One of the great things about the avengers is the mixed bag of episodes they are. Although none of them really show much of the outside world, many take place in the countryside of Great Britain. Others, like this on are set in London and have almost only one set piece. Here it is a department store in which one of Steed and Mrs. Peel's colleagues got killed. The restricted area is perfect for John and Emma to sneak around and have fun. As so often, again the combination of old tradition and modern technology, eccentric characters and clever criminals are hidden between basement and rooftop of this building. Certainly, there is enough innuendo between John and Emma going on to keep the sexual tension up as usual.
10 Reviews
Emma sells underwear and Steed gets a black eye
Tweekums14 April 2015
Warning: Spoilers
When an agent is found dead the only clue is a shop receipt found in his pocket; a receipt for a purchase on a Sunday
when the shop was closed. Steed and Mrs Peel investigate the shop and it soon becomes apparent that the staff there don't know the basics of their business; something is clearly wrong with the place. To find out what Mrs Peel gets a job there while Steed sneaks up to the top floor to see the company's reclusive chairman Horatio Kane. It appears that he has been side-lined by the senior staff who are clearly up to something sinister; having secret meetings and firing long term staff who ask too many questions. Eventually Steed and Mrs Peel uncover their dastardly plan
they intend to set off an atomic bomb and destroy London!
This is a fine episode with a good mix of drama and humour. The plot is delightfully over the top once exposed but for most of the episode we are kept wondering just why are a group of shop workers plotting and even killing. The shop location provides plenty of entertaining moments; first Mrs Peel is selling ladies underwear then she is wearing a rather fetching 'futuristic' outfit in the toy department ideal for her to fight in; meanwhile Steed flirts with the attractive girl on the food counter. There are some nicely handled tense moments and some good action; Steed even gets a black eye! The cast does a fine job, including several 'Avengers' regulars such as Allan Cuthbertson, T.P. McKenna and George Selway, they manage to make us believe in the unlikely plot. Overall a really entertaining episode.
This is a fine episode with a good mix of drama and humour. The plot is delightfully over the top once exposed but for most of the episode we are kept wondering just why are a group of shop workers plotting and even killing. The shop location provides plenty of entertaining moments; first Mrs Peel is selling ladies underwear then she is wearing a rather fetching 'futuristic' outfit in the toy department ideal for her to fight in; meanwhile Steed flirts with the attractive girl on the food counter. There are some nicely handled tense moments and some good action; Steed even gets a black eye! The cast does a fine job, including several 'Avengers' regulars such as Allan Cuthbertson, T.P. McKenna and George Selway, they manage to make us believe in the unlikely plot. Overall a really entertaining episode.
Diana Rigg's coming out party
kevinolzak16 February 2011
"Death at Bargain Prices" is another cherished episode, loaded with some of the wittiest banter the two stars could come up with. An agent is shot dead in a department store, leaving behind a receipt with Sunday's date on it (closed on Sundays of course). Mrs. Peel is found in ladies' underwear, which has Steed rattling up the stairs "three at a time!" (he later frees her from being bound and gagged inside a large rug- Steed: "that's how I like my mummies, well preserved!" Emma: "carpetbagger!") Diana Rigg, in only her fourth episode, finally carves her own fighting style, different from the ultra serious Honor Blackman, a well choreographed balletic sequence startling for its unusual gamble of having Mrs. Peel demanding her opponent to hand her his gun, snapping her fingers to distract him. This was the moment where audiences fell in love with her, particularly the masculine contingent. Andre Morell, a superb actor previously seen as a villain in "Death of a Batman," plays this one in a wheelchair, with T. P. McKenna, previously a villain in "Trojan Horse," providing the single most shocking moment in this episode, popping the unsuspecting Steed in the eye! (he would return in "Noon-Doomsday"). Allan Cuthbertson ("The Deadly Air") would return for "Death's Door" and "Super Secret Cypher Snatch," Harvey Ashby ("The Decapod") would return for "Requiem," and John Cater ("The Nutshell") would return for "The Living Dead."
