Episode 89: Emma Peel Era
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Stats ?
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A.K.A.
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Other Viewpoints
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Man Eater of Ferry Green
La mangeuse d'hommes du Surrey
Mörderischer Löwenzahn
El Canibal De Surrey Green
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Produced: ca. 31 May to ca. 11 June 1965
UK Premiere (London, Season 4): 10 December 1965
US Premiere (New York, Season 1): 25 August 1966
A telepathic man-eating plant from
outer space has kidnapped England's top horticulturalists in a plan to germinate
and (wait for it...) conquer the world. As if that isn't enough, according to Emma it may have come from
the moon. "Recent photos show whole areas of vegetation." Indeed!
IMHO |
This one goes way, way over the top—and who cares? While it (understandably) plays like a B-grade sci-fi film, it's a lot of fun! The final battle with the plant is surprisingly effective, owing mostly to an intriguing set populated by nude mannequins. Athene Seyler as Dr. Sheldon is a hoot! And check out Steed riding on the trunk of Emma's Lotus.
Trivia |
You may encounter some TV show trivia that claims the only woman to die in the series was Dr. Keel's fiancée in "Hot Snow," the very first episode. Nope! Laura Berford was a member of Sir Lyle Peterson's team, and when Steed and Emma arrive, Sir Lyle explains that he is the only survivor—hence, Laura Berford must have been eaten by the plant.
About ten years after this was made, Robert Banks Stewart (who penned
"The Master Minds" and
"Quick-Quick Slow Death") wrote a story for Doctor Who called "The Seeds of Doom" which involved
a plant from outer space arriving on Earth. Much of the dialogue between the Doctor and
his companion at the time, Sarah Jane, is on par with that of Steed and Emma. Plus, the
story featured a couple of Avengers-style eccentrics including the main villain,
a millionaire named Harrison Chase who thought plants were better than man, and thought he
was a plant! Also, a woman who painted flowers for a living was played by Sylvia Coleridge
("The Girl from Auntie"). Stewart may have simply used his old
ideas to help out the producer of Doctor Who at the time (Barry Letts was gone by then),
as this story was a last-minute replacement for one that failed at the script stage.
(Contributed by Mark H. Stevens)
On Location |
Peterson's house is actually the BR Centre, The Grove, Watford. Surrey Green is actually Letchmore Heath. On Location features the pub.
Best Scene |
This is a strange one, and I'm not sure if it was planned or if it was a quasi-outtake left in for fun. While Emma waits in Steed's flat for his return, the camera does a toe-to-head pan of her (shown at left), and then she suddenly breaks out in a yawn. Don Bell suggests: "I believe this is meant as a tease. We've seen people suddenly thrown into trances in earlier scenes. Cut to Emma, looking as if she's also succumbed. The suspense builds—she yawns!"
Best Line |
After Steed kills the plant, he informs Emma, "I'm a herbicidal maniac, didn't you know?"
Essential Reading |
- Mrs. Peel... We're Needed by Piers Johnson