Episode 135: Tara King Era
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Production completed: 29 February 1968
UK Premiere (London, Season 7): 11 December 1968
US Premiere (New York, Season 3): 8 May 1968
The directors of Project Cupid (a
program to create an emergency underground facility for the British government in case of
war) are being popped off one by one by a bunch of clowns bent on stopping
the project before it levels some old vaudeville theaters.
IMHO |
This is perhaps one of the most polarizing of all Avengers episodes—one tends to either really love it or really hate it! For me, this one was doomed from the start owing to one of my personal peculiarities—I hate clowns. But even if there were no clowns, I just can't warm up to it. The Avengers, at least the form of personal preference, is a study in subtlety, not slapstick; eccentrics, not lunatics. But that's just me. Also winner of the "Longest and Most Ridiculous Episode Title" award.
After having compiled three months of visitor voting, "beancounter" Mark Hale has some thoughts on how this
wound up as the sole Tara King episode to place in the poll (#21): Look - (stop me, but is this really a top 25 Avengers episode?)
Trivia |
Of note to Monty Python fans is the appearance of John Cleese as Marcus Pugman, the "egg man," making three links between the respective series—the other two being Carol Cleveland ("A Touch of Brimstone") and producer Ian McNaughton ("The Master Minds").
No credit is given for who was actually operating Mr. Punch, but it is very likely a professional Punch and Judy Man called John Styles, who listed The Avengers in his CV. He also worked on the Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased) episode "That's How Murder Snowballs" at around the same time. (Thanks to Pete Stampede)
By the way, the concept of an underground emergency facility for the government had already been conceived—and built—in the truly outstanding Cathy Gale second season episode, "The Nutshell."
Apparently, they really do paint clown faces on eggs.
Acronym Alert: Project CUPID is Cabinet Underground Premises In Depth.
*This unofficial subtitle is by Yours Truly.
Best Scene |
Steed must endure Bradley Marler, the gag writer (played by
Bernard Cribbins, the British counterpart to Orson Bean). Marler rattles off a continuous
stream of old jokes in an attempt to get Steed to laugh, but the best of the lot evokes
only a faint grin...
Best Line |
Marler: "You like that one!" Steed: "It has a
certain humorous shape."
Tag |
Tara arrives at Steed's for a date at the opera, but Steed hasn't dressed yet. Not to worry—he's mastered the art of quick-change.
