Mission: Impossible

Even to those who never saw the show, the opening may seem familiar. The team leader (Briggs or Phelps) would enter some odd location, where the mission details were waiting: a recording of some kind, and a photo of the target. Then the scene changed to the apartment. Both Briggs and Phelps had fantastic black & white duplex apartments. Obviously, they were well paid!

Next, he would page through the IMF portfolio, choosing which members to use for the current job. Another cut would bring us to the assembled team, discussing various aspects of the plot. What, exactly, they were up to was never revealed; only bits and pieces were shown. Then the action would get underway.

M:I was not a dumbed-down show. You had to watch it carefully all the way through. Miss a moment, and you might lose the plot, because the team was often split up, in as many as three or four locations, each member doing his or her task. And there were rapid cuts among them. This was no program for anyone with attention deficiency. Or reduced mental capacity.

Most missions worked on careful dovetailing of multiple threads and split-second timing, with all of it coming together at the finale. In fact, you could think of the show as almost a living jigsaw puzzle, each member a piece of the whole.

Their assignments brought the IMF up against dangerous people: enemy agents, terrorists, crazed dictators, racketeers ("the Syndicate"), power-hungry politicians out to wreck their own countries, advocates of World War III, and other unsavory characters. Brutal opponents that required brutal - if sophisticated - methods to take them down.

And that was the key: the team did not hesitate to use any method to accomplish the objective. What they excelled at was the con job. They could fake out anyone with make-believe journeys, "time travel" (X years have passed when they really didn't), impersonations, mock-ups of prisons, phoney devices, and misdirection, among other tricks.

Perfect frame-ups were also devised. This was a favorite tactic against gangsters and enemy agents. Since the IMF usually weren't allowed to kill, they often arranged for the target's own side to do it for them. Yeah, this bunch played with the gloves off.

Keep in mind that The IMF operated 40+ years ago, during the time of the Cold War and the Berlin wall. This is why many assignments relate to enemy agents here and abroad, along with jobs in "Eastern European" (Communist bloc) countries. The former Soviet Union and its satellite countries were considered a serious threat in those days. And there weren't many who'd cry over a "Red agent" getting the works.

Along with their regular assignments, the team ran a few "personal" missions that had nothing to do with government directives. These are some of the best episodes, where the IMF has some personal stake in the action. Among them are "The Ransom", "The Town", and "The Condemned", all detailed below.

Nothing was "impossible" for the IMF.

The IMF team was a mystery. Who they were was never revealed; all anyone had to go on were the photos at the start. We knew Rollin was a magician, Cinnamon a former cover girl, etc. Beyond that, all was blank. And Briggs and Phelps were the most mysterious; we never learned anything about either of them.

We never saw them as themselves, except in the apartment scene. The rest of the time, they were "being other people". Bruce Geller wanted it that way; he once remarked: "They are what they do".

Yet, there were instances of humanity. Usually these were fleeting glimpses: worried looks, an exchange of glances, a "whew" when a dangerous moment had passed safely. In these little bits, the actors managed to convey there were real people behind the masks. Perhaps that's why the few "personal" missions were so popular; these had an incentive other than "another government job".

No one ever mentioned why they went on these perilous assignments week after week, what drove them on to risk their lives. And these missions were perilous. The members were beaten, shot, tortured, drugged and otherwise manhandled while on the job. They simply accepted the risks and got on with it, knowing all the time that the government would not bail them out if captured.

In many episodes, there was a "guest agent", someone with a particular expertise needed for the mission. It could be a physician, a contortionist, a racecar driver, an acrobat, or a diplomat's wife.

They also accepted the risks. In "Old Man Out", acrobat Crystal is told she has to perform without a net - and she does. Likewise, the "memory expert" in "Memory" must allow himself to be captured and tortured, with only a hope he'll be exchanged for someone else later. He goes along with it.

