"Dead Man's Treasure" moves at a brisk pace, racing to the finish line, all for 1000 guineas. In Steed's case, the hidden treasure also contains a box of important documents that cost the life of fellow agent Bobby Danvers (Rio Fanning, "False Witness"). Crashing the party in pursuit of the same goal are villains Alex (Edwin Richfield, in his fifth appearance on the show) and Carl (Neil McCarthy, "Brought to Book" and "The Interrogators"), who engage in a little cheating along the route, directed from one location to another, before Mrs. Peel winds up in the same death trap that proved fatal for Sir George Benstead (Arthur Lowe), the sponsor of the auto rally. Ivor Dean ("The Removal Men" and "Super Secret Cypher Snatch") plays Bates, dedicated manservant to Sir George, but it's Valerie Van Ost, previously seen in the promo short "The Strange Case of the Missing Corpse," who steals the show as Penny Blaine, the perpetual 'bridesmaid, never a bride,' whose succession of fiancees all come to a sad end (prompting Steed to suggest they remain good friends!) More delightful repartee, with Steed distracted by Penny's shapely legs while taking a turn off the road- "it's a short skirt, I mean a short cut!" plus Emma's introduction to an enamored Sir George, who can't take his eyes off of her while Steed comments on the car- Steed: "what a beauty!" Sir George: "oh, I do agree!" Steed: "marvelous chassis!" Sir George: "well, I wouldn't be quite so bold as to say that but uh..." Steed: "her suspension's pretty complex too!" Sir George: "eh? oh that!" The final gag with Steed's razor is a glorious ending to another beloved episode.
Review of Dead Man's Treasure