There's nothing like an angry shopkeeper.
Sleepin_Dragon2 July 2022
A death occurs in Pinter's Department store, Mrs Peel arrives in store in Ladies underware, Steed goes straight to the boss, to tell him how bad his staff are.
It's another episode that I'd say I absolutely loved, such an imaginative plot, with so much happening, so many unexpected moments, with plenty of surprises in store.
The chemistry between Macnee and Rigg is extraordinary, it's evident that the pair are having a riot, they really are a joy to watch.
There's something about a department store at night, something mysterious, a little sinister, you know it should be empty, but at the back of your mind, something good be going on in there.
A wonderful cast once again, I thought TP McKenna, André Morello and Allan Cuthbertson in particular were great.
Loved it, 9/10.
It's another episode that I'd say I absolutely loved, such an imaginative plot, with so much happening, so many unexpected moments, with plenty of surprises in store.
The chemistry between Macnee and Rigg is extraordinary, it's evident that the pair are having a riot, they really are a joy to watch.
There's something about a department store at night, something mysterious, a little sinister, you know it should be empty, but at the back of your mind, something good be going on in there.
A wonderful cast once again, I thought TP McKenna, André Morello and Allan Cuthbertson in particular were great.
Loved it, 9/10.
THIS EPISODE HAS GOT MY VOTE
duncanbrown-767336 November 2021
Warning: Spoilers
The opening sequence of this episode is creepy and suspenseful. The tension builds up to an excellent twist, with a secret agent being shot dead six times by the evil Wentworth superbly played by TP McKenna.
What dominates this episode is the presence of the distinguish character actor Andre Morell.
One of the best highlights of this episode is at the climax, where Mrs Peel has a fight with Massey one of the villains. It is usual and powerful in a very kinky way.
In this episode Steed has a very sophisticated way with the ladies, but he does not show the attitude or the behaviour of a lurch or a dirty old man.
The interplay between the characters are excellent, and the script is nicely written.
Allan Cuthbertson who plays Farthingale is excellent as a charming, but sinister dark version of Steed. The interplay between both men is acting at its best.
Diane Clare who plays Julie the young sales girl who sells food, screen tested for the role of Tara King in 1967. She lost out to Linda Thorson. Both Miss Clare and Andre Morell were to star together in the Hammer Horror film The Plague Of Zombies a year after this episode was made. They played father and daughter.
It is well directed by Charles Crichton, and it has the edge over his 1988 film A Fish Called Wanda.
What dominates this episode is the presence of the distinguish character actor Andre Morell.
One of the best highlights of this episode is at the climax, where Mrs Peel has a fight with Massey one of the villains. It is usual and powerful in a very kinky way.
In this episode Steed has a very sophisticated way with the ladies, but he does not show the attitude or the behaviour of a lurch or a dirty old man.
The interplay between the characters are excellent, and the script is nicely written.
Allan Cuthbertson who plays Farthingale is excellent as a charming, but sinister dark version of Steed. The interplay between both men is acting at its best.
Diane Clare who plays Julie the young sales girl who sells food, screen tested for the role of Tara King in 1967. She lost out to Linda Thorson. Both Miss Clare and Andre Morell were to star together in the Hammer Horror film The Plague Of Zombies a year after this episode was made. They played father and daughter.
It is well directed by Charles Crichton, and it has the edge over his 1988 film A Fish Called Wanda.
Death at Bargain Prices
guswhovian8 July 2020
When a colleague is killed, Steed has Mrs Peel take a job at a large London department store.
Death at Bargain Prices is my favorite episode so far; it's tightly plotted, with wonderful repartee between Patrick Macnee and Diana Rigg. André Morell is fantastic as the villain, and there's a couple of good fight scenes thrown in.
As always, there's plenty of other recognizable faces in the cast: T.P. McKenna, Allan Cuthbertson and Harvey Ashby are all among the henchman, while John Cater has a nice bit as the store detective. Apparently, T.P. McKenna was forced to turn down a role in Doctor Zhivago because of his commitment to this episode!