Yes, the IMF was a rugged bunch. They dished it out and took it in return. They were dedicated, resolute, confident and professional. Also smart and quick-witted. Missions didn't always go smoothly; something unexpected was always turning up, and often they had to think on their feet with only seconds to spare.

Now, meet the core members of the IMF.

Dan Briggs was the original leader of the IMF, although many may not remember him. He was on the show only for the first season. Hill's portrayal was of a tough, cold, calculating man, little given to emotion. If he put a gun to your head and said he'd pull the trigger, you believed him.

As leader, he came up with the complicated plots to accomplish each mission, and assigned team members their various roles. Sometimes he participated on the job with them, sometimes he stayed in the background.

While Hill was good, I always felt he was a bit stiff. Perhaps that was related to his phlegmatic persona. When Briggs was in a mission, he usually had a part requiring little emotional range.

Unfortunately, as shooting progressed, Hill became more difficult on the set. His actions often caused delays, making an expensive show even more costly, a matter of concern in corporate offices. Finally, the decision was made to replace him, and Dan Briggs vanished from the show.

Peter Graves was an excellent choice for the new leader: more athletic, a bit more human, and, yes, more charismatic than Steven Hill. Jim Phelps, like his predecessor, came up with all manner of convoluted schemes to get the job done.

However, he took part in most of the missions, rather than staying in the background. Phelps could handle any role - tough prisoner, mild-mannered chemist, hired killer, enemy intelligence officer, noisy tourist - and do it to perfection.

Also, he was able to infuse his character with a touch of humanity. It was all nuance, small things - a glance, a slight smile, a tone of voice - that made Phelps a bit more of a real person than Briggs.

While Landau was the second lead of the series, he probably had more screen time than anyone else. Rollin was often the linchpin of many missions. His ability as a makeup artist was unsurpassed; he could recreate almost anyone's face, either for himself or someone else. Impersonation was one of his greatest talents.

More than that, I think he was the best actor in a group of good actors. Landau was versatile and his range amazing. He slipped with ease into any role; sometimes, multiple roles in one episode. Enemy agent, cabaret performer, gangster, accountant, mercenary: he could do it all.

Rollin was a key member of the team. Over three seasons, he appeared in all but two episodes. On a few missions, he had just one partner, and in "Elena", he was on his own. That's talent.

The role of Rollin Hand was created specifically for Martin Landau, whose talent impressed Bruce Geller very much. In fact, the original name of the character was Martin Land!

The lovely lady of the IMF, Cinnamon was a former model. Bain had it all: beauty, brains, charm, and come-hither eyes that could stop any man in his tracks - and often did. But Cinnamon was much more than just a "femme fatale".

She, too, could handle multiple roles: dying archaeologist, elderly princess, nurse, plastic surgeon, astrologer, ardent Nazi, TV reporter, psychic, and many others. Like Landau (her real-life husband) and Graves, Barbara Bain had the ability to get inside any character and make it believable.

If you don't believe it, then just consider this: she won the Emmy for Best Actress In A Dramatic Series in each of the first three seasons. She was that good.

My guy! While I loved them all, Barney was always my favorite. Aside from being good-looking and personable, he had the toys! He could build any device, gadget, or machine...or fake one, as he did on more than one occasion.

He handled everything and anything electronic or mechanical, and he wasn't bad with plumbing, either. Barney was president of Collier Electronics, which, apparently, got on just fine without his presence.

Most of the time, Barney worked in the background and was rarely seen, or seen and ignored ("just another repairman on the job"). However, Greg Morris did have some moments in the limelight, most notably "Snowball In Hell", where he comes up against a sadistic prison commandant, and "The Contender", in which he portrays a boxer making a comeback.

He also had smaller (but just as important) roles as a cop, U.S. marshal, physician, demonstrator, thief, lawyer, and cameraman, to name a few. But it was as the engineer par excellence that he's remembered, and rightly so. Morris just looked so competent working with his various devices, he made you believe he knew exactly what he was doing.

Willy was the team's muscle man, a champion weight-lifter, and, alas, the least-used character. He was just as smart as any of the others; the IMF couldn't afford stupid people on assignments.

