I'm giving this episode a 10 out of 10 rating as compared to the other Monkees episodes.
This episode is either loved or hated by people that watched the series. It was directed by Micky Dolenz, and has a surreal quality (even compared to the other episodes) all the way through it.
SPOILER ALERT:
The episode starts with one of the Monkees (I believe Micky) becoming aware that all of his friends have become hypnotized by their tvs; specifically, by a strange broadcast of a football-shaped eye staring out at them. They have no will or ability to think while watching their TV sets (hmm, could Mr. Dolenz be making a comment here?).
When Peter Tork becomes hypnotized, the rest of the Monkees take action. Dragging the zombified Peter with them, they manage to uncover the source of the mass hypnosis; an alien plant creature, called the Frodis (presumably named after a popular psychedelic drink at the time), broadcasting from a studio. They plan to kill it with an improvised slingshot, but it speaks to them, telling them it has been captured and forced to do an evil madman's bidding; they grab the plant creature just as the bad guys track them down, and there is the generic, yet strangely filmed, chase scene where the bad guys chase the Monkees to the plant's spaceship. Accompanying the chase scene is a simple song about two countries warring, to no purpose. (For some reason, the song juxtaposed against the bizarre chase scene creates a rather powerful and disturbing image of the power-obsessed and how they are in the position to harm people's lives). Once inside, it becomes renergized, and releases a powerful sedative spray that removes the bad guy's motivation to fight (not unlike a massive hit of... ahem... pot.) The plant creature takes off after thanking the Monkees for saving it.
END SPOILERS.
I hope this plot synopsis doesn't prevent anyone from watching it. This episode was the last, and the best one. It was silly, bizarre, but contained a subversive message that may stay with the viewer long after it is over. There is also something strangely sad about it, being that it is their last episode. It makes you wish for more of the same, though you know the series is over. It's a shame it wasn't among the first episodes filmed; the series might have lasted longer (or gotten yanked by the censors like the Smothers Brothers did), and gained even more of a cult following. It has an almost Monty Python- like quality, and is well worth checking out, even if you're not a Monkees fan. You may never be able to find it unless you order it, but if you like the idea of a bizarre Monkees story, check out "Head", if you can find it at the video store. It is even weirder, and more disturbing (and a true cult gem.)
This episode is either loved or hated by people that watched the series. It was directed by Micky Dolenz, and has a surreal quality (even compared to the other episodes) all the way through it.
SPOILER ALERT:
The episode starts with one of the Monkees (I believe Micky) becoming aware that all of his friends have become hypnotized by their tvs; specifically, by a strange broadcast of a football-shaped eye staring out at them. They have no will or ability to think while watching their TV sets (hmm, could Mr. Dolenz be making a comment here?).
When Peter Tork becomes hypnotized, the rest of the Monkees take action. Dragging the zombified Peter with them, they manage to uncover the source of the mass hypnosis; an alien plant creature, called the Frodis (presumably named after a popular psychedelic drink at the time), broadcasting from a studio. They plan to kill it with an improvised slingshot, but it speaks to them, telling them it has been captured and forced to do an evil madman's bidding; they grab the plant creature just as the bad guys track them down, and there is the generic, yet strangely filmed, chase scene where the bad guys chase the Monkees to the plant's spaceship. Accompanying the chase scene is a simple song about two countries warring, to no purpose. (For some reason, the song juxtaposed against the bizarre chase scene creates a rather powerful and disturbing image of the power-obsessed and how they are in the position to harm people's lives). Once inside, it becomes renergized, and releases a powerful sedative spray that removes the bad guy's motivation to fight (not unlike a massive hit of... ahem... pot.) The plant creature takes off after thanking the Monkees for saving it.
END SPOILERS.
I hope this plot synopsis doesn't prevent anyone from watching it. This episode was the last, and the best one. It was silly, bizarre, but contained a subversive message that may stay with the viewer long after it is over. There is also something strangely sad about it, being that it is their last episode. It makes you wish for more of the same, though you know the series is over. It's a shame it wasn't among the first episodes filmed; the series might have lasted longer (or gotten yanked by the censors like the Smothers Brothers did), and gained even more of a cult following. It has an almost Monty Python- like quality, and is well worth checking out, even if you're not a Monkees fan. You may never be able to find it unless you order it, but if you like the idea of a bizarre Monkees story, check out "Head", if you can find it at the video store. It is even weirder, and more disturbing (and a true cult gem.)