Death at Bargain Prices is my favorite episode so far; it's tightly plotted, with wonderful repartee between Patrick Macnee and Diana Rigg. André Morell is fantastic as the villain, and there's a couple of good fight scenes thrown in.
As always, there's plenty of other recognizable faces in the cast: T.P. McKenna, Allan Cuthbertson and Harvey Ashby are all among the henchman, while John Cater has a nice bit as the store detective. Apparently, T.P. McKenna was forced to turn down a role in Doctor Zhivago because of his commitment to this episode!
Classic EARLY Mrs. Emma Peel episode
oscar-359 January 2012
Warning: Spoilers
*Spoiler/plot- 1965, "Death at Bargain Prices". Mrs. Peel discovers a mysterious scientific lab in Pinter's department store and The Avengers go shopping for clues at the store. Once the store's building becomes a large atomic bomb in London by it's corporation's wheelchair bound maniac, it's time for Steed and Peel to check out the situation.
*Special Stars- Dianna Rigg, Patrick MacNee
*Theme- Sometimes you just can't get the help you need in a large department store.
*Trivia/location/goofs- An early popular and classic Mrs. Emma Peel episode.
*Emotion- An enjoyable and rather highly stylized British spy TV show that shows us the era of the 60's very well.
*Special Stars- Dianna Rigg, Patrick MacNee
*Theme- Sometimes you just can't get the help you need in a large department store.
*Trivia/location/goofs- An early popular and classic Mrs. Emma Peel episode.
*Emotion- An enjoyable and rather highly stylized British spy TV show that shows us the era of the 60's very well.
Death at bargain prices
coltras3510 December 2023
A receipt from a dead agent's pocket leads the avengers to the plotting of an atomic threat. And a department store holds the key.
The fight sequence at the end is a delight Steed uses a pop gun in the toy department to tackle the bad guys, which turns briefly into a cricket match played with knives, and concludes with the premiere of Emma's trademark ballet-like "feinting." The race to stop the elevator from tripping the bomb is a real nail-biter. It's a solid episode that features mainly in a depart store, but we can guess that it's a department store with a difference. Of the time bomb variety. The plot is brisk, the villainy menacing as Andre Morrell is excellent as the mastermind.
The fight sequence at the end is a delight Steed uses a pop gun in the toy department to tackle the bad guys, which turns briefly into a cricket match played with knives, and concludes with the premiere of Emma's trademark ballet-like "feinting." The race to stop the elevator from tripping the bomb is a real nail-biter. It's a solid episode that features mainly in a depart store, but we can guess that it's a department store with a difference. Of the time bomb variety. The plot is brisk, the villainy menacing as Andre Morrell is excellent as the mastermind.
"And Mr Massey, your carnation is crooked. Kindly adjust it."
bensonmum216 December 2020
When a colleague is found murdered, the only clue is a sales receipt from a nearby department store. Mrs Peel goes undercover and finds things aren't as they should be. It seems that none of the staff has the slightest clue on how to run a retail establishment. What are they up to?
Death at Bargain Prices is another fun episode that gives Steed and Mrs Peel plenty of opportunity to do what they do best - investigate an unusual case and engage in (often innuendo-filled) banter. As for the investigation, the case here is relatively interesting. On the first time through the episode, I honestly had no idea what the baddies were up to with lots of mysterious goings on in the middle of the night. The end is a bit contrived, but aren't most episodes of The Avengers. And the department store provides for a number of unusual situations and settings. I loved the scene where the bad guys hold a secret rendezvous amongst the bamboo in the camping section.
As for the banter, Death at Bargain Prices includes one of my favorite bits of dialogue from any episode. Steed: "I asked the chief predator where to find you and he said, 'Our Mrs Peel is in ladies underwear.' I rattled up the stairs three at a time." Good stuff.
The episode also benefits from having a strong supporting cast, including: Andre Morell, Allen Cuthbertson, and John Carter.
