I loved the stylish espionage series, The Avengers, in all its incarnations, including the seasons with Honor Blackman, Linda Thorson, and even the New Avengers with Joanna Lumley. The show was a thrill to watch – in large part due to Patrick Macnee as the dapper, unflappable John Steed. Sadly, he passed away yesterday, June 25, 2015 at age 93. What a great legacy though. There’ll never be another John Steed. My very favorite Avengers’ era is the mid to late 1960s version with kickass Diana Rigg as Mrs. Peel.
Here are 7 episodes that stick in my mind.
Season 4 Episode 4: Death at Bargain Prices – An early version of the Emma Peel signature catsuit is born during an undercover stint at a department store.
Season 4 Episode 17: The Girl from Auntie – Mrs. Peel disappears and is replaced by a ditz named Georgie Price-Jones. Steed discovers that Mrs. Peel is now Lot 17 in a scheme where rich people with no scruples can buy any object for the right price—even a human to display.
Season 4 Episode 19: Quick Quick Slow Death – Steed and Emma infiltrate a dancing school that serves as a cover to transport enemy spies in and out of the country.
Season 4 Episode 21: A Touch of Brimstone – To catch the killers, Mrs. Peel portrays the Queen of Sin and sports a dominatrix outfit with corset, boots, and spiked collar. There is a priceless moment when Steed removes a pea before an ax descends.
Season 4 Episode 23: The House that Jack Built – In this one we learn that Mrs. Peel’s maiden name is Knight. She is trapped in a mansion secretly inhabited by a former employee of Knight Industries, a technological wizard who has designed the house to drive her insane. Rooms that go nowhere and mirrors creating contorted shapes reflect the warped mind of her captor.
Season 5 Episode 15: The Joker – This is one of my very favorites. The tone is more dire than usual, as Mrs. Peel is lured to a house by a diabolical former lover / enemy agent whom she had imprisoned. The smoky German song Mein Liebling plays over and over to trigger her memory. John Steed arrives just in time to find a distraught Emma.
Season 5 Episode 16: Who’s Who – A mad scientist creates a machine that allows people to swap minds. Russian spies Basil and Lola intend to swap with Steel and Mrs. Peel. The Basil / Steed exchange occurs, and Mrs. Peel becomes suspicious enough to investigate before her swap. Patrick Macnee playing Basil is a delight. The greatest thrill, though, is seeing the faux Steed and Emma kiss.
In case you weren’t aware, Diana Rigg now appears on The Game of Thrones.
Cheers & Happy Reading!
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Oh, what memories! The Avengers was one of the few “capitalist” shows we were shown on TV. (For a while, together with Dallas and The Saint. Later not even those.)
We enjoyed it so much. All three in fact. I don’t recall having seen all episodes but we always waited anxiously for Saturday evenings to watch one. I had no idea she plays in Game of Thrones. I am not watching it. Thank you for reminding me of a classy show, less gory and violent than those we are offered nowadays!
Carmen, it gives me the chills to think of you and your fellows penned in without much access to the world back then. I’m glad there was a little relief in the form of Saturday entertainment and glad The Avengers was a touchstone for you. I agree, what a classy show. Thank you for stopping by and sharing those thoughts.
I used to watch with mom it was a good show. Great post
Good memories– you and your mom watching The Avengers. It makes me smile. Thanks, Cathy.
I only vaguely remember The Avengers, and for some reason, what stands out most for me was Diana Rigg as Mrs. Peel. I am so sorry to hear Patrick Macnee passed away. Yet another icon gone.
Mrs. Peel was a role model for girls of the time for sure. Thanks, Mae.