Episode 101: Emma Peel Era
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Produced: mid-January 1966
UK Premiere (London, Season 4): 4 March 1966
US Premiere (New York, Season 1): 16 May 1966
Emma is lured to an
empty house that was willed to her by an uncle she never knew she had. The uncle turns out
to be a deranged technology businessman with too much spare time, too much money, and a
colossal grudge against Emma, who had sacked him back when she was Emma Knight of Knight
Industries. Fittingly, the house she inherits is a giant computerized mousetrap designed to drive her
insane.
IMHO |
While this is an interesting, curious,
atmospheric episode, with much to recommend it—particularly a touching
Steed/Emma scene—it would have scored better by me were it
not for Emma's repetitious forays through the house's psychedelic maze,
which are nearly as tedious for me as they certainly must be for her.
Trivia |
Here is a corrected image of the newspaper clipping about Emma Knight, with the first three paragraphs of the article:
EMMA KNIGHT, 21-year-old daughter of Sir John Knight who died tragically last month, is to take his place on the Board of the Company.
It was announced to-day that from next month she will take control as Chairman and Managing Director.
Miss Knight said to-day at a press conference held at "Knight House" that she would carry through the policy of her father, who in the last 10 years had built his empire up into one of the largest industries in the country.
More images from this scene can be found in the Emma Peel bio.
Margaret Warren (ex-Navy) notes that the name Pongo is a Naval nickname dating from the time when the Navy and Army joined forces in annual manoeuvres before the First World War. The forage cap worn by soldiers resembled that worn by the pet dog Pongo which appeared in a Punch and Judy show. This was probably influenced by another meaning for the word pongo, to wit, "monkey," and also "pong," "to stink." By WW2, the RAF was also using the term pongo for a soldier, esp. for an army officer, and it was derogatory. In the Royal Navy, pongo was a nickname for a Marine.
Also courtesy of M: There's a precedent for the Diabolical Mastermind sitting mummified in a glass box. Take a look at good old Jeremy Bentham, the 18th-early 19th C. philosopher, and his remains—he, too, sits stuffed in a box! One wonders if this perhaps inspired Brian Clemens...
Recognize the "suicide box"? It was the elevator at Armstrong's factory in "The Cybernauts." And how about the stone lions in front of the house? They show up again in "Death's Door." Plus, the iron spiral staircase she descends reappeared in other episodes, such as "A Touch of Brimstone." And finally, the footage of the lion leaping looks as though it was also used in "The Hidden Tiger." (Thanks to Caroline, location and prop expert.)
By the way, for the key to do what it did to Steed's photographic prints, it would have to be radioactive (but don't tell anyone).
Apparently bootleg copies of this episode have been sold by S&M dealers for many years. (And not "A Touch of Brimstone"? Go figure...)
And for the ultimate bit of trivia, here is the
original nursery rhyme (with thanks to Caroline).
On Location |
The house that Jack built (the exterior, that is) is actually
Shenley Lodge, Shenley—oddly appropriate, as it is a lunatic asylum!
Best Scene |
After Emma asks Steed about the shining armor, they exchange a remarkable look, laden with
unspoken relief, that makes their affection for one another quite palpable.
Best Line |
Emma: "What happened to the shining armor?" Steed: "It's still at the
laundry."
Tag |
Steed and Emma pedal away on a tandem bicycle.
