The second season begins with the noticeable absence of Ian Hendry, who left the show to do movie work, replaced for these first 3 episodes by Jon Rollason as Dr. Martin King, a character given virtually no background (and Rollason unbilled during the opening credits). "Mission to Montreal" was perhaps the best of the three (and the first to be broadcast), actually centering on King, as Steed doesn't appear until 20 minutes in, engaged to care for an actress en route to Montreal by ship, whose stand-in (Pamela Ann Davy, later seen in "The Living Dead") was murdered in London by a knife-wielding enemy agent (Alan Curtis). The actress, Carla Berotti (Patricia English), possesses a stolen microfilm depicting North America's Dew Line defense system, while Steed keeps an eye on things posing as a steward. Gillian Muir (daughter of actor Douglas Muir, who played One Ten) replaces Ingrid Hafner as Dr. King's nurse, and would appear once more in Jon Rollason's last entry, "The Sell-Out." It must have been a thankless task to do scripts with only a change in the character's name, but the underrated Rollason greatly benefits from his leading role, and his gentle rapport with Patricia English as Carla provides some unusually touching moments, especially after she is shown to be secretly married to the ship's second engineer (Mark Eden, previously seen in "Ashes of Roses"). Patricia English did two further episodes, "The Secrets Broker" and "Never, Never Say Die," but this was her finest showcase. Doing Carla's public relations, Iris Russell went on to do "November Five," but is best known as Father in "Stay Tuned," while John Bennett, as Carla's bodyguard, later did "False Witness." In the second of his 5 episodes, Gerald Sim leaves virtually no impression as a drunken passenger who hardly speaks a word, and is mistakenly murdered in Dr. King's bed. Previously seen in "The Radioactive Man," he later did "The Wringer," "Dial a Deadly Number," and "The Rotters."
7 Reviews
Agents must retrieve a stolen microfilm.
tandlich110 January 2019
Steed and Dr King must retrieve a microfilm of defense plans from an actress aboard a cruise ship. The first appearance of Jon Rollason as Dr. Martin King who carries the bulk of the action; Steed makes his first appearance midway through the episode, as a Steward, in a secondary role. Fast paced screenplay and goood production values, not a given in the early episodes, and good performances by Patricia English and the supporting cast.
A dud that starts too slowly
LCShackley2 August 2023
Sure, there's a murder right off the bat, but the revelation of the actual "McGuffin" doesn't appear until 1/3 through the plot. And only AFTER that time does Steed finally show his face (pretending to be a steward on an ocean liner).
What's confusing is that there are two characters that may or may not be Steed's allies, but we don't know that for sure. A doctor character, apparently a fill-in for the departed Ian Hendry, isn't introduced properly to the audience, so we have to wait to be assured that he is a "good guy." There is no Cathy Gale, only cheap sets and stock music, even during the climactic fight scene.
I'm watching all of season 2 on Prime because I don't think I ever saw them all before. So far, I haven't found any that made me think I missed something.
What's confusing is that there are two characters that may or may not be Steed's allies, but we don't know that for sure. A doctor character, apparently a fill-in for the departed Ian Hendry, isn't introduced properly to the audience, so we have to wait to be assured that he is a "good guy." There is no Cathy Gale, only cheap sets and stock music, even during the climactic fight scene.
I'm watching all of season 2 on Prime because I don't think I ever saw them all before. So far, I haven't found any that made me think I missed something.
The Avengers Afloat!
frank-2705 December 2023
Warning: Spoilers
The Avengers Afloat! The unusual locations continue, this time with a splendid cruise ship, courtesy of some tremendously atmospheric sets and lighting. It all looks quite solid and expensive. There is barely a fluff in sight, and a rather good collection of characters to spice things up. Quite enjoyable is the superbly sinister John Bennett, as a "luxuriously" named bodyguard who spends the entire episode almost getting into fights, before being floored by a fairly docile old drunk. Lots of well-known faces in this one for nostalgic cult TV fans.
