"The Danger Makers" is a classic episode, depicting an organization of military veterans who couldn't get used to dull lives as civilians, craving danger as a fix instead of drugs. The mastermind behind the secret group is nicknamed 'Apollo,' whose ultimate goal is to conduct the crime of the century, stealing the crown jewels from the Tower of London! (already attempted by George Zucco's Professor Moriarty in 1939's "The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes"). Speaking of Holmes, this would be the lone entry for then current Sherlock Douglas Wilmer, who would immediately follow up with the role of Sir Nayland Smith opposite Sir Christopher Lee in "The Brides of Fu Manchu" and "The Vengeance of Fu Manchu." One of Patrick Macnee's finest moments has a limping Nigel Davenport understandably shaking while trying to dispatch an unperturbed Steed (he would try again in "Split!"), while Adrian Ropes, unceremoniously gunned down with Steed close by, would return for both "From Venus with Love" and "Whoever Shot Poor George Oblique Stroke XR40?" The climax is indeed the stuff of legend, as the luscious leather-clad Emma Peel walks the plank, one of the defining moments for delectable Diana Rigg (earlier at one point, Macnee does a hilarious double take upon viewing Emma's latest costume, advising her to show the phrenologist her 'bumps!'). Steed really does care for Emma, and it shows in the stars' wonderful chemistry.
