Model Spy

Plot

The Mysterons announce their intention to assassinate André Verdain, the secret head of the European Area Intelligence Service, who publicly operates as a fashion designer. Colonel White assigns Captains Scarlet and Blue and Destiny and Symphony Angels to protect him at a Monte Carlo fashion show. The agents go undercover as a public relations officer, a photographer, and fashion models. Two of Verdain's models, Helga and Gabrielle, have been replaced by Mysteron reconstructions after a monotrain derailment.

Gabrielle starts a fire on Verdain's yacht, forcing everyone to abandon ship before it explodes. At a hotel press reception, Gabrielle reveals herself as a Mysteron agent by mentioning she flew from Paris while it was fog-bound. Captain Black shoots Verdain with a tranquiliser dart through a window, and in the dark, Helga and Black abduct him. Scarlet had placed a homing drug in Verdain's drink, allowing Spectrum to pursue by car, SPV, and helicopter.

Black and Helga push Verdain from their car before the Mysterons teleport the vehicle away. Verdain recovers and thanks his protectors, presenting Destiny and Symphony with gowns.

Production

André Verdain's name combines those of designers André Courrèges and Pierre Cardin. This episode is the first in production order to reveal that Scarlet and Blue's full real names are Paul Metcalfe and Adam Svenson. The miniature monotrain was designed by Mike Trim to run on OO gauge model railway track, easier to film than the suspended train from Thunderbirds. The yacht model shots use a background painting of Monte Carlo Bay by Trim, previously seen in Thunderbirds episodes. The incidental music was recorded by a 16-member band on 27 August 1967, along with music for "The Trap". Two pieces from the episode appear on the Captain Scarlet soundtrack CD.

Reception

James Stansfield of Den of Geek ranks "Model Spy" the eighth-best episode, praising its spy thriller feel and Bond-like elements, the Riviera setting, the monotrain crash, and the use of fashion models as Mysteron agents. Chris Drake and Graeme Bassett describe it as a "Man from U.N.C.L.E.–type" episode offering a break from interplanetary conflict, and commend the vehicle chase's technical aspects. Fred McNamara calls the episode an "absolute disaster", citing an undercooked premise, superfluous characters, and nonsensical decisions by both sides.

He notes it is one of only two episodes with female Mysteron agents but finds the female characters underdeveloped. He also argues that Verdain is not a credible target and that the episode lacks genuine threat. Shane M. Dallmann of Video Watchdog finds the episode gimmicky but significant for revealing Scarlet and Blue's real names and for the scene of Verdain being pushed from a moving car. Andrew Pixley and Julie Rogers of Starburst list that moment as one of the series' more violent. Bruce Eder of AllMusic praises "Cocktail Music" as a standout instrumental pop piece.