The New Avengers (1976–1977): Season 1, Episode 7 - To Catch a Rat - full transcript

Hello there.
And for you early birds,

... let me tell you that
it's July the 19th 1960.

And you're listening to
the American forces network ...

... bringing you news and music
from the free world.

Passport.

Danke sch?n.

White rat.

They arrested George.

And Bonzo and Freddie and Laura.

All of them betrayed by you.

Now, it's your turn.



You walked into a trap.

And you're holding the cheese
in your hand.

I am taking you home to London.

They will crucify you.

And I want to be there to see it.

I know what you are.

Now, I want to know who you are.

Find out about white rat?

Let's practice, huh?

Right?

Right, gone up.

Who is he?

Don't know, but I can find him.

Shot him in the left leg.



Have you told London?

When we finish.

Do you think he's ...

Don't worry. The rat catcher is
gentle as a lamb.

All the children love him.

The rat catcher?

He was found in the hold of a ship.
Must be ...

... 16 years ago.

He was terribly injured.

They've always presumed
he was a seaman ...

... who fell from the rigging
or something.

It put his bones back together,
but ...

... poor man not his mind.

He can't remember
where he came from ...

... or his name.

It's funny.

He's always saying
he has to catch a rat.

Big white rat.

Here is again.
Right on time.

Same as before.

The flyer has landed.

Cledge.

The flyer has landed. The same message
for the past three nights.

It's him all right.

It has to be him.

If it is, we're both sunk.

Cledge and the white rat.
We sink together.

The flyer.

If you gonna a fix on him?

We're be looking on if he's
some kind of crank or not.

I mean, it could even be
a kid mucking about.

The flyer?

Sounds like the fifties
and sixties. The Flyer, ...

... the butcher, the baker.
- The candlestick maker.

Used a lot of funny names
in those days.

Didn't you?

They weren't funny.

I was the new Doberman.

Woof woof.

- That's an awful lot of most.
- They brewed it.

Cut it short out of the letter D.
The new D. - The new D.

Indeed. Mind you saved my life
once coming over the wall.

The arrested coach of nudists
was the eccentric dancer of bishop.

A taxidermist from five,
but I fully clothed got away.

But you were absolutely right.
Fifties and sixties. Check the files.

Yes?

Right. Where?

Okay.

They got of fix.

Somewhere in this area.

Probably a farm.

Nothing on The Flyer. - Nothing?
- Nothing.

Absolutely nothing?

I don't deal in absolutes.
Just because I found nothing ...

... on the Flyer, doesn't mean
there is nothing on The Flyer.

I see.

Names allocated. Names actually
used different thing.

Like Steed here. He was actually
the new Doberman.

But on the radio.
- Yes, I was telling him that.

You were a big disappointment to me
when I finally met you.

Steed, you didin't tell him about this
incident in Istanbul.

Devilish clever use of the garlic sausage.

You're suppose to be
spying on them, not me.

So The Flyer is a nickname
used mainly in the field.

- Must be
- It starts meeting again.

That's it. Same as before.
The Flyer has landed.

Where ...

... are

... you?

They ...dea..dus.

- Deadlous.
- That's Gunner.

Gunner. Irwin Gunner
That was his fist. I'm sure it.

You know Steed, a man's rhythm
on a morse keys.

This is distinctive as a fingerprint.
That was Irwin Gunner.

It can't be.

Your brother, you say?

Yes.

Yes, he took a fall.

Long time ago.

Left him a bit.
You understand?

Did he do any damage?

My arm and life are man's nerves.
That's all.

He's sick you say, poor fella.

Well, I'm prepared
to forget about it.

One of our best, he was.
The sleeper on the eastern sector.

But the report had it he was dead.

Poor fellow.

Look Steed, Gunner was a trapeze artist
that was his cover.

And trapeze artists come in to varieties.

Catch as you catch on flyers.
- Who fly?

Wheter Daedalus coming.

- Gunner' controller had to be.
- How'd you arrive at there?

The virtues of a classical education.

Daedalus was the father of Icarus.

Icarus ...
- Flew like a bird.

Until his wings melted.

Virtues of a knockabout education.
And a girlfriend who majored in Greek

Amongst other things no doubt.

Interpreted as you may. But even if
he isn't dead it can't be Gunner.

Look at the date.

See when he was due to report in?

If that is Irwin Gunner out there.