However, there weren't many occasions where sheer muscle was needed, so Willy was usually in the background, working as Barney's partner. Nonetheless, he stepped "out front" now and then, taking on portrayals such as cops, truck drivers, bodyguard, carnival strongman, and chauffeur, among others.

The roles may have been small, but they were just as critical to each mission as anyone else's. There were no "bit parts" in any of the IMF's schemes. But it would have been nice to see Willy get a few more of those "bits".

Like any other show, Mission's first season was a time of settling in. There was a little too much gunplay with the "bad guys", but that was phased out over time. The IMF quickly perfected the smooth, slick con, always a joy to watch.

A two-parter, the team must rescue a priest - Anton Cardinal Vossek - from an escape-proof prison before he dies under questioning or is executed. Briggs recruits Crystal, a trapeze artist, and leads a "carnival troupe" to the park next to the prison.

Rollin gets himself arrested as part of the plot; his job will be to release Vossek when the time is right. All proceeds smoothly, until Vossek is unexpectedly moved to a high-security cell at the last moment. His careful plan now a shambles, Briggs must think up a new ploy before Vossek is executed.

Highlights: Members of the team acting as performers, Rollin tip-toeing around the prison, and a "catfight" between Cinnamon and Crystal for the attentions of a handsome prison guard.

Rogosh is a terrorist rather than a spy. Wherever he's been, he leaves death, destruction and disorder in his wake. He's just been discovered in the U.S., and the IMF must find out what he's done so his plan can be stopped. Quickly, because no one knows how much time is left before something terrible happens.

With the help of a repertory company, the team convinces Rogosh several years have passed and he's jailed in his own country as a traitor. Unknown to the IMF, however, the "other side" has tracked Rogosh to the "prison" and plans to kill him. And what will the team do when Rogosh accidentally discovers he's being tricked?

Highlights: Fritz Weaver's performance as the befuddled Rogosh, terrified by his apparent amnesia and desperate to prove his loyalty. Briggs as Rogosh's bumbling "attorney" for the defense.

One of the great "personal" episodes. Gangster Frank Egan kidnaps the daughter of Briggs' friend George Forrester. Then he offers Briggs a trade: the girl for Augie Gorman, a former "associate" scheduled to testify before the grand jury about Egan's activities. Gorman is under heavy police guard, and Egan knows only Briggs can get him out.

With little time to spare, the team manages to drug Gorman so that he's removed to a hospital, where he's switched for someone else. So now the IMF has him out - but will Egan hold up his end of the bargain? Briggs isn't so sure...

Highlights: Lin McCarthy as the distraught father. Tense moments as the team waits for Gorman to take the drug. The switch in the hospital (implausible though it is). The finale, about which I say nothing, except it's a shocker!

Carroll O'Connor (of Archie Bunker fame) shines as Josef Varsh, head of the secret police of an "Eastern European" country. He plans to arrest some innocent tourist, fake evidence, and stage a trial as anti-Western propaganda. The IMF forestall that by handing him a victim on a silver platter: Briggs.

The evidence piles up. Varsh hardly has to do anything except poke around a little. He's thrilled: he's got a genuine "American agent", with real proof, and doesn't have to fake anything. Manna from heaven!

Until the actual trial. Until his air-tight case begins to fall apart before his disbelieving eyes...

Highlights: The entire court sequence, where Varsh and Rollin (Briggs' defense counsel) duel over the evidence. The cruel way Varsh repudiates his mistress to protect himself. Rollin's surprise witness getting into court, despite the heavy guard set up by Varsh. And Varsh, convinced to the very end, that Briggs is a saboteur.

Ferenc Larya, the ailing prime minister of mythical Svardia, has chosen Deputy Premier Pavel as his successor. Pavel, however, is treacherous and plans to set up a dictatorship as soon as Larya dies.

