Ep 13. Death A La Carte

The Avengers season 3 episode 13 is titled "Death A La Carte," and it's a classic example of the iconic British spy-fi series. The episode was first aired on December 21, 1963, on ITV in the UK. It's the thirteenth episode of the third season, and it follows the exploits of the two legendary British secret agents, John Steed and Emma Peel. The episode's director is Peter Graham Scott, while the writer is Richard Harris. It's a thrilling episode that takes place in the world of haute cuisine, with a deadly twist.

The story begins when John Steed and Emma Peel are called in to investigate a series of suspicious deaths in the top restaurants of London. Each of the victims died after eating food at a different establishment, leading Steed and Peel to suspect foul play. Their investigation leads them to a well-known gourmet chef, who has been experimenting with a new and deadly ingredient: a rare and toxic mushroom.

As Steed and Peel delve deeper into the case, they uncover a plot by a group of international spies to use the poisoned food to kill off key London-based politicians and diplomats. The group is led by a mysterious mastermind called the Mandarin, who has never been seen in public. Steed and Peel must race against time to stop the Mandarin's deadly plan before it's too late.

The episode is notable for its portrayal of the world of haute cuisine, which was relatively unknown to many people at the time. The show's producers worked with some of London's top chefs to create a realistic portrayal of the culinary scene. The episode also features some great action scenes, including a memorable fight scene in a restaurant kitchen between Steed and an assassin armed with a giant fish.

Death A La Carte is one of the most popular episodes of the series, and it's easy to see why. It's a great example of the show's blend of spy-fi and black comedy, with plenty of witty one-liners and memorable moments. Patrick Macnee and Diana Rigg are both on top form as Steed and Peel, and they have great chemistry together. The episode is also notable for its use of music, with a catchy theme tune and a memorable piano piece performed by Emma Peel towards the end of the episode.

In conclusion, The Avengers season 3 episode 13 is a classic episode of the iconic British spy-fi series. It's a thrilling and darkly comedic episode that takes place in the world of haute cuisine, with a deadly twist. The episode features great performances from Patrick Macnee and Diana Rigg, as well as some memorable action scenes and a catchy score. Fans of the series won't want to miss Death A La Carte.