When a courier taking a diplomatic pouch from Washington to Santiago is killed in Jamaica it is far from obvious why; there was nothing of obvious interest to a foreign power in the case. On the assumption that the attacker will have another go at acquiring the case Steed, who just happens to be in Jamaica, is given the task of taking the case to Santiago. He is assisted by Cathy Gale who flies in specially. As they head south attackers try to steal the case in Bogota. Then in Lima, Steed sets a trap for the villain but is surprised when he finds somebody else has killed the man who broken into his room and photographed the documents. They must continue to Santiago to discover who wanted the documents and why.
I rather enjoyed this story; the exotic settings gave it the feel of an early James Bond story even if apart from some establishing library footage of each location it is clearly shot in studios. The idea of a group plotting a coup in Chile is plausible and when we learn just what the plotters were attempting to steal it makes sense. There are some laughs to be had; mostly as Steed torments a functionary who is trying to keep him in the consulate in Santiago. Patrick Macnee and Honor Blackman are on good form as Steed and Cathy; the latter stood out particularly not just because we see her wearing surprisingly little for a programme of this era she also speaks in what sounded like decent Spanish, at least to somebody who doesn't speak that language! The rest of the cast are solid enough. Overall I'd say this might disappoint fans of the more surreal episodes but I really enjoyed the more realistic story.
I rather enjoyed this story; the exotic settings gave it the feel of an early James Bond story even if apart from some establishing library footage of each location it is clearly shot in studios. The idea of a group plotting a coup in Chile is plausible and when we learn just what the plotters were attempting to steal it makes sense. There are some laughs to be had; mostly as Steed torments a functionary who is trying to keep him in the consulate in Santiago. Patrick Macnee and Honor Blackman are on good form as Steed and Cathy; the latter stood out particularly not just because we see her wearing surprisingly little for a programme of this era she also speaks in what sounded like decent Spanish, at least to somebody who doesn't speak that language! The rest of the cast are solid enough. Overall I'd say this might disappoint fans of the more surreal episodes but I really enjoyed the more realistic story.