When I was a kid I loved this episode just for the concept of Simon the Likeable. As an adult, it is a "superpower" that I find very rarely used, even though it is played really well here. And for some reason, the gag where Max climbs the endless trapdoor ceilings only to fall and free himself stayed with many for 2 decades, it was quite an original gag.
Others have said that this episode didn't have enough for two parts and I agree. However, I think there could have been more and better gags utilizing Simon. For example, Max only has one encounter with Simon - at the diner - and it doesn't play much for laughs. If Max had insisted on helping Simon with his coat, and then through his bumbling gave Simon the wrong coat, that would have played a lot better than the long repetitive car scene.
I would also have loved to see Max try to come up with a really bad idea to try to apprehend Simon. Ie. Arresting Simon while blindfolded but accidentally arresting the wrong person.
I have no idea why showrunners thought that Get Smart needed a second idiot character in the way of Larabee. While at the same time making Max go from idiot-savant to just idiot. Season 5 is like a competition between Larabee and Max as to who can say the stupider things, and it gets annoying real quick.
Of note, Don Adams directed this two-parter. Not sure if it was Don's first time directing the show or not, but if so it might explain why there are some amateur moments in these two episodes.
Others have said that this episode didn't have enough for two parts and I agree. However, I think there could have been more and better gags utilizing Simon. For example, Max only has one encounter with Simon - at the diner - and it doesn't play much for laughs. If Max had insisted on helping Simon with his coat, and then through his bumbling gave Simon the wrong coat, that would have played a lot better than the long repetitive car scene.
I would also have loved to see Max try to come up with a really bad idea to try to apprehend Simon. Ie. Arresting Simon while blindfolded but accidentally arresting the wrong person.
I have no idea why showrunners thought that Get Smart needed a second idiot character in the way of Larabee. While at the same time making Max go from idiot-savant to just idiot. Season 5 is like a competition between Larabee and Max as to who can say the stupider things, and it gets annoying real quick.
Of note, Don Adams directed this two-parter. Not sure if it was Don's first time directing the show or not, but if so it might explain why there are some amateur moments in these two episodes.