Episode 23: The New Avengers
Page 189 of 192

 

  A.K.A.

 Complexe X41

 Der Meisterspion

 La spia

 Het Complex

  Other Viewpoints

• Visitor Reviews
• The Young Avenger

COMPLEX

Produced in Canada: July 1977
UK Premiere: 10 November 1977
US Premiere: 5 January 1979

Another expert Killer is on the loose. This one is named Scapina: Special Computerised Automated Project In North America, a.k.a. Plan X-41. In an attempt to corner the faceless agent, the Avengers arrive in Toronto to meet a man who will identify him for a cool million. The deal is scrubbed, however, when the contact is attacked and later dies in an escape attempt. Whilst investigating files at security HQ, Purdey discovers that time flies whether you're having fun or not—and finds herself trapped inside a murderous building after hours!

 IMHO

Fond memories from nearly twenty years ago quickly evaporated upon seeing this one again. Methinks that, for whatever reason, my recollections centered on one silly line by Purdey: "Trams, cars, and Pickin' Chicken Barbecues." (I guess you had to be there.) Sadly, this "been there, done that" installment is so full of holes that Swiss cheese looks positively solid by comparison. To enhance the holes are lame car chases, lame guest performances, lame humor (capped by Scapina spelling out "Help!" while he drowns), and a highly annoying overuse of zoom lenses. Purdey makes it somewhat worthwhile—she's the only one with a sense of humor—but it's not enough to raise this one from the dustbin.

 Trivia

Acronym Alert: SCAPINA is the Special Computerised Automatic Project In North America.

 Essential Reading

COMPLEX - PRODUCED IN CANADA

Written by
Directed by

Dennis Spooner
Richard Gilbert

Full production credits

CAST

John Steed
Mike Gambit
Purdey
Baker
Talbot
Karavitch
Koschev
Patlenko
Cope
Greenwood
Miss Cummings
Berisford Holt

Patrick Macnee 007
Gareth Hunt
Joanna Lumley 007
Cec Linder 007
Harvey Atkin
Vlasta Vrana
Rudy Lipp
Jan Rubes
Michael Ball
David Nichols
Suzette Couture
Gerald Crack
 

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Page last modified: 5 May 2017.

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