The Avengers “Castle De’ath” #4.5 (1966) (TV)

“Lean on me, Mistress Peel, as much as you like”, 20 December 2020

Steed and Mrs Peel go undercover to investigate some unusual goings on in a Scottish castle.  It seems a colleague was found dead nearby, but the dead body was taller than when the man was alive. 

It’s not that Castle De’ath is a bad episode or anything (I don't remember any truly bad Mrs Peel episodes - we shall see), but it is definitely one of the weaker.  The problem is that it’s just not very interesting.  Steed and Mrs Peel spend too much time apart so there’s no time for their usual witty banter.  The case’s solution is fairly obvious, down to the reason for the mysterious nightly bagpipes.  And I thought spotting the chief baddie was way too easy.  Overall, Castle De’ath is an average 5/10 episode at best.

A few other notes before I finish this:

1. My favorite bit had to be when Steed went “fishing”.  It was classic Steed.

2. I always enjoy seeing Gordon Jackson.  I probably know him best from Upstairs Downstairs.  

3. The doubles used for Mrs Peel were absolutely lousy.  Are they always this bad?  I haven’t noticed.  There’s one scene where Mrs Peel is running in the dark.  Not only does the double have the wrong hair length, it’s the wrong color.  Too funny.

 

5/10