He's 17 years too late.

I am Irwin Gunner.
I am Irwin Gunner.

You see, I remember that.

And there's something
important I have to do.

Something very important.

I'm Irwin Gunner and 17 ...

Yes, 17 years ago.

Oh, it's not good.

I am Irwin Gunner
and the white rat is ...

Or white cat ...
Yes, the white rat ...

You don't have to be afraid of me.

I'm Irwin Gunner.
Yes.

Want you your ball back?
Yes.

Come on, darling.
Come on jump!

I won't let you fall.
I'll catch you.

I won't let you fall.

I won't let you fall.

I.. I have to go now.

Yes, I have to go now.
I have to catch a big white rat.

Minister we've got an agent out there.
Needing our help.

We've got to get it to him.

Cromwell you handle d16.
This is your pigeon.

Well, if he is our man
and you have to ...

- But he is our man.
- If he is then ...

... we can't get in touch with him
we don't even know he's receiving waving.

You will have to send a blanked message
took clear all channels.

Clear all channels? You must be mad.
That's impossible.

It would cause most terrible disruption.

The media will be bound to get hold of it.

And as Minister I will be questioned
in the house.

That would be very inconvenient.

No. The best thing is to keep trying
to get a fix on his location.

And I want to know the minute
you do locate him.

We are trying, but it is not easy.
He keeps moving on.

17 years ago.
- What?

- Irwin Gunner, 17 years ago.

I'm just trying to remember
I was doing 17 years ago.

Eating marshmallows probably.

You haven't changed a bit.

Or may be a bit.
But the right bit.

It was a Wednesday, I think.
Yeah, my parents took us boating.

And all for mind came up to me
And say ... - How about here?

Oh, certainly did not.

I meant, how about here
for going round and round?

- Round and round?
- Yes.

When we knowing Gunner transmits.
We can home in and find him.

What about you 17 years ago?

Me? I was discovering sex.

What a waste of time.
You might have been learning to drive.

Why don't you have another marsh ...

... mellow?

Focus on 14.5.
Princess Alexandra cut.

First, Brush The Boy Eleven to One.

Second, Soldier Queen
Odds-on favorite.

Third, Merchant Prince ...

Flyer calling Daedalus.

Flyer calling Deadaus.

Where are you Daedalus?

Daedalus, why don't you answer?

I have no importance now,
is that it?

Expendable.

Well, you're making a big mistake,
old chap.

I can get the white rat.

I repeat, I can get him.

Well.
Did you hear that?

I should think after done
country heard.

Now, we've got to take this
seriously, Minister.

Yes, I suppose so.

The white rat the bogeyman of
the sixties, remember?

Yes, yes.

The white rat.

This suspected double agent working
right here in Whitehall.

- That was just a rumor, a theory.
- Tell more.

Just because, he was never found.
Doesn't mean he doesn't exist.

There's a Flyer to be believed.
He still exists.

Well, minister?
- First thing is to locate Irwin Gunner.

Steed?

We're at the pylon now.
There's no sign of him.

We'll make sweep the area,
but it look stays been gone sometime.

Thank you, Purdey.

I want my airspace, Minister.
I want it now.

Catch it the white rat.
Catch it the white rat.

- Come in.
- They just went by Gambit and Purdey.

But they don't know where to look.
I do.

That's better.

I mean, going round and round
quite nice.

But it does lose its enchantment
after a bit.

Anyway, for I hear.

You've already been around
quite a bit?

- You're provoking me again, Purdey.
- It's common knowledge in the department.

Just hearsay.

- The typing pool affair?
- Rumor.

- The under secretaries under secretary?
- Jealousy.

- The Russian countess, so cold?
- Ah, yes, well ...

That was an undercover job.
And I ...

... took literally.

What do you mean?

Under.. cover.

Undercover.

Let's go round and round again.

I've got him.

He's acknowledging.

Ask him where he is.

I.. am ...

... in.. side .. three ...

.. near

.. Mit.. cham.

Ask him means of side three.

He says ...

If.. you.. are..

... who.. you.. say..

... you.. are..

... you.. should..

... know.

Tell him where stay he is.
We send someone.

Well, we know where to send them.

Purdey?

Your answer?

The Flyer in the Mitcham area.
That's all we know.

We're on way.

Side three.

Finder?

Finder?

Side three is the code word
for some kind of safe place.