7/10
Death at Bargain Prices is another fun episode that gives Steed and Mrs Peel plenty of opportunity to do what they do best - investigate an unusual case and engage in (often innuendo-filled) banter. As for the investigation, the case here is relatively interesting. On the first time through the episode, I honestly had no idea what the baddies were up to with lots of mysterious goings on in the middle of the night. The end is a bit contrived, but aren't most episodes of The Avengers. And the department store provides for a number of unusual situations and settings. I loved the scene where the bad guys hold a secret rendezvous amongst the bamboo in the camping section.
As for the banter, Death at Bargain Prices includes one of my favorite bits of dialogue from any episode. Steed: "I asked the chief predator where to find you and he said, 'Our Mrs Peel is in ladies underwear.' I rattled up the stairs three at a time." Good stuff.
The episode also benefits from having a strong supporting cast, including: Andre Morell, Allen Cuthbertson, and John Carter.
7/10
Shenanigans in a Shop.
rmax3048232 November 2008
Warning: Spoilers
If you've seen and enjoyed any of the episodes of "The Avengers" you should find this one satisfying.
One of Steed's and Mrs. Peel's agents is shot dead while visiting a London shop. The receipt in his pocket indicates that he was shopping in the Baby Department, although she has no family. Mrs. Peel signs on as a store assistant while Steed noses around, discovers an old curmudgeon (Andre Morell) in the Discontinued Lines Attic, wheeling himself around in a clutter of old automobiles and other artifacts of a by-gone age. Food is being pilfered from the Food Department.
What's going on? Well, for one thing, the shop is holding "the professor" prisoner while he invents things for them, and the pilfered food serves as his special treat, rather like a dog being rewarded for having learned to roll over on command. Legal considerations prevent me from revealing more of the plot -- except, I guess it's safe to say that it's all pretty whimsical. Any time one sees Mrs. Peel draping a translucent nightie around a brassier-clad mannequin, he knows he's in the realm of fantasy. (Boy, does she look fine.) It's a diverting series, on the whole, and amusing in a capricious way. Many of the subtle jokes -- and they're ALL subtle -- are built around men hitting on Mrs. Peel for reasons that would be unimaginable if it weren't for her wide-set eyes, her forceful yet delicately feminine stride, the big and dazzling smile that appears so unexpectedly on her tiny lips, and the skin-tight costumes that the wardrobe lady has seen fit to clothe her in. The jokes are frequently from Steed himself as the unflappable man in the bowler hat. When he asks the floor manager where Mrs. Peel is, he's told that she upstairs in lady's underwear, and rattles up the steps three at a time.
One of Steed's and Mrs. Peel's agents is shot dead while visiting a London shop. The receipt in his pocket indicates that he was shopping in the Baby Department, although she has no family. Mrs. Peel signs on as a store assistant while Steed noses around, discovers an old curmudgeon (Andre Morell) in the Discontinued Lines Attic, wheeling himself around in a clutter of old automobiles and other artifacts of a by-gone age. Food is being pilfered from the Food Department.
What's going on? Well, for one thing, the shop is holding "the professor" prisoner while he invents things for them, and the pilfered food serves as his special treat, rather like a dog being rewarded for having learned to roll over on command. Legal considerations prevent me from revealing more of the plot -- except, I guess it's safe to say that it's all pretty whimsical. Any time one sees Mrs. Peel draping a translucent nightie around a brassier-clad mannequin, he knows he's in the realm of fantasy. (Boy, does she look fine.) It's a diverting series, on the whole, and amusing in a capricious way. Many of the subtle jokes -- and they're ALL subtle -- are built around men hitting on Mrs. Peel for reasons that would be unimaginable if it weren't for her wide-set eyes, her forceful yet delicately feminine stride, the big and dazzling smile that appears so unexpectedly on her tiny lips, and the skin-tight costumes that the wardrobe lady has seen fit to clothe her in. The jokes are frequently from Steed himself as the unflappable man in the bowler hat. When he asks the floor manager where Mrs. Peel is, he's told that she upstairs in lady's underwear, and rattles up the steps three at a time.
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