Saturday, May 12, 2012

Naive Avengersthon - 78. The House That Jack Built

As I was told when this 'thon reached Don't Look Behind You, this ep is basically a remix of a previous concept - the 'companion' being invited to a big house under false pretences, subjected to psychological torture and then escaping just as Steed arrives to rescue them.

I enjoyed spotting the different conceits from the original - like the photograph motif - and how they were differently employed in the remake. This version benefits greatly from only having one annoying grotesque as a red herring, and his humourless mien is much more effective at conveying a misdirecting sense of menace than the shouty eccentricity of the original ones.

I was also impressed that they came up with a different, but equally scary, motivation and method for the torture. This time the companion is to be trapped and cared for until she tops herself, which is just as unpleasant a fate as whatever Phineas Clanton ultimately intended to do to Cathy.

I wasn't expecting to like this episode so it deserves extra credit for holding my attention. My only real problem with it was that when we start hearing Mrs Peel's thoughts, it seems like the words are actually part of the diegesis, being played to her through speakers or something. A bit of echo wouldn't've hurt.

A couple of DW aspects: the villain is one Professor Keller, and the scene where Mrs Peel reaches the centre of the house and finds him is rather reminiscent of the scenes in the control room of the City in Death to the Daleks.

There is no real B31 or any other B road with a number lower than 100. Although a number starting with 3 would be appropriate for a road in Hampshire.

Also seen: Griffith 'Kennedy' Davies as the escaped prisoner, Alan 'Herrick' Lake as the prison officer (he's not in the credits, I cheated and looked that up on imdb). Michael Wynne, who was the landlord in the Granada Shoscombe Old Place.