The Avengers (TV Series) What the Butler Saw (1966) User Reviews

Charmingly British

[LCShackley · 9/10 · 26 February 2021]

One reviewer gave this episode low marks for being "too British," but that's exactly the reason why I gave it a "nine." It takes on two quintessential British institutions - the military and the "gentleman's gentleman" - and mixes them up with the usual dash of murder and espionage. Sure, it's a little silly, but isn't it fun to see Steed showing up with various styles of facial hair to match the man he's going to interview? How about the "butling school," in which stuffy butlers practice answering the door or ironing the master's trousers? And then there's the delightful scene in which Emma fends off the advances of Denis Quilley, with the help of Steed (as butler) interrupting the proceedings for an endless string of reasons? There are plenty of British eccentrics and other stereotypical characters, which are hallmarks of the series.

I should also point out the huge contribution of composer Laurie Johnson, who wrote many new "military-style" music cues for this episode. My favorite was early on, when the "Sailor's Hornpipe" is pitted contrapuntally against the Avengers theme. He was an expert with brass writing, and it shows in this score.

There are many kinds of episodes in THE AVENGERS canon, from the truly frightening to the light and airy. This one falls at the latter end of the spectrum, but is no less of an episode for all that.

The butlers did it

[Tweekums · 8/10 · 4 February 2015]

Somebody is leaking defence secrets to the enemy; there are only three suspects, one from each service; an admiral, a brigadier and a group captain. Steed dons suitable facial hair and uniform to visit each but can't determine who is most likely to be the culprit; each has a weakness; gambling, drinking and women respectively. The men have one thing in common; they all employ butlers from a prestigious Butlers' school. To investigate that link Steed enrols in the school while Mrs Peel sets about catching the eye of the randy group captain.

This was an enjoyable episode with plenty of laughs and a little twist at the end. Early laughs are provided by Steed's appearance as he visits each of the military men; the cliché facial hair is great; especially when he is posing as an RAF officer with a ridiculously impressive moustache! Later fun is to be had as he undertakes training as a butler. Mrs Peel's method of attracting the Group Captain is also rather amusing as is the revelation that he only carries on with so many women because his reputation demands it… he'd rather play board games with them. The bad guys are suitably unpleasant; I particularly liked John Le Mesurier portrayal of one of the bad butlers… so different from his best known role of Sgt Wilson in the classic series 'Dad's Army'. Overall this provided a good mixture of humour and drama making it a pretty good episode.

What the butler saw

[coltras35 · 7/10 · 13 December 2023]

Someone in the War Office is selling secrets to the other side and Steed visits the three suspects in different disguises to investigate and discovers they are all having trouble with their butlers. The trail leads to a butling school and Steed enrols there while Mrs Peel starts Operation Fascination - getting one of the suspects to fall in love with her. Steed is ordered to spill wine on a jacket and when the jacket is laundered, a miniature tape recorder is taken out of one of the shoulder seams. Going to stop them, the Avengers discover the ringleader ...

Steed in his various guises - Commander Red wears a full beard, and Major White a small mustache and Squadron Leader Blue sports a great bushy mustache and spouts breezy acronyms - investigates the disappearance of a butler. Patrick Macnee performs them really well, the characters are of the military cliche kind. Matter of fact, this episode is played for laughs. Mrs Peel has the arduous task of getting information from the lothario group captain. The part where she tries to escape his kissing attempts is funny. The school of butling was quite amusing.

What the Butler Saw

[guswhovian · 6/10 · 6 August 2020]

Steed enrolls in a butler school after important state secrets begin being leaked.

After the campiness of A Touch of Brimstone, thins settle down a bit with Wha the Butler Saw. However, things settle down a bit too much, as What the Butler Saw is probably the most forgettable episode so far. I mean, Mrs Peel doesn't show until almost 15 minutes in!

The butler school idea is nice, and there's a good guest cast (Thorley Walters and Howard Marion-Crawford). Denis Quilley is excellent as a faux Casanova RAF officer Mrs Peel is investigating; he really just wants to sit around and play board games with her!

