52-Episode Space Opera Is A Masterclass In Sci-Fi Shows With Dark Endings

Published Nov 8, 2026, 11:00 PM EST

Dhruv is a Lead Writer in Screen Rant's New TV division. He has been consistently contributing to the website for over two years and has written thousands of articles covering streaming trends, movie/TV analysis, and pop culture breakdowns.
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Since the inception of the sci-fi genre, quite a few additions to it have flirted with dark ideas and themes. After all, what even is science fiction without the chilling possibility that humanity's greatest breakthroughs can also become its greatest existential threats? Some of the best sci-fi shows, however, take this darkness a little too far, reminding viewers how unforgiving outer space and humanity's conflicts can be.

One of these shows, Blake's 7, takes a no-holds-barred approach towards delivering a bleak conclusion. Before the classic sci-fi show's final credits start rolling, it shows how the overarching fascist regime wins while the heroes are broken and led towards doom by their own cynicism and broken trust. With such a tragic closing arc, Blake's 7 attempts to reflect the true nature of anti-authoritarian struggles.

Since viewers usually expect a series to end on a high note with a positive coda, Blake's 7 approach was certainly risky. However, it is one of the reasons why Blake's 7 is still re-watchable even though almost half a century has passed since its release. In hindsight, it is hard not to see it as an absolute masterclass in how sci-fi shows should execute dark endings.

Blake's 7's Shocking Ending Is Something Most Sci-Fi Shows Wouldn't Dare Attempt

Some modern prestige shows, too, have defied the conventional hero's journey trope and ended with bleak and devastating character deaths. Game of Thrones, The Sopranos, and The Shield are perfect examples of this. However, Blake's 7 was way ahead of its time when it closed its story with an ending that leaves no sense of hope in a viewer.

In standard Western sci-fi narratives, rebellious characters are portrayed as heroes who ultimately find a way to overthrow the overarching evil totalitarian rule. However, since Blake's 7 drew from the economic stagnation and the post-Empire decline of the British in the 1970s, it inclined more towards portraying how inescapable totalitarianism can be.

As a result, in its final arc, it walked through the last moments of its titular character, Blake. In the sequences that followed, Blake's 7 featured the deaths of all of its main characters from the central crew. What makes these sequences even bleaker is that the deaths are not portrayed as noble acts of sacrifice.

Instead, the demise of the main characters stems from their own flawed morals and lapses in judgements. The space opera sci-fi series' ending almost feels Shakespearean in the sense that it emphasizes how paranoia and unchecked ambition ultimately pave the way for one's own downfall.

Unlike other space Westerns, like Cowboy Bebop, Blake's 7 also cares little about giving audiences a formal resolution towards the end. There are no epic one-liners or iconic speeches from the heroes in its final moments. It is just a cold, depressing ending where even the final credits offer no sense of comfort.

The Upcoming Blake's 7 Reboot Can Reveal What Happened After The Finale

A reboot of Blake's 7 has been in the talks for a very long time. Although none of these reboot plans have materialized so far, it was recently confirmed that the project is still in the works (via Deadline). Considering how divisive the ending of Blake's 7 has always been. A reboot could consider expanding it, revealing what happened in the aftermath of the harrowing character deaths towards the end.

Some might argue that the show's ending serves as a perfect culmination of its themes surrounding cynicism and moral ambiguity. However, a reboot can still make the ending feel a little less abrupt and more climactic. Hopefully, this time around, the planned Blake's 7 reboot will finally materialize.

When it does see the light of day, the reboot of the iconic sci-fi space opera should focus less on changing the original story and more on modernizing its dated visuals. While at it, though, it could also briefly walk through the events after the original show's finale to give viewers some semblance of resolution.

Blake's 7