I was surprised that this story was fast paced enough to keep my interest. I particularly liked
the decor of the Mystery story. I doubt that was the real Maltese Falcon prop because that one
got mercilessly scraped by Bogie, and this one wasn't, plus this one bent to the side. Probably
a close replica. I kept seeing Angela Lansbury mannerisms in the cat lady but I'm not sure why,
because that was Olivia de Havilland who played the only Agatha Christie movie I ever saw.
John Astin (face seems vaguely familiar) wasn't annoying, though his story was dull to me, it was well acted and fast paced enough. Oola the vamp was really ugly with her W. Bush nose job and her creepy, evil eyes, and the chunky sister was the prettier, natural-looking one with eyes of innocence.
But that story was so dull! Someone would pay $10K (whatever happened to $50K from season 1?) for being a bum on the beach? Yeah, right! You can go do that by yourself, no need for Roarke's help.
I did think the Holm story was truly a fantasy worthy to be had, because only in a magic place can you act out a script where the characters have come to life... or did they? (Most of the time I shake my head at what idiot, magic-less fantasies the fools pay for!) However, there was 0 magic to be had in this episode, and that was disappointing. Also no spooky (or Halloween vibe) anything here.
I didn't care much at all for the Tattoo storyline this time. The trumpet was annoying and the noise went on for way too long. That poor parrot!
One thing I keep forgetting to mention: "Your fantasy is now over!" Something Roarke would no longer say in later seasons. But it's a bit of a shocker every time I hear him tell that to a guest. I'd be like "Whoa! What I paid for sure didn't go far nor last long!" So far, the only time someone disobeyed Roarke about end of fantasy was Michelle Phillips, when he catches her sucking face with Patrick Wayne. She wanted more and she got more. (Why? He was dull as a plastic knife!)
Highlight of the show: finding Mr. Roarke fine dining with Tattoo in the middle of the "jungle". His self-satisfied air of superiority, as he reclines in his dining throne.
All in all a decent episode, not remarkable, but not annoying in the least. Props for Montalban still saying his welcome with the enthusiasm it required. In way too many episodes of later seasons, he'd just be going thru the motions, like he'd checked out, and he was phoning in his welcome. Not so here. One of the cheeriest greetings he ever delivered.
John Astin (face seems vaguely familiar) wasn't annoying, though his story was dull to me, it was well acted and fast paced enough. Oola the vamp was really ugly with her W. Bush nose job and her creepy, evil eyes, and the chunky sister was the prettier, natural-looking one with eyes of innocence.
But that story was so dull! Someone would pay $10K (whatever happened to $50K from season 1?) for being a bum on the beach? Yeah, right! You can go do that by yourself, no need for Roarke's help.
I did think the Holm story was truly a fantasy worthy to be had, because only in a magic place can you act out a script where the characters have come to life... or did they? (Most of the time I shake my head at what idiot, magic-less fantasies the fools pay for!) However, there was 0 magic to be had in this episode, and that was disappointing. Also no spooky (or Halloween vibe) anything here.
I didn't care much at all for the Tattoo storyline this time. The trumpet was annoying and the noise went on for way too long. That poor parrot!
One thing I keep forgetting to mention: "Your fantasy is now over!" Something Roarke would no longer say in later seasons. But it's a bit of a shocker every time I hear him tell that to a guest. I'd be like "Whoa! What I paid for sure didn't go far nor last long!" So far, the only time someone disobeyed Roarke about end of fantasy was Michelle Phillips, when he catches her sucking face with Patrick Wayne. She wanted more and she got more. (Why? He was dull as a plastic knife!)
Highlight of the show: finding Mr. Roarke fine dining with Tattoo in the middle of the "jungle". His self-satisfied air of superiority, as he reclines in his dining throne.
All in all a decent episode, not remarkable, but not annoying in the least. Props for Montalban still saying his welcome with the enthusiasm it required. In way too many episodes of later seasons, he'd just be going thru the motions, like he'd checked out, and he was phoning in his welcome. Not so here. One of the cheeriest greetings he ever delivered.
