User Reviews

Every review of this episode posted prior to this one refers to the go-cart sequence at the end of the episode. If you haven't seen this episode you really should skip all the reviews for now (including this one), and watch it.

I actually referred to the go-cart scene in another review whilst pointing out some "Prisoner" moments in various Danger Man / Secret Agent shows. The go-cart piece is indeed very Prisoneresque. A common critique of the go-cart sequence is that it's over the top. Yes, it is. Why is that? I believe that quite often when Danger Man does go over the top -with 'The Ubiquitous Mr. Lovegrove' being the quintessential example- we are seeing Patrick McGoohan's footprint... or should I say 'mindprint'.

Although Patrick did not write this episode he did direct it. And I suspect that either he added the go-cart scene on the fly, or, perhaps more likely, he enhanced the basic plot device of Drake escaping on a go-cart whilst directing the episode.

When McGoohan gets to cut loose you get... whimsy. The Prisoner is full of whimsy. Whimsy... and ... the rebellion of a brilliant mind that sees through the illusory and farcical motif of modern society. Patrick pulls back the curtain, revealing the irrational nature of mankind.

If Patrick had written this entire episode we may have seen even more whimsy. In fact, in my review of 'The Ubiquitous Mr. Lovegrove' I floated the notion that McGoohan did in fact write that episode, despite the writing credit being attributed to one 'David Stone', who has NO other writing credits beyond 7 DM episodes. I suspect that folks looking for the smoking gun of a direct tie in between Danger Man and The Prisoner may find it in that installment.

Anyway, this episode under review is a great DM in all regards. Of particular interest to me was the card game. There have of course been several memorable card games staged in movies and TV. Two favorites coming to mind are 'A Big Hand For A Little Lady' with Henry Fonda, and "All Good Things', the last Star Trek TNG episode. And this card game, with Drake steering the thin skinned and feeble minded antagonist Eddie Gelb into the proverbial corner... while Eddie's girlfriend plinks soundtrack on the piano, raising tension at the critical juncture of the game... while at the same time the camera scans around the perimeter à la Brian De Palma style is another one. It's all quite delicious isn't it?

By the way, did you notice the second Beatles album on display in the cafe's jukebox at the beginning of the show? Be seeing you...

Bought the complete "Danger Man" DVD box set last year and have now nearly finished it.

Just watched this episode and thought it was pretty enjoyable until the go-cart sequence mentioned by "wnewman106" in his comments. The use of the go-cart wasn't a bad idea and could have been presented in a mildly amusing way, but it went way over the top.

Wow! This certainly was a lame attempt at humor that really didn't fit with the usual quality of the show. However, the rest of the episode was good enough so that the rather silly ending didn't completely ruin it.

This is my first IMDb posting and couldn't figure out how to make it a reaction to the "wnewman106" comment, but I guess this will do.

Overall, though, I thought "Danger Man/Secret Agent" was a very good series. Plus, it lead to my all time favorite show, "The Prisoner!" By the way, one of the card players in this episode (Peter Swanwick) became a regular on "The Prisoner."

Of course, I've always been a huge fan of the series for all kinds of reasons, such as the far away locales. Staged or genuine they enhanced subplot realism and character interactions. But what also made Danger Man/Secret Agent so memorable was its casting. Yet for me, though she simply may have been unavailable, I've always felt cheated that Joan Greenwood appears in only this one episode. To delight of her husky, slow, precise elocution only once in the whole show, while many other actors were used multiple times hardly seems fair. Only once again, to my knowledge,was Ms. Greenwood used to great, if again too brief effect, when she voiced Anita Pallenberg's character in "Barbarella". Indeed, Joan sounded as Anita and Jane looked; so "pretty pretty..."

Before writing this, I read the other user comments. While I'd agree the go-kart is a bit silly, my opinion of this episode changed after watching it one day.

For some reason, I couldn't get it out of my mind. I was fascinated by this episode, and watched it again the next day.

Contrary to the other reviews, I think this episode is one of DANGER MAN'S best. And, I'll tell you why:

When you want to get a point of view, or a story out there, that sometimes doesn't appeal t the mainstream, the best way is through such forms as cartoons.

Why?

Because, cartoons - even though the story might be verbatim to a story written for live action - isn't subjected to the same sort of examination as would be if it were not told that way.

In the same way that a cartoon can subvert a viewer's willingness to 'go along,' so does, this episode of DANGER MAN (one of my top 3 all-time favourite series).

This episode - which was directed by Patrick McGoohan, and stars some of his favourite costars - is easily one of the most subversive, one that most asks questions, that heretofore had not been answered - nor asked - that will lead to the next (continuing?) series; THE PRISONER.

Let me try to explain.