The Avenged?: A runaround after stolen microfilm, enlivened by the violent ring of enemy agents infiltrating the ship. Quite a good punch-up featuring Patrick Macnee, too.
Diabolical Masterminds? Indeed. Mark Eden and Alan Curtis as reluctant and murderous agents respectively. There is also a nice twist or two, whereby Eden's character is secretly the husband of the leading lady, and the masterspy in charge of the agents turns out to be quite a surprise. This latter twist is cleverly revealed by Steed who quotes the masterspy's recognition phrase, unaware that the character has already revealed their identity to the audience by its use.
The Avengers?: Murder mysteries on board ships rely on the cast of characters being temporarily cut off from the outside world. However, a new angle is tried: Dr King boards at the start; Steed comes aboard at the first port of call (France). Steed already has a helper called Sheila in place, and King brings his nurse. With at least three enemy agents, things start getting crowded, but it all works rather well.
Umbrella, Charm and a Bowler Hat?: All present and correct, once Steed sheds his servile steward rig. Some chuckles are to be had with his ribbing of King over the latter's chinoiserie dressing gown: "Don't let her see you in that dressing gown, old boy, it's death to the most rudimentary form of romance!" Steed gets rebuffed for a dance with the film starlet, and she takes quite a shine to Dr King for his integrity. Their growing regard for each other is well-handled, with the ring of truth: Carla: "Do you think that means I'd like to have an affair with you, subconsciously?" Dr King: "And how would you do that subconsciously?" Patricia English adeptly juggles neurosis, fear and hope.
Bizarre?: There are some rather nasty stabbings, usually just when it starts to feel like a jolly romp. The whole ship seems awash with alcohol, too, though Steed doesn't touch a drop until the end credits roll!
Very enjoyable. 9/10.
The Avenged?: A runaround after stolen microfilm, enlivened by the violent ring of enemy agents infiltrating the ship. Quite a good punch-up featuring Patrick Macnee, too.
Diabolical Masterminds? Indeed. Mark Eden and Alan Curtis as reluctant and murderous agents respectively. There is also a nice twist or two, whereby Eden's character is secretly the husband of the leading lady, and the masterspy in charge of the agents turns out to be quite a surprise. This latter twist is cleverly revealed by Steed who quotes the masterspy's recognition phrase, unaware that the character has already revealed their identity to the audience by its use.
The Avengers?: Murder mysteries on board ships rely on the cast of characters being temporarily cut off from the outside world. However, a new angle is tried: Dr King boards at the start; Steed comes aboard at the first port of call (France). Steed already has a helper called Sheila in place, and King brings his nurse. With at least three enemy agents, things start getting crowded, but it all works rather well.
Umbrella, Charm and a Bowler Hat?: All present and correct, once Steed sheds his servile steward rig. Some chuckles are to be had with his ribbing of King over the latter's chinoiserie dressing gown: "Don't let her see you in that dressing gown, old boy, it's death to the most rudimentary form of romance!" Steed gets rebuffed for a dance with the film starlet, and she takes quite a shine to Dr King for his integrity. Their growing regard for each other is well-handled, with the ring of truth: Carla: "Do you think that means I'd like to have an affair with you, subconsciously?" Dr King: "And how would you do that subconsciously?" Patricia English adeptly juggles neurosis, fear and hope.
Bizarre?: There are some rather nasty stabbings, usually just when it starts to feel like a jolly romp. The whole ship seems awash with alcohol, too, though Steed doesn't touch a drop until the end credits roll!
Very enjoyable. 9/10.
Mission to Montreal
Prismark105 March 2019
Ian Hendry had left the show as Dr Keel when the second series began.
Jon Rollason came in as Dr Martin King with Patrick Macnee now the star of the show.
Mission to Montreal has a more adventure vibe about it, even using stock footage of a ship leaving Liverpool docks.
Carla Berotti plays a famous actress who is feeling vulnerable. Her double was murdered in the film studios. She is also in possession of a hidden microfilm with the plans of a defence system. This was the reason her double was mistakenly killed.
