Episode 95: Emma Peel Era
Page 95 of 192
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Stats ?
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A.K.A.
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Other Viewpoints
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Petit
gibier pour gros chasseur
Afrikanischer
Sommer
Piccolo
gioco per grandi cacciatori
Un
Juego Simple Para Grandes Cazadores
De slaapziekte
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Produced: ca. 16 September to ca. 1 October 1965
UK Premiere (London, Season 4): 14 January 1966
US Premiere (New York, Season 1): 4 April 1966
Is a voodoo curse
responsible for putting a British farmer in a coma? This puzzle leads Steed to the
headquarters of Colonel Rawlings, an ex-serviceman spending his
waning years in the Kalayan jungle. Unbeknownst to the Colonel, however, the
"jungle" is an artificial habitat located right outside London, and
is being used by a diabolical mastermind to develop a deadly strain of tsetse
fly that will be unleashed on the citizens of Kalaya in response to the eviction of British
rubber plantation owners. Got that?
IMHO |
Would have scored much better if not for a rather incoherent plot, not to mention jungle drums that tend to get on the nerves after a while. And for whatever reason, I simply do not like Liam Redmond (Professor Swain). On the positive side, Bill Fraser delivers a four-bowler performance as the crackpot Colonel, whose situation of believing he is still in the jungles of Kalaya is an enjoyable twist.
Trivia |
Bill McCutcheon notes that when Steed interrupts the tribesman attempting to steal the Rawlings file from the Bentley, one of the folders was marked "PZEV." (Makes a connection with "Two's a Crowd," although the name is actually spelled PSEV.)
It is worth pointing out that this episode is a notable exception to one of the more controversial "rules" of the show regarding race. Two other exceptions are "Honey for the Prince" and "The £50,000 Breakfast," although the blacks in these are simply background characters. In this episode, it is a significant speaking role—Razafi, played by Paul Danquah.
On Location |
Starracres, Radlett, was used for Gibson's house.
Best Scene |
After the tussle over a file folder in his car, ever-cool Steed is relieved to discover the "native" has left his cucumber sandwiches intact.
Best Line |
As all hell breaks loose in the "jungle," Colonel Rawlings muses, "By Jove, the natives are restless tonight." A corny line to be sure, but not when it is delivered by Bill Fraser!
Essential Reading |
- Mrs. Peel... We're Needed by Piers Johnson