Venus Smith : Partner or not ?

[JohnSteedFr]

She doesn't represent a partner for me because we never saw her fighting, she's very sensitive (she cries in THE REMOVAL MEN). Moreover she screams in THE DECAPOD.
She's just an element for Steed's enquiries.

She's not learned as Mrs Gale. She only appears in six episodes.

That's my opinion.
What is yours ?

Do you see her as a partner ?

[Andrew Pixley]

Oh definitely. I'm quite fond of Venus ... or rather both Venuses, the first one we get and then the one that suddenly becomes all Northern part-way through the run.

[Boswell]

Hello chaps, first time poster so bit nervous therefore my spelling is going to be a bit hjsljkasdksdjk.

Venus Smith is a very interesting case of not a very well thought out character. Since all she can do is sing and be charming, she can't be used to infiltrate all those scientific establishments or high powered finance houses. How would she have been of any use to Steed in, say, Bullseye or The White Dwarf? But she seems to be there to make the show funky, what with its jazz angle and all. Am I the only one who hits the fast forward button everytime she bursts into song? And that time in The Removal Men when the band gets their little slot! It reminds me of those 1950s radio comedies on the BBC where you have to wait three minutes for a variety act to warble on before you get back to the comedy.

But I'll wave a flag for Venus Smith but I too would like to know why the brassy blonde of her first episodes becomes the nice wholesome girl next door who sings to the camera?

[Alan]

Of course she's a partner. She's not in the mould of the classic Avenger girl, but then neither is Carol Wilson, and I think she's unfairly overlooked, too.

[Dandy Forsdyke]

In my opinion she isn't a partner in any sense of the word. She shows no skills, except to be easily manipulated by Steed, and is just his stooge.

I think of her in the same way as Penny Plain, Susan Rushton, Georgie Price-Jones, except Venus was in a few more episodes.

I think Venus Smith was an experiment that didn't really work, but it's still interesting that they tried a different direction, and Julie Stevens certainly had a good try.

I don't revisit these episodes regularly, but I'm glad to have them.

[Allard]

No I don't think so, because Cathy, Emma and Tara fully knew what they were doing, spying for the government.
Venus was just used by Steed, as the early tends to do with people.
So I don't see Venus as a partner of Steed.

[Philippa]

I don't really think of her as a partner either.

[mousemeat]

Of course she's a partner. She's not in the mould of the classic Avenger girl, but then neither is Carol Wilson, and I think she's unfairly overlooked, too.

I think of her as a pardner to Steed...maybe not as important as
Mrs.Gale or Mrs.Peel....but as important as that ' Tara '

(LOL)

each woman brought something to Steed and the show...even that
TARA! (LOL)

[Dandy Forsdyke]

To her credit, she's a more realistic aid to an agent like Steed than a 'Cathy Gale' or 'Emma Peel'. It's rather more likely an agent in real life would come across a jobbing singer/actress that could be bundled a few quid in return of creating a bit of distraction, between engagements.

And it's likely she would be aware of a few 'names' working in those circles of nightclubs and casinos. I bet she was even on a first name terms with the Krays!

[JohnSteedFr]

In my opinion she isn't a partner in any sense of the word. She shows no skills, except to be easily manipulated by Steed, and is just his stooge.

I think of her in the same way as Penny Plain, Susan Rushton, Georgie Price-Jones, except Venus was in a few more episodes.

I think Venus Smith was an experiment that didn't really work, but it's still interesting that they tried a different direction, and Julie Stevens certainly had a good try.

I don't revisit these episodes regularly, I'm glad to have them.

I totally agree with you.
Furthermore, if she would be a partner, she would appear on books's covers or on pictures.
On the ultimate Avengers' cover, we don't see her. Same case for THE AVENGERS AND ME.