Dr King is looking after Berotti who is drinking too much. Steed is playing the ship's steward and only belated enters the proceedings. They are all keeping an eye out for Berotti as they fear another attempt will be made on her life.
Of course it could be anyone on the ship who could be assisting the henchman, there seem to be some shifty individuals about. Events are complicated as the ship's second engineer is secretly married to Berotti.
I found the episode to be rather dull. Most of it is set in the interior of the ship as Berotti feels needy and her small entourage run around her. It lacks the grittiness of the first series which was a crime drama and does not have the fantasy sci fi edge of the later shows. I thought it dragged a bit.
Jon Rollason came in as Dr Martin King with Patrick Macnee now the star of the show.
Mission to Montreal has a more adventure vibe about it, even using stock footage of a ship leaving Liverpool docks.
Carla Berotti plays a famous actress who is feeling vulnerable. Her double was murdered in the film studios. She is also in possession of a hidden microfilm with the plans of a defence system. This was the reason her double was mistakenly killed.
Dr King is looking after Berotti who is drinking too much. Steed is playing the ship's steward and only belated enters the proceedings. They are all keeping an eye out for Berotti as they fear another attempt will be made on her life.
Of course it could be anyone on the ship who could be assisting the henchman, there seem to be some shifty individuals about. Events are complicated as the ship's second engineer is secretly married to Berotti.
I found the episode to be rather dull. Most of it is set in the interior of the ship as Berotti feels needy and her small entourage run around her. It lacks the grittiness of the first series which was a crime drama and does not have the fantasy sci fi edge of the later shows. I thought it dragged a bit.
A dreary episode.
Sleepin_Dragon7 December 2023
A vital microfilm is stolen, and is believed to be in its way to Montreal in the luggage of temperamental film star Carla Berotti. Steed is accompanied by Doctor King to retrieve it.
This is a staggeringly dull episode, it is so slow and boring, and despite a setting that should have felt claustrophobic, where all sorts of unpleasant things could have happened, nothing actually does.
No efforts are made to make it look or sound as if it were actually on the sea, it looks and feels very studio bound.
Despite featuring a really nice cast, the wonderful John Bennett, John Rollason and Mark Eden, it never sparks into life, I feel like Cathy would have made it a lot more interesting.
Even the fight sequences look half baked and half hearted, nothing is committed to.
Not one I'd want to watch again.
4/10.
This is a staggeringly dull episode, it is so slow and boring, and despite a setting that should have felt claustrophobic, where all sorts of unpleasant things could have happened, nothing actually does.
No efforts are made to make it look or sound as if it were actually on the sea, it looks and feels very studio bound.
Despite featuring a really nice cast, the wonderful John Bennett, John Rollason and Mark Eden, it never sparks into life, I feel like Cathy would have made it a lot more interesting.
Even the fight sequences look half baked and half hearted, nothing is committed to.
Not one I'd want to watch again.
4/10.
Well, it's not "THE LOVE BOAT"!
profh-127 July 2022
Warning: Spoilers
A temperamental actress is conned into transporting stolen microfilm by her husband under the guise of his being blackmailed; little does she know, he's part of the spy ring!
Department of Unmittigated Nerve: Ian Hendry left between seasons to persue a film career, and someone decided they didn't want 3 leftover "Dr. Keel" scripts to go to waste. In comes Jon Rollason as "Dr. Martin King" to fill the gap. He's not bad, but like Cathy Gale, we get NO introduction for him, nor for his nurse "Judy" who appears in 2 of his 3 episodes. I rather liked Gillian Muir, I thought she was the cutest girl in this episode, and would have been nice to have around longer. I see she has one more credit following her 2 AVENGERS episodes, and must have retired. She's been married now longer than I've been alive-- what an inspiration!
