The Town

I know most people love tv shows for the formula they follow with every episode. And I'm the same. But I also love it when there is are deviations too. As long as it's done well. And this episode is done really well.

I've said on many reviews that I've done for Mission Impossible that it's so hard to follow what the hell they are doing and even why!

But not this episode, it's all clear on why, what and how! Jim falls victim to a murderous town and Rollin works it out and soon gets the whole team in to the rescue. Though it is a bit strange how they just leave the townspeople ant the end and scamper. I presume though that they will send authorities to get them!

This is the one episode you must watch. Gripping, tension filled, and the great way that the team can work together, right under the watchful eyes and ears of the bad guys, to rescue Jim and bring them to justice. A winner!!

A great departure from the usual opening, and you expect to see Jim going somewhere to pick up his new mission. Instead he stumbles upon an international assassination plot and becomes a prisoner of the ringleader and his band of merry followers. This one generates great tension all the way through and some nice surprises. The only quibble I have with it is the perfunctory way the IMF deals with the bad guys' plot. I think the producers could easily have turned this into a fantastic two-parter. Even so, this is probably the best episode of the second season, perhaps of the entire series. Grandpa Walton, Will Geer, as a villainous doctor really steals the show. A real must see for any action/adventure fan.

The timing of this episode was perfect because if it had been scheduled later in the year, it would never have been shown. The assassination's of Martin Luther King and Robert Fitzgerald Kennedy would happen later in 1968. No way this episode would have aired after their assassination's.

This episode is considered one of the best Mission Impossible episodes. I think it is THE BEST. 10/10 from me. I grew up watching this show and remember this one because of Jim Phelps in danger. I was a 13 year old who was enthralled with this series. It was everything a kid my age would love. Rewatching it on MeTV in 2024 reminded me of how great it was. This is a much watched episode.

10/10.

Aside from one logical error, this is among the very best episodes of season two of "Mission: Impossible". It's extremely good because it is so very different--and after a lot of familiar episodes, it's nice to see something so unfamiliar.

The episode does NOT begin with Phelps getting his assignment. Instead, he's on vacation and wanders into some small town. What he doesn't know is that this is an EVIL town--and everyone is involved in some sort of conspiracy. When he accidentally learns too much, the town deals with him in a novel manner--they drug him so that he cannot move or speak. Then, when Rollin comes looking for him, they explain that Jim had a stroke and was on death's door. Rollin is allowed to see him, as the town suspects nothing amiss--and using his eyes, Jim is able to communicate with Rollin about his predicament. However, it's the whole town--and Rollin cannot contact the police since they are in on it. So, he gets Cinnamon, Barney and Willy to come to the town to ostensibly tell him goodbye--though, of course, they're coming to rescue him.

As I mentioned there is a minor problem with the plot. In such a situation, you would ASSUME that Rollin would contact federal authorities (such as the FBI) and the town would be invaded. Their way of handling it was much more cool to watch--just not exactly realistic. Still, it's a dandy episode--and one that shows very clever writing and ingenuity. Well worth seeing.