"Honey for the Prince," the final black and white episode, also was the last to be banned from American broadcast, probably due to the jaw dropping sight of luscious Diana Rigg clad in the most provocative outfit she ever wore on the show, a near nude harem costume with a jewel in her navel (all her most revealing episodes were unfortunately not in color). Barabian Prince Ali (Zia Mohyeddin) is targeted for assassination by a rival nation out to sabotage Britain's oil contract, featuring George Pastell (Hammer's "The Mummy," "The Stranglers of Bombay," "The Curse of the Mummy's Tomb," even "From Russia with Love") as the pampered villain Arkadi, who has a young lovely providing a massage, a manicure, and a steam bath. Ron Moody, later seen in "The Bird Who Knew Too Much," conducts an early version of FANTASY ISLAND, unwittingly setting up the killing by hiding the assassin in a man sized jar of honey stored in the Prince's harem. This is how Steed convinces Mrs. Peel to strut her stuff as a new candidate for latest wife, joining 320 predecessors who apparently accompanied their husband to England! She performs the Dance of the Seven Veils (actually six, which Steed puts down to her being "poorly educated!"), with all the men ogling her throughout. Scantily costumed for the remainder of the episode, she ends up engaging the disarmed gunman in a swordfight, while Steed hardly raises a sweat dealing with Arkadi. An Aladdin's lamp references Barbara Eden in the then current I DREAM OF JEANNIE, who wasn't allowed to show as much as Diana Rigg does, but viewers in the US were denied the pleasure at the time. Other series veterans included Bruno Barnabe ("The White Elephant," "You'll Catch Your Death"), Ken Parry ("Death A La Carte"), Jon Laurimore ("The 50,000 Breakfast"), and Reg Pritchard ("The Winged Avenger"). Closing out the season in March 1966, production resumed six months later in color, but there first was a 3 minute promo for the upcoming season titled "The Strange Case of the Missing Corpse," seen only in America, shot on the same set that concluded "Honey for the Prince," and featuring pretty Valerie Van Ost, later seen in "Dead Man's Treasure," as the still living corpse, with a wink for Steed.
9 Reviews
A place of fantasies and dreams.
Sleepin_Dragon14 July 2022
Two agents are shot at whilst at The QQF, one survives, long enough to explain what happened to Steed and Mrs Peel.
I get the impression they wanted to round the series off with a slightly lighter episode. It's quite a fun romp with some really nice ideas, I adored the idea of The QQF, a place where fantasies really do come true.
Murder and fantasy really do collide here quite literally, this is definitely one of the most far fetched, fantastical plots of all, it's memorable for its quirkiness.
The best element has to be seeing Mrs Peel doing the dance of the six veils. It also looked really nice, great sets, and some lovely costumes.
I liked the subtlety of Roger Curram's Vincent, it contrasted well against the larger than life Ron Moody and George Pastell, the two were wonderfully theatrical.
7/10.
I get the impression they wanted to round the series off with a slightly lighter episode. It's quite a fun romp with some really nice ideas, I adored the idea of The QQF, a place where fantasies really do come true.
Murder and fantasy really do collide here quite literally, this is definitely one of the most far fetched, fantastical plots of all, it's memorable for its quirkiness.
The best element has to be seeing Mrs Peel doing the dance of the six veils. It also looked really nice, great sets, and some lovely costumes.
I liked the subtlety of Roger Curram's Vincent, it contrasted well against the larger than life Ron Moody and George Pastell, the two were wonderfully theatrical.
7/10.
We Work Together Apart
aramis-112-8048804 August 2019
Warning: Spoilers
"Honey for the Prince" is an excellent episode to conclude the black and white episodes of "The Avengers."
It has all the elements we love, and more so. Two casual deaths of innocent bystanders. A hammy guest star (in this case, Ron Moody from "Oliver!") running a quaint organization we all wish actually existed. An Emma Peel sword fight (reminiscent of her first episode, "The Town of No Return"). Steed's easy manner in all situations, masking a willingness to show his fighting prowess only if he needs to. Steed being typically English (in this case, for an indoor cricket match, something we Americans will never comprehend). And lovely, indomitable Mrs. Peel slowly losing her dignity, yet maintaining her indestructible poise (in this case, as a harem girl of low I.Q.)
