Season 4: A creative idea

[Rodders]

Having explored the Emma Peel era in Subversive Champagne and then the Tara and The New Avengers eras it has not exhausted my enthusiasm. Quite the reverse. A number of French friends have asked me to return to the monochrome filmed season in order to explore all 26 episodes, in far more detail: scripts, plot, sets, locations, guest characters, directors, music, the lot, in minute, loving detail. The ultimate critical guide to arguably the show’s pinnacle.

I had got as far as a working title, Bright Horizons, with one thought being that this was the Season 4 writers’ given for the tag scenes, as our heroes went away ‘towards a bright horizon’. It reflects the formula, but also the new fantasy world which the show on film was exploring. It was then that I thought how exciting it would be to create a joint project. We have so many incredible people on this forum. Not only lovers of the series, but people with serious brain power and unique ideas: Timeless, Rich, Frank, Denis, Alan, Jaz etc. The list is almost endless. How thrilling would it be if everyone adopted an episode, or two, and we produced a book which offers a ‘plurality of voices’ rather than simply my own limited, monotone one? I’d be happy to edit the book and also ‘fill in any gaps’. Chapters would be about 1,500 – 2,000 words, possibly, and it would allow our virtual community to break out into the real one. I would love to hear from anyone willing to throw their creative/critical hats into the ring. Deadline? 3 months!

[Timeless A-Peel]

I think it's a brilliant idea, Rodney! A real collaborative forum effort. I'd love to take part. A three month deadline would work perfectly for me, too, as I'm going to be quite busy for the next month or so, but I'll have a break after that to sit and write it. If you do it, you can sign me up!

[Rodders]

It is a 'definite'. So which episode/s can I sign you up for?

[denis]

Excellent idea.

[Timeless A-Peel]

It is a 'definite'. So which episode/s can I sign you up for?

It's so hard to choose! I've been going through the list, and there are so many great episodes in there. My all-time favourite is Death at Bargain Prices, and I think it's quite possibly the best episode of the series. But I'd actually prefer to write for lesser-known episodes that I enjoy, as opposed to some of the usual suspects, like The Cybernauts or The Hour That Never Was, not because they're not good, but because they've been written about so exhaustively in so many other places, that I feel I have little left to add. So I'd like to pick The Quick-Quick Slow Death, which I've always thought was fun, but which never seems to get much love, and The Thirteenth Hole, if you'd like me to do a second. They both tend to get lost in the shuffle, so they're fresh territory to explore. But I could quite literally write about just about any of them.

[cyberrich]

Great idea Rodney. I'm more than happy to make a contribution. I feel there may be a rush to write about The Hour that never was and Cybernauts, my very favourites, but I would be happy to write about any episode in this fantastic season. Too many Xmas trees, Death at bargain prices, Town of no return, the list is endless and simply an embarrassment of riches! Rich.

[Frankymole]

Ah, Deadline! And not a Dead Duck

Rodney's idea is marvellous, though I wouldn't know where to start. I certainly couldn't bid for an episode - I'd prefer to write about ones that no-one else wanted to write about. Perhaps I should get a cast-off, unloved (or less-loved) one...

[Timeless A-Peel]

Ah, Deadline! And not a http://deadduck.theavengers.tv/deadduck.htm

Rodney's idea is marvellous, though I wouldn't know where to start. I certainly couldn't bid for an episode - I'd prefer to write about ones that no-one else wanted to write about. Perhaps I should get a cast-off, unloved (or less-loved) one...

That's kind of what I'm shooting for as well--giving some love to the under-appreciated episodes that no one ever mentions. I know you could do them justice.

[Rodders]

It is a 'definite'. So which episode/s can I sign you up for?

It's so hard to choose! I've been going through the list, and there are so many great episodes in there. My all-time favourite is Death at Bargain Prices, and I think it's quite possibly the best episode of the series. But I'd actually prefer to write for lesser-known episodes that I enjoy, as opposed to some of the usual suspects, like The Cybernauts or The Hour That Never Was, not because they're not good, but because they've been written about so exhaustively in so many other places, that I feel I have little left to add. So I'd like to pick The Quick-Quick Slow Death, which I've always thought was fun, but which never seems to get much love, and The Thirteenth Hole, if you'd like me to do a second. They both tend to get lost in the shuffle, so they're fresh territory to explore. But I could quite literally write about just about any of them.

I've put you down for those two. You are a star.

[cyberrich]

I'd prefer to write about ones that no-one else wanted to write about. Perhaps I should get a cast-off, unloved (or less-loved) one...

I like the sound of that. An appreciation of the underappreciated Classic episodes like A surfeit of H2O never receive the plaudits they deserve. Rich.