An intriguing opening with agent Shaun turning up on Steed's doorstep with amnesia, able to remember only that there's a traitor in the organisation. Steed hurries off to introduce us to the new-style organisation headed by 'Mother' (Patrick Newell making his third appearance; as he's going to be a regular, he won't be noted again). I know all this stuff is iconic for the final Avengers era, but I found it a bit tiresome as I have a pathological aversion to running jokes about silly names. I suppose the best I can say is that it's less camp than Major Bee and his floral codename system (what happened to him I wonder?)
Steed also meets a certain Tara King, who slides with suspicious ease into the companion of the week role. Of the week... She's awed by Steed's reputation when she meets him. It's often a bad sign when a new character in a show behaves as if she's a fan.
Meanwhile, back at Steed Towers, Mrs Peel is worsted by the villains so that we can learn that the amnesia is induced by drug-loaded darts. These are annoyingly variable in their effect - although we're carefully shown the 'half strength' or 'full strength' dart being chosen each time, it doesn't seem to make a consistent difference. Mrs Peel gets a half dose and spends most of the rest of the ep trying to remember who she and Shaun are, whereas Steed gets two full doses and has remembered everything after a few hours and some hints from Tara.
Much unjust suspicion later Steed has outed the traitor, which isn't hard as he's the most villainous-looking character in the episode. Bit disappointing that. Shaun gets darted a third time and is rather cruelly made the target of comedy. I thought that was a bit mean, I hope he got better.
The prominence of Tara in this had made even me realise that it must be Mrs Peel's farewell appearance, so I was wondering how they'd get rid of her. I was wondering about a Cathy Gale-style retirement due to trauma, from amnesia rather than being caught in a fire. But they surprise me by having Peter Peel, her husband who she thought dead, return from the Amazonian jungle.
There's an intimate leave-taking between her and Steed, but it's followed by something even better. Rather a spoiler so look away now: watching her from the window as she leaves, Steed is astonished to see her being helped into a car by Mr Peel, who has Steed's sartorial style and much of his manner, except that he's brisk where Steed is suave. This is all in long shot so it's Steed's very amusing reactions that we focus on. Mrs Peel throws Steed a meaningful glance and is driven away. It's a wonderful farewell scene, both funny in its absurdity and touching in the implied compliment to Steed.
After this there's rather a sad moment, with Steed in his flat, unflatteringly lit and with sad music making him seem a bit like a washed-up 60s politician. Luckily Tara arrives (having passed Mrs Peel on the stairs) to make the tea. Cue new closing credits.
Incidentally the cut-and-shut credits (old ones at the start, new ones at the beginning) make it hard to tell which series this ep belongs to. dissolute.com.au says series 5, my boxed set says series 6.
Previously and also seen: Jeremy 'Kal' Young (third appearance). John 'Alydon' Lee who I missed in The Bird Who Knew Too Much.
Also seen: Alan 'Herrick' Lake. Douglas Sheldon (Kirksen from Dalek Master Plan).
Previously seen: Jeremy Burnham (third appearance). Edward Higgins from The Mauritius Penny.