Diana Rigg was a perfect Mrs. Peel, always word-perfect in her inflections. She also handles comedy perfectly, as show by the hitch of her harem trousers, sure to bring a laugh to all but the primmest bluenoses.
The plot? Oh, something about the British, through Steed and Mrs. Peel, trying to gain concessions from a middle-eastern prince, while also trying to prevent his assassination by unknown assailants. But why does a murdered colleague of Steed's have a cabinet full of honey? And what is the mystery behind the QQF?
But the plot is only a clothesline, as usual, on which to hang the antics of the two stars. Once, when someone watching the show asked Patrick McNee how come he and Mrs. Peel spent so much time on their own when they were supposed to work together, McNee replied, "We work together apart." As usual, Steed and Mrs. Peel start off together with an exciting opening and follow their own threads of baffling clues until they meet together at the end in an attempt to foil the bad guys.
"The Avengers" was delightful fluff in the vein of America's "The Wild Wild West" only with the beautiful, classically-trained actress Diana Rigg and the likewise wonderful Patrick McNee never letting on for a minute that their storylines make no sense. And apart from the puzzling (for Americans) cricket terms, this makes a perfectly ridiculous episode in the top tier of Mrs. Peel's black and white days. Enjoy.
It has all the elements we love, and more so. Two casual deaths of innocent bystanders. A hammy guest star (in this case, Ron Moody from "Oliver!") running a quaint organization we all wish actually existed. An Emma Peel sword fight (reminiscent of her first episode, "The Town of No Return"). Steed's easy manner in all situations, masking a willingness to show his fighting prowess only if he needs to. Steed being typically English (in this case, for an indoor cricket match, something we Americans will never comprehend). And lovely, indomitable Mrs. Peel slowly losing her dignity, yet maintaining her indestructible poise (in this case, as a harem girl of low I.Q.)
Diana Rigg was a perfect Mrs. Peel, always word-perfect in her inflections. She also handles comedy perfectly, as show by the hitch of her harem trousers, sure to bring a laugh to all but the primmest bluenoses.
The plot? Oh, something about the British, through Steed and Mrs. Peel, trying to gain concessions from a middle-eastern prince, while also trying to prevent his assassination by unknown assailants. But why does a murdered colleague of Steed's have a cabinet full of honey? And what is the mystery behind the QQF?
But the plot is only a clothesline, as usual, on which to hang the antics of the two stars. Once, when someone watching the show asked Patrick McNee how come he and Mrs. Peel spent so much time on their own when they were supposed to work together, McNee replied, "We work together apart." As usual, Steed and Mrs. Peel start off together with an exciting opening and follow their own threads of baffling clues until they meet together at the end in an attempt to foil the bad guys.
"The Avengers" was delightful fluff in the vein of America's "The Wild Wild West" only with the beautiful, classically-trained actress Diana Rigg and the likewise wonderful Patrick McNee never letting on for a minute that their storylines make no sense. And apart from the puzzling (for Americans) cricket terms, this makes a perfectly ridiculous episode in the top tier of Mrs. Peel's black and white days. Enjoy.
Murder when fantasy becomes reality
Tweekums7 February 2015
Warning: Spoilers
As this, the final black and white episode, opens we see two men entering strangely decorated room; one rubs an 'Aladdin's Lamp' and a man appears in a puff of smoke; he is no genie though; he is a killer with a sub-machinegun! One of the men survives long enough to get to Steed's home; he mentions genie, or possibly Jeanie, and honey before dying. These clues ultimately lead Mrs Peel and Steed to honey maker B. Bumble and the QQF (Quite, Quite Fantastic) company. The latter, Steed learns, is a company that will make ones fantasy a reality; whether you want to climb Everest, be the heavy weight champion of the world or assassinate somebody; it is of course all an act but somebody is intending to use the fantasy created by QQF as a blueprint for assassinating the visiting Prince of Barabia. Steed goes to warn him but can't get into the harem, where the attack is due to take place, so Mrs Peel must become his 321nd wife!
