Turnabout for Traitors (19 Feb. 1968)

Director:

Earl Bellamy

Writer:

Ernie Frankel

Stars:

Robert Culp, Bill Cosby, José Chávez

Cast

Episode cast overview:
Robert Culp	...	Kelly Robinson
Bill Cosby	...	Alexander Scott
José Chávez	...	Goza
Peter Donat	...	Hampton
Regina Torné	...	Elena
Andrés García	...	Tomas
Ross Elliott	...	Nate
Michael Strauss	...	Randolph
Rodolfo Hoyos Jr.	...	Proprietor (as Rodolfo Hoyos)

Storyline

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Comedy | Crime

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Details

Language:

English

Release Date:

19 February 1968 (USA)

Filming Locations:

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

Company Credits

Production Co:

3F Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

60 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

User Reviews

Kelly is accused by British intelligence of selling out their network in Acapulco and goes on the run after his escort to Washington is murdered.

One thing I don't like about "I Spy" in general is how much Kelly and Scotty's competence varies from episode to episode, which is somewhat indicative of how the quality of this episode varies. The first three quarters are very well done. British Intelligence's case against Kelly is presented very stylishly in a series of flashbacks centered on surveillance photos presented to him and Scotty at the beginning of the episode, and there's a certain grittiness to the dialogue that contributes to the desperate atmosphere of the episode. ("You don't get to tell me who my loyalty's supposed to go to."/"Never mind me; get him!") I also like Kelly's look once he goes on the run--slightly unshaven with a light blue sports coat and slacks, as opposed to the bright red jacket, white pants, and tennis shoes Kelly usually wears in the later episodes. This isn't an episode where Scott and Robinson are able to take everything in stride.

Unfortunately, whether it's due to settling for a first take to meet a production schedule or because of the production facilities in Acapulco, there's something about the climax that, even presumably remastered, reminds me of B-movies from the seventies. When Scotty confronts the main villain in a house, neither the composition of the shots nor the film stock display the same production values as the first 40 or so minutes. As much as I like the character Goyo and how he is introduced (as well as the role he plays), it is a little disconcerting to realize that both our heroes would have been owned by the villains without him. And what was the villains' plan? Did it change halfway through? When the assassin first throws his knife and kills Kelly's escort back to Washington, is he trying to hit Kelly?

"Turnabout for Traitors" is a good episode for late in the series, but it also displays some of the later episodes' deficiencies.