Let's be real. When most people hear the word "Avengers," they immediately think of Iron Man, Captain America, and a multi-billion dollar cinematic universe. But for a certain generation of TV addicts and connoisseurs of British cool, the word conjures something entirely different. It’s about a man in a bowler hat, a woman in a catsuit, and the sheer, unadulterated style of the 1960s. We’re talking about the original British spy-fi series, specifically The Avengers Season 5. This wasn't just another run of episodes. It was the moment the show exploded into color and became a global phenomenon. Honestly, if you haven't seen it, you're missing out on the literal blueprint for modern stylish action.
What Really Happened With The Avengers Season 5
The transition to color was a massive deal back in 1967. Before this, the show was a grainy, black-and-white affair that relied heavily on atmosphere and shadow. But when the producers decided to target the American market, they knew they had to go big. This meant color. It meant bigger budgets. It meant leaning into the "pop art" aesthetic that was sweeping London at the time. Patrick Macnee as John Steed and Diana Rigg as Emma Peel became the icons we know today during this specific season.
There is a common misconception that the show was always this psychedelic. It wasn't. Early seasons were much more grounded in traditional noir and cold war espionage. Season 5 is where the "Avengers-land" vibe really took hold. It’s a world where quirky eccentricities are the norm and the villains are as likely to use a giant mechanical cat as they are a silenced pistol.
The Emma Peel Factor
Diana Rigg. That’s the tweet, basically.
✨ Don't miss: Who was the voice of Yoda? The real story behind the Jedi Master
Her chemistry with Patrick Macnee is the engine that drives every single frame of The Avengers Season 5. It’s not a romance, but it’s not not a romance. It’s a sophisticated, intellectual partnership built on mutual respect and incredibly fast-paced banter. Rigg’s Emma Peel was revolutionary for the time. She wasn't a damsel. She was a genius, a martial artist, and she often rescued Steed just as much as he rescued her. While the previous partner, Cathy Gale (played by Honor Blackman), paved the way, Emma Peel perfected the "talented amateur" archetype.
The Episodes That Changed Everything
You can’t talk about this season without mentioning "The Winged Avenger" or "The Joker." These aren't just TV episodes; they are stylistic statements. In "The Winged Avenger," the show tackles comic book culture before it was cool, featuring a villain who dresses like a giant bird of prey. It’s camp, sure, but it’s played with such a straight face by Macnee and Rigg that it works.
Then you have "The Joker," which is a masterclass in suspense. It’s essentially a bottle episode set in a remote house, where Emma is hunted by an old enemy. It proves that despite the bright colors and the "M-Appeal" (the production code for Emma Peel's sex appeal), the show could still be genuinely terrifying.
🔗 Read more: Not the Nine O'Clock News: Why the Satirical Giant Still Matters
- Cyber-Nauts Return: This season brought back the iconic robots. It showed the series wasn't afraid to lean into sci-fi tropes while keeping the quintessentially British "stiff upper lip."
- Epic Landscapes: Because they were shooting on film for the US market, the outdoor locations look stunning even today. The English countryside becomes a character itself—usually a backdrop for some bizarre death or a high-speed chase in a vintage Bentley.
- The Fashion: Fashion designer Alun Hughes worked closely with Rigg to create the "Emmapeeler" suits. These jersey stretch outfits weren't just for show; they allowed for the stunt work that Rigg (and her double) had to perform.
Why The Avengers Season 5 Still Matters Today
Look at any modern spy show. Killing Eve? It owes a debt to Emma Peel’s wardrobe and wit. Kingsman? The bowler hat and umbrella combo is a direct lift from John Steed. Even the MCU’s version of the Avengers occasionally winks at its British predecessor.
What's fascinating is how the show managed to be subversive while being a mainstream hit. It poked fun at the British establishment while being the most British thing on television. It featured a woman who was smarter than every man in the room, and it did so without making it a "very special episode" topic. It just was.
The Technical Shift
From a technical standpoint, moving to 35mm film was the best decision the producers ever made. It’s why The Avengers Season 5 looks so much better on modern 4K televisions than almost any other show from that era. The colors pop. The blacks are deep. You can see the texture of Steed’s velvet collars and the sparkle in Peel’s eye. It transformed a local TV show into a cinematic experience that felt at home on American networks like ABC.
💡 You might also like: New Movies in Theatre: What Most People Get Wrong About This Month's Picks
Addressing the Critics
Some purists argue that the show lost its edge when it went to color. They miss the grit of the black-and-white era. They think the "Pop Art" phase was too silly. And yeah, sometimes the plots are paper-thin. Sometimes the logic is non-existent. But that’s missing the point. The show was an exercise in style, wit, and imagination. It wasn't trying to be Le Carré. It was trying to be a dream. A dream where you can stop a world-ending plot and still be home in time for tea at 4:00 PM sharp.
There’s also the issue of the "missing" episodes from earlier seasons, but luckily, Season 5 is fully preserved and looks better than ever thanks to recent restorations. If you’re a physical media collector, the Blu-ray sets are the gold standard for how 60s TV should be treated.
Actionable Steps for the Aspiring Fan
If you want to dive into this world, don't just start from the very beginning of the series unless you're a hardcore historian. Most of the first season is lost anyway.
- Start with "From Venus with Love": This is the first episode of Season 5. It sets the tone perfectly. It involves an astronomical society, blinding lights, and a lot of champagne.
- Watch for the "Steed-isms": Pay attention to Patrick Macnee's physicality. He never used a gun. His umbrella was his weapon. It was a conscious choice by Macnee, who had seen enough of real war and wanted his character to be a man of peace (who could still knock you out with a weighted handle).
- Analyze the Gender Dynamics: Watch how Emma and Steed interact. There is zero condescension. In a decade where women were often relegated to "the secretary," Emma Peel is an equal partner in every sense.
- Look Beyond the Plot: The sets are incredible. The "Avengers-land" aesthetic—minimalist, slightly surreal, and very expensive-looking—is a masterclass in production design.
The Avengers Season 5 is the high-water mark of 1960s television. It represents a brief moment in time where creativity, fashion, and spy-craft collided to create something that hasn't been replicated since. Whether you're here for the vintage cars, the avant-garde fashion, or the dry British humor, it’s a masterclass in how to make television that is both of its time and timeless. Grab a glass of bubbly, find a comfortable armchair, and get ready for the best spy duo to ever grace the small screen.