'The Avengers' is nearly always a bit silly but this episode is utterly ridiculous; and that is why it is so much fun. The idea that a fantasy assassination could be used in reality is laughable but that doesn't matter; we have entertaining villains; one who, for most of the episode, is being massaged by an unspeaking beauty and the other who is off killing people. The revelation that the Prince is really a cricket obsessive was fun but nothing compared to his reaction to seeing Mrs Peel perform the dance of the seven veils so good he immediately offered Steed several goats for her! This also proved an excuse to put Mrs Peel in her skimpiest costume yet; any smaller and it would have been indecent! The cast do a fine job; managing to play it fairly straight despite the silliness of the story. Overall I really enjoyed this episode's delightful silliness although I'm sure some will feel it is too silly even for 'The Avengers'.
'The Avengers' is nearly always a bit silly but this episode is utterly ridiculous; and that is why it is so much fun. The idea that a fantasy assassination could be used in reality is laughable but that doesn't matter; we have entertaining villains; one who, for most of the episode, is being massaged by an unspeaking beauty and the other who is off killing people. The revelation that the Prince is really a cricket obsessive was fun but nothing compared to his reaction to seeing Mrs Peel perform the dance of the seven veils so good he immediately offered Steed several goats for her! This also proved an excuse to put Mrs Peel in her skimpiest costume yet; any smaller and it would have been indecent! The cast do a fine job; managing to play it fairly straight despite the silliness of the story. Overall I really enjoyed this episode's delightful silliness although I'm sure some will feel it is too silly even for 'The Avengers'.
A happier, but still dangerous, Middle East
pashli3 May 2006
Warning: Spoilers
Contains some spoilers.
Many old-school fans of the 1960s British spy spoof 'The Avengers' rate 'Honey for the Prince' as one of the top episodes. For a modern viewer coming to it for the first time, your enjoyment may depend on what sort of mood you're in. If you like your action lite, enjoy high camp and non sequitors, and can put up with some less than sterling production values, this may be your cup of herb tea. Those looking for dramatic adventure, convincing martial arts or even color television may be put off.
Centered around maneuvers for oil concessions, this episode does have some continued timeliness. The UK has apparently outdone an unnamed rival power to become the patron of fictitious Barabia, and the crown prince has come to London to sign the deal. But something is awry: there's a shootout, a wounded British agent stumbles into the apartment of John Steed and dies saying something about 'Honey.'
A well-tailored bon vivant who happens to be a top spy/counterspy, Patrick Macnee's Steed is the heart of this series and a wonderful character. He's partnered in this era by whippet thin Diana Rigg as Mrs. Emma Peel. Rigg had succeeded buxom blonde Honor Blackman, who was television's first leather-clad, judo-chopping dominatrix. That may seem par for the course, after Xena, Buffy and Sydney Bristow, but those shows came years later. When Blackman burst on the scene, most actresses in action shows were reduced to falling and cowering, not fighting and outwitting. Unlike Blackman, Rigg didn't learn judo for the part, but she did have a Shakespearean background and an athletic build.
This episode fully captures the outstanding chemistry between Macnee and Rigg, and the fond partnership _ no sex please, we're British _ of Steed and Mrs. Peel. It also showcases a fine supporting cast playing a variety of British eccentrics, as well as some vaguely Middle Eastern ones.
Here, it's you call. Some viewers enjoy the fact that Ken Parry as honeymaker B. Bumble looks exactly like one of his little charges. Others think he and writer Brian Clemens lay the camp on a bit thick. Similarly, lots of folks find Ron Moody and his Ponsonby-Hopkirk a great entrepreneur, and a fine trailblazer for generations of television fantasists thereafter. Others seem to think the arranged fantasias of his company, Quite, Quite Fantastic, are stagy but not funny.
Macnee's many fans get to see their hero in his usual posh wardrobe and attitude as well as his slightly mussed following fight scenes. Macnee has some nice by-play with Zia Mohyeddin as Anglophile Prince Ali, as well as with George Pastell as a villain who enjoys the good life as much as Steed does. But unfortunately for a spy show, Macnee is more actor than fighter. He is so obviously doubled by a stuntman during most of the action sequences that one wonders why director James Hill even bothered to include the occasional cutaway close-up of Macnee.
Similarly, those with feminist inclinations may be irked by Prince Ali's casual disdain toward his harem of scantily clad wives. Some of this is played as satire, but in a sign of the era, Clemens cannot avoid adding a mother-in-law joke.
