Rodney's Reviews
Page 19 of 42

The Danger Makers
By Rodney Marshall

While lacking the polished style of "The Hour That Never Was" and "Dial a Deadly Number," this is the best of the rest as far as my father’s monochrome Rigg episodes are concerned. "The Girl from Auntie" was tweaked by Clemens too much to count as pure Marshall and both "Silent Dust" and "Room Without a View" are rather dull. What "The Danger Makers" lacks in eccentricity—although Colonel Adams adds something special in this category—it makes up for with a strong storyline, sparkling dialogue and an excellent basic plot. I love the idea that a war psychologist is harnessing an addiction to danger in key military officers who have become bored by the Cold War stalemate.

The deadly mastermind is less than memorable, although at least his identity remains a secret until near the end. Instead, it is Nigel Davenport who steals the show and his verbal exchange with Mrs. Peel where they talk about danger is one of the best pieces of writing in the entire series. "Always driving in second gear" is how Emma describes the ennui of modern life. "Life is for living!"

Mrs. Peel has some great lines in this episode and her verbal jousting is matched by the dramatic initiation test she is forced to undergo, Steed's worried expression as he looks on helplessly adding extra spice to the drama.

The closing scene is also an excellent one. The Avengers Dossier describes it as an "odd ending... Emma quickly running through the plot again." For a start it is Steed, and his convoluted summary of the plot is a typical piece of Avengers self-parody. Almost a four bowler, IMHO.

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