Ep 4. Nightmare

In season 1 episode 4 of The Avengers titled "Nightmare," our favorite spy duo, John Steed and Dr. David Keel, are investigating a series of mysterious deaths in the London neighborhood of Soho. The victims all have one thing in common – they all died in their sleep. Steed's intelligence sources led him to believe that a foreign power is behind these deaths, carrying out a covert campaign of assassination on British soil.

The episode begins with Dr. Keel treating a patient at his medical practice late at night. Suddenly, the patient goes into a deep sleep, and despite Dr. Keel's best efforts, he can't be woken up. The scene then switches to a hotel room where a lonely middle-aged man, George, is also in a deep sleep. A mysterious figure enters the room and injects a solution into a small bottle. George suddenly wakes up in a panic, unable to move. His heart rate spikes, and he soon dies of a heart attack. His murder sets off a chain of similar deaths in the neighborhood.

Steed and Keel begin to investigate the murders and are soon met with resistance from the authorities, who brush off the deaths as the result of an overindulgent lifestyle or natural causes. Steed and Keel know better and start to follow their leads, which take them to a seedy night club in Soho. There, they find that several foreign nationals frequent the club, and they become convinced that one of them is behind the murders.

As the investigation continues, they find themselves in a power struggle between two foreign operatives - one from the East and one from the West - both trying to outsmart the other. Through a series of twists and turns, Steed and Keel finally catch the killer and stop them before they can strike again.

"Nightmare" is a classic example of the British spy genre that The Avengers helped to define. It was first broadcast in 1961 and captures the essence of the decade's preoccupation with international espionage and Cold War tensions. The theme of the episode is also timeless, as it deals with the fear of a foreign power attacking innocent civilians on home soil.

The performances of the actors are excellent, with Patrick Macnee as John Steed and Ian Hendry as Dr. David Keel delivering first-rate performances. Macnee's portrayal of the suave and sophisticated Steed has become an icon of British popular culture, and this episode is no exception. Hendry, as Dr. Keel, plays the more down-to-earth character, providing a contrast to Steed's elevated demeanor.

The production team also deserves credit for creating a stylish, atmospheric episode that captures the look and feel of early 1960s London. The set design, costumes, and music are all superb, and the use of black and white photography adds a sense of realism and tension to the episode.

Overall, "Nightmare" is a classic episode of The Avengers that epitomizes the best of British spy drama. It is well-written, beautifully filmed, and features excellent performances from its cast. The tension builds with each passing scene, and the climax is both satisfying and suspenseful. It is a must-watch for fans of the show and anyone who loves classic British television.