Although supposedly smarter and just about as tough as Steed, Mrs. Peel frequently wound up under-dressed, and that's certainly true in this case. The results are mixed. The editors of TV Guide in the US regularly choose Emma as their sexiest television female. That may be due more to childhood memories than physique, as under-endowed Diana Rigg is hardly a typical femme fatale. Struggling to fill out a tiny bustier but bursting out of gauzy hip-huggers, Rigg is almost a dead ringer for Debra Messing. Again, it's your call: if you prefer tall, flat redheads, Rigg is definitely your dame; otherwise, you may want to look elsewhere.
In compensation, despite an obvious lack of training Rigg throws herself into a dance of the veils and a prolonged fight with scimitars. While the action is fake, the energy is real. Props are due to the actress and Roland Curram as a murderous henchman for their exuberance, which can seem sexy enough.
In the end, the plot ties together nicely, and with the same good-humored mix of reality, unreality and really unreal reality that we've seen throughout the show. Fans will enjoy a trip down memory lane, and those younger viewers with a taste for the offbeat should check this out. Unlike many period pieces, this still has some juice.
Many old-school fans of the 1960s British spy spoof 'The Avengers' rate 'Honey for the Prince' as one of the top episodes. For a modern viewer coming to it for the first time, your enjoyment may depend on what sort of mood you're in. If you like your action lite, enjoy high camp and non sequitors, and can put up with some less than sterling production values, this may be your cup of herb tea. Those looking for dramatic adventure, convincing martial arts or even color television may be put off.
Centered around maneuvers for oil concessions, this episode does have some continued timeliness. The UK has apparently outdone an unnamed rival power to become the patron of fictitious Barabia, and the crown prince has come to London to sign the deal. But something is awry: there's a shootout, a wounded British agent stumbles into the apartment of John Steed and dies saying something about 'Honey.'
A well-tailored bon vivant who happens to be a top spy/counterspy, Patrick Macnee's Steed is the heart of this series and a wonderful character. He's partnered in this era by whippet thin Diana Rigg as Mrs. Emma Peel. Rigg had succeeded buxom blonde Honor Blackman, who was television's first leather-clad, judo-chopping dominatrix. That may seem par for the course, after Xena, Buffy and Sydney Bristow, but those shows came years later. When Blackman burst on the scene, most actresses in action shows were reduced to falling and cowering, not fighting and outwitting. Unlike Blackman, Rigg didn't learn judo for the part, but she did have a Shakespearean background and an athletic build.
This episode fully captures the outstanding chemistry between Macnee and Rigg, and the fond partnership _ no sex please, we're British _ of Steed and Mrs. Peel. It also showcases a fine supporting cast playing a variety of British eccentrics, as well as some vaguely Middle Eastern ones.
Here, it's you call. Some viewers enjoy the fact that Ken Parry as honeymaker B. Bumble looks exactly like one of his little charges. Others think he and writer Brian Clemens lay the camp on a bit thick. Similarly, lots of folks find Ron Moody and his Ponsonby-Hopkirk a great entrepreneur, and a fine trailblazer for generations of television fantasists thereafter. Others seem to think the arranged fantasias of his company, Quite, Quite Fantastic, are stagy but not funny.
Macnee's many fans get to see their hero in his usual posh wardrobe and attitude as well as his slightly mussed following fight scenes. Macnee has some nice by-play with Zia Mohyeddin as Anglophile Prince Ali, as well as with George Pastell as a villain who enjoys the good life as much as Steed does. But unfortunately for a spy show, Macnee is more actor than fighter. He is so obviously doubled by a stuntman during most of the action sequences that one wonders why director James Hill even bothered to include the occasional cutaway close-up of Macnee.
Similarly, those with feminist inclinations may be irked by Prince Ali's casual disdain toward his harem of scantily clad wives. Some of this is played as satire, but in a sign of the era, Clemens cannot avoid adding a mother-in-law joke.
Although supposedly smarter and just about as tough as Steed, Mrs. Peel frequently wound up under-dressed, and that's certainly true in this case. The results are mixed. The editors of TV Guide in the US regularly choose Emma as their sexiest television female. That may be due more to childhood memories than physique, as under-endowed Diana Rigg is hardly a typical femme fatale. Struggling to fill out a tiny bustier but bursting out of gauzy hip-huggers, Rigg is almost a dead ringer for Debra Messing. Again, it's your call: if you prefer tall, flat redheads, Rigg is definitely your dame; otherwise, you may want to look elsewhere.