Every character in this episode is hiding something - they're what they appear - John going DOUBLE under cover - first as Troy (and like the story of Troy, get's into a high stakes poker game via his 'Trojan horse'), the 'actor' Eddie- host of the card game - who, as an actor- professionally pretends to be someone else (but who hides the REAL facts that he's bald and broke),Tamasio, who pretends to be Guissepe. Later we meet Senora Nandina- who promises to hide the truths of guests who stay with her.

Anyone who's familiar THE PRISONER will recognise 2 faces; that of Peter Swanwick- the SUPERVISOR (playing poker as an actor named 'Joe') and Aubrey Morris- (who is in THE PRISONER episode DANCE OF THE DEAD as one of the 3 judges) plays Tamasio- the would-be thief who sets the whole episode in motion. This is Aubrey's 3rd appearance in DANGER MAN, and it looks like the scenes he has with McGoohan were fun for both of them to film.

If you're familiar with THE PRISONER episode THE GIRL WHO WAS DEATH, then you know that episode was originally written to be used as a DANGER MAN episode as well. If you keep that in mind when watching this, you see that they have similarities in that they both have a tongue-in-cheek quality (obviously, there's more exaggeration in TGWWD as it was to be a 'bedtime story' told to children in the village).

I was fascinated by the character that Joan Greenwood played - Senora Nandina - particularly the last scene she has in this episode (I've posted both the fight scene, and the subsequent hotel scene on YouTube).

As Drake had just been in a fight with Senora's man servants for breaking her 'house rules,' (respecting the privacy of her guests and no guns), it's all the more...cryptic.

As the scene begins (shot from the mirror's POV), she's in a hotel room, with John Drake (who wakens on a bed) Drake wakens, and looks around and says; 'where am I?'.

After a minute of small-talk (all of which takes place in mirror), Nandina starts asking him...questions;

'What's your name?' Senora asks. 'I told you,' Drake says. 'No - your real name,' Nandina asks. 'Ari,' Drake says 'Vederci.'

Nandina - sensing she won't get further answers - starts to walk towards the door.

"I had a good feeling about you, 'she says, and walks towards the door.

When he opens the door, Drake asks;

'What were you?'

'Long ago?' she replies.

He nods.

She gives a knowing look back at him.

After a few seconds, Drake gives a wink - an acknowledgment - of...?

With that, she walks away - and then quickly returns. 'Grazie,' she says.

'Prego,' says Drake.

She flourishes her arms, and leaves.

Maybe it's just me but there's a very 'PRISONEResque' quality in both that little exchange (Drake's also wearing the 'suit,' specifically, the suit the PRISONER wears upon his capture in ARRIVAL, and later in FALLOUT), as well as the whole act set at Snra. Nandina's estate.

Trust me, I'm not reading anything hidden into this. It's just a nice, oblique moment. You can even catch Mr. McGoohan giving a quick grin as he closes the door.

Ah - as for the go-kart; McGoohan directed this episode with a few actors he'd worked with over time (and would work with later on THE PRISONER), and I think the whole episode was just his way to let off some steam. Yes, it's silly, fun - over the top, but all-in- all, as Tamasio gives a wave to some off-camera person - I think that's the point.

"The Paper Chase" is a relatively weak episode of "Secret Agent". It begins with a silly plot idea--a guy with a briefcase full of super- important state secrets leaves them in the car when he goes into a bar for a drink. During this time, a scum-bad, Tamasio (Aubrey Morris) sneaks into the car and steals the briefcase. The distraught government official begs his friend Drake to get those papers back as soon as possible.

First off, Drake goes in search of Tamasio--a character shamelessly over- acted. He's a bit fun to watch but ridiculous. Then, Drake works his way through the system until he gets the bag. Oddly, however, about midway through the show it becomes very talking and a bit dull. The conclusion isn't bad but all until it becomes like Mario Cart (see it to understand what I mean). All in all a weak episode due to indifferent writing and, of course, Tamasio.

"Here be Possible Spoilers". I recently had surgery and had the time to watch all the Danger Man episodes in order. A wonderful series but when you view them all at once rather than one a week as they were broadcast, you notice some repetitious things. I see why Patrick McGoohan decided to leave if this is what the series was becoming. The go-cart sequence was one of the worst few moments ever put on the TV. Drake on a go-cart chases bad guys who have guns and circles one and makes him dizzy? Puh-Leeze! Must have been the campy Batman influence going around about then. Aubrey Morris was funny enough and the locations were convincing enough to be Rome and the atmosphere was gloomy enough, but the go-cart was too much.

"The Paper Chase" begins with Aubrey Morris overacting dreadfully, pretending to be an Italian, by way of an organ grinders' monkey.

Then there's a card game with two future residents of the Village--including the Supervisor. Those connections are always thrilling.

Then we move into a diversion by way of Joan Greenwood ("Man in the White Suit," "Kind Hearts and Coronets").

It finally ties up with one of the best and most unexpected climaxes in the whole series (definitely no spoilers).

If you can survive through Aubrey Morris' nasty Italian accent it's a pretty episode. Enjoy it if you can.