This story, which involves 2 sets of spies on a cruise ship, is a bit tedious, and the espionage plot does have some interest, but it's the guest stars who hold it together. Patricia English is actress and "sex symbol" Carla Berotti, who's a hypocondriac and nervous wreck, especially since her screen double was murdered. Iris Russell plays publicist Sheila Dowson, a tough cookie who, it turns out, works part-time for Steed on a freelance basis. Little does he know, she's also the HEAD of the opposing spy ring, and a very cold-blooded character she is! Funny enough, Russell later played "Father", filling in for "Mother", in one of the Tara King episodes.
Gerald Sim is a drunk who winds up mistaken for Dr. King and murdered in his cabin. He had better roles in 4 later episodes, one each with Cathy Gale, Emma Peel, Tara King AND Purdey! I've also seen him in DR. PHIBES RISES AGAIN, a Joan Hickson MISS MARPLE, but I know him best as a regular on TO THE MANOR BORN.
This was Rollason's 2nd of 3 episodes, but run 1st, perhaps to avoid any additional confusion. At one point he says it was his "first" crossing to Canada, despite "Dead On Course" taking place entirely in Canada. I can see why they didn't start the season with this one. Steed doesn't turn up until 20 MINUTES in! Audiences may have wondered exactly what show they were watching.
It was amusing to see Steed, undercover as a ship's steward, walk into King's cabin and pour himself a drink, while saying ship's crew aren't ALLOWED to have any. Later, he gets into a really physical knock-down drag-out with an assassin, and I can see by the extreme amount of effort and difficulty he had, WHY he so much favored working with other people who were better fighters than he was (Cathy, Emma, Tara, Purdey and Mike). Even at this early point, I could well imagine him saying... "I'm getting too old for this sort of thing."
Department of Unmittigated Nerve: Ian Hendry left between seasons to persue a film career, and someone decided they didn't want 3 leftover "Dr. Keel" scripts to go to waste. In comes Jon Rollason as "Dr. Martin King" to fill the gap. He's not bad, but like Cathy Gale, we get NO introduction for him, nor for his nurse "Judy" who appears in 2 of his 3 episodes. I rather liked Gillian Muir, I thought she was the cutest girl in this episode, and would have been nice to have around longer. I see she has one more credit following her 2 AVENGERS episodes, and must have retired. She's been married now longer than I've been alive-- what an inspiration!
This story, which involves 2 sets of spies on a cruise ship, is a bit tedious, and the espionage plot does have some interest, but it's the guest stars who hold it together. Patricia English is actress and "sex symbol" Carla Berotti, who's a hypocondriac and nervous wreck, especially since her screen double was murdered. Iris Russell plays publicist Sheila Dowson, a tough cookie who, it turns out, works part-time for Steed on a freelance basis. Little does he know, she's also the HEAD of the opposing spy ring, and a very cold-blooded character she is! Funny enough, Russell later played "Father", filling in for "Mother", in one of the Tara King episodes.
Gerald Sim is a drunk who winds up mistaken for Dr. King and murdered in his cabin. He had better roles in 4 later episodes, one each with Cathy Gale, Emma Peel, Tara King AND Purdey! I've also seen him in DR. PHIBES RISES AGAIN, a Joan Hickson MISS MARPLE, but I know him best as a regular on TO THE MANOR BORN.
This was Rollason's 2nd of 3 episodes, but run 1st, perhaps to avoid any additional confusion. At one point he says it was his "first" crossing to Canada, despite "Dead On Course" taking place entirely in Canada. I can see why they didn't start the season with this one. Steed doesn't turn up until 20 MINUTES in! Audiences may have wondered exactly what show they were watching.
It was amusing to see Steed, undercover as a ship's steward, walk into King's cabin and pour himself a drink, while saying ship's crew aren't ALLOWED to have any. Later, he gets into a really physical knock-down drag-out with an assassin, and I can see by the extreme amount of effort and difficulty he had, WHY he so much favored working with other people who were better fighters than he was (Cathy, Emma, Tara, Purdey and Mike). Even at this early point, I could well imagine him saying... "I'm getting too old for this sort of thing."
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