Sometimes, one can be so busy fighting crime in sartorial splendor and wittily escaping death traps that one forgets to share the smaller moments and get to know one's clever (and comely!) cohort.  So I, John Steed, have decided to right that wrong and peel back the layers of one Emma Peel as one would a fresh onion (without the tears, of course).

We met in a fine hillside cafe in the country: a converted cottage still filled with musty first editions, the smell of ancient tobacco melted into the wood paneling and the occasional friendly cat to warm one's heart with a gentle purr and a rub against one's leg.  The air had yet to breeze in spring's dreams but the promise of said dreams was enough for us to enjoy the open French doors by our table, perfectly accenting the wine and lazy cabbage rolls set before us.

Although I don't do my own blogging (as no proper Englishman would), I do have a manservant - Harry something - who brought me up to speed on the whole internet chit-chat phenomenon - which sounded both compelling and tawdry at the same time (this Dr. Amy woman reminds me of the most foul villainess of episode 46).  Emma, however, ever the sport, indulged my ignorance and thus I decided the best place to begin was the beginning.

Steed:  What first drew you in to scribing your life on such forums and in particular, this Salon of the Open?

Emma: I'd been visiting Salon.com for years, was even a subscriber at one point. I'd been away for a while and one day I went to read a film review -- I know Stephanie Zacharek a little -- and saw the button for OS. Didn't know what it was and checked it out. Joined right away.

Steed: How adventurous of you!  Tell me, were you really planning on doing this blog thing, my dear Mrs. Peel?

Emma:  I was looking for a new board, and wanted to write more so it was fortuitous.

Steed: What an amazing thing I never knew about you!  But, really, why would one blog at all?

Emma: Good point. I'd never really blogged but I started one for my coaching business and thought this would be a good way to create content. It hasn't really panned out that way since what I write here isn't really suitable for that blog.

Steed: Tell me, what kind of things had you in mind to blog?

Emma: Well, I named my blog "The Peel Report" but I haven't done much reporting. I tend to like commentary, critiques, etc.  But I also want to explore some fiction writing.

Steed: Fascinating.  I did not know that!  And of this writing you've done, do you feel you've done anything of worth?

Emma: I liked the first post I ever wrote, Dear Mother, and also Blackberry Season, which is fiction.

Steed: Those do sound intriguing!  My man Harry also tells me one can comment on what others write.  Don't tell me you participate in that!

Emma arrives for our rendezvous 

Emma: At this point I am more of a commenter than a blogger, but I am also a world class procrastinator. I've been feeling a little stressed and fuzzy mentally lately and not sure of what to write. Commenting is easier, but I love writing and feedback more. I worked as a critic for so long that commenting is very comfortable.

Steed: But what would one hope to accomplish commenting like that? I fear some to be not so appreciative in what you say!

Emma: To react honestly and to occasionally offer feedback. I'm not all that popular with some folks as you know!  I also like to have a little banter.

Steed: Ah, the many sides of Emma Peel! I'm beginning to think I never knew you at all!  So which is the real Emma Peel?  Are you a writer, an artist, a critic or the deadly ninja I truly suspect you to be?

Emma: Yikes. Definitely not a ninja -- although I do like to wield my whip and kick ass. I would say writer definitely, artist -- maybe, and critic -- all my life!

Steed: My dear Mrs. Peel!  Surely you must be one of those above all else!

Emma: Oh, I thought I was going to slide on that one! OK, I would have to say writer since I am trying to move away from being a critic, although that is some hard writing too.

Steed: Oh, I can just imagine the difficulty!  And I would hazard to guess there are many a fine writer there already - which would be most intimidating to me!

Emma: Gawd, it's such a landmine. I read so many so fast. I love anything that is beautifully written, even if the subject matter doesn't speak to me. I think Roy Jimenez is an incredible writer but there are so many. It's almost easier to talk about the bad writers who are popular.

Steed: Oh yes, I heard of that Dr. Amy beast through my manservant, Harry.  Honestly, I do think she could be helped were she to be a bit more freaky and to ingest cake daily.  But surely there are others whom one can admire?

Emma: Oh, yes: Gary Justis, Greg Correll, Tom Cordle.  Even your manservant Harry does well on occasion.

Steed: Harry?  My Harry? Interesting - he's been most secretive about his scribblings.  But for the life of me, what could he - or any of these fine fellows be writing to draw your interest so?

Emma: Don't be so hard on your manservant, if you please, Mr. Steed! OK? As for what I like, I like very honest posts, emotional ones, intellectually challenging and provocative, snappy writing -- Tom's piece today was great for example. My favourite artists are always people who are emotionally naked, honest, and not afraid of what others think.

Steed: I know you've always been one to admire passion and bravery - the courage of one's convictions and all that, right or wrong. But these fictional vignettes you say you wish to begin authoring - such a new direction for you!  Is there some sort of goal you have in mind for this?

