My review:
http://www.theavengers.tv/forever/gale1-23vr.htm#3
My first-time trip through Season 2 is nearing its end. This episode is notable for some very strong work by Honor Blackman. She acts her socks off! Take the final scene, where Cathy finds Steed again after thinking him dead. Steed points out that she's trembling, and with obvious relish feigns surprise: "Well I'm blowed," he smirks, "You really thought you'd lost me." Cathy then looks at him and snaps, "[a] disappointment, isn't it?" and as she storms off in the final shot, she holds her hand to her left side as if she's feeling pain or trying to contain her emotions (perhaps anger at Steed's smug teasing, perhaps something else). It's a very human scene in an episode often lacking real warmth.
The Avenged?: If the Professor knew where Carlo was, and was prepared to tell Cathy for five pounds, Cathy would surely have asked him to tell Carlos' wife, who was (feigning) being sick with worry. As it stands, Cathy looks uncaring or overly suspicious of Carlo's wife or of the Professor. Loads of names are thrown at us, so it gets confusing to tell Arturo from Terry from Sica from whoever. To top it all, Leggo is really Carlo. Or something. It gets hard to know or care which name belongs to whom.
Diabolical Masterminds?: Maybe this was an attempt to do a "realistic" Mafia blackmail story, in contrast to exaggerated gangster films? Carlo was never going to be a very good assassin. Why didn't his more competent "employer" do the job himself? The lengthy location film sequence is lavish for the time, but the handheld camera work is very shaky. Unintentionally hilarious moments include Steed unable to wrest the ball from the jaws of his dog, and Carlo losing his nerve, flinging his briefcase away and escaping through some bizarre clearing where kids or lumberjacks pop up at random to impede him!
The Avengers?: Steed's escape was rather convenient, and not very plausible. He also crosses the line into irritatingly smug. Cathy can be childlike (her joy at finding the endless handkerchiefs in the horn), yet always strong and caring—she lectures a vengeful Steed about compassion. In my first viewing of her episodes, I've become a huge fan of Honor/Cathy. There's far more to her than the first impression of someone who grudgingly works for (and argues with) Steed. Not only does she care for the people she helps, this episode hints that she cares deeply for Steed in a way. She is also immensely resourceful when Steed, or others, cannot help her. (Enough worship, already. But in a poorer episode, you have to accentuate the positive.) Honor's interactions with Macnee have become very intuitive, too; off-camera teamwork is boding well for the series' longevity.
Umbrella, Charm and a Bowler Hat?: No Italian flair or fashion is on display, oddly; only a ludicrous buttonhole worn by the mafia bigwig. He sports a vulgar hugely-checked coat, and employs a leather-jacketed young roustabout. What a cad. Cathy looks the bee's knees, as usual. The caravans are nice, too. Steed promises (rather timidly, from the safe distance of the other end of a telephone!) to scrub Cathy's back. Fat chance! I do like the roguish Steed of the videotaped seasons. Contrasting with his later clean-cut image, he is a rough diamond and an interesting anti-hero, putting the mission above everything and everyone—yet the cracks begin to show as he realises Cathy cares for him. He's evolving!
Bizarre?: A rather listless tiger or two suggests the circus' encampment. Whenever they are off-camera, roaring sounds are piped into the studio. On camera they do nothing fiercer than twitch their ears. I felt quite sorry for them. At least Steed's dog gets some exercise.
Despite good sets (e.g. the Billboard Office) and valiant efforts from famed director Peter Hammond (the scene setups and camera positioning look like they were a nightmare), this ends up as ambitious but slow-moving. And I only found out that the villain's name is Sica from websites (no-one seems to name him on-screen).
On Target? (Score): One bowler out of four (2/10). I leave the final comment to Cathy: "Disappointment, isn't it?"