5.08 - The Hidden Tiger

[Rhonda]

I learned today, from the episode's Avengers Forever page, that the word fulsome (in Cheshire's "fulsome feline friends") can mean something bad. Not quite right for cat-lover Cheshire, but it could be either a writer (Philip Levene) or actor (Ronnie Barker) slip-up, I suppose. However, when I look the word up, there are appears to be two opposite meanings of the word! I do seem to remember the phrase fulsome appetite - meaning good, so maybe it's used correctly in The Hidden Tiger after all.

[dissolute]

Yes, fulsome is one of those words that has changed over the centuries.

Today, it's closest to "gauche" but it started out as "generous", then swiftly became "over generous or enthusiastic" before descending into "excessive".

So your "fulsome appetite" is in fact a subtle reprimand for being a glutton.

Perhaps Cheshire was referring to Prince Courtney's playful habits and being honest yet loving in his assessment of him - he had just been talking about poking him out of the harmonium with his umbrella, after all. Or, of course, the scriptwriter stuffed it up.

[Allard]

A superb episode, just watched it the seventh time round and it looses nothing in its charm. It is a typical series five episode in that its the same set up that is a variation on a theme - this week its cats. Yet this one is better than the rest. Playful, well paced, despite the typical fantastic plot the suspense works.

This one feels more like a series four episode, for some reason. Should watch it in B&W as an experiment next time round.

[dissolute]

One of my favourite closing scenes.

[Frankymole]

One of my favourite closing scenes.

It is utterly charming. Wouldn't it be funny if Steed's "subconscious" doodlings resulted in JS + CG though...