Emma: Not really. I am having a very hard time clarifying anything in my life right now. I would like to write more short stories and I've always loved that genre, and I'd also like to write a motivational book of some kind. And I'd like to write film reviews again some day. I also enjoy commentary and opinion since I have a lot of them.

Damn Harry! He wasn't supposed to post that!
That was a, uh, private moment. 

Steed: I hope you don't do a review of that godawful cinematic remake of us! Maybe it's time we moved on to some of your other interests.  In all our travels together, did you find any local customs particularly shocking to you?

Emma: Culturally shocking....it depends on the country of course. I was very upset at how women and animals were treated in parts of Asia. Cruelty of any kind horrifies me.

Steed: Trust me, I'm well aware of and do truly admire your passion for justice!  But did you not on the other hand also find some most pleasant surprises?

Emma: Let me think on that a little. The most pleasant surprise was how everyone is really alike in fundamental ways. For example, most of us react to similar events in the same way whether we're Chinese or Greek.

Steed: Being a film critic, did you find any interesting films in these exotic locales?

Emma: Oh, I liked a lot of them. Les enfants du paradis, Amacord, The Lives of Others, anything Bergman (I'm a moody Norwegian don't forget), Satyricon. Let me think of a few more. I am so brain dead after kicking ass all day.

Steed: Perhaps a sip of wine to refresh you?  This bouquet alone does wonders for rejuvenation.

Emma: Indeed it does! I could so easily while away my time drinking wine, eating and talking with friends into the wee hours. Yes, that was most hopeful in jogging my memory. 

Oh - how could I forget Japan! I love Rashomon and a lot of Japanese modern filmmakers. Kurosawa is my favorite. I also loved Kundun by Scorsese. Claude Chabrol is good too. I like psychological films.

Steed: I too found that Kurosawa fellow most enjoyable, especially the film with the seven men with swords, fighting for justice like a good avenger should!  Tell me, did you find a good reel that also tickled your funny bone the most?

Emma: Oh, the funniest film ever -- God, that's hard because I don't like slapstick. I loved Withnail and I.

Steed: Fine choice that!  No substitute for British humour, what with those wacky Pythons and all.

Emma: And Peter Sellers too in The Party.

Steed:  Complete concurrence on that one.  But I want to get into Emma Peel the Avenger.  You are a free spirit, one fighting for the freedom of your fellow man.  Can you tell me why freedom means so much to your life?

Emma: Because without freedom, I can't function. I have to know that I am free to leave a room, or the country, or to do nothing. Independence has always been crucial to me. I cannot stand being confined in any way.

Steed: Well said!  I held no doubt we'd be on the same page on that.  So does this mean you are living out your dream, being a freedom fighting avenger and all that?

Emma: No, I am not living my dream. My dream was to be a successful journalist and writer.

Steed: Oh, that's quite distressing!  You feel you've had no success at all?

Emma: I achieved a bit of the former - as a journalist - but not the latter. I worked for dailies, but no I am thinking of writer as in writing books and short stories. To my mind, a real writer.

Steed: Indeed, a most godly profession if you ask me.  I too truly believe in the power of pen. Say Emma, what do you think when you hear the word 'God'?

Emma: Not much to be honest. I'm pretty much agnostic, although I like some of the rituals of religion. In some ways I am more of a pantheist than an agnostic, I guess.

Steed: Well, let's reel it in a little - say to perhaps, space aliens.  What would one say to an alien asking you to describe the concept of money?

Emma: Great question. I see it as a tool to give people freedom of choice: the more money, the more choices. And of course it's also a barter.

Steed: Ah, if only U.S. Presidents wouldn't barter their souls for it!  But what of love then?  If the entire world loved love, do you see us as saved in that scenario?

Emma: No, human nature isn't like that!

Steed: Indeed!  We have many episodes proving that!  But even so, suppose we did turn to love after all, are we saved then?

Emma: My first instinct is to say no. I don't think that love is always enough, no matter how well intentioned. I don't really believe in "saving" things or saviours. I'm too literal minded I guess.

Steed: An excellent enunciation of the Zatoichi Principle!  It is indeed up to all of us to save ourselves - not just us avengers to do it. Oh, seems our little chat has bumped up against tea time.  A final thought: what one word or phrase describes you best?

Emma: Oh, that's hard. I'll think of it as my epitaph: she always spoke her mind.

Steed:  Brilliant!  Simply a brilliant interview, my dear. No better crime fighter in all the world!  This was indeed a pleasure, a delicious experience in both company and cookery!

Emma: Anything to please, Sir Steed. We'll indeed have to repeat this with another bottle of wine and a full palette of Bergman films to discuss!

As we departed, she let slip one final secret:
"I'm not always as tough as I let on."