To convince Larya that Pavel is the wrong man, the IMF set up one of their most elaborate schemes: a false train journey. Supposedly on the way to Switzerland, the prime minister's car is actually hauled into a train shed where a Hollywood camera crew await.

Then the fun begins, as rockers under the car provide the jolts of actual movement, film is rolled to simulate passing scenery, and Barney works the sound effects of train whistles, air brakes, and engine.

Okay, we know that film is two-dimensional, and it couldn't work this way in real life. But it's done so well, the whole arrangement seems to be real. And great fun to watch!

Highlights: The whole train journey, from start to finish. The IMF will do other "fake trips" in the future, but this is the best one of all.

The IMF occasionally depended on elaborate gadgets to put over a con. Barney was always up to the task. Sometimes the devices were real, sometimes they were crafty fakes that appeared real. For example:

This complicated machine was used in "The Diamond". Supposedly, it could duplicate any existing diamond. Actually, the device was a fake. But, along with some complicated sleight of hand, it convinced Henrik Durvard.

Now here we have a real machine. It's a chess-playing computer used in "A Game Of Chess" to send Rollin into the finals of an important chess match. While it wasn't possible in 1967, today there are computers that can beat real-world chessmasters.

A familiar sight: your typical flat-screen TV. However, this one is another of Barney's hoaxes. The TV was used in "The Freeze" to dupe a crook into thinking 12 years had passed. Barney was ahead of his time again; it took the real world a bit longer to catch up.

In reality, though, all these amazing machines were the hard work of special effects chief Jonnie Burke and his team. They did amazing amounts of research for many of the devices, like the diamond duplicator.

In fact, the mockup was very similar (though larger) to actual machines used to create diamonds for industrial work. So even though all these things were fake at the time, they came as close as possible to feasibility.

M:I hit its stride here. This year featured a bounty of exceptional episodes, and it was really tough to pick five shows. These are my highlights, but there could have been many other choices.

One of my all-time favorites. The IMF goes after crooked financier DuBruis and his tame counterfeiter, Tagoor, whose plans could wreck the economy of the small African country of Ghalea.

With the help of Ghalean Treasury official Bouchet, the team fakes out Dubruis using the classic con of the money machine. Beautifully set up, Dubruis is convinced that Phelps and Rollin can print as much money as they want - using a high-speed computer copier! In 1967!

Highlights: Barney playing doctor to Rollin's "epileptic". The copier in action: Barney inside the machine, taking blank input paper from one slot and slipping pre-printed money out another.

In this deftly-plotted two-parter, the team has to take out racketeer Frank Wayne and get "the Syndicate's" financial records. Phelps as Senate investigator Daly and Barney as a U.S. Marshal haul Wayne off to a hotel room for interrogation.

There, Wayne is replaced by Rollin, who "kills" Barney. Rather than leave the country, "Wayne" visits "plastic surgeon" Cinnamon, who gives him a new face: Rollin's. Then "Wayne" orders Johnny, the hitman, to kill Daly. Johnny rigs Daly's car to blow up when the engine is turned on. A satisfying explosion results.

However, now "Wayne" is in big trouble for ordering a hit without the approval of the other members of the Syndicate's Council. Called together, the council decides that Frank Wayne has to go - permanently.

Highlights: Robert Phillips as Johnny, who exudes an aura of evil with just his presence alone. Cinnamon removing Rollin's makeup while three eagle-eyed gangsters watch every move.

A true "personal" caper. Phelps' friend David Webster has been perfectly framed for murder and is awaiting execution in a Spanish jail. With little time left, the team gathers in Spain to do what they can.

It's fascinating to watch them, for once, working in the dark. They must do their own investigation to figure out who framed Webster, and why - and then come up with evidence that will prove he's innocent.

I admit there are some implausibilities here; for instance, how the IMF just happens to have a couple of gadgets they need for the job. Regardless, it's great to watch them improvise all along the way.

Highlights: Hiding Webster in his cell. Phelps fencing (verbally) with the mysterious Constantine.