Circa 1960.
- 1960?

Well,
these are the files for 1960.

Wait a minute.

Site 3.
Abc. 123.

Site one was A.
An airfield.

Site 2 was B.
A bomb.

- Site 3 C?
- C for church. That's it.

Those were the orders.
Hide out in the nearest church.

Remembering them
after all these years.

- Purdey?
- Yes?

He's in a church.
A church in Mitcham.

Right Steed. It's church.
Oh, I afraid them.

Then we try them all.

Take your hands off me, you rut.
You can't make me do it.

I never marry you, never.
I hate you.

Quick thinking, hey?

I got us out of a tricky situation
without any embarrassment.

No embarrassment, no embarrassment.

It probably happens all the time.
Nothing than more with.

Now, we can think The Flyer
is not in that church.

- Really?
- That's leaves us two choices.

Close your eyes, spin the map
to pick churches like you'd pick horses.

Let me have a look.

One of those is a ruin.

That's the only one.

Gunner.

Gunner?

Gunner!

Gunner?

I've come to take you in.

You're safe now.

Gunner?

They went to catch The Flyer.

They caught a catcher.

John Cledge.

Gunner's partner in the trapeze act.

Now, we have pulled out every official stop
to try and get to Gunner.

He got to him first.

- I think his intention was to kill him.
- Oh, come on Steed.

Gunner has been suspicious of us
from the start.

Otherwise why didn't he come for that
don't announce himself.

The white rat?

A double agent.
Right here in this organization.

Sir?

White rat.
This message is for you.

Now, I know what I'm up against.

I'd forgotten
how quickly rats breed.

How many of you know,
a whole department?

- Trying to get fix.
- Rats can hide.

But not from me.
We both know that, don't we?

I put my mark on you.

I'm going to cut off your tail.

Destroy you.
- Well?

Sorry sir, all I can say is
it was very close by.

Very close?

Here in London.

- Hello Grant?
- What ...?

Don't you recognize me?

Look closer.

Gunner.

It's been a long time.

So pete's sake,
I do have a front door.

I didn't know whether you'd open it
to my knocking or not.

Besides, I have to be cautious.

Why.

You're not still in the business,
are you?

Someone chasing you?

No, it's simpler than that
I have to be cautious.

Because I may have to kill you.

It's a joke.

It isn't a joke.

Think of it as a reunion.

We were a nice close happy
little unit, weren't we?

Comrades.

Yet one of us was the traitor.
Did you know that?

One of us was the white rat.

You?

My dear chap,
I'm out of that now.

I moved on.
Up to higher places.

You know, that's exactly
what the white rat would have done.

Can I offer you a drink?

Cigar?

Bitter soup?

You were in the Navy,
weren't you?

Yes early days, but ...

What was the phrase they use ...

... to rouse the men
in the morning?

Oh, why show a leg.

Seems like you got the same idea.

So Cledge got The Flyer before us.

Why?

How?

Well, I think
the answer is in here.

Nothing.

Except a rather good malt whiskey.
Join me?

Thank you.

You play rough, Mr. Cole.
- You play rough apparently, Purdey.

- How is it play?
- Nor ice-cold. - Cheers.

Well.

Now what?

I think you better
take your trousers off.

You are very very lucky.

As aiming a fraction higher.

Was Cledge have a bachelor?

I think so.
Why?

I left to white red then.

That's all they ever have.

Well, you can't leave like that.

Take your trousers off.

Off?

I'm not sewing them on you.
Off, off.

This is where it happened.
The scene of the crime.

I mean, so man's bar for
to be sacrosanct.

There I was in deep contemplation.
Sitting a large brandy ...

... and ..
- He grabbed your leg.

So I wasn't a ballet chorus girl.

Which leg?

Which leg?

Don't matter which leg.

The one on that corner, I think.

Yeah, it's the left.

You're setting brandy.
Like this.

Yes.
I say Steed, what is this?

Excellent.
Fine Napoleon, has it?

No. I mean to say
this leg grabbing business.

As a matter of fact,
no extremity would be safe.

Throwback to the old days, you think?

But how?

I haven't been involved
anything like that.

When you were working with Gunner.

He was insides, yes.

Who else is on this team?

Hard to say.

They didn't encourage you
to know everything.

In case you were caught,
you know.

But I suppose,
it will be on file somewhere.

This is all there is on files, sir

Photocopies of everything.

