Episode 90: Emma Peel Era
Page 90 of 192

 

  Tag

Steed and Emma float away in a hot-air balloon.

  Stats ?

  A.K.A.

 Strictly for the Worms

 La poussière qui tue

 Tödlicher Staub

 Morte silenziosa

 Polvo Silencioso

 Dodelijke mest

  Other Viewpoints

• Visitor Reviews
• The Young Avenger

SILENT DUST

Steed Watches Birds
Emma Goes Hunting

Produced: ca. 14 June to 2 July 1965
UK Premiere (London, Season 4): 31 December 1965
US Premiere: Not included in original Season 1 lineup

"Where have all the martlets gone?" This query from a birdwatcher sends our duo searching for a deadly chemical that may have gotten into the wrong hands—specifically those of a "huntin', shootin', fishin', sittin' on every committee" slimeball who has cut a deal with a curious assortment of greedy locals to bring the government to its knees by defoliating the countryside. As Steed tells Emma, "Don't confuse me with the facts."

 IMHO

This outdoorsy outing loses points for unevenness and a tendency to drag, and the villains are not particularly interesting—with the possible exception of Juggins the pig-killer. Plus it features the most unimaginative teaser of the series: little more than stuffed birds (and some fruit bats, according to Tony McKay) being dropped on the ground. Still, there are a number of worthwhile bits: Emma's opinion of Omrod, as expressed to Steed in the pub, is a right giggle and I love how Steed keeps his wine cool. Steed and Dr. Fellows exchange some great lines, and the foxhunting protesters at the end add a cute touch.

As a follow-up note, my opinion of this episode has softened somewhat (hence the added half-bowler) with the release of the A&E videos, as many wonderful little bits were cut from the "uncut" off-air version I had recorded back in the 80s. Sadly, they were not enough to compensate for the episode's shortcomings, but they did make the hour pass more enjoyably.

 Trivia

Exclusive: Writer Roger Marshall has penned an essay about his tenure on The Avengers.

Steed's Aunties: Miss Snow says she can't keep her horse away from the trough. "Just seems to want to keep on drinking all the time." Steed: "Oh, dear! I once had an auntie like that." (Could be Sybil Peabody from "A Sense of History." Also may have a mention in "The £50,000 Breakfast.")

MORE TRIVIA

 On Location

The Stirrup Cup Inn was actually Well End Lodge, Well End. Deeves Hall Lane makes another appearance. And Tyke's Water Lake, Elstree, was used yet again—On Location provides a present-day view.

 Best Scene

Steed has a bizarre delusion of Emma being an old-west doc as she removes a bullet (see the first grab).

 Best Line

Steed spots Miss Snow entering the pub and tells Emma, "I'll see what I can pick up here." And Emma quips, "I'm sure you will... pick up something."

 Essential Reading

SILENT DUST

Teleplay by
Directed by

Roger Marshall
Roy Baker

Full production credits

CAST

John Steed
Emma Peel
Omrod
Juggins
Mellors
Croft
Minister
Miss Snow
Clare Prendergast
Sir Manfred Fellows
Quince
Howard

Patrick Macnee 007
Diana Rigg 007
William Franklyn #
Jack Watson #
Conrad Phillips
Normon Bird
Hilary Wontner #
Joanne Wake
Isabel Black
Charles Lloyd Pack #
Aubrey Morris
Robert Dorning

# DOPPELGANGERS

William Franklyn

Killer
Hostage

Charles Lloyd Pack

You'll Catch Your Death

Jack Watson

The Living Dead

Hilary Wontner

The Winged Avenger
 

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Page last modified: 5 May 2017.

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