It has since been revealed that Don Adams didn't fail to appear in this episode because he disliked the script. He had to perform in Vegas, to cover some gambling debts, so he was unable to appear. The so-called script dispute was just a cover for the real reason Adams was absent.
Either way, it's a shame that he wasn't in this, the final episode of the original series that featured Siegfried. Where he was most sorely missed was the scene in which Quigley (Bill Dana) punched Siegfried and Starker, to escape. Don Adams, being so skilled at doing fight scenes, could have made that scene fantastic.
Another aspect of this episode which was annoying was the way 99 was clinging to Quigley's arm so often. It was one thing when she did this with Max, because she was secretly in love with him. But there was no reason at all, for her to cling to Quigley, when she was already married to Max.
There is one glaring blooper, when Starker claims to have fed penguins to Quigley and 99; penguins live at the South Pole, not in Canada.
Bernie Kopell and King Moody rescue an otherwise unremarkable episode, taking their usual chemistry to a somewhat higher level. Instead of their typical sadomasochistic relationship (as Kopell once described it), the viewer gets fleeting glimpses of an actual friendship in this episode. Starker expresses genuine concern for Siegfried's safety in one scene; Siegfried relents and lets Starker get away with making a silly statement; and in another scene, Siegfried actually breaks down and puts his arm around Starker's shoulders. The two men were good friends in real life, and it comes across well onscreen.
As much as one misses a classic face-off between Max and Siegfried, Siegfried is a strong enough character to confront any good guys who might dare to cross him--including Quigley. In one of his classic mood swings, he switches from happily boasting about KAOS' plans, to viciously threatening to kill Quigley and 99...nearly shoving his gun up Quigley's nose, at one point.
Even though Don Adams was not in this episode, it's definitely worth your time. There are some very clever jokes during the scene in the Professor's laboratory, including a hilarious play on the Professor's name.
Either way, it's a shame that he wasn't in this, the final episode of the original series that featured Siegfried. Where he was most sorely missed was the scene in which Quigley (Bill Dana) punched Siegfried and Starker, to escape. Don Adams, being so skilled at doing fight scenes, could have made that scene fantastic.
Another aspect of this episode which was annoying was the way 99 was clinging to Quigley's arm so often. It was one thing when she did this with Max, because she was secretly in love with him. But there was no reason at all, for her to cling to Quigley, when she was already married to Max.
There is one glaring blooper, when Starker claims to have fed penguins to Quigley and 99; penguins live at the South Pole, not in Canada.
Bernie Kopell and King Moody rescue an otherwise unremarkable episode, taking their usual chemistry to a somewhat higher level. Instead of their typical sadomasochistic relationship (as Kopell once described it), the viewer gets fleeting glimpses of an actual friendship in this episode. Starker expresses genuine concern for Siegfried's safety in one scene; Siegfried relents and lets Starker get away with making a silly statement; and in another scene, Siegfried actually breaks down and puts his arm around Starker's shoulders. The two men were good friends in real life, and it comes across well onscreen.
As much as one misses a classic face-off between Max and Siegfried, Siegfried is a strong enough character to confront any good guys who might dare to cross him--including Quigley. In one of his classic mood swings, he switches from happily boasting about KAOS' plans, to viciously threatening to kill Quigley and 99...nearly shoving his gun up Quigley's nose, at one point.
Even though Don Adams was not in this episode, it's definitely worth your time. There are some very clever jokes during the scene in the Professor's laboratory, including a hilarious play on the Professor's name.
