alive + Dayna is alive + Tarrant is alive + Soolin dies
- (3) Count: 1 Percent: 11.11
Blake is alive + Avon is alive + Vila is alive + Dayna is alive + Tarrant fate unknown + Soolin is alive
- (3) Count: 1 Percent: 11.11
Blake is dead + Avon is alive + Vila is dead + Dayna is dead + Tarrant is dead + Soolin is dead
- (3) Count: 1 Percent: 11.11
What happens to the Liberator Crew (Season C) (alternative)
This contains all the alternative universe stories set in season C. These usually involve changing the events of "Terminal", or going on from "Terminal" without the events of "Rescue".
- (1) all alive. Count: 13 Percent: 86.67
Avon dies + Vila fate unknown + Dayna fate unknown + Tarrant not exist + Cally fate unknown
- (2) Count: 1 Percent: 6.67
Avon is alive + Vila is alive + Dayna is alive + Tarrant is alive + Cally is dead
- (2) Count: 1 Percent: 6.67
What happens to the Liberator Crew (Season B) (alternative)
This contains all (not that there are many) of the alternative universe stories set in season B, with respect to changing the fates of Our Heroes. "Star One" is a popular turning point here, but some of them change things earlier.
- (1) all alive but Gan. Count: 3 Percent: 37.50
The rest are all tied with one story each.
Blake dies + Avon dies + Vila dies + Gan is dead + Jenna dies + Cally dies
- (2) Count: 1 Percent: 12.50
Blake dies + Avon is alive + Vila dies + Gan is dead + Jenna dies + Cally dies
- (2) Count: 1 Percent: 12.50
Blake dies + Avon is alive + Vila is alive + Gan is dead + Jenna is alive + Cally is alive
- (2) Count: 1 Percent: 12.50
Blake fate unknown + Avon is alive + Vila fate unknown + Gan is dead + Jenna is alive + Cally fate unknown
- (2) Count: 1 Percent: 12.50
- (2) all dead. Count: 1 Percent: 12.50
What is the Fate of Whom?
Looking at all the stories, including the sequels that I managed to collect data on, what was the most popular fate of each main character? There were 138 stories.
Looking at the figures, the most often alive person is Avon, followed by Vila, then Orac. Everyone else has a less than 50% occurrence of being alive and around. The most dead person is Gan, followed by Zen, Cally and Jenna. There is a gap, then comes Blake, Dayna, Soolin and Tarrant, very close together, all close to 50% occurrence of deadness. But even Gan has a 1.45% occurrence of being alive, so it just shows that people will do as they please.
See for yourself.
Blake Count Percent
------------------------------ ------ ---------
Blake is dead 75 54.35
Blake is alive 45 32.61
Blake fate unknown 9 6.52
Blake dies 6 4.35
Blake assumed dead 2 1.45
Blake not mentioned 1 0.72
------------------------------ ------ ---------
Avon Count Percent
------------------------------ ------ ---------
Avon is alive 100 72.46
Avon is dead 26 18.84
Avon dies 10 7.25
Avon not mentioned 1 0.72
Avon assumed dead 1 0.72
------------------------------ ------ ---------
Vila Count Percent
------------------------------ ------ ---------
Vila is alive 88 63.77
Vila is dead 40 28.99
Vila dies 6 4.35
Vila fate unknown 3 2.17
Vila not mentioned 1 0.72
------------------------------ ------ ---------
Dayna Count Percent
------------------------------ ------ ---------
Dayna is dead 72 52.17
Dayna is alive 45 32.61
Dayna not exist 7 5.07
Dayna fate unknown 6 4.35
Dayna not mentioned 6 4.35
Dayna dies 2 1.45
------------------------------ ------ ---------
Tarrant Count Percent
------------------------------ ------ ---------
Tarrant is dead 67 48.55
Tarrant is alive 51 36.96
Tarrant not exist 8 5.80
Tarrant not mentioned 6 4.35
Tarrant fate unknown 4 2.90
Tarrant dies 2 1.45
------------------------------ ------ ---------
Soolin Count Percent
------------------------------ ------ ---------
Soolin is dead 71 51.45
Soolin is alive 36 26.09
Soolin not exist 19 13.77
Soolin not mentioned 5 3.62
Soolin fate unknown 3 2.17
Soolin dies 2 1.45
Soolin turns up 1 0.72
? 1 0.72
------------------------------ ------ ---------
Jenna Count Percent
------------------------------ ------ ---------
Jenna is dead 103 74.64
Jenna is alive 15 10.87
Jenna fate unknown 14 10.14
Jenna turns up 4 2.90
Jenna dies 2 1.45
------------------------------ ------ ---------
Gan Count Percent
------------------------------ ------ ---------
Gan is dead 136 98.55
Gan is alive 2 1.45
------------------------------ ------ ---------
Cally Count Percent
------------------------------ ------ ---------
Cally is dead 108 78.26
Cally is alive 25 18.12
Cally dies 3 2.17
Cally fate unknown 2 1.45
------------------------------ ------ ---------
Zen Count Percent
------------------------------ ------ ---------
Zen is gone 119 86.23
Zen is there 18 13.04
Zen fate unknown 1 0.72
------------------------------ ------ ---------
Orac Count Percent
------------------------------ ------ ---------
Orac is around 76 55.07
? 58 42.03
Orac is hidden 3 2.17
Orac is gone 1 0.72
------------------------------ ------ ---------
Slave Count Percent
------------------------------ ------ ---------
? 113 81.88
Slave not exist 18 13.04
Slave is there 5 3.62
Slave fate unknown 1 0.72
Slave in pieces 1 0.72
------------------------------ ------ ---------
And Who Else Turns Up...?
