Episode 33: Cathy Gale Era
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A.K.A.
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Other Viewpoints |
Le décapode
El Decápodo
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Production completed: 12 August 1962
UK Premiere (London, Season 2): 13 October 1962
US Premiere (A&E cable): ca. 29 January 1991
The death of a young woman at the
Balkan Embassy brings Steed to see the visiting President, who is negotiating a contract
for aid with the British government. Steed talks Venus Smith into seeing the notorious
playboy about a singing engagement—at least that's the claim. But soon
Venus witnesses the body count rise as, one by one,
President Borb's bodyguards are murdered, apparently by a wrestling champion called The
Decapod.
IMHO |
This frightfully uneven episode, which marks Venus Smith's debut, varies from dreadful, such as the opening scene in which the President's secretary is murdered, to delightful—the writing is top-drawer, and Paul Stassino turns in a four-bowler performance as Yakob Borb.
But it's still not quite like watching The Avengers we know and love on the Colonial side of the pond, as Steed is such a crass chauvinist pig, stuffing his business card down Venus' chest and patting the waitress on the behind. And it's very unsettling how he manipulates the innocent Venus, who is so gullible as to strain one's patience. Not to mention that she is such a strange character—acts like she's 12, sings like she's 40, and dresses like she's anywhere in between.
It's also interesting to see how the limitations of the production style—all videotaped "as live" on studio sets—lead to the occasional goof. In this instance, the director cut to a shot of Steed before the cameraman had finished changing lenses—and we're treated to a few seconds of various versions of Steed's face rotating in and out of focus.
However, to the producers' credit, the programs are technically impressive when one considers the demands of shooting an episode as if it was going out live: large, labyrinthine sets; long, unbroken sequences shot using multiple cameras; and considerable numbers of extras to coordinate.
Trivia |
Stuntman/extra Valentino Musetti is listed in the closing credits as Valentine.
*This unofficial subtitle is by Yours Truly.
Essential Reading |
- The Avengers Declassified by Alan Hayes
- Mrs. Peel... We're Needed by Piers Johnson