I Think that the Joker is the most Badass Villian, but this is not about That Joker

"The Joker" is another "Emma episode" (you can tell I like those a lot). It plays out similarly to "The House That Jack Built" except they play the scary card rather than the weird card. But otherwise they are virtually identical. Two evil masterminds who Emma dissed before the episode starts. Two Steeds getting to the deadly place in the nick of time. There are even two weird guys with glasses (Pongo and "The Weird Guy"). The direction is far better and there are much better side characters such as Ola who likes to show off her teeth. Also the main mastermind is more interesting than in "The House That Jack Built" because his personality is semi-taken from the Batman Joker (featured top left). He has a sadistic sense of humor and likes to carry around playing cards.

Like "The House That Jack Built" the bad guy's true intentions are shown at the end. Unlike "The House That Jack Built," the methods to his madness aren't. We know that this guy messed with Emma, but you never know at all how he did it. That is left up to the viewer's imagination which is a better way to handle the mystery. Something that is less known about is more scary than something that is known about (evident in many horror films). The director of this episode is quite good with some excellent cameria shots (focusing on scary people under beds and doors that shouldn't have opened) and the music is superb (much better than the beeps of "The House That Jack Built"). Meine Liebe, Meine Rose will be forever in my memory and nightmares.

The main problem that I had with this episode was that they didn't do enough with the Joker idea. There aren't many places where the Joker shines through. Maybe I'm missing something, but he never seems to joke around. He just acts weird. For example, he trips Steed with a tripwire and kills Steed's friend with a Joker card. Do these incidents strike anyone as Joker activity? Even when he is terrorizing Emma, he uses dummies and other things. Maybe he is just amusing himself. Thats my only real problem, its not the same Joker from the Batman comics (and thats fine, but think of the potential). That and that it is a remake of an older Cathy Gale show (Honor Blackman episodes).

I'm totally excited about the new Batman movie. If you have any interesting insight on either Joker, let me know. Otherwise, watch this episode!

"Murdersville" and my love for Hubert

This is one the best late Emma Episodes. It takes a different tact than most straight Emma Avengers episodes because instead of one creepy mastermind trying to kill her, A WHOLE TOWN IS TRYING TO KILL HER!!!!! . There is nothing really wrong with this episode at all (except some personal problems I have with it). Like most of the Avengers episodes coming out at this time ("The Positive Negative Man," Mission... Highly Improbable," and "You Have Just Been Murdered."), this one is pure gold. But it contains some extra special moments that make it one of my top ten.
First off, this is not an Emma episode clone of "The House that Jack Built." Its completely different mostly because of the inclusion of cool side characters like Forbes and Hubert and Mickle. Hubert and Mickle are so naturally sadistic that it brings tears of joy to my face. And no matter how many times I watch this episode, I always feel bad for Forbes when Hubert and Mickle break all of the priceless glassware. This is also one of the Emma episodes where there are some quality interactions with Steed (I live for Baby Brian!). The tag is hilarious (watch for Steed getting his ear caught) and this episode brought about the invention of "deadly cream pies." This episode truly has it all.
Except, WHY DIDN'T SHE JUST RUN AWAY? WHY? OH WHY? Emma has a long amount of time to escape "Murdersville" (the town, not the episode) and she doesn't. Also another moment that I hate is when Steed knocks out the bartender by laying the bartender's head on the bar. Its the lightest of taps and it knocks him out. I guess Patrick Macnee was just feeling lazy. Also, the helicopter scene (while still pretty cool) is seriously underwhelming.
So, while Murdersville has no real glaring flaws, it just lacks some polish. There were some stupid choices made in the storyline, but that being said, the characters, the idea, and the great acting by Emma Peel make this a great episode.

Full of Campy Fun, "Man-Eater" is a Guilty Pleasure (much like this summer's "Wanted")

"Man-Eater of Surrey Green" is such a weird, strangely blood-thirsty, funny, and yet well done episode. Its the only real sci-fi episode that the Avengers has to offer. This episode again proves that innovation is the key (most of the time), but this "evil plant" plotline has been done before (just not in much British television, except maybe Dr. Who). The main plotline involves a evil, smart, man-eating plant wants to take over the world or at least Britian after it crashes onto Earth. It does this through mind-control apparently. It doesn't make much sense, but its a great effort from the director and the cast.

