User reviews

One reviewer gave this episode low marks for being "too British," but that's exactly the reason why I gave it a "nine." It takes on two quintessential British institutions - the military and the "gentleman's gentleman" - and mixes them up with the usual dash of murder and espionage. Sure, it's a little silly, but isn't it fun to see Steed showing up with various styles of facial hair to match the man he's going to interview? How about the "butling school," in which stuffy butlers practice answering the door or ironing the master's trousers? And then there's the delightful scene in which Emma fends off the advances of Denis Quilley, with the help of Steed (as butler) interrupting the proceedings for an endless string of reasons? There are plenty of British eccentrics and other stereotypical characters, which are hallmarks of the series.

I should also point out the huge contribution of composer Laurie Johnson, who wrote many new "military-style" music cues for this episode. My favorite was early on, when the "Sailor's Hornpipe" is pitted contrapuntally against the Avengers theme. He was an expert with brass writing, and it shows in this score.

There are many kinds of episodes in THE AVENGERS canon, from the truly frightening to the light and airy. This one falls at the latter end of the spectrum, but is no less of an episode for all that.

Someone in the War Office is selling secrets to the other side and Steed visits the three suspects in different disguises to investigate and discovers they are all having trouble with their butlers. The trail leads to a butling school and Steed enrols there while Mrs Peel starts Operation Fascination - getting one of the suspects to fall in love with her. Steed is ordered to spill wine on a jacket and when the jacket is laundered, a miniature tape recorder is taken out of one of the shoulder seams. Going to stop them, the Avengers discover the ringleader ...

Steed in his various guises - Commander Red wears a full beard, and Major White a small mustache and Squadron Leader Blue sports a great bushy mustache and spouts breezy acronyms - investigates the disappearance of a butler. Patrick Macnee performs them really well, the characters are of the military cliche kind. Matter of fact, this episode is played for laughs. Mrs Peel has the arduous task of getting information from the lothario group captain. The part where she tries to escape his kissing attempts is funny. The school of butling was quite amusing.

Steed enrolls in a butler school after important state secrets begin being leaked.

After the campiness of A Touch of Brimstone, thins settle down a bit with Wha the Butler Saw. However, things settle down a bit too much, as What the Butler Saw is probably the most forgettable episode so far. I mean, Mrs Peel doesn't show until almost 15 minutes in!

The butler school idea is nice, and there's a good guest cast (Thorley Walters and Howard Marion-Crawford). Denis Quilley is excellent as a faux Casanova RAF officer Mrs Peel is investigating; he really just wants to sit around and play board games with her!

Another major problem is the identity of the head villain is absolutely ridiculous.

Steed is on the hunt for a key military figure who's selling state secrets, all he knows is that it's one of three people,

After the wild shenanigans of the previous episode, What The Butler saw marks a real change of pace, tone and vibe. This is more like a comedy caper, it's good, it's watchable, maybe it just lacks a memorable moment. Not what I expected from writer, Brian Clemens.

The opening scenes with Steed sat in The Barber's chair are a little tongue in cheek, and perhaps set the tone for the rest of the episode. It's one that's definitely not meant to be taken too seriously. Mrs Peel felt really underused here.

It's not without its plus points, there are some fine performances from John Le Mesurier, Thorley Walters and Dennis Quilley. Also, I really did like the idea of a mystery figure sat behind the Fireside chair pulling the strings.

The whole butler storyline felt a little muddled at times.

Not a bad watch, not a favourite, 6/10.

Too British in the sense of humor and comedy, too much light hearted to belong to the best of this amazing show. It made me the impression to has been made only to fill the blanks, fill the 26 épisodes series. If you compare with the Following episode THE HOUSE THAT JACK BUILT, well, you'll see the difference!!! Simple espionage yarn this very episode; but after all, AVENGERS was supposed to be an espionage series at the start, yes or no? As WILD WILD WEST was also supposed to be a western TV show...But it remains a good time waster.