The New Avengers' aired on U.K. TV from 1976 until 1977. Two seasons were made, consisting of 26 episodes and it saw the return of mysterious, quintessential Englishman and agent, John Steed. This time, however, he was joined not by just one other person but by two; the first was a man called Mike Gambit, the second was a woman called, Purdey.

Their loyalty to one another was phenomenal, each trusting the other two without question. Apart, they were outstanding but together they were amazing.

Whereas the original Avengers, was set in a slightly more surreal world, this new show had more realism to it and was set outdoors more rather than just in a studio as its predecessor had.

I grew up watching this show and can remember wanting to be just like Purdey - heck, I even had the same hairstyle as she did in the first season; how's that for hero worship!

For me, The New Avengers managed to recapture the flavour of the original but also managed to add a little magic of it's own. Although many thought that there shouldn't have been a third member of the group, I have to disagree.

Mike Gambit was a great character and the series would've been lacking if he hadn't been in it because he contrasted Steed so well and in doing so, he somehow also managed to compliment him too - quite a feat if you ask me.

Of course, the great rapport and one-liners between Gambit and Purdey also kept me interested. Their mutual adoration, admiration and trust, not to mention constant bickering, was always a source of great fun.

Having said that, the relationship between all three leads was often confusing. Rumours have it that behind the scene's, Patrick Macnee (Steed) felt he was being pushed into the background and so wanted more time on screen.

His personal feelings never interferred with his close off screen friendship with both Gareth Hunt (Gambit) or Joanna Lumley (Purdey) but it may explain why things changed in the second season.

During the first series, we see that Steed is more of a leader. He's also a sort of father figure to Purdey and close friends with Gambit. It almost come across that Steed and Gambit were the partners and Purdey was the one that helped them or, more often than not, got into trouble and had to saved.

Gambit and Purdey's relationship was also different in the first series. Their attraction for each other was obvious, although they never really acted on it - Gambit would make a playful pass and Purdey would deliver a witty put down that he'd sometimes counter or not.

In the episode, "Target!", I think we see how deep Gambit's feelings for Purdey actually go under all that surface playfulness when she's poisoned and both he and Steed race to get the antidote. She's laying unconscious in the back of the Range Rover and Steed's driving. Gambit has her head on his lap and he's stroking her hair. Then Gambit says that if she dies he'll hunt down the people that did it, however long it takes. Steed says he cares about her as much as Gambit does but everyone's expendable. Gambit tells him that he knows the rules but..."it's Purdey".

I don't know, but just the way he says those two words and the look on his face convey a wealth of meaning to me.

In the episode, "Faces", we get to see that Purdey also cares for Gambit. She thinks that a lookalike 'Gambit' has killed the real one and is beside herself when she thinks he's actually dead. In fact, she confronts the 'lookalike' at the end and openly admits she cared for the real Gambit only to be extremely annoyed to find that he's 'real' Gambit and has been all along.

Of course, there are other little scene's throughout the first series that also back up that fact that these two love each other deep down but for their own personal reasons don't take it any further.

However, in the second series this all seemed to change. Suddenly, Purdey's being affectionate to Steed! The rapport between her and Gambit is still there but very infrequently and only in the background which is pretty much the same place that Gambit stays for the entire second season. Now it came across that Steed and Purdey were the partners and Gambit was there to rescue them or go off for half a show to 'find something out'.

Gambit also started to get a string of girlfriends. You knew he was a ladies man in the first season but you never saw them until now.

I just found this incredibly disappointing. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that I wanted a full blown love affair going on between Purdey and Gambit but, a little character continuity wouldn't have hurt! It was just such a let down for me. One minute Purdey's crying over Gambit and trading flirtatious insults and the next she's trying to put her head on Steed's shoulder and wanting to tell him 'something' when they get in a situation they might not get out of. It just didn't sit right somehow.

I've heard that the backers of the show wanted changes made and locations changed. Seven of the last episodes were filmed abroad in France and Canada and maybe that, coupled with Mr. Macnee's desire to be involved in the episodes more, meant that some character alterations had to be made too.

Whatever the reason and whatever my frustration at the show not going or staying how I wanted it J, the actual stories themselves where excellent - apart from the odd one or two, but then what show doesn't have the odd below par episode?

Even now, I still have fond memories of the show: Purdey's hair, clothes and high kicks. Gambit's blink-and-you'll-miss-it fighting technique, cool demeanour and three piece suits. And finally, Steed's English gent personified, bowler hat and fantastic custom Jaguar Coupe.

They just don't make them like this anymore and more's the pity. I have recently bought the entire series to add to my seemingly ever growing video collection. It's a fantastic addition and I hope all you who read this have good memories of the show too.

For more in-depth information on the show, visit The Authorised Guide To The New Avengers. It's a great site and well worth a look.

If you want to read quotes from the show then go HERE.

If you want to see pictures from the show then go HERE.

If you want to see wallpapers the go HERE.

If you want to comment on the pages or have noticed a mistake then E-MAIL me.

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