User Reviews

This is one of the most enjoyable episodes of the entire 3 year run of the series as it captures all the elements that makes I Spy one of the best comedy-drama shows ever. The clever plot has it all, drama, intrigue, subterfuge, humor, great Hong Kong location scenes, the usual beating up of Kelly and Robinson and unexpected plot twists.

This episode has an outstanding guest appearance by veteran character actor Marcel Hillaire, a German born Jew who specialized in portraying French characters. For this episode Marcel plays the bumbling agent Maximilian de Brouget, surely based on Maxwell Smart-Agent 86 which began its run in the same season I Spy did. Marcel steals this installment from the beginning to its conclusion and his character is riveting.

In the opening bar scene, the background music heard is "Harlem Nocturne" which was composed by Earle Hagen who was also the music director for the entire series and wrote the theme song as well. "Harlem Nocturne" was written in 1947 by Hagen and its considered his biggest hit and most famous composition outside of his many TV theme songs, a bluesy jazz song recorded over 200 times.

There's a small goof in the episode, when a boat taken by Kelly, Robinson and Maximilian begins to sink as they leave the dock, the fellows are forced to swim to shore and are soaking wet, yet a few seconds later when they jump onto another boat, all 3 are dry as a bone.

The thing about "I Spy", a show of which I am often very fond, is that it was a kissing cousin of "Star Trek", filmed using the same Paramount tactics that are so familiar to fans of that other show. At times they are so similar, you wouldn't believe it. Also like "Star Trek" (moreso, actually) it wanders in and out of quality. This is because, at the time, there was a lot of ongoing friction on the set, and you can see why, these actors are really put through their paces. Word was, the show was canceled in a salary dispute with one of the stars, who also wanted greater creative freedom, then finally decided he could do better in movies. In any event, certain episodes capture the real flavor the show better than others. These usually feature Cosby as much as Culp and are story driven, as opposed to having them wandering around some Greek isle muttering to themselves. This is one of those shows. It features the incredible Marcel Hillaire (sort of a French Jimmy Durante), this rubber-faced comic actor is fearless and fascinating to watch; one of those entertainers, the like of which will never come around again. It's a shame he's not better remembered. Here, Hillaire plays a clueless, aging French secret agent who has been assigned to Cosby and Culp as their boss for a special assignment. It quickly becomes clear that he doesn't know what he's doing and they're mostly on a babysitting detail. It's funny, breezy and hip in that 1965 way that always makes "I Spy" such interesting viewing. This was a very, very stylish show when it was on. The clothes alone, set trends afire. At any rate, you count on this being a first rate episode.

This one I remember from repeated viewings over the years (and likely on its first run, too). The music is fun, and the boys are challenged by their lead on this assignment. Great episode.

Some nuts said this show is just like Star Trek, but then didn't explain how. Don't see it at all. Because there's a character named Scotty?

Episode 4

While tracking a drugs for weapons smuggling deal Kelly and Scotty encounter the mysterious Blue Dragon society which makes sorting out the bad guys from the good anyone's guess.

Why does this entire season so far take place in Hong Kong?

Lot's of character actors in this who you will recognize.

But this episode has a rather slow exposition.