Steed picks the most interesting partners
I just found a handful of old clippings of pictures from THE AVENGERS and it's always a good time to think back about that show. Six episodes are discussed over at DR HERMES REVIEWS. You never know when I'll get the craving to watch an episode while taking mental notes and watching for just the right moment to take a screen capture, and then the reviews will start up again. But for the moment, here are a few thoughts.
It's worth bearing in mind that, despite his charm and gracious manners, John Steed is not a nice guy. He's not a TAME lion, as they say of Aslan. It peeks out every now and then that Steed is ruthless and determined under the posh cloth and accent. He is after all a top secret agent, capable of committing all sorts of dirty and despicable deeds for Queen and Country. And despite the undertones of romance, his three female partners are aware of this when dealing with him.
Isn't that a lovely shot of Honor Blackman? I've only seen maybe four or five of the Cathy Gale episodes, but my impression is that she's a rather prim and uptight woman (the leather suits don't reveal any kinky side, they're merely practical.) as I recall, she was an anthropologist who did charity work in Africa, where her husband was killed. Cathy works with Steed because she's convinced her participation can do some good, but she doesn't approve of him at all. He's like a shady in-law you have to put up with on holiday get-togethers.
And come to think of it, Linda Thorson doesn't exactly make your eyes hurt, either. She faced the unhappy assignment of following the very popular Diana rigg as Steed's new partner. I thought the series took a dive off the roof at this time, to be honest. The balance between suspense and silliness tipped over too far, the writing and the direction fizzled. Patrick Macnee seemed to lose his sure-foot way too. He put on weight, grew unsightly sideburns and started dressing just over the border of taste. Tara King was young and single (making her seem less respectable somehow) and she was too obviously smitten with Steed. The wary banter we saw from Cathy Gale and Emma Peel wasn't there with Tara. The magic was gone, and although someday I'll likely watch those episodes out of curiosity, I'm not eager to go get them.
I know, maybe it's boring and predictable to prefer the two seasons with Diana Rigg but there it is. The two actors struck just the right playful balance between affection and wariness. They had marvelous chemistry, like something out of 1930s Hollywood. The story goes that they decided Steed and Emma had once had an affair that didn't work out and agreed not to mention it or repeat it, but its memory tints all their interactions. I like that theory, it adds a bit to watching an already fine show.