Kommissar (Blake's 7)

The Kommisar is the main antagonist in the Blake's 7 episode "Horizon".

He was portrayed by the late William Squire, who also portrayed Lee Thomas in When Eagles Dare and voiced a Subhuman in Fire and Ice.

Biography
The Kommissar was an official in the Terran Federation colonial service, whose responsibilities included oversight of the planet Horizon. The planet had been annexed by the Federation, who named it Horizon instead of using the native name Silmareno, in order to mine its monopasium-239. An attempt was made to "educate" the planet's rulers in order to turn them into Federation puppets. The Kommissar attempted this with the planet's original ruler, Movo, but personally killed him when he proved more independent. He had more success with Movo's son Ro. Others proved less willing to co-operate: Ro's friend Porah was sentenced to imprisonment on Cygnus Alpha but executed en route, while his fiancé Selma was sent to work in the mines.

The Kommissar travelled to Horizon on his annual visit, being met by his deputy, the Assistant Kommissar, and Ro. He was initially unaware that the Liberator had followed him to the planet. When Blake and Jenna were captured by Federation troopers, the Kommissar took personal charge of interrogating them, noting he had never met someone who resisted the Federation before. He sentenced them to work in the mines and gave the same fate to Vila and Cally when they were also captured, while Gan, who had taken several tranquiliser darts to subdue, was strung up as a warning. The Kommissar quickly deduced Blake's identity and that the Liberator must be nearby, but initially kept it from the rest of the Federation personnel on the planet, eager for the reward if he could capture it himself. To this end, the Kommissar summoned the nearest Federation patrol to assist.

As Avon freed the rest of the crew, the Kommissar began to lose control over Ro, who had been affected by Blake's words and learning the truth about the death of his father. The Kommissar forced Ro to order Selma tortured, before revealing he would have killed him if he'd refused. To his shock, Ro appeared dressed in his people's native costume. Blake also arrived and killed the Assistant Kommissar, allowing Ro to kill the Kommissar with a poison dart from a blowpipe.