A popular pastime in these stories (including sequels) is to bring back minor (or not so minor) characters that have appeared before in episodes, or somebody's relative (often Avon's!). This list is not exhaustive, because I only made note of the ones I thought might occur more than once - and sometimes I was wrong. There was one story in which Inga turned up, for example. I've even read stories where Travis was alive and a good guy...
Most popular villain...
Servalan Count Percent
------------------------------ ------ ---------
? 60 43.48
Servalan turns up 57 41.30
Servalan dies 16 11.59
Servalan is dead 4 2.90
Servalan assumed dead 1 0.72
------------------------------ ------ ---------
Most popular rebel...
Avalon Count Percent
------------------------------ ------ ---------
? 128 92.75
Avalon turns up 5 3.62
Avalon is dead 3 2.17
Avalon is mentioned 2 1.45
------------------------------ ------ ---------
Del Grant Count Percent
------------------------------ ------ ---------
? 130 94.20
Del Grant turns up 5 3.62
Del Grant is dead 3 2.17
------------------------------ ------ ---------
I think there were some sequels I missed out on, I'm sure the psychotech has turned up more than once...
Carnell Count Percent
------------------------------ ------ ---------
? 134 97.10
Carnell is dead 3 2.17
Carnell turns up 1 0.72
------------------------------ ------ ---------
Vila's favourite mistake.
Kerril Count Percent
------------------------------ ------ ---------
? 131 94.93
Kerril turns up 4 2.90
Kerril is dead 3 2.17
------------------------------ ------ ---------
Repeat after me - "Avon shot the Clone!"
Blake Clone Count Percent
------------------------------ ------ ---------
? 123 89.13
Blake Clone is dead 9 6.52
Blake Clone turns up 3 2.17
Blake Clone dies 3 2.17
------------------------------ ------ ---------
Don't hear much about the Clone's lady, though!
Rashell Count Percent
------------------------------ ------ ---------
? 133 96.38
Rashell is dead 3 2.17
Rashell turns up 2 1.45
------------------------------ ------ ---------
Terminal is not a character, but it does turn up a lot.
Terminal Count Percent
------------------------------ ------ ---------
? 121 87.68
Terminal is featured 13 9.42
Terminal is mentioned 4 2.90
------------------------------ ------ ---------
The kith are above, now for the kin.
Avon's Brother Count Percent
------------------------------ ------ ---------
? 129 93.48
Avon Bro turns up 7 5.07
Avon Bro is Vila 1 0.72
Avon Bro is mentioned 1 0.72
------------------------------ ------ ---------
Avon's Sister Count Percent
------------------------------ ------ ---------
? 133 96.38
Avon Sis turns up 4 2.90
Avon Sis is clone 1 0.72
------------------------------ ------ ---------
Avon's Child Count Percent
------------------------------ ------ ---------
? 135 97.83
Avon's daughter turns up 2 1.45
Avon's Son turns up 1 0.72
------------------------------ ------ ---------
Avon's children always seem to have Servalan as their mother. (sigh).
Vila's Child Count Percent
------------------------------ ------ ---------
? 134 97.10
Vila Child turns up 4 2.90
------------------------------ ------ ---------
But with Vila, their mother is usually Kerril.
The Database
For those curious as to my sources, since it would be too much to list all the stories, I will list all the fanzines from which these stories were taken. Then you can decide to ignore all these results, because of the non-random nature of the sample (for example, note the heavy bias towards Chronicles); that is up to you.
Afterlife Avon the Terrible 01 Chronicles 01, Chronicles 09/10, Chronicles 11, Chronicles 12/13, Chronicles 15, Chronicles 16, Chronicles 20, Chronicles 22/23, Chronicles 25, Chronicles 26, Chronicles 29, Chronicles 30, Chronicles 31, Chronicles 32/33, Chronicles 35, Chronicles 45, Chronicles 48, Chronicles An86, Chronicles An87, Chronicles An88 Conquest Conzine 8201, Conquest Conzine 8304, Conquest Conzine 8807 Derelicts Desperado Doctor Bellfriar's Memorial Journal 02 Down & Unsafe 04, Down & Unsafe 05, Down & Unsafe 07 Enarraré 02, Enarraré 05, Enarraré 06, Enarraré 07, Enarraré B7 Special Gambit 03 Horizon 06, Horizon 07, Horizon 09, Horizon 11, Horizon 12, Horizon 13, Horizon 14 Input 02, Input 04 Last Stand At The Edge Of The World Machiavelli Factor, The Mind of Man is a Double-Edged Sword, The Multiverse 16, Multiverse 19, Multiverse 22 Paid In Full Power 01 Powerplay 06, Powerplay 07 Prime Attack Program Seven Live On, The 01, Seven Live On, The 02, Seven Live On, The 03 Seven Live On, The 04, Seven Live On, The 05 Seventh Sector 02, Seventh Sector 03 Something... Unfriendly 01 Southern Seven 01, Southern Seven 02, Southern Seven 03, Southern Seven 04 T'Salta 01 Web, The Xenon 03, Xenon 04, Xenon 05
And in the end,
What has been is what will be,
and what has been done is what will be done;
there is nothing new under the sun.
Ecclesiastes 1:9