Three men and a woman called Circe politely call on the country home of Steed's friends, married couple Bill and Laura Bassett. Unfortunately their visit turns sinister as they plan to implant explosives into the throats of the couple and send them off to destroy a nearby peace conference. Happily for the Bassetts - and the conference - Steed is coming to visit for the weekend, and he knows what to do. "Take-Over" is a curious episode, a throwback to the quiet intensity of earlier seasons, the last of 5 scripted by Terry Nation, and the last of 7 directed by Robert Fuest. This may explain the return of Tom Adams, not seen since 1961's first season ("Death on the Slipway" and "The Far-Distant Dead"), who toplines as cultured villain Fenton Grenville, whose entourage invades a quiet country home for the purpose of sabotage. Enter the unexpected presence of John Steed, who celebrates Christmas every February with his hosts, soon learning that both are in mortal danger, with Tara making her entrance late in the proceedings. Despite the distinct lack of humor (and music), the verbal sparring between Steed and Grenville make this the last truly great entry. Hammer veteran Michael Gwynn (1958's "The Revenge of Frankenstein" and 1970's "Scars of Dracula") plays the harried host, Elizabeth Sellars is his wife, and Garfield Morgan ("The Fear Merchants" and "Game") wears shades again as Grenville's culinary cohort. Steed and Tara are due some holiday time so she decides to do a spot of sailing in the Channel while he is planning to visit some old friends in the country and get some shooting in of course things don't go quite as planned. A group of criminals have taken over the house of Steed's friends and placed small explosive devices in their necks if they don't do what they are told the charges will be detonated. The group, consisting of three men and a woman have not stated why they have taken over the house but it is clear that it they intend to remain there for some time. When Steed arrives he wishes everybody a happy Christmas, which is a little odd as it is February the reason is explained though. He soon senses that there is something wrong with his friends' other guests but nothing he can put his finger on. They are keen to get rid of Steed so it isn't the local pheasants that will be in danger when a morning's shooting is proposed!<br/><br/>This is a fairly atypical episode; there isn't the usual campness and for most of the episode Tara in nowhere to be seen. Instead we get a very claustrophobic feel as Steed's friends, Bill and Laura Bassett are held prisoner in their own home and after their servant is killed they realise their captors aren't to be trifled with. The tension rises further when Steed arrives and when they go out for their shoot Steed looks genuinely concerned for his safety and even a little ruffled. The villains are frightening; not because they are always yelling at their captors; indeed they are frightening because they are almost polite I say almost as it is clear that they are contemptuous of the Bassetts after all what sort of person drinks instant coffee?! Tom Adams is suitably unpleasant as Fenton Grenville, the leader of the villains and Hilary Pritchard in memorable as Circe Bishop; the inventor of the 'throat bombs'. When we learn of their intentions it isn't too far-fetched a plan to assassinate various dignitaries at a site visible from the Bassett's upper windows. Overall I really enjoyed this episode although people hoping for a typically surreal episode may be a little disappointed.
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370 weeks ago