The Avengers Esprit De Corps (1961–1969) Online

As this episode opens a corporal in the Highland Guards is shot by a firing squad. His death is reported as an accident while cleaning his weapon… this is soon disproved as he had three bullets in him from three different rifles! Steed wants to find out what really happened and why so he goes undercover claiming to be writing a book on the regiment's history while Mrs Gale enlists in a civil defence programme; she has also been given a good Highland lineage to make her fit in with the regiment's officers. As they investigate they uncover a plot by Brigadier General Sir Ian Stuart-Bollinger who believes that his adopted son is a direct descendant of Bonnie Prince Charlie and is planning a coup to put him on the throne.

This is a pretty decent episode with an enjoyably silly plot. Duncan Macrae's performance as the slightly bonkers Brig Stuart-Bollinger is a lot of fun; he plays the role dead straight which is just what he is required. John Thaw also impresses as Captain Trench, an obvious wrongun, however the stand out performance comes from Roy Kinnear as Private Jessop, a soldier who's willingness to take a bribe saves Steed more than once. On the down side things get a bit silly when Mrs Gale's forged lineage suggests that she also has a claim to the Scottish crown in the eyes of Stuart-Bollinger. Overall a solid episode.

"Esprit De Corps" is a rare dud, beginning well with an execution by firing squad, but quickly losing steam as a military coup seeks to capture the throne of Scotland, which would make Cathy Gale the new Queen (it's as ludicrous as it sounds). As he always does, Roy Kinnear steals every scene as Private Jessop, who looks after Steed's safety throughout, provided he is well compensated (he would return in "The Hour That Never Was," "The See-Through Man," and "Bizarre"). This was the fourth and last appearance for Douglas Robinson (last seen in "Man with Two Shadows"), and the third of four for Anthony Blackshaw ("The Sell-Out," "The Mauritius Penny," "Super Secret Cypher Snatch").