Nutcracker

DVD, The Champions (Nutcracker)

One of the most boring episodes all told. Even the opening bit where Craig shows off his powers is weak. Where's it supposed to be, America? Some cowboy rides in to play at a fair and has a shooting contest with Craig. The contrast was weird after such an English teaser with a posh bloke visiting the dentist.

The whole idea of having a secret vault beneath a tie shop is very 'Avengers', but this series isn't used to doing quirky and doesn't pull it off. Add to this mix, a lot of lingering camera work or scenes happening more than once (eg: entering the vault; being manipulated on the dentist's chair...). There is some humour, and the main trio are all involved, but you feel like they're running low on ideas juice at this stage.

Look out for when the police car pulls up in front of the car of the man who's just strangled the prisoner - it looks like his car bumps the back of the police car! Also, when Craig is forced off another pursuit by caltrops, he gets out to look at his wheels, and you can see someone moving and standing back, reflected in the fender!

There's surprisingly little action, apart from the end, and the villain isn't fleshed out in any way. It seems illogical to have all these little tests to get to some files, and subliminal messaging has been used too much, and usually comes off a bit silly. Even the idea of not actually taking the file reminded me of last episode's not taking pictures of another file. To cap it all it ends very abruptly without the usual tag scene at Tremayne's. One of my least favourites.

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