Episode 84: Emma Peel Era
Page 84 of 192
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Stats ?
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A.K.A.
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On the Radio |
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Other Viewpoints
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On the Radio |
Les Cybernautes
Die Roboter
I cibernauti
Los Cybernautas
De
robot
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Produced: 2 March to mid-March 1965
UK Premiere (London, Season 4): 14 October 1965
US Premiere (New York, Season 1): 28 March 1966
Industrial
bigwigs invited to bid on a "new circuit element" are being murdered by what appears to be a karate
expert. Steed and Emma eventually discover, however, that the killer is not flesh and
blood, but a deadly robot built by a brilliant inventor for the purpose of obtaining
exclusive rights to the new electronic product—a product that would allow him to create
machines capable of replacing humans.
IMHO |
The fourth Steed/Peel episode produced was the first to air in the United States, receiving mixed reviews (what do critics know?). Although the premise is certainly hackneyed (mad scientist builds army of robots to take over country), it is stylishly produced, propelled by clever dialog and, in the end, a single finger. The robot versus robot sequence is a nice change of pace from the usual fight scene. And some of the delightful—and supremely subtle—little touches that make The Avengers such an endearing program pop up here and there. For instance, did you catch Emma giving Steed a brief dusting (above left)? Highly recommended.
Trivia |
This is the original that begat two sequels: "Return of the Cybernauts" and "The Last of the Cybernauts...??" This is still by far the best in most books.
Tusamo speaks prophetically when he remarks, "This heralds a new age. Computers no bigger than a cigarette box. Pocket television. And radios smaller than a wristwatch." Science fiction back then. All quite real today. I wonder if Philip Levene ever imagined that his "new circuit element to replace the transistor" would one day become a reality as the ubiquitous integrated circuit? (Never mind that robots such as Roger are centuries away.)
Did you catch who Emma is representing when she visits Jephcott? Winnel and Fentle's chain stores. Cute little play on Wintle and Fennell, series producers.
Mark H. Stevens comments that the Star Trek novel Assignment Eternity, a sequel to the episode "Assignment: Earth" with Robert Lansing and Teri Garr, has a reference to The Avengers. At one point Spock describes Lansing and Garr's characters as having aided a pair of British operatives in dealing with robot killers known as Cybernauts!
At one point, a profusely sweating Benson remarks to Dr. Armstrong (who has a blanket on his lap) that "it's over seventy!" Would anyone ordinarily find that temperature uncomfortable? Even our cool-headed Steed was wiping his brow. And it certainly couldn't have been 70 degrees Celsius, because that's nearly 160 degrees Fahrenheit—everyone would have passed out long ago!
On Location |
Dr. Armstrong's factory is actually the maintenance building at the ABC studios.
Best Scene |
Steed is a brat in Armstrong's elevator, running his 'brolly 'round the bumpy wall (see the screen grab). What a Puckish grin!
Best Line |
As Steed is leaving for Armstrong's plant, he tells Emma, "If I'm not back by eleven-thirty, I'll stay for breakfast." Emma: "You don't eat breakfast."
Essential Reading |
- Mrs. Peel... We're Needed by Piers Johnson