The Curious Case of the Countless Clues

"The Curious Case of the Countless Clues" marked the return of Brian Clemens to the producer's chair, featuring another simple storyline just as in its three predecessors, but better directed by Don Sharp. We begin in sterling fashion, as Earle (Anthony Bate, "Tunnel of Fear") and Gardiner (Kenneth Cope, "The Bird Who Knew Too Much") go over each separate clue in detailing the present murder scene, prior to performing the killing themselves! Scotland Yard's Sir Arthur Doyle (Peter Jones, "The Thirteenth Hole"), dressed like Sherlock Holmes, calls upon Steed to investigate because the person implicated is a close friend, Sir William Henry Benedict Burgess (George A. Cooper, "The White Dwarf"), who behaves suspiciously when questioned. A brief moment of jealous concern crosses Tara's face when Steed's attractive old flame (Tracy Reed, Oliver's cousin) barges in to tell him that her wealthy executive brother, Robert Flanders (Edward de Souza, "Six Hands Across a Table"), has now been targeted for blackmail by Earle, who holds on to the incriminating murder weapons until the priceless art treasures that he covets have become his own. The two villains decide to frame Steed in similar fashion by killing Miss Tara King, who spends the entire episode in her apartment, confined to a wheelchair due to an ankle sprain. Once forewarned, Tara's intelligence is called into question by her failure to lock the back door before crawling agonizingly up the stairs to make certain they can't get in her front door, but she manages to redeem herself in a frantic finish. Lacking in genuine wit, yet definitely a step in the right direction.