Another major problem is the identity of the head villain is absolutely ridiculous.

....but what did he do about what he saw?

[Sleepin_Dragon · 6/10 · 10 July 2022]

Steed is on the hunt for a key military figure who's selling state secrets, all he knows is that it's one of three people,

After the wild shenanigans of the previous episode, What The Butler saw marks a real change of pace, tone and vibe. This is more like a comedy caper, it's good, it's watchable, maybe it just lacks a memorable moment. Not what I expected from writer, Brian Clemens.

The opening scenes with Steed sat in The Barber's chair are a little tongue in cheek, and perhaps set the tone for the rest of the episode. It's one that's definitely not meant to be taken too seriously. Mrs Peel felt really underused here.

It's not without its plus points, there are some fine performances from John Le Mesurier, Thorley Walters and Dennis Quilley. Also, I really did like the idea of a mystery figure sat behind the Fireside chair pulling the strings.

The whole butler storyline felt a little muddled at times.

Not a bad watch, not a favourite, 6/10.

Flipping over Emma Peel

[kevinolzak · 7/10 · 4 March 2011]

"What the Butler Saw" has less Emma watching, with Steed attempting to ferret out a traitor among a Brigadier (Howard Marion Crawford, later seen in "The Living Dead" and "Stay Tuned"), a Vice Admiral (Humphrey Lestocq), and an RAF Captain, Georgie Miles (Dennis Quilley), notorious for his numerous female conquests. He naturally flips over Mrs. Peel (effortlessly stealing him away from the competition), while his butler (Hammer veteran Thorley Walters) spends his spare time running a school for butlers infiltrated by Steed (who jealously advises Emma not to do what he would). John Le Mesurier, previously seen in "Mandrake," stands out as the sinister Benson, with Ewan Hooper, dubbed in his memorable role as Dracula's servant priest in Hammer's 1968 "Dracula Has Risen from the Grave," using his own voice here as Sergeant Moran, whose climactic showdown with Mrs. Peel is a particularly well directed bit of action (and probably painful). Norman Scace had previously done "Lobster Quadrille," and Peter Hughes had done "The Medicine Men," while Kynaston Reeves went on to do "Legacy of Death."

Brighter and Better Butling.

[rmax304823 · 12 November 2008]

Neat little episode in which Steed infiltrates a gang of butlers who serve in the households of high-ranking military officers, learn their weaknesses, and use those weaknesses as instruments to learn military intelligence to be passed on to "the other side." Mrs. Peel helps by insinuating herself into the desires of a womanizing RAF officer.

Most amusing scene is when Steed attends a kind of basic training course for butlers. He must learn the correct way to maintain a dignified presence while acting in a properly subservient manner. They practice their lines, for instance. "Your carriage is waiting, sir." "Did you ring, sir?" "Shall I serve the aperitifs now, sir?" "A lady to see you sir. (Q: "What does she look like?") She's, ahem, young -- and rather pretty, sir." Ironing trousers by the numbers, and all that.

Most awkward scene: The RAF officer brusquely tries to seduce Mrs. Peel who must put him off by gracefully ducking away and finally throwing him over her shoulder.

The familiar face of John Le Mesurier appears. If you don't know the name you'll recognize the actor. Other performers of note show up in one or another episode -- Gordon Jackson, Andre Morrell. They all seem to be having a good deal of fun.

One of the less noticeable of the whole series

[searchanddestroy-1 · 7/10 · 21 February 2019]

Too British in the sense of humor and comedy, too much light hearted to belong to the best of this amazing show. It made me the impression to has been made only to fill the blanks, fill the 26 épisodes series. If you compare with the Following episode THE HOUSE THAT JACK BUILT, well, you'll see the difference!!! Simple espionage yarn this very episode; but after all, AVENGERS was supposed to be an espionage series at the start, yes or no? As WILD WILD WEST was also supposed to be a western TV show...But it remains a good time waster.