The Impossible Mission (21 Sep. 1968)

While trapped in a television station in a seemingly impossible situation Max admits that he would like to have spent the rest of his life with the smitten 99 which she takes as a proposal.

Director:

Bruce Bilson

Writers:

Arne Sultan, Allan Burns,

Stars:

Don Adams, Barbara Feldon, Edward Platt

Cast

Episode cast overview:
Don Adams	...	Maxwell Smart
Barbara Feldon	...	Agent 99
Edward Platt	...	Chief
Aron Kincaid	...	Herb Talbot
Jamie Farr	...	Musician
Eddie Hice	...	Drummer
Robert Karvelas	...	Larabee
Ann Elder	...	Dr. Simon

Storyline

CONTROL gets information that KAOS is going to use a television special featuring band-leader Herb Talbot to send out a deadly formula. Max and 99 go undercover as performers on the special (Max as a trumpet player with a computerized trumpet, and 99 as a dancer) to find out how the formula will be smuggled out. Unfortunately, their cover is blown and after a wild chase they are trapped in the television studio's control room. While they are trapped, Max makes a decision that will alter his and 99's life forever.

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Genres:

Comedy | Crime | Mystery

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Details

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 September 1968 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Paramount Studios - 5555 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Talent Associates

Technical Specs

Runtime:

30 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The title is from the "other" spy series Mission: Impossible.

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Quotes

Maxwell Smart: [dressed as a Mexican musician] You know something, 99, I like you with a moustache.
# 99: [wearing a Charlie Chaplin outfit] Thanks.
Maxwell Smart: Don't shave it off.

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Connections

Spoofs Mission: Impossible (1966)

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Soundtracks

"I'll Be Seeing You"
(uncredited)
Music by Sammy Fain
Max's computer-trumpet keeps playing the song.

User Reviews

The Marriage Proposal Episode

This landmark episode in which 86 finally proposes to 99 is wildly uneven. The opening sequence where they parody "Mission Impossible" ranks among the best moments of the series. The whole sequence is great, and one of my favorite moments is when the tape does NOT destruct after five seconds and the Chief's voice on the tape then says "maybe six". Things hum along great as Max tells 99 he's NOT going to pick her as part of his team on this mission because he's concerned its too dangerous and he doesn't want her to get hurt. There's a great sequence where Max meets CONTROL scientist Dr. Simon (the curvy former Second City performer Ann Elder, who later won two Emmys for her writing for Lily Tomlin!). There's a genius comic bit where the Chief and Max have to fly to 30,000 feet to have a top secret discussion so they can be assured no one will hear them (okay, it gets a bit beaten into the ground, but it is pretty funny the first few times through). Jamie Farr has an amusing guest appearance as a contact in a record store. They score again as Max has to infiltrate the "Herb Talbot" band using the auto play trumpet provided for him by Dr. Simon.

But then, just about halfway through the episode, everything goes wrong. Herb Talbot is really the KAOS agent known as "the Leader". Unfortunately Aron Kincaid manages to turn "the Leader" into one of the most colorless and forgettable KAOS villains of all time. He gives no feeling of threat or mayhem, which really hurts the ending. Their cover blown, Max and 99 try to escape dressed as Charlie Chaplin impersonators...thus beginning one of the most embarrassing and unfunny sequences in the series entire run. They run about the studio in herky- jerky silent movie style while being chased by a villain and his henchman. Just two guys. Neither of which are particularly threatening or big. There's no Bobo (Claw's assistant) or Grobnik or any other tough guy Smart should be worried about. Instead we have two guys chasing them. Two guys! No army of KAOS agents. No Siegfried. No Craw. No killer robot. Just two guys they should easily handle. Instead, 86 and 99 find themselves trapped in a studio control room and facing what they try and package as "certain death", Max proposes to 99. The idea is right, but the lack of a real threat makes the entire scene seem forced, flat, and unworthy of what should have been a great moment in the history of the series.