There has never been and will probably never be another television series as archly funny and intelligently comedic as this. How can one imagine another duo to compare with the leather jump-suited Emma Peel and the Edwardian-tailored, bowler hatted John Steed? The subtle, never overtly stated sexual tension between them was only enhanced by their wry way of addressing each other as 'Steed' and 'Mrs. Peel'. The interaction between Macnee and Rigg was absolutely unique, comprising an amalgam of whimsy, sex, camaraderie, and winking humor. The scripts were loaded with literary, cultural, musical, and historical references and double-entendres that doubtless make the show appealing only to an audience capable of catching them. The totally off-the-wall plots and deliciously absurd technical devices only added to the fun. The closest thing to this series I can think of, even if animated, was "Rocky and Bullwinkle", which shared "The Avenger's" sense of intelligent lunacy.
My favorite remembered line: "Her face was always so ... symmetrical. Not an eye out of place."
Sorry, you young folks; 'Seinfeld' doesn't even come close.
