The New Avengers

The secret agents are forced to identify the individual or group harbouring a grudge against them. Their task becomes urgent when Purdey receives a direct threat and Steed’s prized automobile is deliberately destroyed, prompting a race to uncover the culprit.

Dead Men Are Dangerous is a television programme presented as a single episode. It falls squarely within the spy‑action genre, following the familiar format of a self‑contained story that centres on the adventures of its two secret‑service protagonists. In this instalment the two agents find themselves drawn into a fresh mystery when a direct threat is delivered to Purdey. At the same time, Steed suffers a personal blow when the car he holds dear is deliberately wrecked. The twin assaults leave them with a clear impression that someone is nursing a serious grudge against the pair. Faced with these provocations, the agents set about piecing together the identity of the hostile party. Their investigation is driven by the need to understand why Purdey was singled out and what motive lies behind the destruction of Steed’s prized vehicle. Each clue points toward a hidden adversary whose resentment must be uncovered before further harm is done. The episode therefore pivots on the agents’ race to pinpoint the source of the vendetta, using the threat to Purdey and the ruined car as the primary triggers for their inquiry. Their success hinges on untangling the motives behind the attacks and restoring the equilibrium that their line of work normally enjoys.