Jarriere.So who is this mysterious character? In narrative terms, it's obvious that he's a foil for Servalan; since Travis is on the run and no longer her underling, Servalan needs someone with whom she can discuss her plans and thus make them clear to the viewing audience. The author of the script for "Gambit," Robert Holmes, frequently wrote quirky characters who don't fit into the mainstream of their universe: look at Egrorian and Pinder in "Orbit." Jarriere seems to be another of these. The fun part is trying to fit him seamlessly into the Blake's 7 universe.
In his first scene, Jarriere has apparently been briefed on Servalan's goals. He doesn't offer strategies or opinions. Servalan seems to consider him as a "thinking aid," someone to whom she can voice her ideas. Jarriere is not wearing a Federation uniform in this scene or in any scene in which he appears. Instead, he wears an elaborate black velvet concoction with a high collar. Since Servalan is wearing a very tight red dress rather than her usual white, it's probably safe to assume that both of them are clothed in deference to the Mardi Gras celebration being held in Freedom City. Unfortunately, this means we have no proof that Jarriere is Federation.
What is he doing in Freedom City? We know Servalan brought him, because later he says, "when we came here." But why was he chosen by her? Was he stationed there as an agent or Federation representative at one time? We do not see him interact with Krantor at all, so it's impossible to tell if he had some sort of position in Freedom City apart from Servalan.
JARRIERE: Oh, you don't trust Krantor.
SERVALAN: He is a despicable animal. When the Federation finally cleans out this cesspit, I shall have that vulpine degenerate eviscerated with a small and very blunt knife.
JARRIERE: Um, if the Supreme Commander feels like that about him....
SERVALAN: For the moment we need Krantor.
JARRIERE: Even if he cannot be trusted?
SERVALAN: Oh, he can be trusted to do anything for money. He'll deliver Travis.
JARRIERE: And Docholli?
SERVALAN: I told him Docholli, dead or alive. Already he is wondering why a corpse should be worth so much.
JARRIERE: Then, ma'am, we are likely to get the corpse.
SERVALAN: Yes.
JARRIERE: After Krantor has learned the answer to that question.
SERVALAN: Exactly.
In this scene, Jarriere displays at least rudimentary medical knowledge in estimating Travis' condition. Then he successfully tampers with Travis' artificial arm, which surely requires some skill. Could Jarriere be a cyber-surgeon?
He does not recognize Travis, which argues against his being a Federation officer, after Travis' trial.
[In Servalan's hotel room, Jarriere is inspecting an unconscious Travis.]
JARRIERE: He's had a bad beating, Commander. Concussion, I think.
SERVALAN: He'll soon come round. Travis is very strong. [She goes to inspect Travis.]
JARRIERE: Oh, he once worked for you?
SERVALAN: Yes.
JARRIERE: And now he's an outlaw? Uh, what happened?
SERVALAN: He outlived his value. [She finds a listening device on Travis. She motions to Jarriere, who joins her. She: shows him the "bug" and replaces it in Travis's clothes.] But now he can perform one last service for us.
JARRIERE: In what way, Commander?
SERVALAN: Travis has been here weeks. He will have found out where Docholli is hiding.
JARRIERE: Perhaps not, Commander, if he's no longer interested in the affairs of the Federation.
SERVALAN: I know Travis better than he knows himself. He has one single dominating obsession. And that is to kill Blake.
JARRIERE: The revolutionary?
SERVALAN: The political criminal. And Travis knows that Blake also is hunting Docholli.
JARRIERE: Because he wants the information that only Docholli has?
SERVALAN: Exactly. And that is why Travis is here. Shadowing Docholli, waiting for Blake to arrive.
JARRIERE: If you're right, Commander, when he comes round, we can force him to tell us where to find Docholli.
SERVALAN: That might take too long. Travis has a high pain threshold, and we don't have the proper facilities here. No. I have a better idea. Disconnect that artificial arm.
[Krantor is listening in. We hear Servalan and Jarriere through the "bug."]
JARRIERE (V.O.): What are you going to do?
SERVALAN (V.O.): Turn Travis into a walking bomb. Uncouple those neural relays, Jarriere. [Pause] Good. [Pause] Now pass me a nitro grenade.