The first thing that I found surprising about this episode is the amount of death. At least 20 people die in this episode which is an Avengers record. Also, being a fan of zombies, I loved the way the mind-controled people behaved a lot like them. There is an average amount of Emma/John interactions, but there is one great moment with Mrs. Peel that I love. Toward the end, the duo is with their companion named Ms. Sheldon. At one point, Mrs. Peel looks off camera and says "Ms. Sheldon" like Ms. Sheldon wet herself or started a strip tease. Then the camera cuts to Ms. Sheldon being dragged off by monstrous vines. It never fails to bring a smile to my face. Also, the end fight sequence is tense even though its in an area full of nude mannequins. The episode is full of some really stupid moments that I love.

This is the kind of hit or miss episodes that comes along occasionally in Avengers. It might be one that only I love. If you like bad sci-fi movies or have a flair for all that is weird in this world, then I recommend this episode. Keep in mind, its really well made, just bad production values render it humorous.

The House that Made Me Love the Avengers: The Wonders of "The House that Jack Built."

This was the first great Avengers episode I watched. I absolutely love this episode (enough to warrent a number nine spot). It is the very first "Emma Episode." These episodes feature Mrs. Peel who is in a dangerous situation and has to get out of it. Like "Death's Door," these episodes feature very few Emma/John moments, but Emma is so awsome, I don't care. Besides, the endings where Steed actually reaches her are so sweet that it just makes you love the Avengers all the more.

The episode features Emma Peel, primarily, who goes to see her inherited house that she got when her uncle died. The house has another agenda, however. This is a very psychological episode with some freaky moments like with the neverending room of DOOOMMM! The house itself has such a personality that it ranks up there with one of the most original masterminds in the series. Diana Rigg really acts up a storm here and its cool to see here gradual progression into desperation. This is good because there is virtually no other actors that I care about in this episode (except Steed of couse, but he gets a small amount of screen time).

There are problems with this episode. It tends to drag a little and once Mrs. Peel seems to know what she is doing, the episode gets a little less interesting (though there are lots of surprises later). But its so well directed and features so many cool moments (spikes coming out of the ground to break the tires of Steeds jalopy). If they didn't make a better version of this same episode later ("The Joker") then it would be higher on my list, but as it stands, its one of my personal favorites.

A Great Story Elevates "Deaths Door" from Mediocrity

This is one of my favorite episodes and is featured in many top ten lists besides mine. It's one of the few tense episodes that really has a sense of mystery and suspense. It features a great plotline about these high level officials having death premonitions. These "dreams" are very creepy and feature these cool "faceless men" which are very dreamlike and make the episode very surreal in places. I always think that the Avengers do there best with innovation (sometimes) and this is a good example. Its not completely original, but it is one of the more unique Avengers episodes. It also features really good performances by the side cast unlike most episodes. There is also a very badass sequence with an archery range where Steed kills a guy with a fence and a bullet (one of the best scenes in the series).

The main problem that I have with this episode is that there aren't enough, what I lovingly call, "John/Emma moments." There aren't too many cute interactions between John and Emma that give the Avengers its beautiful heart (what sentimental writing). The villains of the episode are also really lame with no charm, distinguishing features, or witty dialogue. Its almost like they focused too much on the story and not enough on the important characters. But there are some really great moments in this episode that make me happy inside. This is not a must see episode, but if you want some cool dream sequences in your Avengers, check it out.

The Reviews

I will begin this blog by giving my comments on the Avengers episodes that I think are the best in the series. Disagreement is natural, but if you've just started getting into this television show, these are some ones you should probably see soon. So here it goes.....

Lights! Camera! ACTION!!!

Avenging Mrs. Peel and John Steed

The Avengers is a great, classic British television show. Its filled with spunk, vibe, and charm. It is entertaining, smart when it wants to be, and always witty. When I first saw the Avengers, I was been charmed by Diana Rigg and Patrick Macnee to such a degree that I had to watch more and more episodes until I watched all of the Emma Peel seasons. Watching these episodes is one of my favorite pastimes. I just want to bring my opinions and comments to this great time in British television.

And without further ado "We need a drink!"