Stay Tuned

"Stay Tuned" was the last bona fide classic episode, with 8 more to go, scripted by Tony Williamson, one of the show's best writers. Steed is all set to go on holiday, when he meets a mysterious stranger (Gary Bond) who knocks him senseless; in fact, he proceeds to repeat these actions every time he spies the young man, all part of an insidious plot involving hypnosis and murder. With Mother away, we are introduced to the blind Father (Iris Russell, "Mission to Montreal" and "The Secrets Broker"), who decides to take Steed off of the active list until further notice. It's easy to take the hard working Patrick Macnee for granted, but his performance here is quite flawless, trying to piece together three missing weeks in his life between setbacks provided by his invisible adversary (at least we are granted some solace, unlike in "Death at Bargain Prices," where T. P. McKenna's dirty quick strike went unpunished). Among the villains are Kate O'Mara, Duncan Lamont, and Roger Delgado ("Crescent Moon"), all Hammer veterans, with Howard Marion Crawford ("What the Butler Saw" and "The Living Dead"), Dr. Petrie in all 5 Fu Manchu features opposite Christopher Lee, playing fellow agent Collins, who comes to a bad end after trailing the bewildered Steed. The familiar musical cues add to the moody atmosphere, cobbled from "The Joker," but reminiscent of the 1964 Hollywood production "The Night Walker," directed by William Castle. Two first season actors making a final appearance are Harold Kasket ("Crescent Moon") and Ewan Roberts ("Dance with Death").