The Wild Wild West (TV Series) The Night of the Amnesiac (1968) User Reviews

Thanks for the Memories

[zsenorsock · 8/10 · 11 September 2007]

Terrific episode that leaves the camp that plagued many of the season three episodes behind. West is dispatched to help deliver a supply of smallpox vaccine to stop a deadly outbreak. Along the way the wagon he's in is ambushed and West takes a bullet on the side of the head that gives him amnesia.

The vaccine was stolen by the gang of an imprisoned Kansas City mobster (Ed Asner, very much like his "El Dorado" character) who offers to return the vaccine in exchange for his freedom and a pardon. More supplies of the vaccine are at least six days away, so the government makes a deal and asks Gordon to see it through. Gordon does so while looking for West.

Lots of action and a pretty decent story in this. Conrad is good as a amnesiac West, who may not have his memory, but still has his reflexes and his touch with the ladies. The only disappointing thing about this episode is how easily his memory comes back--when Artie is in jeopardy. But as a whole, a very enjoyable episode.

Fairly good, though not top-notch

[shakspryn · 7/10 · 12 February 2020]

WWW depended on certain elements or themes that came up all the time. A key one was the good relationship between Jim and Artie. That is always there and is the backbone of the show (except for some episodes where Ross Martin was absent for health). Other key elements were: a pretty young lady, whom Jim would flirt with and maybe romance; a colorful villain with an ambitious scheme--often wildly ambitious; Artie in disguise (just about always with a comic angle, often played up in a big way); Jim and Artie in danger and having to escape certain death, often with one of Jim's handy secret devices; fistfights, and often shootouts; a scene or two in their fancy train. Ed Asner is an excellent actor and was good at villains, but here his character just isn't all that interesting. Sharon Farrell as the attractive young lady is very good. I think fans will enjoy this episode, but it's unlikely to make anybody's list of the top 20 or 30 shows. Still, the great Robert Conrad and Ross Martin are always worth watching as these characters.

Eddie Asner as the perfect villain...

[searchanddestroy-1 · 8/10 · 22 March 2019]

It only appears to me that Edward Asner was not involved in the villain batch of this marvelous series yet...But now the missing link is repaired. The amnesia scheme for our hero was also expected in this huge Tv show; after all many Tv series lead have faced this kind of issue. The climax is rather a little weak.

A wasted opportunity for greatness

[oscar-35 · 15 December 2012]

*Spoiler/plot- TNOT Amnesiac, 68. Treasury agents stop a sick blackmail plot involving a rare small-pox vaccine.

*Special Stars- Robert Conrad, Ross Martin, Ed Asner, Don Howorth.

*Theme- Seeking revenge is often a energy consuming goal.

*Trivia/location/goofs- Air date 2-2-68. Takes place in Bandon Ks. Don Howorth, Mr World plays a brute assassin on the stagecoach. Ouija boards, US Department of Health, and the anachronistic words: "Pinocchio" and "genocide" are not from the time of this series. They're to modern day. Mr. Conrad's short stature/height for a leading man (5'7") was compensated for with shoe 'lifts' in his boots, casting short stunt people, and short leading ladies. In fact his show was known for needing so many short stature love-interest roles for women among females actresses, it became a staple for actresses in Hollywood.

*Emotion- Vengeance scenarios have become overused and too boring with this production company in Season Three. I was not impressed by the 'inmate vengeance' scenario plot line. The guest star lead villain's performance is forgettable.....many time villain roles fail to deliver enough 'gravitas' to balance with the strong leads of Conrad and Martin. Mr. Asner has done better with less a role in other TV shows. That was a wasted opportunity for greatness. This is not vintage W3.