Not an episode for claustrophobes, this mission takes place almost entirely on board a private plane. Here the IMF must rescue a kidnapped "freedom fighter" and obtain the microfilm he carried that names his supporters.

Cinnamon is the astrologer who "saves" the life of the "Chancellor" (Rollin) via telephone, and is invited to be the Chancellor's guest. Uninvited guests Barney and Rollin stow away in the baggage compartment via clever sleight of hand by baggage handler Willy.

While on board, Cinnamon uses astrological charts to heighten the rivalry and distrust between two officials. Barney and Rollin have a harder job: they can only break into the safe holding the microfilm while the plane is landing or taking off. And just how do they intend to get the kidnapee off the plane?

Highlights: Plenty of tension. If anything goes wrong, the team is history. There's no way off the plane, and no backup to help.

The very best of the "personals". On vacation, Phelps stops in the small town of Woodfield to have his car serviced. Inadvertantly, he learns that the place is inhabited by assassins. Yes, the entire town.

The doctor injects Phelps with curare to paralyze him, then tells Rollin (who comes looking) that Phelps has had a stroke. In the meantime, a pair of killers are off to Los Angeles to execute a defector.

Despite being paralyzed and unable to speak, Phelps manages to get a message across to Rollin. He calls "Mrs." Cinnamon Phelps, and it isn't long before the rest of the IMF roll into town. Then the fun really begins...

Highlights: Rollin's genuine concern for Phelps; emotion is a rarity on the show. Cuts between town action and the killers driving to L.A. The slick way the IMF inserts itself into Woodfield.

This was a tough year for Mission (more on that in Coda at the end). Still, the series was able to maintain its quality, and there are some real humdingers in season three.

When many recall Mission: Impossible, what often comes to mind is the gold. The team's target is a greedy mercenary leader who robs the African countries he's supposedly protecting. The loot is stored as gold bars in a vault in the army's headquarters.

Phelps and Cinnamon, posing as missionaries, enter the mercenary enclave, then reveal themselves as gunrunners. Meanwhile, Rollin has joined the mercs as a new recruit, who supposedly knows of an old hidden cache of gold in the area.

Barney and Willy tunnel from below into the small vault where the gold is stored and insert a high-powered heater. The gold melts and is reformed by the pair below. This gold is then trucked to the "hidden cache". Meanwhile, Rollin is tortured to reveal the location of the cache.

Highlights: The melting gold, perhaps the most beautiful and surreal effect ever done on the show. It looks amazingly real. Of course, it's not actually gold but something quite different: specially blended and molded ice cream. Yes, ice cream, spray painted gold. Incredible!

A stellar episode for Cinnamon. General Qaisette of the mythical Povia threatens a bloody coup if he isn't named the new ruler by Archbishop Djelvas. So the IMF present a "legitimate" heir, the legendary Princess Celine, who disappeared when a small child.

As Celine, Cinnamon is made up to look old, and uses special drops to make herself temporarily blind. Qaisette, thanks to "Doctor" Rollin's records, knows she's a fake. But he goes along with the charade, planning to reveal the hoax and discredit the Archbishop, thus allowing him to seize power.

The climax comes when Celine is tested in front of a special audience to prove she's the "real thing". Aside from answering questions, Cinnamon must open a puzzle box, whose solution only the real Celine knew. And Qaisette, with "Doctor" Rollin on hand, waits for the moment he can unmask the impostor.

Highlights: Cinnamon's performance as Celine, which is excellent. Barney sweating over the puzzle box. Rollin quietly and deftly becoming someone else as the trial proceeds.

This time around, Barney takes the limelight. The team is after Charles Buckman, who is slowly gaining control of various sports, and turning them into rigged events, particularly in boxing.

Barney shows up as ex-boxer Richy Lemoine trying to make a comeback, with Rollin as his manager. The real Lemoine is in on it, but can't do the job himself because of injured hands. He coaches ex-Navy champ Barney on the finer points of pro boxing.

