User Reviews

Professor Turner (David Swift) has created a new super weapon, Midas, a young man who carries every deadly disease in the world. Steed is tipped off when Hong Kong Harry (Ronald Lacey) arrives in London padded out with gold dust, which is intended to pay off Turner for Midas's services. However, the highest bidder for Midas turns out to be Vann (Ed Devereux) who is a foreign diplomat intent on destroying the Monarchy in his country so that he will have supreme power. Turner's pay off is to be one third of Vann's gold collection. Purdey is captured by Turner and Midas has been promised her when he has completed his assignment, which is to kill the Princess of Vann's country at an exhibition of golden artifacts. Fortunately, Gambit and Steed rescue Purdey and they must race against time to get to the exhibition before Midas can complete his mission...

Not one of the classic New Avengers episodes mainly because of a plodding screenplay and direction that is competent but not exactly inspiring. This comes as a surprise as director Robert Fuest directed some of the best Linda Thorson episodes and Brian Clemens was one of the key writers and producers of both the New Avengers and the original show. It seems to be a case of the mix not quite coming together here. David Swift's Professor Turner was clearly a nod to Auric Goldfinger in the James Bond movie with his uncontrollable lust for gold, but his performance and the general handling lack the spark necessary to make it as amusing as it should be. The best performance in the episode comes from John Carson who appeared in the original Avengers no less than three times offers a touching portrayal as the down-and-out agent Freddy, "Who's Freddy?" Purdey asks. "A man who never forgot what he once was" replies Steed, "His nerve broke and he took to alcohol" and "Then the man himself broke" adds Purdey. There's a well staged car chase as Purdey and Gambit tail a would be assassin through London's back streets during which they get to exchange a little of their banter, but all in all, this isn't the ideal episode for somebody who is just starting to get into this series.