Steed Boosts His I.Q. - Emma Boosts State Secrets
"Castle De'ath" is an unusual Avengers entry, in that Steed and Emma are both undercover at the same place at the same time, from the very start of the episode. The cinematography is curiously rather bleached, for what probably should have been a starker melodrama - but it works splendidly, anyway. This one consists mostly of skulking and good fights, Emma's skulking done in a fetching peignoir by moonlight. The flirtation between Emma and Steed is especially light and playful. The plot, about a secret submarine base and its connection to the disruption of the local economy, is clever and credibly handled.

"The Master Minds" is one of my personal favorites, about a MENSA-esque high-I.Q. club called RANSACK, which utilizes the best minds in Britain - without their knowledge - to infiltrate and sabotage military bases, and steal state secrets for sale to the highest bidder. It's quite similar to Ian Fleming's contemporaneous James Bond novel, "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" - which, amusingly enough, starred Diana Rigg in the film version. Like "Castle De'ath," Steed and Emma work undercover at the same location, but with a far different result: Emma becomes brainwashed into RANSACK's nocturnal espionage society, and Steed has to snap her out of it - before she kills him. The concluding fight is terrific, Emma's final punch-line one of the more humorous in the series by means of its unique delivery.

A very good pair of early Avengers episodes.

Experience the deadly delights of Castle De Ath
James Hill's moody, dark direction enhances the Scottish mystery Castle De Ath. The beginning is dark and eerie. The camera follows dark corridors, the only sound Scottish bagpipes. Finally the camera flickers to a barechested man, bound by leather straps to a table. He silently writhes as he is being tortured on the rack! Steed and Mrs. Peel investigate mysterious happenings at an isolated Scottish castle. Where have the fish disappeared to? How did a British secret agent grow three more feet when his dead body was recovered? Best lines: "Lean on Mistress Peel, as much as you like." Gordon Jackson is excellent as the dignified Scottish laird facing hard economic times. Cousins Ian and Angus argue about their family heritage and what they should do about their decreasing income. Hint: think of Wilkie Collins and The Terribly Strange Bed. Good red herrings and witty dialogue. A shocked conspirator, "He is having trouble at the Power Plant. He has been attacked - by a woman!" "Bless her!" Steed smiling broadly.

Masterminds pokes fun at those with high IQs. When a British politician is caught breaking into a secret installation and then murdered Steed and Mrs. Peel investigate RANSACK. "You have a high IQ," Emma informs him. "How high?" "The same as mine. I took your test for you!" Sign on one of the rooms, "If you can't sleep ring for a mistress." The final battle of the Avengers versus the baddies in a darkened auditorium, with the training film amusingly run in reverse while the Avengers silently toss the baddies about is a delight. Superb direction and acting. This is one of the best of the black and white sets. Recommended for purchase!