Episode 93: Emma Peel Era
Page 93 of 192
 |
|||||
|
|
|||||
|
|
|||||
More Views
|
|||||
Stats (about...)
|
|||||
A.K.A.
|
|||||
DVDs |
|
Produced: ca. 2 August to 20 August 1965
UK Premiere (London, Season 4): 28 October 1965
US Premiere (New York, Season 1): 2 May 1966
"It's all to do with the price
of fish." A spy in scuba gear is found dead... and four inches taller than he was
alive. The clues bring our duo to a classic Scottish castle, the fate of which is being
decided by a pair of feuding cousins. While Emma attempts to turn Castle De'ath into a
tourist attraction, McSteed does research for a book on clan De'ath, and the two uncover
ghosts, torture chambers, and... submarine bays?
IMHO |
This is such a remarkably atmospheric episode that the
muddled plot about an unknown faction attempting to deliberately create a fishing crisis is
easily overlooked. The shadowy visuals and subtle sounds of ghostly bagpipes are so creepy
that it gives you goose bumps... and Emma traipsing about the castle in her nightgown is a
sight not soon forgotten.
Trivia |
Scandalous! Looks like the censors missed Emma's exposed bellybutton (top image), since they were not allowed on U.S. television at the time (and the reason for the jewel glued there in "Honey for the Prince"). Another bit missed by the censors was picked up by Leigh Thomas: when Angus De'ath runs past Emma after killing his cousin, his kilt flips up to expose his unmentionables. Guess that answers the question about what Scots wear under their kilts... And Ken Dickson adds that they happen to be "tightie whities."
Steed explains that he was a Hopscotch champ, whereas he was actually performing the Scottish crossed-sword dance, using a brolly and some sort of stick or cudgel instead of swords. (Thanks to "J" for this one.)
John MacDonald writes: "I've been wondering which clan's tartan was used for Macnee's kilt. I decided to do a little research, knowing from the first that I was handicapped by the fact that the show was broadcast in black and white. Coloring aside, there are enough differences between tartan patterns that I thought a reasonable guess could be made. Nonetheless, according to the Scottish Clan & Family Encyclopedia, the Scottish surname Macnee is associated with the clan Macgregor (or MacGregor). The pattern of the dress tartan of this clan is nearly identical to that worn by Macnee in the filming of the episode. I doubt that this is a coincidence. Granted, the Macgregor dress tartan is dark green against a red background. The red of the tartan would likely have appeared dark when filmed in B&W, darker at least than the appearance of Macnee's kilt. However, most Clans have several tartans (dress, weathered, hunting, antique, etc.) which rely on the same or similar patterns but with lighter colors. My conclusion is that the tartan was chosen specifically to acknowledge Macnee's connection to clan MacGregor."
The iron maiden is a doppelganger! She makes a reappearance in "Murdersville."
Acronym Alert: ABORCASHAATA
is the Advisory Bureau on Refurbishing Castles and Stately Homes as a Tourist Attraction.
On Location |
Allington Castle doubled for Castle De'ath.
Best Scene |
When Steed and Emma retire to her room to discuss the
reason they came to Castle De'Ath, Emma finds a miniature bagpipe, which she plays whilst
Steed practices "hopscotch."
Best Line |
Finding an injured Emma, Ian leaves her in Steed's tender
care. Emma whimpers, and Steed tells her, "Lean on me, Mistress Peel, as much as you
like."
Tag |
Steed and Emma veer off the highway and into the water in an amphibious car.
