The Avengers International Fan Forum

darren · Posted: Thu Sep 12, 2013 12:01 pm Post subject: 3.04 - The Golden Fleece

Written by Roger Marshall & Phyllis Norman

Directed by Peter Hammond

Production completed: 24 May 1963

Lhbizness · Guest

I have a lot of affection for this episode. It's one of those that actually makes us sympathetic for the "villains," and draws into question the differences between the law and justice. There's a bit of a missed opportunity for some interesting debate, given Steed's military background.

But really the best thing about the episode is the interaction between Steed and Cathy. They're at their most relaxed here, even if Steed still feels he has to manipulate her into helping him. I enjoy the earlier scenes where they're dining and drinking together - one almost has the impression that they're dating, or close to it. Cathy's anger at him seems less about being dragged into a new case than the way he goes about it.

Rhonda · Posted: Sun Dec 02, 2018 2:09 am Post subject:

7 from me. A good story co-written by Roger Marshall who often thought up original contexts for cases to be solved. In this case a very believable one of the misuse of diplomatic or at least military immunity (if I believe that the price of gold could, in those days, not always be known by everybody globally as it is today)
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Ron
Last Watched : Stop Me If You've Heard This One, But There Were These Two Fellers...

Lee · Posted: Sat Jun 26, 2021 12:23 pm Post subject:

I decided to watch this one this evening because I had absolutely no memory of it at all from its title.
However, once I saw the opening and the first few scenes aspects did come back, but I couldn't remember the plot - and I think the reason for that is I'm not sure about it even now.

The Good -

The opening with Steed and Mrs Gale in the restaurant was well set. There was an air of relaxation, and the thought for a little while that perhaps they were off duty. However, as Cathy was to find out, Steed is never off duty. It's almost as if Steed is at his most manipulative here, like playing a game of chess and Mrs Gale is his queen who he manoovers into the best positions possible. Honor Blackman's reactions are lovely and natural - she realises with Steed as she has always known really, that there is no such thing as a free lunch. You can't help wondering if it was experiences like these and Cathy's reactions which helped to produce a slightly mellowed Steed, less cloak and dagger with his closest allies, in the latter filed years and enabled there to be a more open relationship with Mrs Peel.

Point for question: Did Steed know Emma Peel at this time? Was he still working with Dr Keel? I believe Steed knew Mrs Gale while his adventures with Dr King were taking place due to the events in Don't Look Behind You, but it would be intersting to know where all the crossovers took place. The only thing we know for sure is when Emma and Tara crossed over, and when Cathy walked out on her adventures with Steed.

Pat and Honor are obviously working well together, and I'm pleased Cathy wasn't toned down when she became the main stay of the third year.

Interesting to have Warren Mitchell in this one before his future returns as a Russian agent in The Chamers and then Brodney in The filmed years.

Not quite so good:

I must confess to being a little lost in some of the plot. Were the three soldiers taking gold from the man in Hong Kong to pay off their colleagues, or was it there cut they were using? Was their sole purpose to be involved in gold smuggling for that cause? Why was the guy in Hong Kong smuggling gold? Where did it come from? What was the purpose? Perhaps I missed some of this exposition as I didn't the sound on this episode was as clear at times.

A hard one to score. I think based on what I have given to others, I'll need to give this a 6.

Pity - anything with Roger Marshall On the writing credit is usually - ahem - gold.

EDITED TO ADD:

When earlier I said Dr King, I meant Dr Keel.
It would also be safe to assume that Steed was working with Mrs Gale / Dr King / Venus Smith at the same time so he would have known them, but is he still allied with Keel now, and we are just seeing a different side to his adventures, particularly as Keel wasn't given an exit, I don't think....
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Frankymole · Posted: Sat Jun 26, 2021 2:39 pm Post subject:

It's a while since I saw it but I do think the servicemen were using their cut to help their needy ex-colleagues (and the latter's families). It seemed to be the sole reason for their involvement, which altruism made it a bit of a moral dilemma for Steed.

I also think Cathy eventually got fed up of Steed' manipulations, and her abrupt decision to opt out meant he was a bit more careful with Mrs Peel. After Emma effectively broke his heart, of course, he only worked with fellow agents and no gifted amateurs - Tara, Purdey, Gambit.
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Last watched: "The Gilded Cage"