The Protectors is a British television series, an action thriller created by Gerry Anderson. It was Anderson's second TV series using live actors as opposed to electronic marionettes, and also his second to be firmly set in contemporary times. It was also the only Gerry Anderson produced television series that was not of the fantasy or science fiction genres. It was produced by Lew Grade's ITC Entertainment production company. Despite not featuring marionettes or any real science fiction elements, The Protectors became one of Anderson's most popular productions, easily winning a renewal for a second season. A third season was in the planning stages when the show's major sponsor pulled out, forcing its cancellation. The Protectors first aired in 1972 and 1973, and ran to 52 episodes over two series, each 25 minutes long - making it one of the last series of this type to be produced in a half-hour format. It starred Robert Vaughn as Harry Rule, Nyree Dawn Porter as the Contessa Caroline di Contini, and Tony Anholt as Paul Buchet. Episodes often featured prominent guest actors.
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Episode 1
A friend of Harry's insists on doing a dangerous skydiving trick despite the fact that gold smugglers are trying to kill him.
Episode 2
A wealthy recluse hires the Protectors to break his brother out of prison.
Episode 3
While in Rome the Protectors try to help a senator who is being blackmailed.
Episode 4
The Contessa ends up putting her life in danger when she agrees to help an old friend win a wager by making him disappear.
Episode 5
The wife of a president hires the Protectors to guard her critically ill husband whom she fears may be kidnapped.
Episode 6
While investigating a plot to overthrow the government of a Mediterranean nation the Protectors end up confronting two old friends of the Contessa, one with whom she was romantically involved.
Episode 7
The West German government hires the Protectors to put a pension fund that is supporting fugitive Nazi's out of business.
Episode 8
The Protectors devise an elaborate con to recover a priceless antique which a woman had been conned out of.
Episode 9
Harry and the Contessa are the victims of a car crash that was engineered to get information out of them.
Episode 10
The daughter of a gangster whom Harry helped put in prison fails twice in her efforts to kill Harry.
Episode 11
The KGB hires the Protectors to capture a renegade Russian scientist who plans on destroying London with a new virus to show the world how dangerous biological warfare can be.
Episode 12
A kidnapped Paul will be blown to bits unless Harry and the Contessa help steal jewels which they have been hired to safeguard.
Episode 13
The Protectors only hope of putting a drug smuggling ring out of business lies in being able to decode a coded letter.
Episode 14
The Contessa is captured by a psychotic killer who puts her on trial for her life.
Episode 15
The police hire the Protectors to guard the corpse of a bank robber as part of a ruse to capture his accomplices.
Episode 16
In Malta, with only the body of a dead hippie as a clue, the Protectors go after smugglers despite having no idea what it is that is being smuggled.
Episode 17
After unsuccessful attempts on their lives, Paul and the Contessa are too late to warn Harry that someone is out to kill him.
Episode 18
The Protectors are hired to track down Bennett, a missing Canadian agent who holds valuable information about a new American-Canadian sky project.
Episode 19
Harry must land a small plane on his own when the pilot dies.
Episode 20
Drug dealers plan on using someone who can impersonate Harry's voice in order to get information out of a blinded Paul.
Episode 21
Harry finds his family being threatened after he agrees to guard a visiting president in London.
Episode 22
The Contessa gives Harry a shotgun for his birthday which he soon puts to good use when while investigating political blackmail he becomes the quarry in a manhunt.
Episode 23
An important witness to a murder who doesn't want the Protectors protection, vanishes soon after she is placed in the Protectors charge.
Episode 24
A small fluffy dog called Muffin is kidnapped from a hotel to place a microfilm in its collar. The dog is due to be ttansaported to NY. Harry saves the day.
Episode 25
Harry is hired to protect a disturbed Vietnam war veteran.
Episode 26
The Protectors end up in trouble in the Roman tombs.
