U.N.C.L.E. a day is my obsessive-compulsive approach at working through The Complete Man for U.N.C.L.E., now available on DVD. One episode, one review a day (usually – occasional hiatuses may occur due to travel).
A vacation in stock-footage and back-lot “Rome” for our intrepid Men from U.N.C.L.E. Illya and Napoleon becomes another adventure… this time being pulled into a money-laundering scheme being perpetrated by secret police in the country of Terbuf. Yes, Terbuf. Hey I didn’t write this, I just report what I see…
This is what I would consider the first “real” U.N.C.L.E. episode, as Illya and Solo both work throughout the episode separately and together to solve the “affair.” I’m amused that they make a running gag of Illya saying “you’ll need my help” to Solo. Yes, he will – for three more seasons.
This episode also gives David McCallum the chance to eat up some scenery when he is disguised as a gypsy in a bar (not a meal of Shtaner-proportions, but a goodly helping).
And look at the featured guest star: It’s Madlyn Rhue, who three years later was in Star Trek‘s “Space Seed” as Khan’s future “beloved wife” Marla McGivers. And… who is playing that lead henchman for the bad guy, Lt. Fest? He looks familiar…
OF COURSE! It’s Michael Forest – who later played the god Apollo in Star Trek‘s “Who Mourns for Adonis”… (Yes, I know, I’m Trek-obsessed – sorry, I’m in a 12-step program trying to get over it).
Not a bad episode… a good way to pass some time, but not one of the best. The highlight: Clara and Napoleon are about to be shot by a firing squad, and the following exchange occurs:
CLARA Napoleon, I’m sorry.
SOLO You’re not half as sorry as I am…
Fantastic.
Oh, and we find out Illya’s middle name! It’s “Nikovich” in case you are interested. And, while we are on the topic, Jonas Grumby was the name of the Skipper on Gilligan’s Island…