In the opening scene we see two men on horseback arriving at an abandoned station; here there talk about how, at twelve o'clock, Steed will die! It turns out Steed has broken a leg and is recuperating at a top secret, highly secure location
to visit him Tara must cross defences which include a minefield and an electric fence. At first they have no idea of the impending danger but when the communications systems are destroyed and the man with the key to the defence system is killed it becomes obvious that something is going on. A clue leads them to realise the man responsible is Gerald Kafka; the head of Murder Inc. who was captured by Steed seven years previously. Knowing of the danger Tara tries to rally the other people there to protect Steed but with the exception of a bed-ridden man they all make excuses as to why they must not get involved. Back at Steed's apartment Mother is working his way through Steed's drink cabinet when he learns of Kafka's escape and that he has a way of bypassing the security system which is meant to be defending Steed and the others at the secure location.
From the start this episode has a western feel; villains on horseback at a disused station followed by a killing at noon. It soon becomes apparent that there will be more references to 'High Noon'; most notably the difficulty in getting any help to protect Steed. It was interesting that the main villain remained hidden for some time while we are introduced to his henchmen. Unusually these were made to seem far more human than most bad guys; we observe them talking, mostly about what one of them should get his niece for her ninth birthday. Ray Brooks and T. P. McKenna are good in these roles. As the attack approaches the tension rises nicely, especially as each of the others makes their excuses, the single location from which our heroes can't leave gives a claustrophobic atmosphere. Humour is provided by Mother's drinking Steed's booze and the large number of phones the unspeaking Rhonda holds out for him. The conclusion provides some good tense action and a surprise when we learn Steed was better armed than we assumed. Overall a solid episode which nicely referenced a classic film.
From the start this episode has a western feel; villains on horseback at a disused station followed by a killing at noon. It soon becomes apparent that there will be more references to 'High Noon'; most notably the difficulty in getting any help to protect Steed. It was interesting that the main villain remained hidden for some time while we are introduced to his henchmen. Unusually these were made to seem far more human than most bad guys; we observe them talking, mostly about what one of them should get his niece for her ninth birthday. Ray Brooks and T. P. McKenna are good in these roles. As the attack approaches the tension rises nicely, especially as each of the others makes their excuses, the single location from which our heroes can't leave gives a claustrophobic atmosphere. Humour is provided by Mother's drinking Steed's booze and the large number of phones the unspeaking Rhonda holds out for him. The conclusion provides some good tense action and a surprise when we learn Steed was better armed than we assumed. Overall a solid episode which nicely referenced a classic film.