User Reviews

Philip Broadley's 'The Gilded Cage' was one of ten 'Champions' episodes to secure a network screening on U.S. television in 1968. It opens promisingly with a break-in at NEMESIS H.Q. in Geneva. Two men - one of whom is 'Brandon' ( Tony Caunter, later to appear in 'Eastenders' ) - photograph Richard's file, and when Tremayne comes in to investigate, he is knocked unconscious. Soon afterwards, Richard is abducted from his flat, and driven off inside a roll of carpet. He awakens to find himself in pyjamas in a sumptuous bed, with the beautiful ( and my word, isn't she ) 'Samantha' ( Jennie Linden ) staring down at him. The room he is is is exquisitely furnished, but there are bars across the windows. When he enters an adjacent computer room, he is gassed. Someone wants to keep him there. But whom?

In the same vein as 'The Interrogation' ( though lighter ), this is good for the most part. We get to see Richard's Geneva flat, learn he likes classical music ( 'The Four Seasons' by Gressini ), and that Tremayne's bedroom is located next door to his office ( no Mrs.Tremayne from the look of things ). The reason for Richard's abduction and imprisonment is that 'Symons' ( the splendid John Carson ) wants him to crack a code ( Richard had managed to do this on an earlier mission ). The code is for a formula for a new kind of fuel which Symons hopes will put the Arabs out of business. Richard refuses to cooperate at first, only to be told that unless he do so, Samantha will die. There is a curious moment where Richard kisses Samantha and, miles away, Craig reacts. This poses the question - if one of the Champions has sex, do the others feel the pleasure?

Once again Sharron is sidelined, while Craig's big scene is when he recalls the number plate of the van that grabbed Richard. With a good villain, a beautiful girl, and an potentially explosive situation ( Sama's friends try to steal the formula , the scene is all set for a thrilling climax. It never happens! All we get is Craig walking through the door with a gun. Story over. In the pre-video days, I used to keep a record of my favourite programmes by writing down story details in a book ( which came in useful years later when reviewing programmes for I.M.D.B. ). I was so teed off by the non-climax of 'The Gilded Cage' I changed the ending completely - Richard and Craig fight it out with Sam's friends and Symons' thugs, while Symons snatches the formula from Sam and tries to leave, only to run into an armed Sharron! Why couldn't you have done this, Mr.Broadley?

Richard is knocked on the head and kidnapped. He wakes wearing pajamas in a plush bedroom with a beautiful woman named Samantha. It seems that Richard's kidnapper is aware of his cyphering ability and wants Richard to decode a secret formula. If he doesn't, Samantha will be killed. All the while, Craig is searching for Richard.

Up to a point, The Gilded Cage is an excellent episode. There's a real sense of mystery to what's behind Richard's kidnapping. Although light on action, the drama and suspense work well. The relationships between characters is also interesting – both Samantha and Richard's relationship and Samantha and Symons' relationship. Does Richard care enough to save Samantha? Will Symons follow through and kill Samantha? Will Samantha turn on Symons? Good stuff. Also, the supporting cast in The Gilded Cage is strong. John Carson as Symons and Jennie Linden as Samantha are as good as you'll find in series. Very nice performances.

But, as I wrote, the episode is excellent only up to a point. There are two things about The Gilded Cage that I didn't care for that keep my rating from being any higher. First, and admittedly a small thing, there is no Sharron. Episodes with all three of members of the team are usually better. Second, and more importantly, as the other reviewer on IMDb wrote, the ending is weak. Craig just sort of shows up and everything ends. There is no gun play, no fighting, no chase – it just ends. Too bad because this one could have been a real winner.

The problem with this episode is that the plot really makes no sense whatever. If one questions any of the scenes, or actions of the characters, there is no answer.

Why do the villains raid the headquarters of NEMESIS? What do they find out that they couldn't already have known - the dimensions of Richard's carpet? How does Richard know that the villains are about to kidnap him, and if he doesn't, why does he write the note for Craig? Why does Symons give Richard 12 hours to solve the problem (as opposed to 36 hours, or 60 - the longer he has, the more likely he is to solve it)? There doesn't seem to be any other time factor involved. Why does Richard try to send Craig to Dublin? And expend so much effort to do so? Why does Symons threaten to kill Samantha? Why does he think this will make Richard solve the cipher (as opposed to his threatening to kill anyone else, or simply asking Richard nicely)? What does Samantha think she is doing? Why does she flirt with Richard - does she think her flirting and giving him champagne will make him more likely to solve the cipher? What has Symons told her? She must think that Symons has a reason for asking her to make up to Richard - what is it? Why does she begin by trying to gaslight him, saying that he has got drunk? And why does she stop? Why is Sharron left back at home in her frilly bikini? Could she have been of no use here? Why does the computer room have poison gas laid on? How does Craig trace Samantha to her flat? How does Craig get into the back seat of a Mini in ten seconds silently - I remember Minis and it was nearly impossible to get into the back seat in normal circumstances, never mind covertly? Why should anyone try to keep a formula for a solid fuel a secret? And if it's not commercially viable, who cares?

It is not even explained what the original crime is - why is there an unsolvable cipher at all? Was it stolen?

And who is everybody?