JARRIERE (V.O.): You're going to put it in his arm?
SERVALAN (V.O.): Just draw the pin first. [Pause] There. [Pause] Now we put the arm back again. [Pause] Careful.
JARRIERE (V.O.): What about the connections?
SERVALAN (V.O.): Leave them. When Travis finds his gun arm isn't working, the first thing he'll do is go to Docholli to get it fixed.
JARRIERE (V.O.): And as soon as he takes the arm off-- [Makes exploding noise.]
SERVALAN (V.O.): Mm.
JARRIERE (V.O.): They both die. That's brilliant, Commander.
Here, Jarriere serves as "muscle" for Servalan, but it doesn't seem to be his primary function. Travis, who knows his business, is unimpressed.
Again, Jarriere echoes Servalan's ideas. She does not need him to help her plan, but he must serve some purpose.
SERVALAN: You have Docholli staked out. You're waiting for Blake.
TRAVIS: I haven't seen Docholli in two years. [Starts to get up.]
JARRIERE: [Points gun at Travis] Just stay where you are.
TRAVIS: That your new muscle, Servalan? Looks like a powder puff.
SERVALAN: Yes, well, let's forget the pleasantries. Tell me where to find Docholli, I'll let you have Blake.
TRAVIS: You haven't got Blake.
SERVALAN: Travis. We could forget the past. Wipe it out. I'm willing to help you again.
TRAVIS: [Looks at his arm] My arm. What have you done to my arm?
SERVALAN: Why? What's the matter with it?
TRAVIS: Damn you, Servalan!
JARRIERE: It must have been damaged when you were brought here.
TRAVIS: [To Jarriere] Shut up! [To Servalan] So, you're working with Krantor.
In the following scene, Jarriere's last, he seems to have difficulty following the twisted paths of Servalan's plans. Perhaps she had brought him along on a temporary basis, to see if he would make a good aide or substitute for Travis, but then dismissed him after this incident. This could explain why Jarriere echoes Servalan's opinions--he is hoping to get a permanent position with her.
JARRIERE: It's over an hour, Commander. Krantor should have delivered Docholli by now.
SERVALAN: Krantor doesn't have Docholli. He was lying.
JARRIERE: I don't understand.
SERVALAN: Krantor had planted a bug on Travis. He overheard everything that went on in this room.
JARRIERE: Oh, yes, but I--
SERVALAN: [Interrupting] He overheard us planning to use Travis to kill Docholli. That pathetic little ploy was just an: attempt to gain time while his men find Docholli.
JARRIERE: Oh, I see.
SERVALAN: Do you, Jarriere? Do you see at all?
JARRIERE: Umm. Krantor doesn't want Docholli killed until he's learned what secret he carries.
SERVALAN: Exactly.
JARRIERE: It's a risk, Supreme Commander. Suppose Travis doesn't get to Docholli first?
SERVALAN: He probably won't. Krantor will try to kill him.
JARRIERE: But if that's what you expected--
SERVALAN: Not just expect, Jarriere. I want Travis killed. Because that will establish, beyond doubt, Krantor's intentions.
JARRIERE: Ah, you mean...uh...I'm not following.
SERVALAN: Krantor has Travis killed to protect Docholli. Later he will send us Docholli's body. It will be obvious that he has extorted the secret of Star One. Therefore Krantor himself will be placed on the Council's death list. Now do: you see?
JARRIERE: [Shakes his head]
SERVALAN: The secret of Star One's location is of no use to a criminal like Krantor. However, that knowledge can bring: about his death. Not only that. With any luck the Federation will be finally convinced, as I have argued for: years, that we can no longer tolerate this pestilential rathole so close to our own territories. Freedom City will: be finally burnt out.
JARRIERE: And this was all in your mind before we came here, Supreme Commander?
SERVALAN: Eradicating this planet has long been in my mind, Jarriere. Events, and Krantor, have played into my hands.
JARRIERE: Then all that can go wrong, Excellency, is if Travis eludes Krantor's men and reaches Docholli.
SERVALAN: Even then, it won't go wrong. You see, I've allowed for that possiblity, too, Jarriere.
Jarriere was played by Harry Jones.
Jarriere.
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