In compensation, despite an obvious lack of training Rigg throws herself into a dance of the veils and a prolonged fight with scimitars. While the action is fake, the energy is real. Props are due to the actress and Roland Curram as a murderous henchman for their exuberance, which can seem sexy enough.
In the end, the plot ties together nicely, and with the same good-humored mix of reality, unreality and really unreal reality that we've seen throughout the show. Fans will enjoy a trip down memory lane, and those younger viewers with a taste for the offbeat should check this out. Unlike many period pieces, this still has some juice.
Emma is a honey
robert37501 June 2023
The beginning of the episode is particularly endearing to me. Steed and Peel are shown returning from some kind of get together, formally dressed, and very much enjoying each other's company, with playful affection. I loved it. They return to Steed's apartment and find a dying man there. They immediately go into serious business mode, and uncover an assassination plot involving honey and an agency that specializes in making fantasies come true. There's the usual delightful mix of British humor and derring do, with each of them exhibiting excellent fighting skills. Emma shows her ability with a sword, as well as her navel (something that American censors would never allow) in a nicely revealing harem outfit. Fun stuff.
Emma in the harem
searchanddestroy-125 February 2019
That's not the best episode of the whole series but it remains a rather amusing one, with the usual eccentric old man who gets killed. The spies trying to assassinate an Arab prince and the oriental atmosphere, reminding that this is a British series, UK and its colonial past...You have here more fun than real spooky or riveting scenes. It deserves to be seen though.
Honey for the Prince
coltras3512 December 2023
Finding that a dead agent had a cupboard full of honey, the Avengers investigate and discover a plot to assassinate a visiting Prince. Emma joins the Prince's harem after the dance of the six veils - as she lost count - while Steed investigates Quite, Quite Fantastic Inc., a company that creates your ultimate fantasy - be it mountain climbing, genies in lamps, or the Battle of Waterloo.
The assassin stows away in an enormous jar of honey to get into the harem but Emma disarms him before he can shoot the Prince and they fight with scimitars. Defeated, Vincent reveals who was behind the plot.
Genies, flying carpets, Mrs Peel joining the harem, Ron Moody's character who creates fantasies for people and an Arab prince primed for assassination- the usual barmy episode, though not too striking and leans to the average. However, there's some moments of interesting such as the Scimitar fight between Emma and the bad guy is a highlight. An orientalist view of the Middle East is presented, you know harems, goat trading etc., all done in a self-depreciating manner.
The assassin stows away in an enormous jar of honey to get into the harem but Emma disarms him before he can shoot the Prince and they fight with scimitars. Defeated, Vincent reveals who was behind the plot.
Genies, flying carpets, Mrs Peel joining the harem, Ron Moody's character who creates fantasies for people and an Arab prince primed for assassination- the usual barmy episode, though not too striking and leans to the average. However, there's some moments of interesting such as the Scimitar fight between Emma and the bad guy is a highlight. An orientalist view of the Middle East is presented, you know harems, goat trading etc., all done in a self-depreciating manner.
Honey for the Prince
guswhovian13 August 2020
Steed and Mrs Peel suspect an assassination plot against a visiting Arabian prince is being planned after two agents turn up dead.
Honey for the Prince closes our season four pleasantly enough. Ron Moody is a hoot as Hopkirk, and Zia Mohyeddin is good as the cricket-mad prince.
Overall, viewing season four of The Avengers has been a very pleasant experience, mainly due to the fantastic chemistry between Patrick Macnee and Diana Rigg. There were a couple of pretty bad episodes, but most of the episodes were average enough. The highlights for me were Death at Bargain Prices, The Hour That Never Was, Man-Eater of Surrey Green and Too Many Christmas Trees.
Honey for the Prince closes our season four pleasantly enough. Ron Moody is a hoot as Hopkirk, and Zia Mohyeddin is good as the cricket-mad prince.
Overall, viewing season four of The Avengers has been a very pleasant experience, mainly due to the fantastic chemistry between Patrick Macnee and Diana Rigg. There were a couple of pretty bad episodes, but most of the episodes were average enough. The highlights for me were Death at Bargain Prices, The Hour That Never Was, Man-Eater of Surrey Green and Too Many Christmas Trees.
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