> From: Hpalencar <[log in to unmask]>
> Another list member has talked about
> Emma Peel and John Steed (whose relationship was also celibate).
> There seems, however, to be a difference between these two
> relationships not entirely explained by the difference in their
> respective series' genres.
>
> There seems to be some sort of superiority or arrogance attached to
> the new celibacy, whereas in the case of Peel and Steed (like Della
> and Perry, in yet another genre), the matter was either enveloped in
> mystery or not regarded as something of great importance.
> From: Anny Middon <[log in to unmask]>
> As to John Steed and Emma Peel, you're right in that their sexual
> attraction to each other or lack of it is not regarded as something
> of great importance.
> They are partners who work together well, and don't socialize
> outside of
> work. IIRC, they don't even call each other by their first names.
> ("Mrs. Peel, we're needed.")
Steed & Peel's non-work relationship was certainly of importance to
viewers, who were constantly teased by mildly suggestive episode
codas (warm smiles, clinking champagne glasses, witty repartee). But
I can't recall Steed ever using Peel's first name when addressing her,
and it was also made clear that her husband was missing (I think he
was a pilot) but not known to be dead. I *think* he reappeared in the
last episode, which is why Peel decided to stop working with Steed
and resume her previous life.
I'm not so familiar with the subsequent series, but I remember more
suggestions of flirtations between Steed & Tara King, and the final
episode ended with them blasting off into space in a rocket (see,
this *is* an SF-related message!) and Mother being relatively
unconcerned about their safety but quite worried that they were
unchaperoned.
[If this is all wildly mis-remembered please shatter my romantic
illusions gently.]
> From: Anny Middon <[log in to unmask]>
> Very interesting. I read an article a long time ago that said that
> when The Avengers was first written, the role of Emma Peel was
> written for a man. The decision to change the character to a woman
> and to cast Diana Rigg was made too late for the writers to do
> anything but change the name of the character and the pronoun
> references. (IIRC, The Avengers had some science fictional
> elements, so this is not totally off-topic.)
This may be true, but I find it very surprising. Honor Blackman had
the "Steed's partner" role before Diana Rigg, so the idea of the
strong, sexy female sidekick was already well-established. But
Steed's *first* partner was a man -- don't recall the character's
name, but the actor I think was Ian Hendry
Alasdair.
=======================================================================
Alasdair Montgomery
Assistant Librarian: Science & Engineering
University of Wales Swansea Tel: 01792 295042
Singleton Park Fax: 01792 295851
Swansea SA2 8PP [log in to unmask]
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