Just that's an order, sir.

I didn't know you could sew.

Yes. Fantastic, isn't it?
I've mastered such a complex operation.

Just threading a needle is
still quite difficult.

You know what I mean.

- You see me in a new light.
- Yes.

I have all the virtues.
I can wash. So .. I ...

... cook. I mean omelet.

And break your back in three places.
If you step out of line.

I doubt that.
I'm very good.

If went step out of line?

As I said I'm very good.

I'll take your word to that.

My word may not mean a thing.

I may prove to be a bounder and a cat.

I would rely on my word.

I was relying on your family name.

Cromwell. He was a Puritan.
- Yes.

He was.

Cromwell.

Yes.

Put your panths on.

- Here they are. 1960 through the '65.
- Thanks.

No dust.

Dust is almost mandatory
in this place.

Where's the dust?
- I can get you some. The 1935 ...

- Somebody else has been
through these files.

Recently.

Who?

- Mister Quaintance.
- Steed.

Minister.

I know the ethics of government
are changing,

but rifling another man's desk?

The curious occupation
for a Minister of crime.

Any case, I had to pick the lock
not broken.

- I can explain.
- I hope so.

Mark Gilpin was
in the same spy cell.

As Irwin Gunner in 1960 on there.

- Well, then?
- You think, he's the white rat?

It's possible.

Do you think, he knows where
the white rat is?

You see, in my position Minister,
I have to suspect everyone.

My recurring nightmare is that one day,
I might even have to arrest myself.

I sincerely have not.

Look Steed. It occurred to me
Gunner plan Grant a visit.

So he might turn up here.

Yes.
That occurred to me too.

If not guilty Gunner,
down his residence expected is any minute.

You didn't check that at the large gates,
when I'm surprised Minister.

After all, you were very active
in the field.

Ah, there is.

Yes, Minister.
- Have you obeyed my orders?

- Yes Minister.
Security around this house is to be doubled.

Yes, I wanted it scheduled.
Do you hear me?

Scheduled.
- Yes, sir.

You can't forget now.
It's important. Very important.

We've got to catch the rat.
The white rat.

Steed?

I backtrack through the files ...

... work

... work to all night I did.

Don't worry, it's only Helga.

She doesn't speak a word of English.

Do you Helga?
Do you speak English?

Not one word.

But you ...

... managed to communicate.

Frequently.

- What's that relationship is fairly basic.
- Yes. I doubt it.

- What about the files?
- Oh, here they are.

See for yourself.

Tricky.

He's a very big wheel.

Then let's spin him.
And see where he stops.

I was... just passing by.
- Try again.

This is a basement 21 steps down.
To be just passing by.

You have to be on your way to coma.
- Okay.

- Okay what?
- Okay, alright I wasn't just passing by.

- I came with the deliberate intention.
- I having your back broke in three places.

Dinner. Want you invite to dinner.
Tonight. To celebrate services rendered.

- Services. Pants services?
- One pair of pants.

- Look, it was hardly the buy a ...
- I treasure every little stitch.

Please.

- Alright.
- Good. Pick you up 6:30.

Well, Minister?

- I didn't think is relevant.
- You were working with Gunner in 1960.

And you didn't think
it was relevant.

Politic then. I'm in the public eye now
mister the crown.

To be associated with ...
- Gunner is running around attacking ...

... any members of his past team.

If he had caught up with you,
you certainly might have ...

... ended up in the public eye
under a cheap lid.

Oh, for goodness sake.
Gunner is after the wide rats.

Whoever he is and if he exists
and I ...

You surely don't think that I ...

It's ridiculous.
This is out of the question.

- Convince us.
- Yes, convince us. We might ...

Just might convince Gunner.

This way madam.

When you said dinner
I think restaurant in mind.

And I had my place in mind.

Which goes to point the difference
between us.

I could quote the French and say
Vive la France, but that a bit corny.

- I'm so glad you weren't corny.
- But it's the difference.

Not just in gender,
but in our attitudes ...

... which adds spice, stimulation
and abrasive edge to our relationship.

Forgive me.
What relationship?

Come on.
That's just beginning. Martini?

I was only waiting actively on
for a few weeks.

That's why I never even met Gunner.

- I've serviced for you, Steed.
- Thank you.

A few weeks or not. Someone who was
working with him is the white rat.

Yes.
Yes, I'd work that out myself.