Buckman forces Rollin to hand over "Richy" to his organization. Richy then embarks on a quick climb up the boxing ladder, winning fight after fight and setting up the big match against the current champion. Richy is told he must take a dive. Then a re-match will be held and Richy will win that one, becoming the new champion.

Highlights: Lots of screen time for Barney, in and out of the ring. The team's careful setup of Buckman as a double-crosser. Boxing champ "Sugar Ray" Robinson as a quite nasty (and murderous) assistant to Buckman.

Possibly the sexiest mission ever performed, because its basis is the unstable sexual jealousy of the target. In an "Eastern European" country, three men are rivals for an important post. Our side favors Paul Trock, so the job is to eliminate the other two, Kurt Lom and Emil Skarbeck. Skarbeck is the key.

Skarbeck had an intense affair with cabaret singer Carlotta Kleve, then killed her when she cheated on him with another man, identity unknown. Her partner, Fritz Mueller, was framed for the crime and then killed in a staged auto accident.

Cinnamon, as Mona Bern, and Rollin, as Fritz (who supposedly didn't die), are the new feature act at the Traumerie Cafe. An act that duplicates the one Carlotta used to do. Skarbeck's attention is caught immediately, and before long, he's emotionally entangled with Mona.

The IMF play on this with frightening expertise, setting Skarbeck up for the shocking finale at the Cafe.

Highlights: Cinnamon as Mona Bern, an obvious (and well-done!) riff on Marlene Dietrich. Rollin as the M.C., whose performance is a joy to watch. Fritz Weaver as Skarbeck, teetering on the edge of insanity.

The most convoluted, densely-plotted episode ever, and my personal favorite of them all. Miklos is the sharpest, and likely most dangerous, opponent The IMF have ever faced.

American agent Townsend is a double agent, passing information to the "other side". On discovering this, our side gave him false material to pass on. However, Townsend's contact Simpson discovered the info isn't true and reported that to his bosses.

Because it's known that Simpson is jealous of Townsend, the enemy sends over their best man, Stefan Miklos, to verify Simpson's claim. The IMF's job is to convince Miklos that Simpson is lying, and that Townsend's information is true.

Rollin has a field day here, first impersonating Miklos to get Simpson out of the way, then pretending to be Simpson when the real Miklos shows up. There follows a labyrinthine and subtle placement of clues to fool Miklos. So subtle, the IMF worries that Miklos may not pick up on them in time, smart as he is.

Which is about all I can say; there is no quick way to summarize this episode. You simply must watch every second with great attention - and it's very much worth the effort!

Highlights: Rollin's double impersonation. Steve Ihnat as the cold, impersonal "thinking machine" Miklos. The very intricateness of the scheme.

Yes, I really, really loved this show. But, sad to say, I stopped watching it sometime into the fourth season. A lot had changed.

Two of the show's best writers - Allan Balter and William Read Woodfield - were also script consultants, and in the third season, became producers. Unfortunately, they and Bruce Geller didn't get along very well.

Eventually, partway through filming the third season, a final blow-up happened. Woodfield and Balter walked out, never to return. It was a serious loss to the show.

But the real killer for me was something else. Barbara Bain had been having some salary/contract negotiation difficulties, which couldn't be resolved. She left at the end of the third season, along with her husband, Martin Landau.

Mission just wasn't the same after that. Yes, they did pick up Leonard Nimoy (Star Trek had been cancelled), and he filled the role of make-up genius. He was good, but, let's face it, Landau was better.

And there was just no replacing Barbara Bain. As Cinnamon, she was simply unique. None of the women who showed up in later episodes could hold a candle to her. They didn't have her combination of looks, charm, and range.

Without those two, the show had a big hole in it that was too much for me. I missed them terribly. And so, one day, I stopped tuning in to the series.

But hey, I do have the first three seasons, and I'm grateful for that. Now, I can pull up any episode, roll back the years, and enjoy first-class entertainment - with all my favorites! It was a long wait for Mission: Impossible to return on DVD, but by gosh, it was worth it!! Ahhhh....