Episode 106: Emma Peel Era
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Produced: September 1966
UK Premiere (London, Season 5): 27 January 1967
US Premiere (New York, Season 2): 10 February 1967
How are some of the most notorious
evildoers of modern times disappearing without a trace—and without leaving British soil?
Turns out they found an escape route—through time! And the time machine is a highly
profitable contraption created by a stuttering, introverted deviant in order to carry out
some dastardly, extroverted deeds. But once the time-traveler makes his escape, what then?
IMHO |
While there are some fine period sets and costumes in this episode, it generally lacks spark. The convoluted sequences in and around the barber shop are a bit too contrived and cute, and Emma's motorcycle chase is a prolonged and pointless exercise that feels too much like "padding" to me. Four bowlers, though, for Peter Bowles' remarkable multifaceted performance.
Don't worry, the season does improve—eventually.
Trivia |
Production stills and (silent) unused footage of this episode have recently been unearthed by Raiders of the Lost Archive, an initiative of Britain's ITV company. Those interested can contact the collector, who made the materials available, via the Kaleidoscope website: http://www.kaleidoscope.org.uk/
Steed's umbrella contains knock-out gas—a rather "Bondian" touch. And did anyone ever notice that Emma could have easily slipped her feet out of the stocks?
It's a curious irony that
Rocky Taylor played Mitchell, the man doubling for Steed—Rocky was frequently Macnee's stunt double!
Steed's Aunties: Emma is going through some photographs at Steed's flat. He spots one photo and says, "Now, there's a face full of avarice. Reminds me of an auntie of mine."
'M' has provided the following very astute and esoteric observation: an archived article in
The Guardian by Keith Harper dated Monday 24 October 1966 reads in part,
"George Blake, sentenced to 42 years' imprisonment for spying for the Russians, has by now probably made good his
escape. The chances of his being recaptured seemed very remote last night, 24 hours after he had been missed from
Wormwood Scrubs... Blake's escape was almost in the manner of a James Bond. It was learned yesterday that only one
bar covering a second storey window in 'D' block, where he was housed, had been forced, but this would have been
sufficient to allow him to drop the 20 ft. to the ground. Then he would cross the prison road to the outer wall,
which is nearly 20 ft. high. The rope ladder later found hanging inside the prison wall was home-made. Each of its
20 rungs consisted of a knitting needle. The needles were covered with grey plastic, with a number 13 at the top.
They were manufactured in Britain... There were three theories last night as to how Blake managed to escape: 1.
That he got away by himself with the aid of his fellow prisoners. In spite of the home-made rope - ladder, this
seems unlikely since the escape was too well organised. 2. He could have been allowed to escape by the British to
be employed as a double agent against the Russians. 3. His escape was engineered indirectly by the Russians, and
he is now well on the way to, if not yet behind, the Iron Curtain. This is the most likely one... At his trial at
the Old Bailey he admitted to having passed all official documents to which he had access to the Russians over 9
1/2 years." Could this possibly explain the "Where is Blake?" headline that pops up at the newsagent's little
stand? If indeed it is a joke referring to George Blake, it's apt, given the premise of the episode!
On Location |
The turkey farm is actually the old farm on Deeves Hall Lane.
Best Scene |
While Steed and Emma scope out Mackidockie Street, they
frequently wind up locked in an amorous embrace to evade detection.
Best Line |
Examining Emma's homemade giraffe, Steed remarks, "Known
you all this time and never knew that you could sew." Emma: "Well, our
relationship hasn't been exactly domestic, has it?" Hmmm!
We're Needed |
Whilst dressing for a fancy ball, Emma finds the invite bears
the inscription "Mrs. Peel—We're Needed!"
Tag |
Steed has a spot of trouble getting an antique car started.
