Now this one must be the remake of The Charmers which I was warned about. It was actually a lot better than I expected - for example Michael 'Toymaker' Gough (returning from The Cybernauts) is a lot better as the Russian spymaster than the character's name, 'Nutski', suggests. And Philip Madoc (making his fourth appearance) can raise the tone of any episode, though he's wasted in this.
Anna Quayle, who I find was the awful wacky Mrs Monroe in the later Grange Hill era, is also pretty good as Steed's Rrrussian partner, an appealing blend of ugly and sexy. I was disappointed though by the way her initial scene showed her as capable of kicking serious arse, thus setting us up with the expectation that she'll use these skills again in the denouement, but she doesn't.
Peter 'Leader Clent' Barkworth from The Medicine Men, and Graham Armitage (Barney in The Macra Terror, returning from Quick, Quick Slow Death) are great as the two principal killer city gents. Their immaculate suits, bowlers and brollies give them an extraordinarily sinister air, and their Thompson Twins impression in the teaser only heightens the effect. (To be precise I refer to the Tintin duo, not the 80s pop trio, though that would have been funny).
I enjoyed this a lot more than The Charmers. The style of series 5 is a lot better suited to this kind of story.
Also and previously seen: Terence 'Lord Ravensworth' Alexander, rather ironically returning from The Town of No Return.
Also seen: not Colin Jeavons but Timothy Bateson as the chiropodist - I think he was the original Grange Hill caretaker.
