Let's talk about Mission Impossible!

[Mr. Mike]

I almost decided to start writing up Mission: Impossible (the 1966-1973 one), but after just doing one episode, which took a LONG time (an episode with lots of issues), I don't think this is a good idea. I am tempted, it's just that there are 171 shows (a lot).

That show, which I wrote up, is here: http://mjq.net/mi66/S02E20.htm (this URL may change in the future).

Now don't start yelling at me that I am being too picky in this review, because I know that this show is kind of a fantasy. But in this show, it goes beyond that, even as a fantasy, there are things that just don't make sense. Perhaps I am too influenced by reviewing Classic H50 where I had serious problems about some shows with fantasy elements.

Interestingly, the show right after the one above, The Town (S02E21) was one of the very best! It was directed by H50 stalwart Michael O'Herlihy ... and there are always lots of actors from H50 who keep popping up in the shows.

Christopher L. Bennett has written about Mission Impossible, the original, the 1988-89 reboot and the movies. There is lots of food for thought on his site, which is a blog. You have to keep scrolling down the page, but at some points it doesn't continue as you might expect.

This is an overview of the original Mission Impossible:
https://christopherlbennett.wordpres...ries-overview/

Reviews of the original series (in reverse) start here:
https://christopherlbennett.wordpres...on-7-overview/

This is an overview of the 1988-1989 reboot (also covered by me at my site http://www.missionimpossible1988/info):
https://christopherlbennett.wordpres...ason-overview/

Reviews of the reboot start here and go in reverse:
https://christopherlbennett.wordpres...seth-spoilers/

[Brian]

A Mr. Mike episode review of the original Mission would be awesome but as you mention, there are 7 seasons to write up at the Mr. Mike level of detail. Patrick White has a very good book on Mission if you would rather sit back and watch.

Mission is all about leaving your brain at the door sometimes. There are also some episodes where I wonder if they were better when they originally aired based on the technology at the time. For example, would this episode work if cell phones were available?

Thanks for posting the links to the blog / review. I like seasons 2 and 3 as the classic Mission line up with season 3 being my favorite. Season 5 is good as it does challenge the premise of the show at times. However, you have to have the first four seasons to establish the show first. Dana Lambert is also my least favorite of the Mission women. I wish Lee Meriwether as Tracey would have been made a permanent star on the show. Season 5 also introduces Dr. Doug often at times at the sacrifice of Willy. In some episodes Doug isn't even being used as a Dr. I realize one could say the same thing about Willy using his strength on a mission.

I agree with most of the episodes listed. My favorite episodes:
The Mind of Stefan Milkos
The Killer
The Council
Live Bait
The Innocent
The Exchange
The Question
Submarine
Double Dead
Short Tail Spy

I plan to take either another run through the original Mission (just picked up the Blu Ray set) or another rewatch of Kojak after I finish my rewatch of Five O. I only have season 12 left (gulp).