That's why I went to
check the files.

I found guilty's name.
And then Steed ...

... you found me.

- Convinced? - No.
- All right.

We're still haven't
convinced this minister.

- What else can I say.
- Thank you.

I worked in the eastern zone
for a few weeks.

And then I had to get out from area.
Fell over the wall.

Literally.
Broke my leg, doing it.

Mind you, my replacement
didn't have much better luck.

What replacement?

He didn't last long either.
Stopped a bullet in his leg.

As he never quite
go to the bottom of that.

Anyway,
he was shipped them too.

- Who was this replacement?
- Mike Cromwell, of course.

Well?

Delicious.

My sewing and you're cooking.
- Sorry.

Now, he's sent in from
the restaurant next door.

But at least you're honest.

But more than I can say
for Steed.

This business with Irwin Gunner,
The Flyer.

He's playing it
pretty close to the chest.

I mean, we're all after the same thing,
aren't we?

Are we?

How far is Steed got on it?

Is there anything
he isn't telling me?

If there was and I knew,

... do you think, I'd tell you?

You might.
Oh, I ...

Oh, Purdey,
it doesn't make any sense.

Interdepartmental jealousy.

You all pooled our knowledge.
Everything we know a team effort.

Look, I have no secrets.

- Any secrets?
- Go ahead.

- Alo?
- Where's Cromwell?

Who is this?

- Tell him The Flyer wants to speak to him.
- It's him.

The Flyer.

- Cromwell?
- Don't talk Cromwell. Listen.

Now, you're head of D16.
Don't bother to ask how I found out.

I did.
That's all.

I know who the white rat is.

And the only person
I can trust now to tell is you.

- Then tell me.
- Oh, no.

The white rat is powerful now.
The odds are against me.

I need protection.
Your protection.

- Meet me.
- Meet you where?

The Old Picture Palace,
North Road.

Gunner?
Gunner?

He wants to meet.
Tell Steed.

- Gladly. Afterwards.
- Purdey.

We don't want any of that
interdepartmental jealousy, do we?

Pull our information.

Team effort?

Okay.

They saw him few minutes ago
Cromwell on a go ...

- My purse. I left at your place.
- Your benity, vanity.

Not make up. My gun.

I'm carrying enough artillery
for both of us. More than enough.

You really don't resent me
coming along.

No. Maybe this is the best way.

No loose ends.

Yes?

Who is this?

Where's Cromwell?
- Who's this?

I told him to meet me here.
He should be here by now.

The Flyer.

I'm glad you called he's ...
hanging on the other line.

Cromwell.

He is waiting for you to call.
He.. had trouble finding the rendezvous.

Trouble? I told him clear enough.
The Old Picture Palace. North Road.

He's on his way.

Gunner?

I'm here.

Cromwell.

Gunner.

- I asked you Cromwell. And you?
- This is Purdey.

She's with me.
On our side.

We're out here.
Let's see you.

I can see you.
That is enough.

Now.
Shall we observe the formalities?

All right.

Now, I can tell you.

The white rat..
acquaintance.

The minister?

I knew he'd grown big,
but minister?

How do you know, Flyer?

The time gets all mixed up in my mind.
It was 16, no perhaps 17 years ago.

I set a trap for the white rat
and he took the bait.

But he was too quick.
Yet not quick enough.

He took my bullet
with him in his leg.

Which leg?

The left leg.

- Where in the leg?
- Above the knee.

Acquaintance.

Then his right. You've seen him.
He limps on his left leg.

Wound like that ..16 years ago.

I doubt, he would leave a limp.

Might leave a scar.
Small scar.

Like the one you've got.

I've seen it.

Remember?

Oh, Purdey, Purdey.

Show me.

Come along.

Show me.

Show me.

Now, come on.

Show me!

Sorry, Purdey.
Not another step.

I never make the same mistake twice.

Aren't you even gonna say goodbye?

I can break your back in three places.

- Did I get him?
- Oh, you got him, Flyer.

Hey.. I got him.

I got my white rat.

I know him 17 years late.

But welcome back.

You're dying to know, aren't you?

How I knew about the scar
on Cromwell's leg.

But it was rather high up.

You're just bursting with curiosity,
aren't you?

Frankly, yes.

Well.

Real gentlemen don't ask to ladies
the question like that. - Off?

- The road.
- Ooops.

Subtitling: Ceok